The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 1

Summer was forgiving so far this year. Instead of the pounding heat of the sun's rays and the suffocating humidity that kept Iris covered in a thin layer of sweat, this year had been only slightly warmer than spring up to this point. She was enjoying the unseasonably cool weather. It wouldn't last long, of course. The sun would remember at some point that it needed to turn the temperature up a few degrees, and then she would be miserable until autumn came. But, for now, summer was nice.

"Good morning, Mr. Smith," Iris said cheerfully, setting the empty wicker basket in her hand on his stall counter.

"Good morning, Iris," he replied, his white mustache twitching up into a smile. "Who are you shopping for today?"

"Mrs. Evans," Iris said, reaching into a pocket of her worn blue dress for a scrap of paper. "She's still recovering from having the baby."

"I don't know what this town would do without you, Iris," Mr. Smith said, chuckling as he took the paper and scanned the lines. "People would have to get up and do their own work."

"It just means more money for me," she replied, shrugging.

A loud shout in the street behind Iris, followed by a child wailing, interrupted their conversation. Iris sighed before she even turned around to see what had happened. A tall man with dark hair, dressed all in black, was staring in surprise down at a little girl of about five who was sitting in the dirt at his feet, bawling. Iris sighed again.

"Kayla, stop that," she shouted across the street.

The little girl immediately stopped sobbing, her face screwing up into a scowl as her big blue eyes shot a venomous glare at Iris.

"Get over here," Iris ordered.

Kayla got up with ease, completely unhurt, and stormed over to Iris without sparing a glance at the man in the street, who was now looking from Kayla to Iris in confusion.

"Excuse me, Mr. Smith, I'll just be a minute," Iris said sweetly to him.

He chuckled again. "Take your time. I'll just fill your list and help the next customer while you get her sorted out."

Iris snatched Kayla's hand in hers as soon as the child came to her side and led her away from the stall and the street. She pursed her lips tightly, bringing them to a stop on the boardwalk in front of the butcher's shop.

"Kayla, this is the third time this week," she said with exasperation, sitting on a bench and patting the spot beside her. Kayla hopped onto it and snuggled up to Iris, pleased with her results. "You can't keep running off like this. There are a lot of travelers coming through town lately, and you never know when you're going to run into the wrong person," she continued, stroking the girl's fine blonde hair.

"But I never get to see you anymore," Kayla complained, looking up at Iris with her big blue eyes.

Iris pinched the bridge of her nose. "I have to work, Kayla. And you're supposed to be studying with Father John. Did you even tell anybody you were leaving?"

"No..." Kayla admitted reluctantly, dropping her gaze to her lap.

"Well, Fred should be along soon," Iris muttered.

"Why can't I stay with you?" Kayla whined.

"Because I'll be working, and I have too much to do without you following along. You'll see me when I get home tonight."

"No, I won't. You won't be home until after I'm asleep," Kayla said sadly. "Why do you have to work so much, anyway?"

"Because you need to eat," Iris said, poking Kayla's stomach.