Magnificent: A Dragon Story

Chapter Four

I hate to disobey father. I hate to really disobey anyone. I can't bear the shame of living in disappointment. But I need to see my mistress Eileen Rosavysk. She's a kind, old lady who sells bread in the French Market. She had come all the way from Russia to be here and make money. Her husband was from Austria. When they were younger they had a baby boy named Alexei. But at the time Alexei had reached manhood the father died. In grief and unable to stay in the very house Eileen and him built together she moved to France. But Alexei went off to war the moment they set foot on our soil. Now she's alone with her bread and her cow awaiting the arrival of her son. He sends letters. He writes them in Russian. She let's me read them and teaches me a bit of Russian. And every once in a while she'll read my palm for any fortune or downfall. So far all is good. But I need a reading for tonight. Just to be reassured.

The market was a large place full of kiosks of many kinds. Some sold trinkets. Others sold lovely silks and cloths that women would kill to get their hands on. If father would let me, I'd donate all of my dresses and jewelry to anyone unable to afford any. I don't much care for dresses anyways.

The market is not as crowded as usual days. Of course, it is a Sunday. Everyone is off to church. My father quite knows the priest very well. They're almost like brothers.

"Bread! Get your fresh, hot bread! Half a loaf one haypenny! A bread supper 3 pence!" There's the familiar voice I've been trying to find. I found the kiosk of bread Eileen owns. Not drawing attention to myself, I scurried to the door and let myself in. As I turned around I say Eileen cutting a bag of flour with a pair of sheers.

"Mme. Rosavysk?" I said. She turned around and a big, wrinkly smile planted on her face. "Evangeline!" She said sweetly and gave me a bony hug. "Come now. Let me get a good look at you." She gave a good long stare at my face and moved a strand of chocolate brown hair away from my eye. "Ah. Milaya devushka." She said with a smile. "Thank you, Mme. Rosavysk. But I've come for work. I've just found out an old cousin has come by and I'll be happy to help with Adeline in exchange for a baguette or cheese." Adeline is Eileen's cow she had gotten at an auction. She makes the best cheese that I have ever tasted.

"Oh Eva. Where you're from the crows never prosper. Why come here for a loaf of my bread?" With age comes wisdom. Eileen is always aware of the reasons I visit her. I shouldn't even bother making excuses.

"If you would ever so kindly give me a reading, then I will be happy to give you my helping hand." I said sincerely. She gave a warm smile.

"Alright. If you wish. There's a bag of flour over there." She nudged her head to the bag of flour she had put down earlier. I took off my cloak and put on an apron hanging on a hook. I went over to the flour, took a hand full, and massaged it throughout my hair to make it look older and dry. Then I took the remaining flour and doused it on my face and arms to hide my skin a bit.

"I can tell you right now, Eva. Whatever you're running from you're not getting any far." She said and put a ball of dough on the kneading table. I took a ribbon and put my hair up and went to knead the dough.

"I'm not running. Just hiding for a while." I floured up the table and began kneading. The dough was soft and risen. "Either way, my dear. Avoiding the problem won't fix it." I'm not even sure if there is a problem yet. A man walked up to the large window opening. M. Moreau. He's Eileen's best customer. Sometimes comes for bread. Sometimes comes for cheese. Always comes for alcohol.

"Bonjour, Mme. Rosavysk." He said in a rather good mood.

"Bonjour, to you M. Moreau. What will it be today?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm having a get together with a few friends and I'm looking for a good refreshment. A refreshing bottle of gin should do the trick."