Crimson River

Chapter 2

"Awaken child! You must get up and go to the market today. You need to sell the poultices you have made," I hear my mother say as she opens the curtains on my window, revealing the light of predawn. I look over and see my mother already prepared for the day. She looks well for her age, her blond hair glistening in the small amount of light from the candle she brought up with her.  Her grey dress perfectly ironed and fitted to her frame. 

I sigh and get up, readying myself for my trip to the market. I may be the next Elite but I can't start training until Mrs. Hamilton, the current Elite, comes back from her trip to a coven in the north. I quickly put on my corset and petticoat, taking my time tying the strings so as they don't become knotted. I quickly throw on my dress, smoothing the dark grey fabric around the bottom. I quickly brush my raven hair and tie it back in an intricate braid and weaving matching ribbon through my hair. 

I run downstairs to see my mother and father already eating breakfast at our old, weathered dining table. I sit down across from them saying a quick morning and then start eating the still warm oatmeal that was in front of me, occasionally washing it down with my cup of cinnamon tea. The tea and oatmeal warmed my throat and insides, energizing me for a tiring day at the market. 

"Darling, when you go to sell the poultices you have made can you please bring back a few things that your mother and I need?" my father asks as he moves his dark hair out of eyes before taking another bite of his breakfast. 

"Of course, what do you all need?" I ask after taking my last bite and sip of my meal and place the bowl and mug in the stone basin for my mom to wash in a bit. He gets up, doing the same and then handing me a list of items on an old piece of parchment. "This shouldn't be to much. I'll be back before dinner," I say after kiss both of them on the cheek and grabbing my basket filled with bottles of poultices and heading out of the house, saying good morning to the other witches I pass by on my way to the human market. 

The walk is only a few hours, allowing me to reach it in time to set up before everyone is up and ready to buy what they need. I place the bottles gently on the small booth, arranging them by their uses and cures. Slowly, people start walking by, increasing in number as the day wears on. 

A lovely old couple stops by, the woman using a sturdy cane and a guiding arm from her husband. "Excuse me young lady but do you have anything to aid an old woman with aching joints?" she asks sweetly, her husband watching her and making sure she is steady. 

"I do. This poultice," I lift a small green bottle containing a red paste, "is made of cayenne peppers and if applied to the skin using a cloth it can aid you in your pain." She smiles and gladly takes it after paying me for a few bottles. As they walk away a young man strolling down the street catches my eye.

He has light chestnut hair cut short and has eyes made from pieces of amber. He is tall and looks around my age, his shirt fitting close to his muscles probably from working on a farm. He doesn't seems to be paying attention and runs into my booth, knocking over and breaking a few of the bottles containing the medicine, breaking as they hit the ground.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry!" he says as he bends over and starts picking up bottle fragments. I rush around the booth to help him, telling him it was no big deal since it was likely to happen at some point. "But still, let me pay you for my carelessness," he says as he reaches into his pocket to pull out the money. I grab his hand and he stops, looking over at me.

"Instead of that how about you do something for me," I say as I smile at him. He nods and I hand him the list of things my parents need. I explain to him that he can buy me the items required and that can be his payment. He nods and I give him my basket. 

"I'm Rikkard by the way," he says as he bows then reaches his hand out towards me. 

"I'm Cassandra," I say curtsying and then placing my hand in his as he gently kisses the back of it.