“Andi.” My voice was hoarse as I forced the words out. I could not bring myself to look at his face again.
“Nice to meet you, Andi. I don’t work with horses much, but let me see if I can help,” he said as we walked into the blacksmith’s shop.
I glanced around, having never been here before.All sorts of weapons lined the room: swords, daggers, big, long ones. I wondered how anyone could hold these giant swords, which were the length of my torso.
The idea of using a weapon like that and taking a life is too hard to comprehend. I shuddered and snapped out of my thoughts as Myles rumbled around the shop.
“I think there might be some shoes around here somewhere,” Myles said as he hunted for his tools.
“Are—are you new to Vendyl?” I spat out, happy I managed a sentence.
“Yeah, I found some work here about a month ago, still finding my way around.”
“Where are you from?” I asked, braving a look at his face. I focused on every part of his face rather than making direct eye contact: the little creases at the corner of his eyes, the warm brown of his hair. My head tilted as I eyed the tense muscles in his arm as he fixed Misty’s shoe. I snapped out of it when he spoke again.
“I was born in Eilia, but I’ve travelled around for a while. What about you?”
“I grew up here. In the cottage across the river, been nowhere else,” I replied. “We come to town every week to sell some fruit and vegetables, and some herbal medicines my Mum makes; she’s great at it if you’re ever in need of anything. My Mum and I, that is. I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before—”
I realised I had begun to ramble; I shut my mouth. One minute, I couldn’t form words, then I couldn’t stop talking.
Myles set Misty’s foot down, walking her around a little.
For someone who hasn’t been around horses much, he certainly had a way with them. Misty was normally hard to win over, but she didn’t seem to mind Myles’ attention.
He turned to look at me. “I’ve seen you in town a few times.” Myles blushed a little, looked at Misty, then back at me.
Blood rushed to my cheeks again.Keep your cool, Andi.
“She’s ready to go,” Myles said, stroking Misty’s head. The little flirt neighed at him, tossing her mane. I was not the only one who had been taken in by his good looks and charm. “Come on, I’ll walk you both home.”
“You don’t have to do that, it’s not far.”
“What kind of gentleman would I be, if I let a beautiful woman like yourself walk off into the night?” He stared at me and gave me a little one-sided smile.
My body shivered with goosebumps; my heart thumped out of my chest.
Wyatt smacks me over the head, snapping me from my thoughts, “What was that for?” I moan at him.
“You look like a lovesick puppy. Stop ogling the guy,” Wyatt says as he hands me some apples.
I’m tempted to throw them at his head, but before I make a move, a customer comes up to me. I glare at Wyatt for a second before turning to greet them with my friendliest smile.
The first of many shoppers fervently waiting.
Chapter Four
Andi
The morning drags by as the town awakens. Folk stroll around the square as they contemplate what is on offer, with merchants calling out to folk, coaxing them over, hoping to make a sale. Young couriers selling newspapers yell, “Latest Gazette out now” and “General Sanders caught with his breeches down at his ankles. Read all about it right here.” Customers stumble over each other to buy a copy, gossiping about General Sanders and what the unfortunate man has been up to.
“Two silvers. You’re having a laugh,” a man jeers at a young vendor, who is not yet used to the haggling customers.
At the centre of the square, beside the fountain, a bard plays a lively jig whilst singing a song about a dwarf and the dowager. Folk cackle and roar at his song; the smug-looking bard moves on to another tune.
“Andi, go get us some bread before the baker sells out of the good loaves.” Mum hands me a few coppers. “And hurry back. No dawdling.”
I take the coins and slip out between the stalls, avidly avoiding the bustle of shoppers who are more focused on the stalls rather than where they are walking. Passing by the crowd, I overhear some of the latest gossip.