Chapter 48: Leave them alone
Gloria winced as she shifted her weight from one leg to another, eyeing the saddle with weary skepticism. "My legs hurt. How am I supposed to get back on that thing?"
They had just purchased three clay jars of heavy liquor, and their return to the stall where Rail had let the horses rest was briefly interrupted when Ren suddenly halted in front of the Herbarium shop. A wicked light flickered in her eyes, this was her key to the Historian Tower.
"You need to learn how to ride properly," she said, turning to Gloria. "I’ll teach you myself. You’re smart. I’ve taught you six letters of the alphabet, and you’ve already started recognizing them in words."
Ren had been watching her closely, more than Gloria likely realized. In a land where humans were little more than servants, knowledge was her most valuable weapon, and she intended for Gloria to wield it well.
"Killa, I need to buy some herbs. Would you mind waiting for me here? Gloria, you’re coming with me." Ren’s gaze remained fixed on the Herbarium’s entrance.
Before Arkilla could respond, Calisa purred, "Can I come too?"
"Not this time, my dear."
My dear?
Calisa’s eyes widened in stunned delight. Their beautiful queen had just called him that—him! His mind spiraled into a dizzy haze, replaying the words over and over until he was too absorbed to realize Ren and Gloria were already gone.
Inside the shop, the scent of dried leaves and earthy roots filled the air. A young man with light brown hair and hazel eyes was assisting a customer while Ren meandered between the wooden shelves stacked with baskets of herbs. She selected what she needed, then approached the vendor behind the counter, her voice smooth yet deliberate.
"Forgive me, sir. I know this is unrelated, but I’m looking for a librarian, and I overheard that your son is a historian."