Rune of Oldfyre

Chapter Eighteen: May

Eighteen months later, early in the morning, I was standing in my very own magic shop.

The Kraken never showed up. We waited for two months before Jak began to get impatient. Even with the threat of the Stranger’s wrath, he told us we were deterring customers. “Nobody fucks if theres a giant dire hell hound watching them.” He said.

“Unless they’re into that.” Allister had added. That week Jak threw us out.

I was able to purchase a decently sized shop located in the Harbor district. It came with a small room upstairs that acted as my apartment. Molly couldn’t fit inside so he stayed in the alley around back, which was useful because it helped prevent people sneaking out back with stolen goods. The location of the store was almost perfect. Everyday, students from Sapphire Spire would take a boat into the city, either to do shopping or to return to their own residence. I was right in the Harbor District, meaning I had the first shop of magical items that they’d see when entering the city. I stocked my shelves with books and items that the College attendees mentioned needing. I was making some serious bank.

This was the morning that May walked in, the bell on the door announcing her presence. She was beautiful. She was a student at the College and told me she was an enchantress. She was indeed, in every sense of the word. She was half-elf and was born right here in this city. Her eyes were a brilliant amethyst purple. Her hair was almost completely onyx black, aside from a single streak of platinum slashed down her left side. She first came in six months ago looking for Sokolov's Mechanics and Physical Methods of Magical Imprinting, a hefty read, and ever since I’ve had a slight limerence for her.

“Morning Ardy.” She greeted.

She called me Ardy. I tried not to blush

“Morning May,” I said, trying to act nonchalant, “The silk of Atraxi I ordered is still three days out. I’ll make sure to let you know when I get it.”

“Oh, I didn’t come in for that,” She said, “I don’t want to buy anything today.”

Okay

“I just wanted to ask you something.” She continued.

Oh Gods, she wasn’t.

My heart began to race. “Yeah.” I said.

“Do you want to, maybe, go out some time?” She asked me.

She was asking me out, how could I say no? Was I dreaming

“Ah, yeah. I a-” I stuttered.

“Awesome!” She squealed, before running out the door excitedly.

I stood there, silent, I don’t think I was capable of fully comprehending what happened.

She asked ME out. I was a shopkeeper. Why would she ask me out? At least we were pretty much the same age.

The bell on the door chimed again. It was her standing there, breathless. “I completely forgot to mention a time.” She admitted embarrassedly.

“Oh, ah how about tonight, this evening.” I suggested.

“Anything more specific?” She asked.

“Uh, 7:34 tonight.” I threw a random number out.

“Okay,” She said, “I’ll… see you… then.” She ran out once again.

“Huh.” I sounded to myself.

I have a date.

This may seem sad but, I’ve never been on a date before. The time during my teens when I would have been doing that, I was running from home to escape my crazy, probably inbred, community. But now I was going on a date, with May. I had been dreaming of this for months. I was extremely nervous.

What do I do? What do I say? Do I say anything?

I was completely at a loss for words.

I had a date.