Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Magic for the Unmagical

 This was Elaric?

Hugo took another look at the dilapidated buildings and pitiful people wandering the streets. Lana hadn't been kidding about the kingdom being in poverty. Was the king really so involved with his magic obsession that he didn't realize the state his subjects were in?

Willow gave a forced smile. "Oh, it's so . . ."

But even she couldn't find something pleasant to say about the pathetic kingdom.

The red-headed woman rolled her eyes and blew her bangs out of her tan face. "Yes, I know. Charming, isn't it?"

"Is this because of your king's pursuit of all things magical?" Hugo asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "You heard about that?"

"A friend of ours has had some political interactions with him. She made mention of it."

With a sigh, the woman crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes, we're in sore straits because of his priorities. Well, some are faring slightly better than others, but only slightly."

"Who is faring better?" asked Jyoji.

"Technicians, mostly. The king gives them special treatment if they're willing to supply him with whatever Tech he may desire."

Jyoji scanned the sad houses. "Who would agree to indulge his obsession when their neighbors are suffering in such deplorable conditions?"

The woman's expression grew sharp. "Hey, we all have to survive, don't we? Some of us have families."

"I take it you're a Technician, then?" Sera said.

Holding her head up high, the woman replied, "Yes, I am. One of the best."

"Then maybe you'll be able to help us. We're searching for a friend of ours."

"Friend?" interrupted Jyoji. "I thought we were coming here for meat pasties?"

The woman raised an eyebrow at Jyoji and then turned to Sera. "We don't get many visitors."

"She's not so much a visitor as she is a prisoner, I believe," Ser said. "Her name is Ailsa. She's a Fairy."

The woman's eyes grew wide, and she nervously looked about before raising a finger to her lips. "Shush. Do you want someone to hear you?"

"Why?" asked Hugo. "If the king is interested in magical things, why would mentioning a Fairy—"

The woman shushed him more aggressively this time, waving her hands erratically. Once again, she looked about their surroundings. When it was clear no one had heard them, she leaned in close. "Since you're all so stupidly curious, I'll explain. But not here. Come on, we can go to my shop."

She motioned for them to follow her.

After exchanging a look with Willow, Hugo shrugged and trotted after Sera who was already on the woman's heels. Jyoji brought up the rear with Okami and the carriage.

The woman's shop was in somewhat better condition than the rest of the neighborhood. While the shutters were in desperate need of a coat of paint, they were not hanging off their hinges. The walls were clearly old and rotted in spots, but there were no gaping holes. There was even a little sign posted above the door that read Magic for the Unmagical.

They warily stepped inside as the red-headed woman held the door open for them. Hugo glanced about the shop, taking in the many shelves lining the walls, each filled with a variety of bizarre gadgets and jars. Books and loose papers were scattered across tables. Dried herbs and flowers hung from the ceiling while others were partially crushed in a mortar and pestle. Nothing about the place was neat or tidy, but somehow it had a homey feel.