The Sword and the Flame: The Forging

Chapter 2

Before long, she became bored with the exchange and started to glance around at the other merchants and their wares. It didn't take her long to find something of interest. A couple stands over, an elderly man stood over various trinkets and books set out on a plank table. Viola thought about waiting for Janessa, but her curiosity got the better of her and she walked over to his table.

"Good afternoon, my dear, how may I help you?" The old man's pleasant voice and warm smile helped her feel more comfortable and relaxed. He reminded her of her own grandfather, and for a moment, they seemed to be the same person to her. She couldn't help but return his smile.

"Thank you, sir. I'm just browsing at the moment." Her eyes went to the trinkets — nothing of value to her as far as she could see — then to the books. These were the true treasures: books on herbology, mystical lore, and animal husbandry to name a few.

The elderly man watched her face light up when she saw his old textbooks. "Ah, I knew it when I saw you."

Viola's face twisted into a look of confusion, "What?" She became aware she may have done something to offend the merchant.

"No, no, my child, I didn't mean anything like that." He couldn't help but smile and laugh to himself at the sudden look of terror on her face. He wondered if he'd been mistaken. No, he hadn't been wrong; her destiny was set. There was a lot for her to learn before she was ready for the path fate had prepared for her.

He saw some of her tension disappear with his gentle assurance. Being more relaxed allowed him to see her as she truly was, or rather, as she was meant to be. Feeling she needed more, he allowed a small laugh to escape. "You must forgive me, sometimes I'm far to blunt."

Her unease disappeared and she returned his smile. "No, it was my fault. I just..." Her voice trailed off while her mind tried to grasp what had happened. I just panicked, that's what! She grew angry at herself for not having more control.

The merchant watched her while she chewed on her lip. Probably out of embarrassment and anger at herself. He suppressed a chuckle at the thought. With great ease, he guided her towards the books that caused their current situation. "I knew when I saw you that you were coming for these books."

Viola's eyes widened, she hadn't realized she'd been so eager for them, but she did feel drawn to them like a moth to a flame. It took a little effort for her to speak as her mind raced to figure out what was wrong with her. "Yes, I find them very interesting. Especially Herbology."

The merchant smiled. "I understand. It's not easy to be a mage in the world today. Unless you're powerful and serve a king, herbology is one of the honest ways to make a living."

Viola flushed. She never thought of it that way. Her interest was for the knowledge of the craft and to grow her own spell components. "Something like that."

The merchant smiled. She seemed so naive he couldn't help but to think of her as his own granddaughter. At least, she didn't have any predetermined mindset about how things should be. "I think you'll find these books indispensable during your studies. In time, you'll learn to unlock their secret power."

Viola continued smiling, but her mind focused on his words. Was he trying to tell her something? She shook her head; she was beginning to sound like Janessa. Behind every spoken word wasn't always a hidden meaning. She set the herbology book aside and began to look through the others. She could feel the merchant's eyes watching her, but she pushed away the awkwardness while she browsed. Had she looked up, she would've noticed the intensity in his eyes as he tried to will her to pick the correct books.

*****

"You drive a hard bargain, lass." The Dwarf, whose name Janessa learned was Galin during the bartering, narrowed his eyes. It'd been quite some time since he last met one that could match him stroke for stroke when it came to money. The truth was, he was about to make a profit on the dagger. She'd view it as a cunning victory, but he knew the truth. He was still the best.