#6: A Rude Guest at the Shop

Started a new book!

35th Spring Moon

We had a visitor today. A trader!

I had just curled up on the armchair in the shop with a new book- For the Love of Weaver, after schoolwork and restocking Frostfern(it's to break fevers), when the door slammed open like the start of a storm. In walked a woman with wind-mussed hair, and a coat with a dozen pockets. She was about Papa's age, I believe. She dropped a satchel on the counter that smelled like old leather, and exotic herbs. I desperately wanted to peek in.

“Karin,” Papa said, with the kind of tired smile. “I wasn’t expecting you till next week.”

“Unhappy to see me?” she asked sharply, already digging through her pack. “Here I thought I was doing you a favor.”

“I'm always happy to see an old friend.” Papa brought in his clipboard as Karin placed herbs and roots one by one on the counter.

“Charm isn't going to reduce the price,” she snapped. “There's a drought in East, those pesky bandits haven't been caught in Rivenwald and traders don't want to travel all the way here to do business, Sylven. Be grateful.”

“Of course, Karin,” Papa said. “Have some tea.”

He signaled me for tea. Frankly, I don't see why. She's awful. But I moved towards the stove nevertheless.

Karin sat down in my armchair. She saw the book cover and snorted. Ok, she was really awful.

She glanced at me and said, “So this is the runt who’s going to take over your apothecary?”

I straightened my spine. “Only if I survive the smell coming off that coat.”

Her coat didn't really smell bad. But I had to say something.

Papa coughed into his hand. Might’ve been a laugh. “Eira,” he said, but there wasn't any bite in his voice.

Karin just snorted. “Got some bark in you. Good. I like it.”

I still didn't like her.

She took the tea I handed her, smelled it and sighed. “Thank you,” she said softly. She then proceeded to haggle over Everveil leaves (soothes pain) for twenty minutes.

I could tell Papa was tired after dealing with her.

She looked at me thoughtfully and said, “You look like your mother. But you are your father's daughter, alright.”

I didn't know what to feel about that. We didn't mention my mother here, ever since she left us six years ago. I didn't know why she abandoned us. Papa won't say a word about her.

But now he said, “Yes, she is.” He sounded proud too.

I blushed, embarrassed.

Papa handed her coins, I glimpsed several silver coins. Karin smirked at me and then she was gone.

The shop still smelled like her satchel- like exotic herbs. I didn't mind. I curled up in the armchair again and returned to my novel, just as Papa returned to his work. There was an odd silence. Almost peaceful. But my heart felt full for some reason.

-Eira

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