Thanks to Marie redoing her map, Moonlight read it with great ease and arrived back at her father's stand in less than an hour. A feeling of accomplishment fills her, knowing she could do it without an escort this time. With a skip in her step, she couldn't wait to tell her father how she did, reminding herself not to tell him about the thief. But seeing the large crowd of people gathering around the three market stands, she hesitated.
As Marcus hurries, taking orders and trading his produce with the customers, he notices his crimson hair daughter at the edge of the sea of people, and relief comes over him. "Moonlight! I need a bit of help here, my dear."
"Oh! I'm coming!" She calls back, waving towards him, and begins to make her way through the people. "Sorry, excuse me, sorry," The farm girl says, careful not to shove or step on anyone's feet. Reaching the stand, her father takes her hand and practically pulls her over to the other side of the table.
"Thank goodness; you're back. Help me with this crowd, you take a right, and I'll work on the left." Marcus says, quickly going to their wagon, grabbing a create and carrying towards the front."
"Oh, okay father." Moonlight agrees and puts her hair up before greeting a customer with a warm smile. "Hello! How can I help you?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After a few hours, Moonlight finish with the last customer and exhaustedly plots down on an empty crate. "Wow, is it always so busy?" She asks, looking at the pottery merchant as he begins to pack up for the day.
The balding man lets out a chuckle. "Here mostly no, John and I barely get any customers due to how far we are. But today was a great day."
"Was it?" The woman says, looking surprised. "I mean I know the foot traffic was slow down here, I didn't think being that busy is good."
"Yes, of course!" He nods, handing her a small water jug. "Here, have some water."
Taking a sip from the jug, she enjoys the cool crisps water as its smoothes her parch throat. "Thank you." Moonlight says, giving the older man a smile and hands the jug back.
He puts it away before he continues. "Being busy means you're going to have a great day of sales. Which means you make more than even."
"Even?" The farm girl tilts her head, looking a bit confused.
"It means, you make more money they what you put in your business." Marcus explains, walking past the curtains joining the two.
She turns her attention to her father. "So, that's good right?"
"It is, but the goal is to make more than what you put in. That extra money will feed your family and livestock. Not to mention supplies for your household and the equipment that you use on working on projects." The jeweler explains to her as he cleans his stand.
"He's right." Marcus agrees. The goal is always to make more than enough to put it back in the business and take care of your home. Are you ready to pack up, dear?"
"Are we done already? Are we heading home now? What about the inn?" Moonlight asks, getting to her feet.
"We're only done for the day Moonlight. But we're only here in this spot for one day remember?"
"Oh, alright." Her face fell, realizing they're not close to being done. Although her aching feet protest, Moonlight begins to take down the tent.
"Well, about that." John speaks up, approaching the two. "Ralph and I were talking and if you two would like, we wouldn't mind if you stay here. I mean, you two helped us today and with your produce stand, people are less keen to turn around and go back to get something to eat. So, we would be fools not to have you both here."
Joy gleams in the young farm girl's eyes. "Really?" She clasps her hands together, relief that she doesn't have to take down the tent or pack everything back up.
Surprise as well, Marcus takes a moment to look from the jeweler to the pottery merchant. "Are you two sure? I know we have gotten along today but I didn't want to assume that means the deal had change."
Ralph nods, assuring him. "I know we agree for one day but like John said, you two help us a lot today, not only bring us business but also help use with said customers." He looks towards Moonlight. "I had that blasted tea set for a few years now, thanks to you I don't have to back it up for the one hundredth time." He smiles, giving her a wink causing her to blush before turning his attention back to Marcus. "Also, with you being the speaker I'm hoping to talk to you tomorrow about possibly traveling with you and your daughter back to your village. In hopes to sale my left-over wares."
"If you have left over wares, I don't see any problem with that. However, I'm planning of heading back in two more days. How long were you planning to stay?"
"It's depends on the sales. If they're good, I can stay for a week but if sales dry up sooner then I'm going to pack up and head out."
"Hm," The speaker rubs his scruffy chin as he thinks. "I can tell you which colony we live in and greet you when you arrive." Marcus offers.
"That will work out better then guessing where you live." Ralph agrees and shakes Marcus's hand in making a deal.
"I guess we will see you all tomorrow." Marcus says, looking at the two merchants taking his hand back.
"Aye." John and Ralph agree and go to their respective stand and packs up what they can before turning in for the night.
As they leave in different directions, Moonlight notices that John is going the wrong way. "Father?"
"Hm?"
"Where is John is going? Isn't he is staying in the same inn as us?"
"Oh, no he's not. We were so busy today he didn't have time to step away and purchase a room, so he's staying at another inn."
"Oh." The crimson hair girl looks forward, frowning a bit worry about the jeweler. "If I had known, I would have placed his name down as well."
The farmer looks over towards his concerned daughter as a feeling of pride comes over him. "Moonlight my dear, you are a wonderful and caring girl." He gently pats her head, but the proud smile begins to turn into a worried frown. "But you need to remember you can't be kind to everyone."
Moonlight's brows knit together in confusion. "Why not? Didn't you taught me that being good and kind towards people is the right thing to do?"
"Yes, but I fail to teach you that not everyone is the same. Some would only want to hurt or use you, with a smile on their face. I'm worry that those people will take advantage of you."
She purses her lips together as Moonlight pouts. "I'm not that gullible, if you want me to take over the business you have to stop sheltering me."
Marcus chuckles a little as he takes his hand back and looks down the empty street. "I know, I know. Just remember what we discuss alright?"
"What we discuss?" The young woman takes a moment to remember what they talk in the past few days, which's consider important. "Do you mean me using my gifts in front of people. Or tell anyone about them?"
"Both."
"But you had me use one of them today to be allowed to stay, didn't you?"
"I did," He sighs in defeat. "Okay you can use that gift but not often, No one will think that will be odd, they will just think you're really good at persuading people. But the other one can't be easily hidden."
"Because it causes me pain?"
"Yes, and if others know about you being able to see the future, they will want to take you and force you to look into their own future countless times. Not caring if you were in pain or not. They would only care about themselves." He stops his daughter and gently tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just promise me you will be careful and not tell anyone about that alright?"
She nods. "I promise to be careful."
"That's all I'm asking." The farmer says, taking the reins of their old mare. "Let's go before it gets too late."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After making sure Daisy is settle in the stables for the night with fresh water and hay, The farmers head into the inn for a meal and some rest for the night. They're surprised to see how busy the place is as they walk in.
"Oh wow, it wasn't this busy earlier." Moonlight says as she chews the side of her cheek nervously and looks at the pack and bustling bar with travelers, merchants, and farmers gathering around the tables, enjoying their meal. Laughter and loud chatter fill the air.
Marie and her two servers are busy running around the room, placing food and drinks down on tables, and collecting the dirty dishes. "Jimmy!" Marie calls towards a teenage boy, his hands full of mugs of mead, and points at an empty table cover with stacks of dirty dishes. "After you delivered those drinks, go ahead and clean up that table. Go on hurry up." She claps her hand together to hurry him. With a huff, she hears the front door open and turns around to greet the new customers. Seeing the two farmers, a smile spreads across her slightly red face. "Well, well." She places her hands on her hips. "Look what the cat drags in. Marcus Ghosten you old goat it been while." She laughs and approaches the two hugging him.
"Marie, beautiful as always." Marcus gives the barmaid a wink as they break from the hug.
The innkeeper lets out a breathy laugh as she tries to fix her now messy brown hair bun. "That's nice of you for saying that; but don't think saying sweet nothings to me will get you off that hook." She begins to scold the man as her hands go back to her hips. "How could you send your poor daughter." She gestures towards Moonlight with her right hand. "Here all by herself with that terrible map."
Marcus raises his hand in defense. "Now, Marie, you should know I wouldn't have sent her on her own if I didn't think she could handle it. I also didn't know how bad the map was."
The older woman raises a brow. "What do you mean you didn't know how bad the map was?"
"The jeweler merchant next to us John made it for me." Moonlight spoke up for her father; surprise, someone was talking to him like that.
"Ah." Maries nods with an 'It all makes sense now.' attitude. "But" She points at Marcus. "You didn't bother making sure John drew it correctly? Do you now John?"
"I just met him today." The farmer answers.
The brunette sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose. "If it was anyone other than John, that man could have drawn her a map that could lead her to someone or someplace dangerous."
"In Drover?" The salt and pepper hair man asks in surprise. "Marie, you think there is any crime here in Drover?"
"Not usually, but with all these visitors you can't just assume all of them are at good at heart."
"Come on Marie do you really think I'll be that wet behind the ears?"
"Sometimes I think you are. How surprised I was when this adorable little thing came in this afternoon asking for a room and then telling me that she's your daughter. I didn't even know you had a daughter. You could have said something last year. Who do you think you are? One of those men of secrets?" The barmaid asks, playfully slapping Marcus's shoulder before turning her attention towards the confused farm girl. "It's Moonlight, right?"
The crimson hair woman quickly nods. "Yes, ma'am, thank you for helping me earlier. I was able to find my way back to the stand much more easily and quickly."
"May." Impress by her manners; she places a hand on her cheek. "So polite. At least I can say you raise her right. Not to mention that she's quite a beauty."
Moonlight's face goes blaze red, not use to getting such a compliment.
"She's going to break so many hearts soon, if she hasn't yet." Marie winks again at the young girl.
Marcus lets out a groan dreading the day that would happen. "Don't tell me that Marie."
Letting out another laugh, she looks at them both. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing, what can I get for you tonight?"
"Well, if you're not too busy could we have a drink and meal for two?"
The older woman scuffs. "If I'm not busy. Sir, have you not noticed? It's pretty dead in here."
As the two older adults laughed, Moonlight looks around the busy and crowded place. "But" She gets their attention. "It's not, It's actually really busy."
The brunette shakes her head. "Oh Marcus. I see that you fail on teaching this girl humor. Anyway, go ahead and find an empty table and I'll take care of you two?"
"Sound great." Marcus gently leads his daughter to the empty table that Jimmy just cleared.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dismas watches the last bit of sunlight fade away, leaving her cell dark again. But she wasn't too concern. She knows that once the daylight is gone, it wasn't long before Nox would come with dinner. While she waits, she looks down at the doll that Nox dropped when father Lanney came in during lunchtime. But when the crowd's noise fell silent, the room became darker until even looking at the doll became harder to see. Dismas looks up at the door with a confused and worried look. "Where is he? He should be here."
"It looks like he left you." The motherly voice answers her somewhere in the darkroom. "Once you given that bird to him, why would he stay when he doesn't need you anymore?"
"No, that's not true, he's just a little bit late that's all." The prisoner says, looking in the direction of the mother's voice.
A loud clanging of the door unlocking echoes in the room as it slowly opens.
"See! See! He's here?" Dismas begins to say, but instead of Nox, it's Father Lanney entering the room confused. "Father Lanney? Why are you here?" She asks, slowly gets to her feet.
"Well." He begins to explain as he put her food tray on the small table and light her single candle supplying some light. "It's dinner time, so I brought your meal."
"But why you?" She moves closer towards him; Dismas can't remember the last time Father Lanney brought her a meal, not to mention coming into her room alone. "Where is Nox?"
The older man tried not to flinch as she approaches him. "I'm sorry Dismas." He sighs, turning towards her. A sad and sympathetic look on his face. "But Nox is gone."
"What?" Hearing the news, the captive woman feels like the air has sucked out of her lungs and her legs grew weak. "Why? He said he will be here for dinner."
Father Lanney waits for her to sits down on her hay bed before slowly approaching her with caution. "I'm so sorry Dismas. I don't know why he left, When the kitchen told me that he didn't arrive to pick up the tray, I went to his room to see what is wrong. But when I've arrived his side of his room was empty."
Dismas looks up; her lilac eyes glisten in the candlelight. "Empty?"
"Yes, all his things were gone, his roommate mention something about a bird. Do you know what that was about?"
"He said." She pauses for a moment to swallow down a sob. "He said that you wanted one of my birds. That you'll let him stay if I made one."
The older adult places his hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. His frown deepens. "I'm sorry Dismas but Nox lied."
Dismas eyes go wide, and her voice cracked. "What?" "I never asked for a bird. You know I don't want those creatures out; why would I want one?" Becoming bolder, he gently cups her cheek. "I'm very sorry to break this news to you, my dear. I know you took a shine to him but see this as a chance to learn from this pain." He quickly turns around and leaves the room. "Try to eat something, my dear." Father Lanney tells her before closing and locking her door."
"No, no, no." Dismas scrambles to her feet and tries to move towards the door. but as she does, she reaches the limited length of the chains and pulls her ankles, making her fall. "It's not true, it's not! He made a promise!"
Black mist swirls together in the far right of the room, forming into a feminine figure. "What are you going to do if you get out? Go run to him to see if it's true. But how? Even if you get out the brothers are going to stop you. Then if he's gone then what?"
Dismas slowly move to her knees, trying to think what she will do if Nox is gone. "But why would he leave? He made a promise to me."
"It's like I said, he only wanted something from you and once he gotten it, he'll leave."
"But why does he want one of my birds?"
"There are two reasons." Mother says, holding up two fingers. "Money." She took one down. "Or power."
The chained woman looks over to the shadow woman as the tears run down her dirt streak face. "How can he get money and power from my tiny bird? They are only useful to look outside for me."
Mother tilts her head. "They never told you what they can do have they?"
Dismas shakes her head, sniffling a little bit. "No, I was just told they are dangerous, and I shouldn't be making them."
"Tsk, tsk. That won't do." She approaches Dismas and kneels in front of her. "We'll have to fix that." She assures her, wiping away the tears. "My star, let me show you how wonderful your gifts are." With a snap of her fingers, the shadows flew to Dismas' chains, and within seconds the metal deteriorates and crumples into rust and dust.
Eyes wide in amazement, the young woman looks at the chains and moves her leg slowly to see if they are really gone. "M-my chains." She looks at the shadow mother. "I'm free? How?"
A thin sideways crescent moon appears on the faceless shadow's head form. "I can make you more than free my star, I can make you powerful."