Lia and Eldric continued their tour around the market, tasting all the kinds of food available in the stalls. Once they were full, they continued taking a look at the different stores available, just browsing. Lia was used to this sight having done this a couple of times before. But there was something about the way Eldric reacted to the items displayed that made her really look at these stalls as though seeing them for the first time. Sometimes, he was intrigued, other times in awe, another in confusion.
They passed by a stall with beautiful chains and purse ornaments. Lia paused to take a closer look.
"Miss, these are our new items, very popular to the ladies!" The vendor gestured at the different dainty chains.
There were also hair clips, pins, and combs, but there was another thing that caught Lia's eyes. She gingerly picked it up and then turned it over in her hand. It was a blue feather in the shape of a quill. It looked so wonderful, something she only thought was available in the books that she had read.
"That's another new product that we have, miss."
"It's a beautiful quill. Too bad that you actually can't use it." She turned the mini-sized quill on her hand, mesmerized.
The shopkeeper laughed, surprising Lia. It seemed good-natured enough that she took no offense in it. "Even if we can use it, none of us knows how! Only those scholars in the palace know. I'm surprised that you, miss, know what this is."
Lia smiled sheepishly. "I've seen Old Bart use something like that, though not as beautiful."
"We'll take this one." Eldric suddenly said beside her.
Lia was surprised. "No, let's not." Then, she added in a whisper, "It's quite expensive."
Eldric shrugged and signaled for the shopkeeper to pack the item. Before Lia could protest, the shopkeeper had already given it to Eldric which he then handed to her.
As they continued walking around, Lia could not take her eyes off of the quill. "You didn't have to."
"It's fine. You seemed to like it." After a while, he added, "You can only pretend to not be able to read or write in public, but I hope you'll be reminded that your knowledge is important, and I appreciate it."
Lia flinched. Of course, Eldric knew. He had already caught on her ruse of acting ignorantly.
"I already knew that you know more than you are letting on, starting when you made the ingredients for the antidote. It's such a shame that not anyone can be literate. How did you learn those things? I don't think I would have seen you in the palace… I would remember if I did."
Lia ignored the last sentence. "I learned at home." Something vague like that was okay, right?
"Your father?"
"Something like that. Why is it forbidden for commoners to learn anyway?"
Eldric set his jaw. "It wasn't always like that. There was a time when education is available for all."
"Then what changed?"
"The Queen."
"The Queen changed? Like her personality?"
"No, the Queen was changed. The former Queen allowed the art and sciences to flourish even among the commoners. She said that knowledge should be for everyone." Eldric spoke with fervor and enthusiasm.
"Except, she died?"
Eldric shrugged, looking far worse as though it was his own mother dying in front of him. "She… disappeared."
"Disappeared?! How can a queen just disappear like that?"
"There was a tragedy in the palace, you see. They said that the Queen had lost her mind and never went out of her pavilion. And then one day, she just up and left. Not a single trace."
"They said? You weren't there?" Lia asked.
Eldric shook his head, "No, not yet. I was just brought in by that time, and of course, a kid like me has no power to ask for the Queen's audience."
They walked in silence, no longer interested in looking at the stalls. Each of them consumed by their thoughts.
"Do you agree with her, that knowledge should be for everyone?" Lia asked.
"I don't see why not," Eldric said.
"Then why don't the king…"
Eldric glanced at Lia, gauging her before continuing. "The king… has some health issues lately, and when he isn't in bed, recuperating, he is dealing with the neighboring countries, either through war or negotiations."
"That leaves the management to the council and to the new Queen."
Lia didn't have to know that these councils might have wanted all the information for themselves. If they let the people know, then they can no longer tell people what to do without being questioned. Ignorance was easier to handle.
"You liked the previous queen more."
"I haven't met her so I can't say for sure, but I liked how she made the country flourish despite what most people say. And the king was a lot happier…" He added in a small voice.
Cool air breezed through around them. By the time Lia realized it, they had already arrived at the entrance of their small village and away from the town proper.
"Thank you, but I can handle it from here."
Eldric made no movement and stared at her. "My offer stands, by the way."
Lia frowned.
"You can continue your studies in the capital."
Lia pressed her lips. "And my refusal remains. Goodnight."
Before Eldric could say anything, Lia bolted and left for her house.