Page 11 of Shadows in Bloom

I gave a slight bow. “Nairu.”

“I didn’t know you’d moved your shop to Fernfallow.” Alandris’ words were direct, pointed. Strange.

Sev tilted his head, and the corner of his mouth tugged up into a smirk. “Well, I don’t imagine you would have known since you all but disappeared from Val’Naeris. How is the humble life treating you? I hear Nil’Faerith is lovely this time of year.”

If I hadn’t been staring, I might not have noticed the way Alandris’ jaw tightened, or the way it appeared to amuse Sev. “It’s great, but that’s not what I’m here for. I need a dagger for her.”

Sev smiled brightly. “Of course. Right this way, Nairu, dear.”

I hesitated, following him toward a display case at the far end of the room, sparing occasional glances back at Alandris, who’d fallen in step behind us. Sev lifted the glass to reveal an assortment of daggers, some simple and some extravagant, beyond anything I’d ever want or need. One dagger specifically caught my attention—its blade had an intricate shape resembling a feather, while the handle resembled the curved beak of a bird. Decorative, surely. I’d almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it before I’d remembered my manners.

“How lavish,” Alandris remarked with little enthusiasm.

“Don’t act so surprised. As a former servicer of the crown, I have a standard to uphold.” He began to close the case. “There are others I can show you. I suppose a Mage doesn’t possess thesame eye for luxury as my usual patrons. A shame, really, when you could’ve been—”

“Enough, Sevilliar. Do you always poke and prod your paying customers?”

Sev pursed his lips. “I will leave you to your browsing, then.”

“Wait,” Alandris sighed, exasperated. “Please. Assist me in selecting a dagger for her. I am regrettably requesting the eye of a blacksmith.”

Sev failed to hide a humored grin behind his hand. “You need my help?”

Alandris rolled his eyes, turning from the male, and began to scan the display cases, lifting the daggers and holding them out for Sev to check the weight and movement. Sev turned back to me often, holding the dagger up against my arm as though measuring. I watched quietly as they worked, and after quite some time testing them, Alandris eventually settled on a dagger and held it out to me.

The dagger was both practical and beautiful. The handle of the dagger was short and black, with carvings of twisting thorns that extended up to the pommel, crafted in the form of a blooming flower. The blade itself was solid steel, with only a few small engravings of petals traveling down the metal. Despite the simplicity of the decorations, compared to some of Sev’s other creations, it was undeniable that the dagger was expensive. More expensive than the basic ones he had piled in the barrel nearby. More expensive than I was comfortable with.

“Too much,” I said, shaking my head.

“Only the best for my apprentice,” was his only reply. The way he’d said it, in a quiet, wistful breath—this time I wouldn’t argue.

I felt invisible on the sidelines, watching Alandris pay Sev for the blade. Whatever history was between them, it was strained, and I had no intention of getting involved. As curious as I was, it was not my place to question. At least the edge of their irritation with one another had been dulled by their sarcastic quips. It was humorous to watch, in a way, how the two of them came together like oil and water.

I’d been wrong about Alandris’ inability to anger. He was at least mildly annoyed by the entire exchange with Sev. As we walked back to the inn, his eyes were brimming with fire. His usually silent and graceful steps were noisy and rushed. I almost slammed right into his back when he sharply stopped in front of me and turned to face me. The grumpy expression on his face didn’t suit him, and I had to stifle a laugh at the sight.

“I thought it fit you.” He motioned to the dagger now carefully fastened on a belt at my hip. “I chose it, not to prove anything to Sevilliar, but because it fit you. As a Mage, it will be your only blade. You’ll take better care of it since it’s a unique piece. Consider it a very early graduation gift.”

“I will take care of it... and thank you.”

A sly smile rose to his lips. “Fine. I did also want to annoy Sev. Bastard has some grandiose idea of himself.”

I choked out a laugh. “W-what?” In the blink of an eye, his entire demeanor had changed. I made a mental note: so, he does get angry, but not for long.

“You’re welcome, Nairu. There will be no excuses now during our training tomorrow. The playing field has been leveled, so you should have no issues keeping up with me.”

I sincerely doubted that.

Chapter 6

Leaves in shades of orange and maroon drifted toward the ground as the cool breeze whipped through my loose hair and the branches of the trees. The ground was a soft mush from the morning dew that had not yet dried up; the sun hiding behind a sea of dark gray clouds. It was an awful day to be outdoors, but we didn’t have much choice in the matter. To practice magic inside the city gates would be asking to get hassled by the guards. Besides, I had promised Kallistra I wouldn’t use my magic in front of others if I could avoid it. Alandris was now the exception to the rule.

“You derive your magic from nature, I presume?” he questioned as we made our way toward a clearing in the forest just outside of Fernfallow.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”

He blinked a few times, twisting his mouth. “You don’t wear that stone as a conduit?” He pointed to the necklace dangling over my chest.

I paused, unsure of how to respond. To lie or to tell the truth. So much of my life seemed to be a lie these days. The ability to wield magic came from only two sources. Most commonly, the innate power to tap into the veins of magic occurring in the natural world, using items that could act as conduits. Or less frequently, as a blessing bestowed by the Gods. I had to pick one, even if neither explained my situation perfectly. Not that I fully understood my situation to begin with. I was a Saintess, yes, but I’d never communed with God.

---