“You know, there is a reason we’re not allowed to visit jewelry shops,” Clifton said, “especially together.”
“You can wait outside,” Marjie answered, “while I will simply control myself.”
Clifton opened the door and walked inside.
So much for caution. Marjie hurried in after him.
Glass cases displayed rings, bracelets, and all things shiny. A huge sapphire amulet hung from a peg near the door. Good color but not very clear or well-polished, not nearly as expensive as it appeared at first glance. Marjie let her fingers brush over the surface. Mined near the southern tip of the Great Mountains almost five years ago. She grinned and examined a pair of turquoise stones set as earrings, though they’d been harvested over fifty miles apart.
She understood the need for security, but it really wasn’t fair she didn’t get to visit shops like this more often.
The shopkeeper was stocky with a pleasant face and an elegant long coat despite the warm spring day. He bowed low. “How may I be of service?”
“I need betrothal gifts,” Marjie said. “One for a man, one for a woman. Something nice. And never mind the cost.” She made the coins in her pocket rattle together.
“Ah, excellent.” The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together. “Would this be something to wear, or something to display?”
“I’m not sure.” Marjie peered around the shop. “He’s a sculptor, so he might appreciate something detailed.”
The shopkeeper clapped his hands. “I have just the thing! I’ll have my assistant watch the shop while I go get it.”
He hurried to the door where a young man was just entering. He shoved past, and the young man stumbled and fell to the stone floor. Oblivious, the shopkeeper hurried on.
Marjie rushed over to the assistant. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” He started to stand but froze when he saw her. His eyes were large, almond shaped, and deep brown. What made him stare like that? He looked ordinary enough at first glance, but as she watched, she glimpsed something in his face, something she couldn’t name. Something different, exotic even.
The young man straightened, and she realized he was way taller than she expected, with long arms and legs as though he’d been stretched too far. His hair was a bit too long and a bit too greasy, but he had a nice smile.
She realized suddenly how awkward they must look, staring at each other. She turned away, only to realize that Clifton was staring too.
“Aren’t you Landin Trappo?” he asked.
The young man started. “Do I know you?”
“You don’t remember? We were children. You found me when I was lost…”
Clifton! Marjie sent. Don’t tell people who you are!
Landin’s eyes went wide. “Oh, I didn’t recognize you! I mean, the way you’re dressed… I mean…” He glanced over his shoulder and stopped talking. At least he hadn’t shouted out Clifton’s title. Shopping became almost impossible when people knew who they were.
“Landin!” came a distant bellow.
A flash of fear crossed Landin’s face. “Maybe you two should leave now.”
Marjie didn’t move.
Landin turned back through the door he’d come through.
They trust us in the shop alone? Clifton sent.
Well, I’m not sure I trust them. Marjie strode up to the door and listened hard.
“You little thief!” The shopkeeper’s voice almost hurt her ears. “Two diamonds are missing! Two of them! What did you do, stick them in your pocket?”
“No. I swear. I must have dropped them last night.”
“If you don’t find those missing diamonds, you and your sister will be out on the streets!”
Marjie ground her teeth. She shouldn’t interfere. At least, not in broad daylight.
Clifton glanced at her. He saved my life when we were kids. Maybe we should do something.
The man was still yelling. “Useless, idle boy! I don’t know why I bother to feed you!”
Landin muttered something too low for Marjie to catch.
A thud followed—not dramatic, but Marjie had watched enough guards at practice to know the sound of someone being hit.
She had enough. She stormed right through the back door and into a small workshop.
The shopkeeper looked up. “Ah. Young lady. Please, don’t let our private family matter–”
“It’s not private if you’re threatening my friend,” Marjie said, “and your missing diamonds are stuck in a crack between the floor and the wall, under the desk.”
The shopkeeper blinked.
Clifton got to his knees and reached beneath the desk in question. Then he pulled out his hand and showed them a handful of small gems, including two diamonds. Only Marjie knew that he’d summoned them from cracks around the room. “Quite a few things dropped back there.”
The man’s eyes glittered. “How interesting. I didn’t realize that Landin had such gifted friends.”
Marjie froze. She might have made a serious mistake. “No gift. I saw the sparkle down there. The light hit them just right.”
The man’s expression didn’t change. “I see.”
Her and Clifton’s lives were dangerous enough as royalty. The last person they wanted to find out that they could locate and summon gemstones was a temperamental shopkeeper.
Clifton flung the handful of jewels on the desk. “Sorry, we’re out of time. Maybe we can buy something later.”
Marjie waited for the shopkeeper to argue. He’d just lost a big sale. But the man’s smile remained in place. “I look forward to your next visit.”
Clifton rushed for the door, but Marjie hesitated. They had to leave before the shopkeeper asked too many questions, but walking away when a friend needed help felt wrong.
She reached into her pocket and found a small scroll, an invitation to Clifton’s birthday celebration. She waited until Clifton had the shopkeeper occupied and then pressed the invitation into Landin’s hand. The brush of his fingers against hers was the only indication that he’d felt it.
Continue reading The Masters of Wishes by Christie Valentine Powell |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment