Page 78 of The Demon's Delight
Seir
The grocers was off one of the main streets near the center of town. As we approached, I realized it was a storefront spanning a full block, not just a small shop. They were more like a general mercantile, with everything from lumber and clothes to books and food, but they’d been “the grocers” for so long, that’s what they stayed to the townspeople.
Hailon pulled her hood up but hesitated as we got near the doors.
“I’ll wait around back. Meet me there when you’re finished.”
“No. I’m not leaving you alone anywhere in this town. We’ll be fast.”
Her mouth tightened, but she nodded. I pulled open the door and let her in first, marveling at the variety of things the large shop carried.
“Those are my favorite,” Hailon gasped and crossed to a small table displaying a crate of squat orange fruit that looked a bit like a tomato. “Persimmons. But the season is very short.” She sorted through the pile to find a few to her liking. “You have to wait until they almost look spoiled.”
“I can’t wait to try them.”
We weren’t terribly far from Revalia, but I wasn’t sure how close we were either. We gathered apples and potatoes, carrots and a small slab of dried meat.
“It’s a good thing we both enjoy stew.” Hailon sighed. A petite woman with bright orange hair approached cautiously. “Merry?”
“I thought that was you!” the woman whispered, glancing over her shoulder before reaching out to squeeze Hailon’s hand. “Are you finished shopping?”
I nodded that we were, and she helped ring us out. “Meet me out behind the store, okay?” Wary, I frowned at her, and Hailon was making a similar face. “You can trust me.”
We agreed, and by the time we’d rounded the corner, the little woman was bustling out the back door of the shop, bags in her hands and a smile on her face.
“Here, please, take this.”
“What is it?” Hailon asked, perplexed.
“Some of it belongs to you and some is food we can’t sell. I don’t have enough space to keep it all myself, and I hate seeing it wasted. You’re leaving, right? You need supplies.”
“I… Yes, thank you.”
“I always knew you’d come back.” Merry’s head bobbed, her orange curls bouncing wildly. “You were always kind to me, Hailon. Honestly, I never saw you be anythingbutkind. To anyone. What they say about you…” She frowned. “It’s not true. I know it.”
“Thank you, Merry.” Hailon cracked a weak smile. “You always did a good job, looking in on Sal for me when I left for the mountains. I’m sorry for the trouble. I didn’t know?—”
“Of course you didn’t. You don’t need to apologize.” She dug in her pocket and produced a key. “There’s a hunting lodge west of here. Take the trail that leads out of town near the cemetery, not the main road. It’s far enough out it’ll be late by the time you get there. Stay as long as you need to. Just leave me thekey somewhere I can find it when you go. I promised Mr. Grummond I’d go tidy it for him before elk season starts.”
“Why are you helping us like this?” Hailon asked, eyebrows drawn together.
“Because you helped me. My mother. My sister. We would have all died three winters ago of that terrible cough if not for you. You fixed my brother’s broken arm last summer when he fell out of that stupid tree he was specifically told not to climb. You saved us, time and again, and you didn’t even want proper payment. Plus, Jacks loves you. That should be enough by itself, honestly. That horse doesn’t like anyone but me, except for you.”
The smile slipped from Hailon’s face. “Not anymore.”
Merry grabbed Hailon up in a quick hug. “Well, I bet if you spent some time around him again, he’d love you just the same as he always did. You had him properly spoiled with apples and carrots when you left.” Merry’s face went serious after she broke the hug, and she glanced around again. “Go on. Get out of here before they find you.”
“They?” I asked.
“The ignorant rabble who believe Hailon is to blame for all their problems. I heard rumblings when I came past the tavern earlier. They’ve already been drinking, so it’s safe to say they’re looking for trouble.”
Hailon took the key and squeezed Merry’s hand. “Thank you, Merry.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get gone.” She turned to go back inside. “I’ll see you again, one day.”
“Should you ever want to leave this place, I believe Revalia would welcome you,” I said. “There’s a big school there, d’Arcan. My brothers run it, tell them you know us.”
“I’ll remember that.” She smiled and waved as she ducked back inside.
