Sarina and Caspar entered the shop behind the Mary, and Sarina immediately noticed how happy the store felt. The walls of the inside of the caravan were as pink as the tent hanging out of the front. Chocolates could be seen where ever you looked and the smell was heavenly.
Mary ushered them to an island table that floated in the middle of the store, and there were two stools on the same side. Caspar motioned for Sarina to sit in the first stool. She smiled at him before taking a seat, and Mary watched them with curious eyes. Once Sarina was settled Caspar offered the second chair to Mary.
"No my sweetie, you sit and make yourself comfortable, or else who would get the chocolates" Mary said and began hustling around the shop, grabbing this and that.
"She seems very nice" Sarina whispered to Caspar when Mary looked occupied.
"She was one of the first people here to show me a genuine kindness. Now she is like a mother to me. I try to come as often as possible. Her son passed away some years ago and that was her only child." Caspar looked up at Mary while she continued to rush around the shop collecting things for them. "I don't want her to feel lonely" he finished even quieter.
Sarina looked back at the woman, wondering how strong she must be to survive the death of her child.
Sarina was about to ask more about her son, but then Mary popped up and pushed two large plates filled with exquisite looking treats in front of her and Caspar. There were strawberries dipped in rich dark chocolate that had drizzles of white chocolate on top. There were square slices and round slices that looked filled with different liquids. Sarina had never seen such a wide variety all at once.
Mary smiled at Sarina,
"Start with the round one in the middle" she instructed.
Sarina smiled and nodded, noticing that Caspar had already began filling his mouth as fast as he could, his eyes glazed as he chewed happily.
Sarina bit the chocolate Mary had suggested and her eyes widened as she continued to chew. She felt a strange tingling start at her head and work it's way down to her toes.
"That one will give you extra energy" Mary said to her and then winked, causing Sarina to blush though she did not know why. Caspar looked at Mary suspiciously.
"What? I am sure she has been walking all day, browsing our different caravans" Mary said with mock innocence. "Anyways you know all of my chocolates are imbued, yours are filled with peace and joy like usual."
Sarina looked intrigued. "That is amazing Mary."
"Come, I want to show you how I make it! Caspar you sit and enjoy and Sarina and I will bring you a cup of hot chocolate." Caspar nodded, still focused on his plate.
Mary took Sarina to the back of the caravan, where a smaller room was hidden behind a curtain. There were pots in a stone oven and the smell of chocolate was even richer here. Mary went and mixed one of the contents of one of the pots, humming happily to herself.
Sarina didn't know what to say and Mary hadn't started any conversation with her so she she asked the simplest question she could come up with.
"Madam Mary, may I ask how you met Caspar?"
"Of course you may. That boy ran into my shop when he was still very young, hiding from his caretaker like a naughty child. He walked right up to me and demanded my best treat. I obliged and he ate it right in front of me. I asked him for my payment and his little face looked so confused that I laughed. He still comes to this very day, eating my treats and never giving payment" Mary finished, smiling fondly at the memory.
"What do you mean his caretaker?"
"Didn't you know child? Caspar didn't come here with parents. Just him and Nasir and that panther, Banu. The people here have a rumor here, saying he is 'almukhtar', or chosen one. The panther is a special sign, and it is rare for them to befriend anyone."
"What would he be chosen for" Sarina asked, completely intrigued.
"Whenever an almukhtar is revealed, it can only mean that there is grave danger in the horizon. I have always thought that Caspar contained a special spirit, he will be the one to save us all" Mary said confidently."
"It is good he has has you" Sarina replied distractedly. The woman's words disturbed her, reminding her of the prophecy she had just received from Manfri.
"It was very nice to have him come and visit me and my dear Farhad. I lost my husband right after my son was born and it was very lonely for us. When Caspar came Farhad could play with him and Nasir and it made my heart happy. Caspar has grown into a good kind, man. Living here with no parents would have broken any other child, but Caspar is resilient" Mary said. "Come we have to return to him, but before we do, I want to ask you something."
Sarina looked at Mary, wondering what she could possibly ask since they had just met.
"I just have a feeling you are going to be a special part in Caspar's life. But Caspar has had a hard life. He hasn't told me everything but I have watched him for years now. He needs someone to watch over him, he still doesn't have that after all of these years. Would you do that please Sarina? Would you watch over him?" Mary spoke passionately, making Sarina a bit nervous.
"Um, alright I will do my best. But I'm not sure that he would need me" Sarina answered thinking about his probable marriage he had just informed her of.
"Ah, you can't always see who needs you at first, but in time it becomes abundantly clear" Mary said, her face growing serious.
Sarina didn't know what to say to that so she said nothing. The woman just patted her kindly and motioned for her to go back towards where Caspar was, giving her a cup of hot chocolate.
Mary told Sarina of a few more stories and they all laughed together while eating chocolates. The time grew later as they enjoyed each other's company.
"I am sorry Mary, but we must be going, I have a meeting later this evening.
Mary nodded, "of course, of course my sweetie, I am happy you stopped by. Sarina, it was very nice to meet you, don't forget what we talked about."
Sarina nodded, smiling at Mary.
Caspar cleared his throat, sure the old woman was going batty. "Goodbye Mary, I will try to come back soon."
They all waved at each other before Caspar and Sarina began their walk back to the estate.
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Hello lovely readers :)
This is the first chapter and the other will be updated sometime tonight. Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to add to collections and rate/review!