Jill's voice echoed across the room, filled with concern and confusion, "My children? What fire?"
Cassandra lifted her gaze from the Grimoire, fixing her eyes on the study door where Clare stood, captivated by the vast collection of books lining the shelves. The sheer magnitude of the library filled her with awe and wonder.
Clare, sensing Cassandra's unease, positioned herself as a barrier by the door, her expression tinged with nervousness. Cassandra's mind raced, her thoughts oscillating between the peculiar image of Jill, half-squeezing through the door like a spider, and the page she had been reading about the fire. With an instinctual need for change, Cassandra shook her head, refocusing her attention on the large globe resting between two chairs across the room.
Driven by worry, Cassandra couldn't hold back her anxious question, "There's a fire at your shop. Are your children still there?"
Jill took a moment to gather her thoughts, memories of sending her five children away in the face of imminent danger flooding her mind. She hoped with all her heart that they had managed to reach her sister's shop, finding safety and aid. However, doubts nag at her, questioning her sister's willingness to help. Among her many siblings, Deb was one of the few who had shown kindness to Jill. The spider-like mother had already experienced the heartbreak of losing six children to the inherent perils her species faced during their tender years. In the vast forests, only one in ten young spiders typically survived to reach their teenage years. Unlike humanoid infants, who were confined in their early movements, arachnid babies hatched with an innate drive to explore their surroundings, relying solely on their instincts for survival. Within five years, they would grow to half the size of a barrel. If they managed to surpass this critical milestone, they would cocoon themselves for a month, undergoing a transformative period during which their bodies developed a humanoid upper body and acquired intellectual capabilities, marking the onset of their teenage phase.
"They should have made it to my older sister Deb. She runs a silk shop just a few blocks away," Jill responded, fanning herself in the midst of her anxiety. A glimmer of hope tinged her words, "I pray that they are safe." Her gaze instinctively shifted towards the front door of the house, only to be greeted by a perplexing sight—nothing but a blank wall. Alarmed, she exclaimed, "Where is your door?"
Frowning, Clare made her way over to the globe at Cassandra's behest. With a curious expression, she peered through the glasses, her gaze fixed on the alley they had hastily fled from, the remnants of the fire still visible. As she absorbed the scene, a sense of wonder reflected in her eyes when she turned to meet Cassandra's gaze.
Cassandra patiently guided her in manipulating the lens, allowing Clare to trace the route they had taken. After ten minutes of careful observation, Clare looked up at Cassandra, a smile gradually spreading across her lips.
"This shop seems to be quite old, and its roof has collapsed. I heard it's supposed to be repaired in a few weeks. The city took over the establishment after the owner fled, owing taxes. I remember hearing some gossip among the barracks about the shop owner's son. It's said he assaulted a woman of noble birth, and both had to flee to escape the threat of a lynching. The nobleman and his men wreaked havoc on the shop, and during the chaos, one of the men inadvertently destroyed a support beam, causing the roof to cave in on the people below. Six men lost their lives, and eight others were injured. Surprisingly, though, the door remains intact," Clare recollected, her brows furrowing with a mixture of curiosity and concern. In that moment, she absentmindedly reached up to tidy her hair, questioning whether her appearance might somehow be amiss.
"Is something the matter?" Clare inquired, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Shaking her head, Cassandra replied with a hint of amusement, "When does an assistant to a baron find time to delve into barracks gossip? Do all of the Baron's assistants have such leisure?"
"No," Clare replied dismissively, snorting softly as she turned away, her cheeks flushing with a deep shade of red.
Cassandra, now focusing her attention on the globe, had spent the past ten minutes attempting to decipher how to open a door, only to be met with frustration. She gently patted her own head in self-deprecation, murmuring, "I'm such an idiot." Cassandra was known for her meticulous nature, always reading manuals before assembling or using anything. Her cautious approach had often saved the day during prop preparations for the show, preventing mishaps caused by leftover parts or misplaced bolts. Her colleagues would playfully tease her for her thoroughness, even reading the tiniest scraps of paper found in boxes to ensure she fully understood the proper usage of each item. Cassandra couldn't understand why she hadn't adhered to her usual practice of reading the instructions for the globe, opting instead to tinker with it. After reviewing several pages of the accompanying book, reading and rereading them, she finally grasped the necessary steps.
Walking back to the globe, a renewed determination surged through Cassandra. She meticulously positioned the marker on the desired doorway, her fingers gently touching the magnifying glass as she infused it with magic. With a firm command, she spoke the word, "Open." A sense of relief washed over her as she realized she hadn't blurted out some childhood fable, which would have been rather embarrassing. Eager to confirm the restoration of the front door, she hurriedly glanced around the study door, careful not to startle Jill. To her delight, the door had reappeared.
"The door is back! We can go outside whenever we please," Cassandra exclaimed joyfully. In that moment, a surge of excitement coursed through her. She contemplated trying out an upgrade she had discovered while reading the book—an enhancement that would allow for an expanded view beyond the immediate area, displaying real-time movement. However, she also knew that activating this feature would require utilizing one of the twenty-six stars she had accumulated, earned through her heroic acts, such as rescuing Jill. Furthermore, Cassandra had learned that stars could be used to unlock other parts of the house, including the second floor, the basement, or even the kitchen. She understood, though, that these newfound accesses did not grant automatic entry to every room or garden—the use of stars came at a cost.
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"Opening the second floor would require ten stars, and two stars for each guest bedroom. Additionally, I'd need to purchase an unseen servant to maintain the floor," Cassandra contemplated, realizing the necessity of delving further into the book's contents. Opening the front door had consumed her time, leaving little opportunity for studying the rest of the tome.
During that time, Clare meandered among the bookcases, her eyes traversing the vast array of volumes that adorned them. Some cases were adorned with barriers, creating an invisible barrier that prevented her from reaching out and touching the books within. However, amidst these restricted shelves, there was one bookcase that remained accessible, its shelves housing a collection of books that Clare had never encountered before. These volumes delved into the intricate and mystical elements of earth, air, water, fire, and nature. The titles beckoned to her, promising untold knowledge and secrets waiting to be unveiled.
One particular book caught Clare's eye—an exploration of light magic and dark magic. Intrigued by the complex dynamics between the two, she delved into its pages, eager to expand her understanding. The book revealed that light magic, often referred to as life magic, encompassed more than just the preservation of life. Similarly, dark magic, often associated with death, held a deeper complexity that extended beyond mere endings. Clare absorbed these revelations, recognizing that the true nature of magic was far more nuanced than she had initially thought.
Amidst her exploration, another book caught her attention—a guide to farming. Surprisingly, she discovered that she could effortlessly read the words inscribed within its pages, unlocking a wealth of knowledge. The illustrations within the book vividly depicted the art of tending to plants, guiding her through the techniques of pruning rose bushes and sowing seeds with precision. But it was the revelation of innovative machinery that left Clare astounded. She marveled at the illustrations depicting contraptions reminiscent of gnomish ingenuity—a machine designed for tilling the soil, with a person comfortably seated atop it, eliminating the need for traditional plowing methods relying on mules or horses. She turned page after page, captivated by the ingenuity displayed, as illustrations showcased various horseless carriages used for harvesting crops and efficiently transporting them. The future of farming seemed to unfold before her eyes.
Just as Cassandra's voice echoed through the room, announcing the return of the door, Clare gently placed the book on farming back on the shelf. She paused for a moment, her hand instinctively grazing the spine of the book, as if bidding it farewell for now. With newfound knowledge and curiosity burning within her, Clare embarked on her quest to find Cassandra and Jill, eager to share her discoveries and continue their journey together.
Jill sat at the table, savoring the pastry and drinking the tea as if it were the most refreshing elixir. She couldn't help but be astonished each time she turned her head to find the pitcher miraculously refilled, a never-ending supply of tea. After wasting ten minutes attempting to catch the enchanting refill in action, her boredom prompted her to seek entertainment elsewhere. Her eyes landed on a paper book resting on the table amidst a collection of other books. Adorned with an image of a woman in a resplendent gown, it piqued her curiosity. With anticipation, she opened the book, immersing herself in a world of breathtaking gowns and exquisite accessories. It took her a few moments to realize that the depicted clothes were meant for humans on their wedding day, with garments designed for both men and women. Jill found herself entranced by the delicate craftsmanship and intricate details captured in the illustrations.
As Cassandra's voice broke through the spell, awakening Jill from her mesmerized state, a multitude of ideas flooded her mind. The enchanting gowns she had just immersed herself in could become a reality, drawing women from miles around to purchase these magnificent creations. The mere thought of creating one of those gowns filled her with a surge of joy, as it presented an opportunity to pursue her dream of designing clothing, a departure from the rug-selling business her mother had forced upon her. Two years had passed, and Jill had only managed to repay a fraction of the debt she owed to her mother, who had taken over the shop. Once the remaining balance was settled, Jill knew she could transform the shop into anything she desired.
Fortunately, an ex-admirer had convinced her to purchase fire insurance for the shop when she first started her business. Although it had caused a strain on her finances due to the yearly dues to the city, she was grateful for the foresight. Sadly, that ex-lover was no longer in the picture, as Jill's mother had taken matters into her own hands, exacting vengeance upon him for his heinous act of rape. The consequences of that encounter resulted in Jill giving birth to a dozen children. Her species, known for laying eggs that would hatch into spiderlings, faced a treacherous path to survival. Once the spiderlings reached the age of ten, they would cocoon themselves and emerge a year later with a humanoid upper body, entering their teenage phase. However, until that critical milestone, the spiderlings had to navigate the world and fend for themselves, with mishaps and encounters with other races resulting in the loss of all but five of Jill's offspring. Being a member of a misunderstood and marginalized race, Jill and her mother had a complicated relationship, lacking the warmth and love typically associated with motherhood. Jill understood that her mother's perspective was shaped by the harsh realities they faced, viewing her children more as potential sacrifices than cherished beings.
Despite the hardships she had endured, Jill couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope and excitement as Cassandra relayed the news of the shop's fire. It was almost as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her mother had acquired the rug shop, burdening Jill with its management, a responsibility she had grown to resent. Now, with the prospect of starting anew, Jill saw an opportunity to fulfill her dreams, to create a haven of beauty and creativity within the walls of her shop. Once her debts were settled, she would have the freedom to transform the space into a place where her artistic vision could flourish, a testament to her resilience and determination.
As she contemplated the future, Jill couldn't help but be grateful for the ex-lover who had encouraged her to secure fire insurance, a flicker of gratitude mingling with the complexities of her past. With every intention to honor her dreams and protect her newfound freedom, Jill embraced the path that lay before her, ready to build a better future for herself and her remaining children.