Alnwick Chronicles

Three

Adalyn

Next on the map is The Scrum.

Once there, I first buy a bowl of soup from an old man. I can't really figure out what's in it, but I'm afraid to find out. So I just gulp it down. Then, I go to talk to the couple who runs the apothecary my dad used to sell most of his plants to.

The stall is relatively nicer than the other ones around here, and more hygienic. There are about a dozen cartons lined with little cloth sacs containing medicinal paste all over the floor. Under the rickety wooden counter is the more expensive stuff: glass bottles full of healing liquids, sanitary pads and bars of soap.

From one of the wooden rods holding up the tin roof, hangs a flag with the symbol of the kingdom on it: a sunset over waves of the sea, but instead of the sun, it's a crown. A sunlight-emitting crown, in the vague shape of an 'M'.

'M' stands for Queen Muriel. The people's saviour, leader, friend, everything. A literal goddess.

Before her, Alnwick was ruled by the cruel King Lyton. During the time referred to as 'the dark days', he used, robbed and killed people ruthlessly. Even wandering out of the house was extremely dangerous for a common citizen, as the King's Guard was loyal to, and as brutal as the King himself.

It is believed that Queen Muriel, barely an adult at that time, risked more than just her life to do what she did.

She single-handedly carried out the assassination of Lyton, her husband.

She has been ruling the country ever since. And successfully too, as is clear from how much the people love her.

I am awoken from my reverie by Mrs Molinari of the drugstore.

"Don't just stand there if you ain't gonna buy anythin', you blockin' other people!" she snaps at me.

"I'm sorry Mrs Molinari. I actually wanted to ask y-"

"Wait a second," she squints at me. "You Ivan's boy?"

"Yes ma'am. Ivan Ashford is my father. In fact that's wh-"

"Go tell him he's late. Not brought me my plants he was s'posed to three days ago!"

"Well you see, he-"

"Even took my money before that! You tell him to get my plants or gimme back my money!" She's yelling now.

"Mrs Molinari, please listen. I-"

"Oh no no, tell him his excuses ain't workin' on me. That's why he sent you, eh? Couldn't face me himself, that bastard," she huffs.

"MRS MOLINARI," I raise my voice before she cuts me off again. "I NEED TO TALK TO YOU about something important." I lower my voice when people around start giving me dirty looks. "In private."

Mrs Molinari raises an eyebrow. "A'ight. But this better be worth it, boy. Every second widju, I lose customers."

She motions for me to enter inside, and takes me to the very back of the shop. Then she crosses her arms over her chest and gives me an impatient look.

"You see, I haven't seen or heard from my father in the last five days, and I've been trying to look for him. I know he used to sell most of his herbs to you, so I came to ask about the last time you saw him."

"That would be... uhh... 'bout a week back I think," she says. "Jus' like always, comes to my shop, gives me the herbs, takes money for the next lot."