Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Adeline thrust forward with all her might, trekking her cart up the hill to the Commons. She was later than usual, thanks to the unwanted guest this morning. It was nearly noon, and the Commons were already teeming with life and business. 

“Good morning, Adeline.” A passerby called. Adeline replied politely, barely casting her gaze about to identify the voice. Instead of finding the face to match, her gaze fell on a young girl. She must have been no older than seven, and her eyes were red and wet with tears. Her skirt was yanked up past her knee, revealing a bloody abrasion on her leg.

“Oh, my darling, I’m sorry.” Another voice grasped her attention. A man crouched on one knee before the girl, his face the epitome of a loving parent. His arms stretched toward the child, grabbing her up into an embrace.

“Papa, it hurts!” The child wailed, throwing her arms about her father’s neck.

“Come on, love, let’s get you cleaned up. I may have a dumpling for you inside.” The man spoke again, holding the girl at his hip as he rose to stand. A smile quirked the corners of her mouth as she blinked through her tears. 

Adeline watched as the man disappeared down the pathways between houses, the girl having lain her head on her father’s shoulder, receiving a large, comforting hand on her back. Adeline swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat, continuing up the hill to the Commons. She was oblivious to how long she had stood there watching the couple but she felt it in her arms now. Heaving one last time, the wheels fell into the divets where the earth had sunken from the weight of her cart and she sighed in relief. Today’s load of produce was larger than she had brought to the city in several weeks, and she regretted stopping on the hill.

Checking the lock on her cart, she ventured away, heading for the temple, the lump returning to her throat. She had scarcely taken two steps when another foot tread on the hem of her dress and she heard the tear of fabric beneath boot. Exasperated, she hoisted the hem of her dress to her ankles, retreating to the edges of the Commons where less people clammored about. 

I just mended this dress. She complained to herself, sighing at the torn hem as she passed under the awning of the general store onto the wood of its porch.

“Boo!” Two hands suddenly launched out of a shadow at her and she shrieked, involuntarily swiping the hands away and throwing a fist into her foe. A dull thud and an unexpecting “oof” met her ears, and she finally opened her eyes. Behind a web of fingers clawing at his nose, Seth glared at her. His dusty blonde hair was ruffled and crusted with dirt, and more dirt smudges adorned his hands and face. Even at the age of seventeen, the boy hadn’t bothered to properly bathe. 

“You didn’t have to hit me!” He complained, his dark eyes watering with pain.

“You didn’t have to scare me!” She countered, though guilt panged her heart. “Serves you right.”

Still rubbing the bridge of his nose with one hand, he shrugged his shoulders in defeat.

“I suppose you’re right.” A grin appeared on his lips. “You should have seen your face though.”  Adeline grimaced and half-heartedly shoved him.

“What are you doing, anyway?” Seth asked, sniffling as he contorted his face to stretch his nose.

“Going to pray.” Adeline answered quickly. “Like I always do when I come to town.”

“Seth!” A much older voice called over the crowd. Seth’s mother, Yvaine.

“Go, get out of here.” Adeline hissed, shoving him again, whole-heartedly this time. He nearly tripped when his foot landed on dirt rather than the wood of the porch, and he disappeared into the crowd with Adeline giggling behind him.

That boy… she thought to herself as she left the porch, her mind returning to the image of the injured girl and her father. The doors of the temple began to blur as she approached and she blinked furiously, clearing her throat before entering.

“Good morning, Adeline.” The priestess, Haelgen, greeted her warmly.

“Good morning, Haelgen.” Adeline replied, smiling. Continuing onward, she passed by the shrines of the Fathers, going directly to the altar before the Mother. Taking a breath, she knelt before the altar, bowing reverently.

Fair Mother, praise be to thy goodness. Grant me thy blessing and favor. She recited in her mind. Her thoughts began to wander, thinking on the events of the morning, and the ever-present hole in her chest. She knew she should be thankful for Ronan’s protection and care, but she could not shake the feeling that something was missing. She needed more than an occasional pat on the shoulder of his approval. Surprised out of her prayer, she felt a drop on her cheek, finding a tear had fallen from her eye. 

I know this isn’t orthodox, but I ask your blessing upon my parents, where ever and whoever they are. And if I may, I ask for your blessing upon me. Help me be grateful for Ronan and take away this yearning from my heart. Clearing her throat, she rose from the altar, going round and standing before the shrine of Selor. Closing her eyes, she dipped her finger into the water basin, placing the finger between her eyebrows.

Good Father, praise be to thy goodness. Grant thy blessing and favor upon my soul. 

She could use all the help she could get. 

Ending her ritual, she turned to leave the temple when Haelgen stopped her.

“Are you all right, child?” Haelgen asked. “I sense a great weight upon your soul.” 

“I’m alright, thank you.” Adeline replied. She wished she could trust the priestess with the desires of her heart, but she knew the elders of the village respected Ronan more as her elder than they did her, as she was still only a child. No doubt they would make Ronan aware of her displeasure. He didn’t deserve the extra burden, and she doubted anything would come of it aside from perhaps a long discussion about her need to be independent. 

Haelgen eyed her knowingly. “Very well. Gods bless you, child.” 

“Thank you.” Adeline bowed her head respectfully to her elder, who stepped aside, and Adeline passed by, leaving the temple hurriedly. 

The mid-morning sunlight shocked her eyes, and she shielded herself as she blinked. The porch of the general store was enmassed with people, and Adeline turned to round the other side of the Commons back to her cart when a familiar face caught her attention and her breath froze.

Kael.

He jaunted easily down the steps of the Governor’s house, coming directly toward her. He hadn’t seen her yet, and she glanced around desperately, bursting through the door which stood directly beside her. Shutting the door quickly, she turned to examine her surroundings, finding herself in the Apothecary. 

“Hello,” a surprised voice came from behind the counter. Adeline met the gaze of Gaowen, the Obeah. “Are you in a hurry?”

“Hello, I’m sorry. There’s someone I’m trying to avoid.” She admitted, glancing nervously out the small window. 

“Who?” Gaowen was puzzled.

“A man. I met him at the river this morning.” Adeline answered, relaxing as she watched Kael disappear into the temple. She thanked the Gods he hadn’t happened upon her while she was praying.

Perhaps the Mother had granted a blessing after all.

“Interesting.” Gaowen raised an eyebrow. The obeah wasn’t keen on city gossip, preferring to keep to herself and her medicines. 

Ronan wouldn’t approve of Adeline being in the Apothecary, but she knew Gaowen would never report her, and she did fancy learning the medicinal properties of herbs, insects, and various other objects. 

“Do you have anything new to show me?” She asked, and the obeah smiled.

“Come,” she instructed, and Adeline hurried over as the obeah brought a large jar from underneath the counter. A thin covering veiled the contents of the jar, and Adeline’s curiosity heightened. 

“What is it?” She asked, intrigued, and Gaowen lifted the veil from the jar.

A huge pair of beady eyes met Adeline’s and she jumped back, startled. The moth didn’t move, but flicked it’s even larger antennae. It’s wingspan was nearly half the width of the jar, but its wings themselves were even more of a wonder. They were a translucent, silvery grey, and Adeline thought she saw a glimmer as the light hit the veins in the papery wings.

“What is it?” She asked again.

“A Crescent Moth.” Gaowen answered, grinning. 

“What can you do with it?” 

“See the powder at the bottom of the jar?” 

Adeline noticed the shimmering power, barely a dusting at the bottom of the jar. “Yes, what does it do?”

“The scales of its wings. It’s the best soporific in all the Four Lands. I can easily fetch ten Daen for one dose of moth dust, but my concern is more of where I will keep the thing. If it dies, my supply will run out, and who knows how long it will be until I find another one.” 

Adeline gazed inquisitively at the insect. She was glad to hear that it need not die to serve its medicinal purpose. A good soporific would do Adeline a world of good �" perhaps free her from her nightmares for a night �" and she slightly wished that she had found the moth herself. 

“How does it work?” 

“One need only inhale the dust. It can be incredibly uncomfortable though, so most tend to mix it with an herbal tea.” 

“Facinating.” Adeline’s lips quirked a smile as Gaowen replaced the veil over the jar. 

“I believe your person of interest has gone, shouldn’t you be getting to your shop?” Gaowen remarked with a slight wink, snapping Adeline out of her daze.

“Oh, yes. Thank you.” She responded, jerking up from the counter and turning back towards the door. 

Blinking into the sunlight, she was partly relieved and partly panicked to find that the Commons had cleared significantly and she walked sheepishly back to her shop cart. Surely there would be no way she could sell all of her goods today, having missed the morning bustle. Fishing her key from the pocket of her dress, she released the lock and set about arranging her produce.

“Hello, again.” 

Jumping slightly, she turned to face Kael, who stood uncomfortably close. 

“Hello.” She answered quickly, turning her attention back to her cart. Straggling citizens meandered over, and she put on her best smile, trying to ignore Kael. The musky scent which wafted from his skin was intoxicating but she set her jaw, determined to shut him out.

“Your father is very protective of you.” Kael remarked as the last of the citizens trailed away from her cart.

“He’s not my father. But yes, he is.” She answered, taking out her record tome that she had kept for her shop for the last several months and finding an empty page, dipping her pen in her ink well and marking her stock for the day.

“Is that so?” He asked coolly. 

“Is there something I can assist you with? If not, would you kindly find other means to entertain yourself? I’m quite preoccupied.” She asked. Kael gave her a once-over which made her skin crawl, but she didn’t break eye contact until she decided she’d rather give her attention back to her records. In the outskirts of her view, she saw Kael begin to move, when her entire cart jostled and several bushels worth of fruit sprawled out into the dirt.

“Oh, Fathers!” She shouted, frustrated as she whipped around the cart, dropping to her knees as she gathered her fallen produce.

“I’m so sorry! Are you all right?” Kael asked, stooping down to help. She ignored his question, but he still grasped an armful of the fallen fruits and arranged them back on the cart. Gathering the last of the fallen fruits, she stood to replace them on her cart. 

“What are you doing?” She asked deliberately as Kael let go of the drawstring on her coinpurse.

“It fell. Forgive me, I was replacing it.” He gushed, and she eyed him nervously, setting the rest of the fallen fruits back on the cart.

“Thank you. Now if you please, I’m busy, and don’t need you messing up anymore of my things.” Her forced politeness was evident in the crispness of her words, and Kael backed up a pace.

“My apologies, Miss…?” He gestured to her vaguely.

“Adeline.” She mentally kicked herself for letting it slip past her tight lips.

“My apologies, Miss Adeline. I shall disappear.” And with that, he turned heel and made his way up the steps to the Governor’s house, disappearing behind the huge doors.

Adeline finally took a breath. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she took several deep breaths, determined to banish from her mind the image of this mysterious, yet charming stranger who seemed to be taking a keen interest to her. And now he knew her name. How would she explain that to Ronan? Sighing heavily, she put the thought aside when another face caught her attention. Seth.

“Oi, what does the Governor’s new chum want with you?” He asked inquisitively.

“If only I knew.” She rolled her eyes. “Where’s your mother?” Her eyeroll stopping abruptly.

“She’s gone into the Apothecary.” He gave her a knowing look and they both chuckled slightly.

“You’ll be home by tomorrow, then?” She teased. Yvaine could talk to anyone for hours, but no one so much as her good friend, the Obeah.

“If not by the end of the season.” Seth agree, plopping himself down in the dirt behind Adeline’s shop cart.

“Well, don’t get in my way, I still have to work.” She complained, nudging him aside with her boot. He scooted himself aside lazily.

The day passed remarkably fast, and Seth had wandered off to find his brothers. Adeline heaved another sigh of relief as the setting sun glowed over the treetops in ths distance. But her serenity was short-lived.

“Having much luck?” A voice chimed in behind her, and the thick sent of barley ale filled her nose as she turned to face Kael. 

“Yes, thank you. What can I get you?” She asked, purely business-like.

“Three apples, and a pound of carrots, if you please.” He answered precisely, and she set to work gathering his request.

“That’ll be four Rai.” She remarked, not looking at him until she she had the produce ready for purchase. He surprised her with an already outstretched hand with the coin, and she warily accepted, dipping her hand to avoid his rough fingertips in her palm. “Thank you, Kael.”

“Of course, Milady.” He answered, giving her that smirk that unsettled her stomach. She was unsure if she should be flattered or terrified. She avoided his eyes.

“You’re a wonder, Adeline. You are not as timid as you seem.” He continued, taking a bite into one of the crisp apples. The juice trickled down his chin; he didn’t bother with it. Adeline had to stone her face muscles to keep from grimacing.

“You know that much about me already, do you?” She asked, her voice flat and unconcerned. It almost seemed to annoy him. 

“Perhaps I do.” He snickered, but still, she didn’t look up. 

“Hello, Adeline.” Yvaine, Seth’s mother appeared from behind Kael, and Adeline was glad of the excuse to ignore Kael.

“Hello, Yvaine,” She answered, sweetly, then turned to Kael. “Do you mind? I’m rather preoccupied.” She hissed in forced politeness.

“Until next time, love.” Kael answered, winking before he turned away. Adeline rolled her eyes. 

“I’m so sorry, what can I do for you, Yvaine?” She turned back to Seth’s mother, plastering a smile between her cheeks.

“I just need five potatoes, carrots, and leeks.” Yvaine answered, already pulling out her coinpurse. 

Adeline handled the transaction absentmindedly, all the while keeping the smile plastered on her lips. As Yvaine took her produce, calling for Seth fiercely as she headed back through town, Adeline glanced upwards. Golden red streaks sliced through the clouds overhead as the day waned into sunset. Another day done with. 

Huffing a breath, Adeline gathered the few remaining fruits that hadn’t sold, stuffing them into a burlap bag in the bed of her shop cart, her thoughts remaining occupied on Kael and his continued intrusions on her work. And moreso, his apparent obsession with her character. What business was it of his? 

He may be charming, but so is a Gryphon.

Kael could take his charm and shove it up the Governor’s backside, which she suspected he was already busy doing. No doubt he’d charm everyone and certainly every woman in town before he finally fled. 

Before departing for home, she pulled her coin purse from her belt, counting out her final profit. 

Almost ten Daen! 

Praising the Fathers, she took the equivalent of four Daen, shoving the coin into her dress pocket. She’d finally saved enough to purchase the fabric she’d been eyeing in Burgh’s shop for weeks. It would make a magnificent dress for the Equinox Festival, provided that she would be allowed to attend. Ronan had never allowed it before, but she was so close to being of age, surely he would allow her attendance with his supervision? 

Nibbling on her lip, she contemplated when she would ask his permission. She would need to ask soon if she was to purchase the fabric and complete the dress in time for the Festival. Pouring over the idea in her mind, she recalled that Ronan had never attended a Festival either. 

If he wouldn’t be attendance, he wouldn’t be there to stop her from going…

A new emotion flickered in her veins. Excitement, rebellion, she’d never considered going behind Ronan’s back before, but she would be of age soon and would be making her own choices. It couldn’t hurt to start early, could it?

 Casually, she walked into the general shop. 

Burgh stood at the counter. His broad figure towered over most other citizens in Terra, but Adeline approached calmly. He was a gentle giant, would never harm a hair on a head.

“Evenin’, Adeline. You finally come for that fabric you been watchin’ since I got it from the West Land?” He asked, and she blushed slightly.

“Yes, Burgh. I finally have enough.” She answered, pulling the coin from her purse. 

“That’s a hard workin’ girl!” He congratulated her as he walked through the back door of the shop, where he stored assorted goods that weren’t on display anymore. “I been savin’ it for you.”

“Thank you.” She muttered, feeling her face flush. He was a sweet man, with a heart large enough for the entire city. It reminded her of Seth, and she thought he would perhaps grow to be a man like Burgh one day.

“’ere it is.” He came back bearing the heavy, green fabric, and her eyes lit up.

“Perfect.” She took the roll of fabric, running her hands over the smooth texture. “Thank you so much.” She said again, and he gave her a wink.

“’s nothin’.” He shrugged his shoulders, smiling wide as she turned to leave the shop.

Adeline hastened across the Commons to her cart, setting the fabric roll tilted over one edge of the cart. It was so wide, it wouldn’t fit the length of the cart. Her steps were automatic that night, she scarcely paid attention to the passing scenery as the pale blue of the sky shrunk behind the trees, revealing a curtain of bright stars overhead.

The house was dark when Adeline rested her cart near the garden. Steadying it by the gate, she hoisted the fabric over her shoulder. She wasn’t afraid of Ronan seeing her with the fabric, he generally let her alone, but there was a prickling worry that he would ask questions. Thankfully, he was still in his shop, his lamp illuminating the window in an orange hue, and she crept up the steps to the front door, cringing as the hinges squeaked for want of oil. Kicking the rock used for a door stop in front of the now wide open door, she made her way to her room. 

Every sound seemed to echo and she was sure Ronan would hear her walking about, and she carefully shoved the fabric under her bed before creeping back down the stairs from the loft. She kicked the rock out of the way of the door, catching it before it could crash closed, and returned to the cart, fishing out the sack she had stored the unsold fruits in. 

Tossing it over her shoulder, she approached Ronan’s shop warily, giving the door a light knock. All activity behind the door ceased and she backed up a pace as footsteps approached. Ronan’s face was dark in the back-light of the lamp.

“Adeline, you’re back. A little late, mind you.” 

“Sorry. I had a slow start this morning and wanted to get as much sold as I could before day’s end.” She answered. “I’ll retire now.” 

“Very good, Child.” Ronan called softly as she trudged back up the steps to the house. The door creaked, and his voice was gone. 

Her boots thumped against the wood floor as she left the bag beside the shelf where she stored their fruits, and then thumped back up the stairs to her room. A wave of relief settled over her as she abandoned her shoes, and her dress from the day. Shod only in her night gown, she braided her hair loosely over one shoulder before crouching on the floor to retrieve her hard-earned fabric. 

She had work to do if she was to finish by the Equinox Festival.