Peppermint
Amla
Sage
Ashwagandha
Sea Buckthorn
Bryophyllum
Echinacea
Bilberry
“You want me to findallthis entire list before the market closes?” I look at the long list of ingredients Valdine has just given me.
“Is that a problem?”
I lift my gaze from the paper to Valdine. She’s been teaching me magic, but at the utmost basic level from my understanding. I’m not really one for wanting to practice, but witch or mage, Valdine says it’s a required feat for one to learn about medicinal herbs and the properties each one has.
“You can’t just tell me where they are? Or have me do some sort of…spell?” I whisper the last word under my breath.
Valdine rolls her green eyes heavenward and then taps a finger against the paper. “You need to learn how to barter. This market is the perfect place to do so.”
I wave the paper at her when she pulls back. “But there’s not even a picture! And you refuse to let me use my phone to look itup on the internet. So how am I supposed to know what I’m even looking for?”
“It’ll come to you,” Valdine says and then gestures around the open shops lining the main street. She had all but dragged me to this small village about two hours away from the school.
“I should be learning how to break the hex, not go on some shopping errand.” I grumble when Valdine is out of earshot. I sigh and glance down at the paper. “Let’s just get this over with.”
The first little shop I come across has hanging plants just inside glass stained windows. I push open the door and step inside. The walls are lined with cubbies and each one houses multiple small glass jars. When I step closer to take a close, they’re all labeled different names.
“Those are spices,” I jump at the sound of a voice behind me and turn sharply and spy an older woman with a red cane. She has wispy gray hair and dark brown eyes. “Are you looking for something in particular or are you just going to stand there and gawk?”
I hadn’t realized my mouth is open. I quickly snap it shut and glance down at the paper. “I’m looking for herbs.”
“Which ones?” The lady demands.
“Um, uh—” I read the first one off the top of the list. “Fengeek.”
“Fenugreek,” the old lady says and hobbles away from me. She moves to step behind the counter just a few feet away from the main door and crouches down to produce a jar.
Curious, I move to the counter. Fenugreek reminds me of shucked corn, yellow and almost pale to the eye. “That’s…Fen whatever?”
“Yes.” The old lady regards me with a cool expression. “How many pouches do you need?”
I look back down at the list. “Two. Please.” Then I lift my gaze back to hers. She hasn’t moved an inch and her gnarled hands are holding onto the jar of Fenugreek tightly so that her knuckles are turning a shade paler than her olive tone. “Is something wrong?”
“What is your name?” She asks in a brisk voice.
I blink several times at her before answering. “Dakota.”
The lady does a glance over and then nods. “I am Briar.” She holds out her hand, palm up. “Let me look over this list.”
I hesitate a fraction of a second and then slowly hand it over to her. Briar looks over the list with a scrutinized gaze.
“You’re practicing.”