Arisa pulled out her coin purse.
“Uh, how much do you-“ Arisa started to say, but Sahara cut her off.
“Don’t worry about it.” She said, patting Arisa’s shoulder.
“But-“
“I SAID don’t worry!” Sahara chuckled, taking Arisa’s ratty old clothes and folding them up. “Are you going to need these anymore?”
Arisa looked down at her poor old shift, corset, skirt, cloak, and satchel.
“Uh… just the satchel and cloak.” She replied, grinning sheepishly.
“…You know I could get you a new cloak and satchel…” Sahara said, raising an eyebrow.
“I… I know, and I do appreciate it, but I’m pretty fond of my own, even if they are pretty ratty.” Arisa said, shrugging a little and smiling warmly at her new friend.
“Well… at least let me do this.” Sahara said, and proceeded to empty the pockets of the satchel and cloak. She cleared her throat and waved a hand over the clothes.
A tiny little glimmering sprite that Arisa had not seen the first time appeared and started up the whirlwind of cleaning. In seconds all of Arisa’s old clothes, including her satchel and cloak, were cleaned and mended. Sahara placed Arisa’s things back in their respective pockets, including Arisa’s new teapot. Her hands paused on a certain beautifully bound leather book. She raised an eyebrow, holding it up to Arisa.
“Where on earth did you get a book like this?” she asked curiously.
“Do… do you know what it is then?” Arisa said hopefully.
Sahara’s eyebrows went up a bit higher.
“… no, but I know this isn’t just a normal journal…” She said quietly. “If I were you, I’d be very careful with it.”
She glanced around as she carefully placed it Arisa’s cloak pocket before she draped the now nearly brand new garment over Arisa’s shoulders.
“Now sweet heart, I don’t know what you’re journeying for but I DO know that there is a lot YOU don’t know.” She rested her hands on Arisa’s shoulders and looked right into Arisa’s eyes. “Be careful, alright? There are some things your red headed body guard can’t protect you from.”
Sahara’s hands were warm on Arisa’s shoulders and her sharp yellow eyes were filled with concern. It was what Arisa imagined a big sister would be like.
“Okay, Sahara.” Arisa said, smiling up at her. “I’ll be careful. I promise. Thank you for everything, it’s been so wonderful.”
Sahara’s concerned look broke into a warm smile and she patted Arisa’s shoulders fondly.
“That’s my girl.” She said. “Now go on, your carrot top is waiting for you.”
Arisa pulled her satchel back over her shoulder and before Sahara could stop her, she suddenly threw her arms around Sahara’s shoulders and hugged her. Then she ran off, back to Yakov who was standing a few stalls away with a new cap on his head and his arms crossed over his chest.
“Well look at you!” Yakov said, grinning down at Arisa. “I barely recognize you! Have you got everything?”
Arisa patted herself, checking to make sure she still had her journal and teapot. Satisfied when she found them both, she nodded, still grinning.
“Alright, let’s go see if we can find lodging for the night.” Yakov said, tucking Arisa’s hand into the crook of his arm and leading her out of the market.
YOU ARE READING
the Boy in the Book
FantasyWARNING: I edit as I go. Read it once and it will likely be totally different the next time. This is the kind of story that is best not to know much about before you read. There is only so much I can tell you about it without ruining it. I can tell...
