#helna

Their mission was clear; cheese, meat and and fresh loaves on the way home from the market. Everything else was free game today!

Edith had taken Teirnan and Suewen into the town to see all the beautiful decorations that had been placed around the main square and beyond.

The local Druid Enclave had sent a delegation to meet with Lord General Thorm to cement relations after rumours of Sharran activity within the area.

A frightening prospect for a town bathed in Selûne's light. The night had become a scary place to linger in the latest months.

It had given Edi pause for thought with continuing her tutoring with Balthazar in the late hours, but he had promised her that she was safe from Sharran influence, or interference.

She had tried to question it but he simply chanted an incantation, blew soot over her and told to ask no more questions.

She took it that he was now watching over her journeys to and from Moonrise when she walked home. Whether it was a comforting thought, or not was debatable.

He was a terrifying man, but a good person to know in circumstances such as these.

He seemed to have answers to the questions that others simply didn't.

Showed her things that she didn't believe could be possible.

"Wow! It looks so pretty!" Suewen chirped from beside her, as they walked into Reithwin Market proper.

"It looks the same Sues, just more flowers." Teirnan huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up, it does not." Suewen retorted sharply.

"Oh, none of this sniping please. This is supposed to be a nice day." Edith pleaded, defusing the rumbling discord, "Let's go see what the stalls are offering, eh?"

"Stinky cheese, please!" Sues prompted, with a smile.

"Stinkier the better!" Teirnan agreed, nodding with puckered lips.

"Stinky cheese and broccoli soup?" Edi pursed her lips in temptation, awaiting the response.

It was resounding agreement, followed by a trio of laughter and a sprint towards the cheese stall.

•°•

Now that Edith was making money for her apprenticeship with the Mortuary - and secretly from her agreement with Balthazar - she'd been able to treat her little brother and sister to festival delights she'd never been able to before.

Festival foods, and gifts, and crafts!

The turkey legs as large as their thighs, the wooden toys that would wile away the hours and the sweet makings of the creatively talented in the village.

Tiernan had picked up a new figure to add to his collection; a Wizard for his imaginary band of adventurers.

Suewen had picked up three new hand-made hair accessories for her beautifully long locks.

The pair had also kindly suggested picking up their mother a new shawl to wear when the dark evening's drew in closer - one of autumnal colours and silver thread.

Their father did not receive such a suggestion.

Although his mindless servitude suited the family well in the last few months - thanks to Balthazar - his past abuse would never be forgotten, nor forgiven.

Her siblings had bounded off to the sound of a Puppet show gathering by the Bridge, while Edith was left with her basket of stinky cheese - wrapped several times to attempt at containing the smell - and gifts.

"I thought that was you!" Came the booming voice her good friend, Gerringothe, "Edi!"

"Gerri." She greeted, turning to face her friend of golden curls, perfect teeth and rosy cheeks.

Gerrigothe Thorm was a beautiful and buxom woman, smartly dressed in pink and golden trim. Her smile was brighter than the gold she counted, as she beamed at Edith.

"I thought we were meeting at the Moon later. You'd better not stand me up again." She chided, shimming her shoulders as she waggled her finger.

"We are, silly. I'm here showing my brother and sister the Market with it's lovely stalls. You've done well organising this." She congratulated, squeezing her arm.

Gerri wrapped it under her and linked arm in arm with her, "I know, I am absolutely fabulous, aren't I?" She beamed, walking along.

"Absolutely fabulous." Edith repeated, with a glad smile.

Not many really liked Gerri. Her over abundant confidence was sometimes off-putting but Edi enjoyed it; seeing a woman so self assure made her aspire to be just like her.

"Have you seen the handsome Druids that have come with the delegation? Ah!" She gasped, laying her hand across her plentiful bosom.

"I have not." Edi answered, keeping her lips tight, "I've told you I'm not interested--"

"--interested in all that right now. Yes, I know! But this isn't the normal crop we harvest, darling Edi. These boys are carved different." A devious smirk and low voice rippled through the words.

Edith rolled her eyes and laughed, "Oh, and that's why you want me to go to the pub tonight, cause they'll all be there."

"Of course! I've invited them myself!" Gerri giggled, batting Edi's arm and grinning, "You mustn't let me down." She frowned, pouting slightly, "I need my lovely, dour friend to brighten up the place."

Edith's face flattened at her sarcasm and they laughed together. Gerri loosened their arms and gently laid her fingers across her forearm.

"It would really be lovely to see you again, it's been such a long time."

"I know, I've been very busy." She excused, pulling her smile tight.

"Yes, well. With all that money you're acquiring now from my Uncle's hermit Mystic Aid, you can get yourself a new dress. Madame Trussad is in the square with new silks and fabrics--"

"--I highly doubt--"

"--In something that isn't black. I beg you." She cut in dramatically, "I'm not listening to another word. Tell your mother and the children I said, 'Hello'! See you tonight!"

And off she went without another word, waving her hand and her ample behind as she went.

Edith sighed, shook her head and continued down the street towards, where her siblings had taken off running towards the bridge.

Lost in thoughts of how to possibly find an excuse for tonight, Edi made her way through the bustling marketplace.

It warmed her to see the town so happy and joyful after the grief that had swarmed them, after their Lady Melodia had been taken too early. There hadn't been much to celebrate. Save for when the Dame Aylin came to visit.

Scanning the crowd by the Puppet show for her siblings, she couldn't see them.

Widening her field of search, she saw them sat by the water fountains edge, talking to a rather large Elf - an uncharacteristically large Elf. Donned in Druids leathers and carrying a large glaive on his back. Edith's head jerked at the sheer size of him.

Gerri was right; they were carved differently than the usual droll.

He was tanned and extremely muscular, with long auburn hair entwined with ivy and white flowers.

Suddenly her mouth was quite dry, her interest quite piqued.

The large stranger had his hand hovering over Tiernan's knee, golden light radiating over it.

A healing spell, she quickly identified.

The man softly said something to Teirnan, to which he responded with a sideways look of sheepishness. Suewen clearly interjected affectionately at the man, her cheeks flushed pink.

He responded with a chuckle that lilted on the wind and reached her ears, and suddenly it was as if all her cares had vanished on the warm breeze.

Who was this man?

"I fell." Said her brother's voice and Edith shook her head, blinking dimly.

She'd apparently kept walking the entire time she'd been ogling because she was right beside the handsome stranger.

"Have you?" She responded dimly.

"Yes, I told him not to run." Sues informed her, in a tone of voice that made her sound very different than her sister that thought all boys were yucky.

It brought her out of her stupor just enough to gather herself.

"I thank you, Saer. For healing my brother's scrapes." She thanks, composing herself at last.

"Not a worry, I am here to help." His voice was warm and smooth like melted chocolate and honey, drizzled on fresh, hot pastries.

He stood up to his full size and turned to face her.

Dear gods of every direction.

He was perfection.

Scarred chin, entrancing eyes, chisled jaw and his body.. Edith bit her lip internally.

The Gods wept the day this man was created because they had to wait to have him join them.

He tilted his head, searching her face for a moment before his gaze dipped to regard the rest of her. Edith swallowed. Hard.

His gaze returns to her face, the ghost of flirtation in his eyes, "It was my pleasure."

Edith's tongue poked out to snake across her bottom lip, before she corraled it.

"Regardless, it was very kind. Especially when I asked him to pay heed to his sister's words." She gently scolded, pursing her lips.

Tiernan sighed heavily, the sigh of a child caught in wrong-doing.

"Ah, do not be too hard on him. It is an exciting time and there's not been much chance to celebrate in recent times. I'll wager it's been a number of years."

"You'd be correct." Edi nodded, looking up at his astonishing hazel eyes. She made herself her own wager she'd never see eyes quite like that again.

"There is a gathering in the Waning Moon this eve, I.. assume you'll be joining the frivolities." He ventured, gesturing a large hand at her.

"I will be, yes." She answered without thought, placing a hand on her chest. If he was there, she'd follow him to the Hells.

"Then I shall see you this evening, Madam."

"You shall indeed. Maybe I shall buy you a drink as thanks." She suggested, boldly.

"That would be appreciated. Until later." He left her with a flirtatious half-grin, and lazily dragged gaze, as he walked away.

Edith watched enraptured by the firmness of his behind and the ripple of his tight musculature.

It was several moments before Teirnan said, "What?" Pulling both of his sisters from their trance.

"Are you really meeting with him this evening?" Sues looked thrilled by the prospect.

Edith nodded, slightly dazed, "I think I need to see Madame Trussad."

•°•°•

Can you tell I'm having fun with photomode recently? 🤭☺️

I tried to save this