Phony Potions

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

"Guess we're going back to the carriage." I held an arm above my head. It was more of a mist than a heavy rain so my sleeve wasn't immediately drenched. For now. "Mallow, did you bring my cloak?"

"Of course, Dad."

Mallow reached into a small bag on the side of her hip. She pulled out a well-made, fur-trimmed cloak with hood. She handed it to me before she stretched up to her full height. Her fingertips reached the bottom sills of the Tavern's second story windows.

"It's so good to be out of there!" She declared, paying no attention to the still dispersing crowd that was shooting her fearful glances. To me, she was less scary at her full height; comfortable and loose instead of bent over like a growling dog. She tugged at the brown burlap cloth wrapped around her waist. It had gotten bunched up with the crouched-down shuffling she was forced into under the low ceiling of the tavern. Well, low for her anyway.

As we walked I pulled the cloak on. It was made out of fairy otter pelt that I'd picked it up at a second hand sorcerer clothing store in Rileston. It was enchanted to repel rain so the wearer could stay completely dry. The cloak had cost plenty of coin....but it helped bolster my backstory that I was a sorcerer's Assistant. I had written off its purchase as a business expense instead of a lavish indulgence. Mallow contested this point whenever she began to gripe about the inequality of our clothes.

The atmosphere in the town was different than before I entered the tavern. An hour ago, I had been everyone's friend, practically an honorary citizen after my spectacular sale of potions this afternoon. For a dreary little place like this, a stranger riding into town, wearing Arcanacrat-quality clothes and shouting with a clear, lively voice was an event. My mere presence was a gift, and I'd been greeted by smiles wherever I went.

I caught one of my customers glancing at me, and I beamed, giving a quick wave. His head inclined up slightly, noticing Mallow, and he waved back stiffly. He brought in his firewood before it was completely ruined by the wet drizzle.

So the news of Mallow's attack had already spread this far. That miserable old cripple had tarnished my name, and there was no choice but to leave town in the next hour or risk backlash.

They were scared now. If they did the math, they'd realize that if Mallow really threatened them they could kill her by working together. Moon Giant Raiding Parties had a reputation for being invincible. A single Moon Giant was only flesh, bone and bit of magic, like the rest of us.

"We need to get out of here, Mallow. No dawdling," I said.

"Why? We took care of that old man." She was twisting locks of her hair together to wring out the slow but persistent rain. As the rain kept falling the action was in vain.

"The weather has changed for the worst," I said.

"Then even more reason to stick around here. I can take shelter in the stables, you have the room checked out..."

"A different kind of weather, Mallow," I said.

She stopped twisting her hair and threw it back over her shoulder.

"Oooh," she said, and then her face went sour. "Oh I see. Yeah."

My carriage was hidden in a fenced off yard. I'd had Mallow lift and put it there with some effort shortly after the show earlier today. That was safer than leaving it somewhere an angry customer could smash it up. I had paid the people who let me use their yard to discourage them from telling others. Even the decor of the carriage was part of my con. I disguised my home-on-wheels well: legitimate healing herbs, luxurious blankets, Mallow's silvery blood in vials, and a few books I could not entirely read. I learned quickly this was necessary as someone in every town always peeked into the carriage while I was away. When they'd see only rotting blankets and junk ingredients in the carriage, my backstory fell apart.