The sun starts to set, the warm colors beginning to stream through the sky. Most of the traffic has now died now as most customers come during the mid-afternoon. The shop is blissfully quiet for once, and my eyes start to close.
Almost about to leave this world for a dreamlike one, Nora stumbles into the shop in her normally loud, disastrous manner. I sensed her footsteps from outside the building, but I still keep my eyes shut when she comes to the front desk.
"Ardele. Ardele. Ardele."
I hum, and her shadow casts shade into my vicinity.
"Ardele. How was your day?"
Opening my eyes, I shrug. "It was okay. Normal amount of people."
She dumps her boxes onto the desk. "I heard Lady Coralie stopped by."
Her name makes my ears perk up.
"She did. Lady Coralie wanted a custom dress from you."
"Great! I will start cutting the fabric when she sends in a note of the dress needed," she says before pausing in her sentence. "You know who she is right?"
Staying mute, Nora sighs. "Lady Coralie is the princess of Arcana."
I stand up from the desk to pick up a silk roll that fell on the floor from the earlier from her boxes. Nora follows me around, trying to gauge my reaction. Putting the roll in the back in its place, I turn around.
"I figured."
Nora starts laughing. "I seriously cannot wait for the day I see your surprised face."
"Hm, me too."
The street is pitch black when I leave the shop, and the lamps cast a moody shadow on the stone paths. My boots click on the stone, making me walk faster. I am currently residing in an inn, renting out a room.
And of course, the inn is always surrounded by drunk folk. Sounds of drunken laughter are on my right, and I ignore their leers. My black cloak hides my figure well in the darkness, but apparently not well enough.
A young boy stands on the street, calling out all sorts of crazy titles. The average townsfolk ignore him, but many stop by to pity him, giving him some money without taking the paper. Exaggerated stories with crazy titles spread across the papers, and one catches my eye.
Witch needed. Reward of choosing.
The boy looks up at me questioningly when I take the newspaper from his hand. The request is directly from the castle. Scanning over the criteria, it is asking for a witch skilled in medicine and healing.
Those are not my specialized abilities, but I have extensive knowledge on medicine. And knowledge is power. I may be able to help with what is needed. But it is very suspicious for there to not be a penalty. Life does not work that way. Where there is a prize, there is a price.
The boy smiles encouragingly. "Are you a witch, miss?"
Not responding, I take a bronze coin from my bag, and hand it to him. He tips his hat at me, and I continue my way back to my space. Clutching the paper tightly in my hand, the paper starts to bite into skin.
This may be what I need to clear my name. Even though this is may be a mysterious kingdom here in the North, I will have all the ammunition I need to be prove that I was framed in Clairemont. With the royal family on my side, it will be enough.
I pause in the street, so much uncertainty in the air. But do I actually want to go back to Clairemont? It is familiar, but do I honestly like it there? Forcing my feet forward, my thoughts continue to attack me.
Honestly, living here or there is the same to me. There really is nothing tying me down in either kingdoms. But I want to clear my name either way. I do not want my name to be slandered without justice. Shaking my head, I walk into the inn, taking my troubling thoughts with me.
Birds cawing awake me in the chilly morning. And the answer I have to last night's question is crystal clear. I know what I have to do. And Nora is not going to like it. Hobbling around the inn room, I quickly pull up a dress and I fix my hair as best as possible. I have some time before I need to go to the shop.
I run outside, and I raise my hand to find an empty carriage. An empty carriage stops beside me, and I pay the carriage driver, directing him to the castle. Inside the carriage, I try to gather my wits. This could either go well or extremely wrong.
Entering the castle gates, the carriage footmen open the door and I step down. The tiny newspaper clipping giving me some comfort in my pocket as I clutch it. The castle gates come down and I am approached by some guards.
"What is your business here, miss?"
Taking out the wanted witch clipping, I hand it over to them. "I heard that the castle is in need of a witch, and I would love to apply."
One of the guards nod, taking the piece of paper. "I will send a messenger to the royal family with your request. They will send a guard to escort you back to the castle if take you in."
I give him my location and other simple information and such and they lead me back to the carriage. The footmen help me up, and closes the door in. I lean my head on the carriage wall. It was likely not smart to do this on a whim, but I know I am needed here.
The shop is usually empty in the morning, so I know that she is not overworked. I push open the door, the usual calming chime rattles, and I scan the unfilled area. Nora is sitting behind the desk, and she glares at me. I raise my hands in surrender, and I bring a stool to sit in front of her. We are all alone, so I decide to speak out in the open.
"Sorry, Nora. I went to the castle this morning."
Her face fills with alarm. "Why? They are usually welcoming to newcomers. As long as you are not a convict in another kingdom."
"I went to the castle, because I saw a paper clipping that they are in need of a witch."
"And you applied?"
I shrug. "I thought that if my talents are needed elsewhere, might as well."
"You have heard of the rumors right?"
I do not respond, and Nora sighs. "Okay. I hope that they take you up. I am sure you will be able to succeed in what they want you for."
Glad that Nora is not upset, we continue the day as normal. I can that she is worried for me, but it is okay. It is in her nature to fret.
The day has slowly went by and it is late afternoon when I am in the middle of categorizing the new shipments that have arrived in the back that Nora calls my name.
Carefully setting a box in the corner, I straighten up and Nora comes barreling into the backroom. She pulls on my arm, and she is grinning.
With her infectious mood, I almost laugh. "What?"
"They are here!"
A very large carriage, with gold lining is out front, is gathering attention. The crowd grows, and soon an impeccably dressed man starts to blow a whistle, shooing them all way. Before leaving, I give Nora a reassuring hug.
"Write to me often, Ardele."
I lean back from the hug. "I will."
"I hope you will prosper in your new position. If you do not write back to my letters, I will assume the worst."
"I know, I know."
With a parting wave, the footmen help me up into the carriage. I fix my skirts inside the carriage and give Nora a smile out the window. She returns it with reassuring smile back, and the carriage starts to move.
Soon the shop is out of my view, soon the town square is out of my view, and soon the shop is closer in my memories than in distance.