Chapter 32: Day off and question
As the crowded city street opens up, the familiar wooden sign of the inn comes into view. William's eyes lock onto a figure pacing outside the entrance. Gretchen walks back and forth in front of the doors, worry written plainly across her face.
The moment their eyes meet, William bolts. He races past Uncle Rob and throws his arms around her. Holding her tightly, he realizes just how much he missed her. Gretchen wraps him in an equally fierce embrace, squeezing him so hard that a few tears threaten to spill from his eyes.
They finally pull apart as Rob chuckles and jerks his head toward the entrance."Come on. Let's get out of the middle of the street."
Inside, William recognizes the inn at once. It is the same one they stayed in during their last visit to Arindale. Across the room, Matt waves enthusiastically from a large corner table, while Craig sits beside him, a rare smile softening his usually stern expression.
The moment they sit down, Gretchen leans over and cups William's face in her hands, turning it from side to side.
"You look thinner. Are you eating enough? Tell me you aren't skipping meals. What does that shopkeeper have you doing? Are the chores too heavy? Is the city air making you sick?"
Rob laughs and rests a hand on her shoulder."Let the boy breathe, Gretchen, or everyone here will think you're questioning a thief."
Gretchen blinks and glances around the tavern. Several nearby patrons are staring at her. A blush creeps onto her cheeks, and she quickly smooths her apron before sitting back down.
William smiles and tells them about Betty's daily antics, John's new house across the street, and how Trojjan has been teaching him to read and write. Before long, they're asking questions about everything else he's seen during his first month in the city.
The table falls quiet when he mentions the lessons.
Gretchen and Rob exchange a glance. Even Craig's stern expression slips into open surprise, while Matt simply stares at William with his mouth slightly open.
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Only Emma seems unmoved. She sits with her chin in her hands, absentmindedly tracing circles inside her empty wooden bowl, her thoughts clearly still on Betty.
"This is quite a good opportunity for William," Rob says, leaning back thoughtfully. "If he learns to read and write, he could work for one of the big merchant companies in the major cities. Maybe even find a place in a city or town hall."
Gretchen nods in agreement, finally approving of something Trojjan has done.
'Is that it?’ he wonders, his chest tightening. ‘Is that all I can become? A clerk? I don't want to be a nobody. If I settle for this, how will I ever meet him again? How will I ever find magic? Maybe I should start looking for it now... somewhere else.’ His thoughts are interrupted by Gretchen's voice.
"William? Are you alright?"
He blinks and looks up, forcing a small smile."I am fine. Just thinking about what we should do today."
Uncle Rob claps his hands together, breaking the mood."Well, the first thing we're doing is getting some proper food in our bellies. After that, I've got a few trading errands to run. Then the rest of the day belongs to you kids."
A hearty meal of stew, bread, and potatoes soon arrives. Gretchen carefully scoops more meat pieces in William’s bowl while Rob passes him softer bread. Once the bowls are empty, Rob heads out to finish his trading.
While they wait, William decides to take a chance. He slides his leather pouch across the table toward Gretchen.
"This is my pay for this month," he says. "Fifty coppers."
Gretchen looks at the pouch, her smile widening. Without a word, she slides it back."This is your money. I'm not taking my little boy's hard-earned pay."
"But I'm not little anymore," William replies weakly.
"Oh?" Gretchen says, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Then it's even more important that you keep it. Big people have a lot more expenses than children."
William opens his mouth to argue, then gives up at the look on her face.
While they wait for Rob to return, his family keeps asking about the city. William answers as best he can, though his thoughts keep drifting back to the same question.
Once Rob returns, the family bundles up and heads into the biting wind to visit the winter markets. The streets are crowded with people bartering for thick woolens, salted meat, and firewood.
Matt chatters excitedly as they walk, and Gretchen smiles at a bargain she manages to strike, but William barely notices any of it.
‘How was he ever going to find magic?’
Before sunset, it is time to say goodbye.
William hugs each of them one last time and wishes them a safe journey home. Despite his best efforts, a few tears escape as he watches them disappear into the crowd.
By the time he returns to the shop, the winter sky has already begun to darken.
Trojjan is waiting behind the counter."So," the shopkeeper says, "did you enjoy your day off, kid?"
William nods and starts toward his room. At the doorway, he hesitates and looks back."You've been to a lot of places, right?"
Trojjan nods, a faint look of confusion crossing his face.William takes a breath.
"Do you think magic exist?”