The Four Chimes

Chapter 8 - ARI

I walked on the seaside road, the salty mist spraying me. It was the fastest way to Taxas Magical Goods, and as a bonus, the air felt crisp and fresh. It was a beautiful early spring evening, brisk but not too cold. As I made my way to the corner of Salian and Trima, I couldn't help feeling excited for Lera and Tsano as Tsano opened the door. "Hi. Welcome in!"

I looked around. There were beautiful displays of chaita crystals, talismans, accessories: everything a magician could possibly need. There were paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, woven tapestries on the walls, a fountain by the cash register, and most notably a giant flowering cactus plant that I saw the first thing I walked in.

"It's... It's beautiful."

"Thanks. We worked hard on it."

"I can't believe it's really happening."

"Me neither. I'm still in shock, to be completely honest."

We walked into the back room, darker and more mysterious, with occult symbols and lit with candles. "As you can see, we're kinda packed right now."

"How much is this amethyst?", asked a customer.

Tsano turned around. "One second. I'll be right with you!" She faced back to me. "Be right back."

I spotted Lera behind the counter. "Hey. Lera!"

Lera looked up. "Hey!" She looked back to the customer. "That'll be two tali."

"It said it was one--"

"It's two tali."

"But--"

"Trust me." Lera reached into her pocket, took out her conduit, and muttered a few words. "It's two tali."

"I'm so sorry, I must have been mistaken--"

"It's fine--"

"Here's the two tali."

"Thank you. Have a nice day!" She faced the growing line of shoppers. "Next!"

I made my way behind the counter. "Hey, Lera--"

"One second." She turned away from me. "That'll be five tali."

"I thought it was--"

Lera muttered a few words under her breath and almost imperceptibly flicked her wrist.

"It's five tali. But a very, very good deal."

"I'll take it."

I walked over to Lera. "I see why you have register duty."

"Tsano would flip if she knew what I was doing."

"I'm surprised she hasn't caught onto you already."

"She has too much faith in me."

"You should tell her."

"But look at how much I'm making." She opened the cash register. Holy shit. It was filled almost to the brim with golden tali. Enough to live on for at least a month, if not more.

"It's not going to be like this every day. Things tend to calm down after--"

A customer meandered over. "Excuse me, I--"

"One second--"

"I really need to--"

"What is it?" Lera tried to stifle a sigh, but it was still painfully obvious how little she cared.

"Do you know where the bathroom is?"

Lera pointed to her left. "Just through there and make a left."