We went about the rest of the way mostly in silence. Though, Ceirios often vocalized her amazement at the summer wildflowers. She seemed to be more vocal about her love of the natural world than I was. I would often sit and gaze at the trees and the sky above, listening to the wind and whatever music decided to dance its way through the air to bless my presence. All while silent, as to not force myself into the peaceful environment.

From the corner of my eye, I faintly noticed Ceiriosen observing me. I smiled and turned my head to the sky, just as we reached the edge of the forest.

“Here we are,” I announced, “Cliff’s End!”

Since the last time I had been to Cliff’s End, the villagers had begun construction. A few wealthy merchants brought funds to have their own shops built. Some only wanted simple stands, and others full cabins. Some brought their families, others had only themselves. I was interested in seeing what the newcomers had to offer, and it was refreshing to see the village growing again. Some of the elders would disagree, but even they couldn’t stop change if they tried. Everything changes, with time.

“Construction, huh?” Ceiriosen said. She watched the villagers mill about their business, carrying logs, planks, rope…

I nodded, “It’s a growing village, and there’s money to be made at a fishing village. Even if it’s cursed,” I winked at her and she laughed.

“I’ve had my fair share of curses.”

I tilted my head at her in curiosity, “You’ll have to tell me about them.”

We approached the bakery. Jasmine, the baker, seemed awfully surprised to see me. It could’ve been that I was with a Fae woman, but she didn’t even seem to notice her.

“Fawn! You haven’t visited in nearly a month! I was wondering when you’d decide to show up. The whole village has been a bit worried.”

I shrugged it off, “I hadn’t realised it had been so long.”

In truth, I had. But I was working, experimenting with potions and different symbols. Sometimes I had gone days without sleep, lying in the grass during the night and stargazing for inspiration. My thoughts had been full of the past. The work was to distract myself. It probably wasn’t healthy.

Jasmine rolled her eyes before noticing Ceirios, “Who’s this?”

Ceiriosen bowed, “I am Ceiriosen, from far to the East. Just a traveler passing through.”

“We get a lot of those,” Jasmine nodded, “I’m Jasmine, the baker!”

Ceirios and I bought loaves of bread and thanked her. Honey oat for me, and a plain hardy travel bread for Cerios. Next, we made our way to one of the newly built merchant stalls. The man was selling imported oats and other grains. He narrowed his eyes as we approached.

“My name is Fawn, I’d like to see what you have.”

The man squinted his eyes further, in suspicion. He looked rather like a confused rodent.

“I don’t do names,” he stated, “Take a look.”

He only had small portions, enough for maybe three meals each. His prices seemed a bit outrageous for such a small village, but Ceiriosen didn’t seem bothered at all. She picked up a sack of grain.

“We’ll take this, please.”

“Rye? Alright, now pay up.”

We paid and took our things. He seemed rather rude. Ceirios seemed to share in my thinking, she shook her head as we left.

“He must be from a larger city,” She sighed. I nodded. Folk from the larger cities tended to be curt with others. Flora had told me it was because everyone was so rushed. Time was money to them.

I couldn’t quite grasp the concept.

“Will you be staying in the village?” I asked her on our way to another merchant stall. Said merchant was selling finely crafted metal jewelry. They were reasonably priced, but for a small village it wasn’t the most convenient thing to spend money on.

Ceirios looked them over before replying to me, “Maybe, maybe not.”

We parted ways soon after, with quiet thanks and little other words.