The seven flowers of fate

Chapter 3: The Shop in Town

The morning sun was warm as I made my way down the narrow path from the cottage to the town of Vyrewood, my basket of potions and herbs tucked securely under my arm. The soft hum of magic vibrated through the air as the enchanted plants I carried glowed faintly, their delicate scents swirling around me with every step.

Vyrewood was alive with the usual bustle of the marketplace by the time I arrived-vendors calling out their wares, children darting through the streets, and the comforting clatter of life. My shop stood at the edge of the square, a small wooden building with a swinging sign that read, Evelyna's Remedies & Elixirs. It was a modest place, but it was mine, and the people here trusted me to heal what I could.

As I approached the door, I could already hear the familiar sound of Lina's voice, shrill and full of frustration, carrying through the open window.

"I mean, really, Aric! He said my pie was the best he'd ever tasted! My pie! But then I saw him at the tavern with that Freya-and she's going on about how her stew is to die for, and I'm like, excuse me?! Who does she think she is?"

I stifled a smile as I stepped inside. Lina was standing at the counter, her red hair falling out of its messy braid, hands waving dramatically as she paced back and forth. Across from her, Aric leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a weary look on his face. He rubbed his temples as if he'd been enduring Lina's rant for far too long.

Aric's deep green eyes brightened when he saw me. He straightened up instantly, giving me a look of mock desperation as if I were his salvation. "Eve! Thank the gods," he said, his voice laced with relief. "It's too early for this much... yapping."

Lina shot him a glare. "It's not yapping, Aric. It's a crisis!"

I smiled at her. "I'm sure it is, Lina. But it sounds like something that can wait a moment." I stepped behind the counter and set my basket down. "The store's running low on lavender, though. Could you gather some for me? We'll need it for the evening rush."

Lina's expression softened, the hint of a smile breaking through her pout. "Of course. I'll go right away." She grabbed a small basket from the shelf and hurried toward the door. "But don't think this is over," she called back over her shoulder. "We're definitely going to talk about Joss again later!"

As the door swung shut behind her, I let out a quiet laugh and turned to Aric, who was already visibly relaxing.

"You saved me," he said with a smirk, pushing away from the wall and running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I swear, if I have to hear about Joss and Freya's stew one more time, I'll lose it."

I raised an eyebrow. "You could have gathered the lavender yourself, you know."

Aric made a face. "I'd rather face a chimera."

We both chuckled, but the lightness of the moment quickly passed when Aric's expression shifted. His playful smirk softened into something more serious, and he gave me a subtle nod toward the back of the shop. "I have something we need to discuss."

I nodded, understanding the look he gave me. Aric didn't get serious unless it was important. As we walked to the small back room of the shop, I could feel the shift in the air between us-the weight of something pressing down.

As we stepped into the back room of the shop, the soft murmur of the town faded behind us, leaving only the quiet hum of magic that seemed to cling to every corner of the space. But this time, instead of stopping at the table, Aric gestured toward the narrow staircase that led down into the basement-a place I'd rarely visited.