Promise of the World [Canaan, Book 1]

Chapter Five || Reisparte

 A sea of shop tents, stalls, and wagons dominated the outskirts of Reisparte. Without the inner town buildings just modestly rising above the marketplace serving as directional markers, it would be easy to get lost in the motley maze. Essairyn would have loved to spend the rest of the day milling about in the vibrant confusion and appreciating the unique wares, but she figured that could be saved for after she found the school Chona had mentioned.

"Will you really go back tomorrow to the Andelrin's?" Akari glanced at Essairyn from the corner of her eyes, and the girl looked back at the fox on her shoulder with nonchalant uncertainty.

"Maybe, I'm not sure."

"You promised the little boy you would, but you were just being nice?"

A twinge pricked the girl's consciousness. Jerry had taken a liking to Essairyn and was disappointed to see her depart so quickly after arriving at Reisparte. So as a young child would, he took Essairyn's agreement to return tomorrow to visit Leia's candy shop together as a promise.

"I suppose I should go..."

Banran and Chona had laughed and assured it was fine to reject being their son's playmate as a grown adult herself but that she was welcome in their family anytime. However, since they had even given her some money and items out of appreciation for her help with the beast demon and fixing of the wagon, Essairyn felt obligated to honor the little boy's wish.

Sighing, she peered inside the leather money pouch gifted to her and tried to make out what each of the coins were by comparing them to the price signs and sales chatter. Her magic cache had already safely stored the palm-sized jars of spice, two healing potions, and perfume bottle she had also been bestowed. Chona was extra thoughtful in specifically giving the charmingly clement fragrance that she had first showed Essairyn in her Choerin perfume line.

"I wish I knew how much each coin was... why are there so many different types?" She stared crossly at the eighteen coins of six different engravings and sizes. Three were white, four were golden, nine were silvern, and two were coppery.

"I'd help except the currency looks different from my time period."

"It's okay Akari, thanks anyway. You've helped me a lot already."

"T-that—! Um, I guess..." The fox turned away, feeling a bit guilty about the girl's casual gratitude. "Anyway, I'll catch you later~ I'm going to walk around a bit myself." Akari hastily hopped off the girl's shoulder and scampered away into the throng.

"Huh? O-okay." Essairyn didn't notice Akari's hesitance or mind her departure as a small, lustrous jewel in a glass case from a nearby vendor had caught her attention. Its color, the most brilliant hue of emerald green that she had ever seen, had popped out of all the sights in the market.

"This little beauty caught your eye, huh miss?" The shopkeeper inquired with a crafty smile.

Essairyn bobbed her head enthusiastically, barely even registering the merchant's face due to staring so intensely at the gem. Deep lime green was one of her favorite colors. It had a beautiful richness and mysteriousness to it that reminded her so vividly of life.

"It's a very rare and special jewel imbued with great magic! A real treasure worth fifty eleuars, but it's not for sale." He wagged a sorry finger, but before Essairyn could even feel disappointed, he continued.

"However, you can buy one of these jewels instead." He pointed to a shallow basket of dark virescent jewels below the glass case. "They're the same stone. All these need are a little shining with some magic, and it'll look just like this one. And once it's shined up, you can use the great magic locked inside! Simply wear it, and the magic naturally off your body will unlock it in no time!"