Page 107 of Elysian

“I have the path memorized after Archer repeated the plan to me.” Tabby rolled her eyes. “There is a spot entering the pathway to the market where we can leave our horses. The satchel pocket has a few coins for you to offer the boy that will watch them.”

I patted the decently sized satchel I hung across my shoulder. It was larger than the one I had toted the grimoire in. I quickly found the pocket inside along the side.

“We arrive,” Tabby said, straightening her spine and lifting her chin. She’d perfected the haughty role of a lady.

The path branched to the left, the cobblestones smoother, and the wheat stalks chopped at waist length. A sprawling village lay before us. I kept behind Tabby, scanning the surroundings. A few shops scattered about. A soap seller, a dress seller, and another shop labeled All Things Steeds.

Within the entrance of an alley, a woman dressed in red held an arrow directing customers deeper through the village. A clear signal for a brothel.

We crossed a few inns, and Tabby took a left again. Before us was a stretch of a market. Tabby guided her horse to the empty spot beside the line of others. I navigated the horse I rode beside hers and dismounted, quickly so I could come to her side and help her down. A behavior I had seen firsthand. The Bjorns tended to ride in the carriage, so it was similar to that.

“Ma’am,” a youthful boy said, tipping his tweed cap. His grin showed a missing front tooth.

“We are here for some provisions before continuing our journey, so we will not be long,” I said as I grasped the coin. “You get the rest when we return and they are well kept.”

The boy grunted, taking the coin from my hand and biting the gold. Satisfied that it was real, he inclined his head and turned to tend to the couple waiting beside their horses.

Tabby already stood beside the entrance, waiting for me. I hurried to her side and kept my shoulders rounded forward. I followed her to the third stand where there was an old woman sitting. A shawl hugged her shoulders, and she clasped the front of it in one hand, holding it with her age-spotted hand.

Tabby hummed over the herbs on the surface. “I would like some mint leaves, and . . .” she trailed off, scanning. “What was the other piece I needed?” she asked me.

“Crystallized salt, my lady.”

“Yes, crystallized salt.”

The old woman was already packing it. My eye caught on a brown root with small spikes coming out of it.

“Oh, my lady, do not forget the burgadom root.”

“As my servant says,” Tabby announced, waving her hand about. “Triple the dosages.”

“Yes, my lady,” the old woman crowed, collecting everything into different pouches. I peeked at Tabby. She had gone off-script. We were to request only one of everything to not be too suspicious. “It will be two gold coins.”

I grabbed them and placed them in her palm. She handed over the first pouch full of mint leaves. I put the thick pouch at the bottom and stacked the other two items beside it.

Lady Tabby was already walking away. I thanked the old woman and hurried after Tabby.

“You are much too good at behaving like an Elite.”

She scoffed. “Well, I have a great reference. Earl Archer Andor was an ass when I was first assigned to him.”

I pursed my lips to hide my smile.

A few stalls down, we found a doctor’s stall. He offered a quick examination, and atop his table were already made salves. Tabby met my eyes.

“If there is a healing one, it is worth trying.” I kept my voice even.

She nodded and strode over.

“My lady, can I interest you in an examination?”

“No, good sir, I search for a healing salve.”

I scanned the surface. What caught my eye was a box behind the stall. There were familiar jars inside.

“I do have an alchemical healing salve.” His smile turned smarmy. “But it will cost you a pretty coin.”

“Her affianced has injured himself while he was harvesting stalks. The blade cut along his leg. We do not want him scarred.”