“It does run in the family. So . . . I’m Luke Callindor,” the half-elf says. He winces in mock pain after realizing how silly he sounds.
“I should hope so. If you weren’t Luke Callindor then I would be wondering who I just helped bring back to life,” Sari teases him with a warm smile.
“Well, I felt strange not introducing myself,” Luke admits, his cheeks turning red. “Though, we technically already met.”
“I guess I should return the favor. My name is Sari and I am temporarily in your debt for rescuing me,” the gypsy announces, bowing her head to her knees. “I say temporarily because I am not one to stay in one place for too long. Soon enough, I will pay my debt and go back to my wanderings.”
“I know what you mean. Life feels so stale if you stay in one place. That’s why I started adventuring in the first place,” Luke claims. He walks over to Sari and extends a hand to her.
“You don’t really know what I mean,” the gypsy says with a suddenly dark and serious voice. “Eventually, you will settle down and leave the road behind, but a gypsy never gives up the road. I would rather die than be tied down to one spot. It was a miracle that I lasted so long in Kalam’s lair without giving up and fading away.”
“In that case, let’s go for a walk and get you some fresh air. I can show you around the town and the surrounding forest,” Luke offers with his hand still hanging in the air.
Sari takes his hand and grins impishly at her new friend. “I’m not sure. We only just met. I don’t know if I can trust you to behave yourself.”
“I will be a proper gentleman,” Luke promises, pulling her up to her feet. “I may be a wandering hero, but I know how to treat a lady such as yourself.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Sari states, her lips an inch from his ear.
“What do you mean by that?” Luke nervously asks.
“Nothing. Lead the way, Luke Callindor, my gentlemanly tour guide,” Sari announces with an extravagant wave of her arm. Luke stares at her for a bit before shrugging and turning toward the door.
“I was right. He is cute,” Sari whispers, her fingers mindlessly running through her dark blue hair.
*****
“I don’t care how safe you’re going to make it. I’m not going in there,” Sari swears, crossing her arms and turning away from the yard. She shrinks into the doorway when a plump honeybee flies over her shoulder and disappears among the rows of wooden hives.
“The bees won’t sting you unless you scare them. They aren’t aggressive like wild bees. I bet you could get one to land on your finger,” Luke assures her. He is calmly leaning on one of the hives. A few bees are perched on his shoulder, but they fly off when he walks toward Sari.
“I don’t care. It will hurt if I get stung,” the gypsy whimpers.
“Fine,” Luke sighs in disappointment. “We’ll go back into the store and I’ll buy you more candy.”
“Buy? You haven’t paid for anything since we got here,” Sari mentions with a smile.
Luke shrugs and smirks at her. “It’s already taken care of. My dad uses the candy to stay awake while working. They have some very potent recipes. My favorite is the hyper-honey lollipop. When I was four, I stole one from my dad’s workshop and it made me stay awake for twenty-eight hours.”
“So, your town is known for warriors, weapons, and honey-based candies?” Sari mockingly asks.
“We also have a tree seedling business in the spring. The big clearing is used to grow them and we put them in nurture pots to be sold. They get sent to places that have lost trees to loggers and storms,” Luke answers with a twinge of pride. “Even though Haven is a small town, we do a lot of things that influence the entire continent.”
“Even the candy?”
“Except the candy.”
“I thought so.”
“That’s a market that spans all of Windemere.”
Sari stares at Luke, trying to figure out if he is lying until his charming smile makes her blush. “Just give me more sugar.”
They enter the store and are greeted by the smell of fresh honey and chocolate. The gypsy immediately wanders away from Luke to greedily examine the glass jars on the wall. She takes a big sniff of a honey and chocolate flower before picking it up. The flower is gone in four quick bites; the only remnant of it is a smudge of sticky chocolate on Sari’s upper lip. Luke rummages through his pockets while he watches her gracefully weave through the aisles. He pulls out a small emerald and places it on the store counter. The middle-aged man behind the counter looks from Luke to Sari and nods. The man turns back to the bubbling kettle of honey that is sitting over the fireplace.
“Thanks, Luke,” Jason says with a few small coughs. “Though, you don’t have to give me any money. Your parents will handle the tab at the end of the month like always.”
“I know, but this is from me. I owe you a lot for all the free candy I got away with when I was a kid,” the half-elf states, leaning on the counter. “Besides, we always look out for each other around here. This emerald can help you if another frost hits the area like five years ago.”
Jason turns to pocket the emerald and pats Luke on the shoulder. “Selfless beyond a fault as always.”
“You always have to put others ahead of yourself,” a stern, female voice announces. “That emerald would have been able to save you from at least a week of sleeping in the cold and eating cheap tavern scraps. Though, I don’t see why I bother reasoning with you, anyway? You never listen.”
Luke turns to the door where Alyssa is gently closing it behind her. A large squirrel is perched on her shoulder. It quickly hops to the floor to march ahead of her on its hind legs. Alyssa stops a few feet away from Luke and blushes when she stares into his green eyes. It isn’t until Luke steps over the squirrel to give her a tight hug that she begins crying on his shoulder. Luke notices Sari peeking out from behind a stack of assorted candy boxes, but the gypsy swiftly vanishes from sight. Alyssa lets a minute pass before she pushes out of Luke’s embrace.
“You didn’t come to see me,” she sniffles, dotting her eyes with a handkerchief.
“I haven’t been alive for that long. Probably three hours at most,” Luke calmly responds with a soft voice. “I promised to show Sari around Haven and I was going to end the tour at the manor. I thought Sari and Zephyr would get along very well, so I was hoping to find out where he is staying.”
“He has been staying with me,” Alyssa says with a whimsical smile. “He is such a polite and helpful boy. He helps with the daily cleaning even though the servants try to pamper him. It’s quite comical at times.”
“It’s good to hear that he has a warm place to live for a time. Zephyr helped me out a lot, so I really want to help him,” Luke mentions, picking up a strawberry honey drop and popping it into his mouth.
“He has shown interest in a bard contest in Gaia in three months,” she explains, taking a cherry honey lollipop and laying a gold coin on the counter. “I promised that I would sponsor his entry since I will be in the city for a gala. Until then, I will supply him with a few local teachers to help smooth his edges. He has an amazing natural talent, but it could be refined.” She raises an eyebrow and repeatedly taps the lollipop to her lips with her finger. “Much like another boy I once knew who had a natural talent for swords and getting into trouble. Too bad he grew into a horrible, irresponsible man.”
“You wouldn’t have me any other way,” he declares with a charming smile.
“Correction, dear sir. I don’t have you,” the noble counters with an equally wide grin.
“So, this is the boy that Ionia wanted to revive?” the squirrel interrupts, sizing Luke up. “He doesn’t look like much to me.”
Luke jumps back as soon as the animal begins talking. He cautiously crouches in front of the squirrel and stares at it. Zale suddenly leaps at Luke’s face and kicks him in the nose. Luke falls back into a roll and hops up to his feet in time to lift his right leg out of the squirrel’s way. Zale str
eaks under the half-elf’s foot and crashes into a basket full of amber candies. The rodent is struggling to get out until Luke grabs him by the scruff of his neck and pulls him into the air. Luke holds Zale far enough away to avoid the squirrel’s claws and teeth.
“Do you have an explanation for this?” Luke asks curiously.
“He turned up yesterday when Zephyr returned from a walk in the forest during which he got lost. I was told that the squirrel, whose name is Zale, found him and escorted him home. So, we let the pest stay as a reward,” Alyssa answers, suspiciously eyeing the thrashing rodent. “I was hoping to find Queen Ionia and ask her to take him back, but he was apparently fired from his position. Something about being too troublesome and starting fights.”
“Unhand me!” the squirrel shouts.
“Great. A mouthy squirrel is the last thing this town needs,” Luke groans. He turns to Zale and gently tightens his grip. “Do you promise to behave if I let you go, Zale? I don’t like hurting animals, but I will stuff you in a honey pot if you attack me again.”
“The dirty pots are in the back,” Jason announces from behind the counter.
Zale helplessly dangles from Luke’s hand in defeat. “I promise to never strike you again unless you threaten those I protect. You have my word of honor as a knight of Darkmill.”
“You’re a knight of Darkmill?” Alyssa laughs as Luke places Zale on the floor.
“Yes. I was turned into a squirrel long ago by Queen Ionia during a dangerous reconnaissance mission,” Zale says with a ruffle of his tail. “I was struck by a spell, which made my transformation a permanent change. Though, it has not transformed my tenacity in combat.”
Luke puts his hand over Alyssa’s mouth before she can laugh again. “So, what are you going to do now, Sir Zale?”
“I was not really fired, boy,” Zale admits, standing with his chest out. “Lady Ionia and I have agreed to temporarily part ways. I will return to her when I am done with my new mission.”
“I’m amazed that you act so noble in front of Luke, but you swear like a bandit when in my presence,” Alyssa points out, wiping away her tears of laughter.
“This boy is a fellow warrior. My attack was merely to test his reflexes,” Zale proudly claims.
“That doesn’t explain the swearing,” she mutters under her breath.
“May I ask what such a noble knight is doing in Haven?” Luke asks before Zale can react to Alyssa. “It must be important if you took a leave of absence from Ionia’s forces.”
“I have decided-” Zale begins.
“He’s acting as Zephyr’s bodyguard and manager until the competition in Gaia is over,” Alyssa interrupts, obviously annoyed. “Basically, he sits around the manor and eats while listening to music.”
“Sounds challenging,” Luke remarks.
The squirrel nervously wiggles its nose and flicks its furry tail. “I freely admit that there is no challenge, but there is something about the boy that makes me want to help him.”
“It’s because he’s blind and trusting,” Alyssa snaps, sternly tapping her foot on the hardwood floor. “Now, can you scurry off to the manor? I have to do some shopping that will not interest you. None of it is food related.”
“Very well, milady, I will see you upon your return,” Zale says before bounding out an open window.
Alyssa watches him leave before turning to Luke and whispering, “Don’t let him fool you. That squirrel curses every few minutes when he is left alone with me. He only acts honorable around warriors, like you and Caspar, or around children like Zephyr. I can’t wait until he is out of my life.”
“Just don’t invite him to your wedding out of the kindness of your heart,” teases Luke with a smile.
“I have never been that kind,” Alyssa jokes.
“I’m happy that you came to see me,” Luke says abruptly.
Alyssa blushes and fidgets with the collar of her dress. “It wasn’t you who I wanted to see. I came to town for shopping and saw you through the window. I decided that I should say hello and welcome you back before I became too busy.”
“You’re a horrible liar.”
“Only with you, rabbit nose.”
“You haven’t called me that since we were seven,” Luke mutters under his breath, his face turning red. “Besides, I stopped twitching my nose when I’m angry years ago. You need to come up with a new name to call me.” He grabs a handful of candies and starts flipping them into his mouth.
“Give me time,” Alyssa retorts. She sighs and gives Luke a quick hug. “I should be going. I was planning a party in honor of someone who died saving the town. Then, the idiot came back and turned my remembrance party into a welcome back celebration. You always have to make things complicated for me.” Alyssa glances over Luke’s shoulder. “That girl in the back sure has been quiet for a while.”
“I’m sure she’s fine. Don’t you have servants who could prepare the party?” Luke asks curiously.
“Yes.”
“Why aren’t you using them?”
“You are such an idiot.”
“What did I say?” Luke inquires, following Alyssa to the door. “Alyssa, you don’t have to leave. Just tell me what I said and I’ll take it back.” She laughs as she opens the door and closes it in Luke’s face.
“That went well,” Jason mentions with an amused grin.
“Of course it did,” Luke happily says. “Now I know that I have a party to attend. I probably shouldn’t fill up on candy. No offense.”
Jason turns away from the bubbling pot of honey he’s stirring. “None taken. You might want to find that girl. She disappeared behind those shelves and hasn’t reappeared yet.”
Luke makes his way to the back of the store where he hears a low, droning groan. He turns the corner of an aisle ready to tease Sari for eating too much candy and getting a stomach ache, but he stops in stunned silence. Sari is doubled over in the corner, weakly raising her head to smile at Luke. Luke rushes over to pick her up as she struggles to get to stand. He cradles Sari while she shivers and mutters incoherently to herself. Looking at her more closely, Luke notices that her skin is turning a dull green and tufts of blue, velvety leaves are growing out of her neck. He gently pulls one of the leaves off Sari and it abruptly shrivels into crumbs. Without warning, Sari’s body violently jerks in the half-elf’s arms and she goes eerily limp.
“I’ll talk to you later, Jason! I have to go!” Luke shouts, rushing through the store and sprinting out of the door.
*****
A gentle breeze weaves through the town and bathes it in the smell of fresh water and flowers. The quiet of the day is broken by two armies of kids running through the streets with wooden swords. Wildly swinging their toy weapons, the boys and girls leap off wooden crates and charge around building corners. Two of the older children carry twin swords and shout orders to the younger kids who are under their command. Occasionally, one of the kids takes a solid hit to a limb or their stomach. Every time, the child begins crying only to quickly rejoin the game when they don’t get any attention.
It is this uncoordinated imitation of swordplay that keeps Luke entertained while he patiently waits outside the healer’s office. He struggles to stay awake in the warm afternoon sunlight. A few of the children notice him and whisper to each other. Several children excitedly point at his sheathed sabers. Luke is about to stand and show off for the kids when the healer steps outside. The elderly man kindly smiles as Luke wipes grass from the back of his pants.
“So, how is she?” Luke asks with concern.
“It was close, but she should be fine in a few hours,” the healer says, his voice soft and tired. “Your friend would have become a plant in another twenty minutes if you hadn’t brought her to me.”
Luke stares at the healer in confusion. “What happened to her?”
“The poor thing must have eaten food infested with invasive creatures called aribecta,” the old man answers.
“Never heard of those an
imals,” Luke sheepishly admits.
“They are creatures that are invisible to the naked eye because they are so small. Most of them are harmless, but there have been a few documented types that can be dangerous. For example, there are aribecta that, once ingested, change their host into a suitable environment,” the healer explains, leading Luke through the healing house toward the room where Sari is resting. “That is what almost happened to your friend. She must have eaten plant-based aribecta, which required their host to be more plant than animal. The aribecta use their aura to alter the host’s composition into a more desirable home. Nasty little creatures, but easy to cure with natural remedies that we have on hand. A simple concoction of oak root, wasp stinger, red mask viper venom, and troll berries do the trick.”
“Hey, cutie!” Sari shouts, sitting up in a low cot.
“You sound better,” Luke mentions, suspiciously eyeing the gypsy.
“I should warn you about the side-effects. They can be quite exhausting if you aren’t ready for them,” the old man says as Sari hops out of the bed. “Well, there is only one side-effect.”
“Only one side-effect? That doesn’t sound so bad,” Luke admits. Sari suddenly leaps onto his back and wraps her arms around his neck.
“The side-effect is loss of inhibitions,” the doctor states with a worried smile.
“A sleeping potion would be helpful,” Luke coughs, trying to pry the giggling gypsy off of him.
Sari whispers into his ear, “You want to take a nap with me already? That’s so sweet.”
“This will not end well,” Luke groans.
“Her body is still fighting off the aribecta, so a sleeping potion would undo the cure,” the healer says, straightening up the room. “She needs to remain in this state for another thirty minutes to an hour. The time varies from person to person, but some fresh air should speed up her recovery.”
“Yay! Outside time!” the gypsy exclaims, raising a fist in the air. She lets go of Luke and playful spins out the door.
Legends of Windemere: 03 - Allure of the Gypsies Page 35
