Chapter 11

  Meredith And The Dragon Rider

  Meredith, dressed in a black robe and matching knee-high boots, stood behind the counter, having just finished answering a customer’s question when Cici appeared by her feet.

  “Meredith,” Cici hissed quietly.

  Meredith knelt down beside him.

  “An old lady in a dark red robe just left. I’ve been watching her for a while. She comes in about once a week but never buys anything.”

  “Is she stealing? None of the anti-theft spells have gone off.”

  “No, but I can smell hell on her.”

  Meredith mulled over the inference.

  “Do you think we’re being watched?”

  “I’m not sure,” Cici admitted. “Also, Patricia mentioned—

  “You talk to Patricia?” Meredith interrupted.

  “Patricia talks to everybody, Meredith. Anyway, she said Francene keeps feeling weird energies around town.

  Meredith rolled her eyes. Dark entities could be about. But if what she heard about Francene was true, then it was equally plausible that the woman was… enthusiastically inebriated, as was her habit.

  “I know,” Cici said. “But remember the vampire’s aura? I could feel his lust for blood! It was despicable! And apparently, Francene could too!”

  “Right. Hey, maybe she’s an unwitting warning system.” Meredith shrugged. “Some people’s magical powers awaken later in life.”

  “Something could be up. We should talk to Thomas and Grandma.”

  Meredith agreed, but then a fierce, rhythmic whooshing interrupted them, emanating from above the apothecary. Meredith stood and listened. The beat steadily grew louder. The shop rattled and creaked while products clattered amongst themselves. As the flapping noise reached its apex, Cici leaped onto the counter, alert, hackles raised. The customers remained undisturbed, casually sifting through wares, while Meredith and Cici stared up at the ceiling, confused.

  A thud resounded from just outside the front of the shop. The pair gawked at the large bronze…something…that filled the entirety of the dual windows.

  The front door jingled open as a handsome fellow stepped inside. He was tan, with wavy, dirty blonde hair that ended just above his steel blue eyes and curled at his slightly pointed ears. They seemed almost too pointy to be human but too round to be elven. A half-elf, Meredith deduced.

  The young half-blood’s jaw was sharp and broad, with just a hint of dark stubble. He wore a short, dull yellow cloak with leather padded garments underneath and expertly shined leather boots. A sword with a topaz bejeweled hilt was sheathed at his side, held by a diamond-studded belt. He was quite a spectacle to behold. Yet, the patrons paid him no mind. Meredith assumed he had somehow caused the prior commotion.

  The man glanced around, chin held high, with an air of self-importance, as he strode toward the counter. He picked his leather gloves off his hands, which had small metal spikes sewn into the knuckles, and placed them in a pocket.

  “Good afternoon, maiden,” he said very officially. “Fetch whoever is in charge. I’d like to speak with them.”

  A low grumble emitted from Cici’s throat.

  The ‘maiden’ cocked her eyebrow and said, “You’re looking at her,” with an annoyed edge to her voice.

  By the gods, he was handsome, but Meredith refused to tolerate such pompous jackassery, no matter how attractive he was.

  “You?” He smirked incredulously. “How can someone as young as you be in charge of such an…” He glanced around. “enigmatic shop?”

  Meredith’s frustration grew, and Cici’s growl reflected it.

  “This is my Grandma’s shop,” Meredith explained with a sassy sneer. “I run it.”

  “I see.” He peered down his nose at Meredith and gave her a once-over. “Perhaps you will be of service.” He offered his hand. Meredith gave him a firm handshake, much firmer than necessary. He seemed unperturbed by her aggressiveness.

  “I’m Phillip, a Dragon Rider. My partner Salinda and I have been assigned to a patrol which includes this—" Phillip searched for the right phrase “—quaint village.”

  “I’m Meredith.” she released his hand. “And I don’t appreciate rude guests that interfere with business.” She gestured at the line of customers queued behind him.

  “Pardon me,” he replied unabashedly as he sidled away from the counter. Phillip gazed outward, aloof and patient, while Meredith checked out her customers as more entered the store. When she was done with the line of patrons, Phillip stepped over.

  “May we continue?”

  Meredith glanced around. Nobody seemed to need her assistance.

  “I suppose.” Meredith crossed her arms in annoyance. What right did he have to come here and be so rude, and why was he even there in the first place? Meredith wasn’t sure she cared anymore.

  “As I was saying,” Phillip continued. “We’ve been assigned the surrounding area. Yours is a shop that could attract potentially dangerous clientele. If any suspicious individuals give you a reason to suspect them of illicit activity, contact me.” The Dragon Rider procured a gold, oblong disk with strange, curved contraptions sticking out the side and slid it across the counter to Meredith. “This is a communication device for direct contact with me. It can only send short messages but over a very long distance.”

  “And why would I do all this for you?” Meredith cocked an eyebrow.

  Phillip paused and looked at Meredith incredulously.

  “Because I’m a Dragon Rider.” he smiled and gestured at himself as if that term explained it well enough.

  Meredith and Cici glanced at each other.

  “Okay.” Meredith shrugged. “I’m a witch.”

  Phillip’s eyes narrowed as he studied her.

  “Are you aware of what Dragon Riders do?”

  “Ride dragons, I’d wager.”

  “Correct,” Phillip continued audaciously. “And we serve as guardians of the peace and pursuers of justice. Traveling constables, if you will. I’m surprised you’re unaware of my order’s existence; we’re not exactly a secret.” Phillip thought momentarily and mumbled more to himself than to Meredith, “I didn’t realize how backwater this quadrant was.”

  Meredith scoffed at him. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

  “So? What makes you Dragon Riders so special?”

  A confident smirk splayed across Phillip’s face.

  “I’ll show you.” he turned and left the shop.

  “The nerve,” Meredith growled. “As if I’m going to follow him like a puppy. Plus, doesn’t he realize I’m working? What an idiot.”

  “I’ll watch the shop,” Cici grumbled. “Go teach him some manners!”

  “I think I will!” Meredith snatched up the communicator, intent on returning it, then paused. “But I’m going to take my time. I’m not going to hurry after him.”

  “Yeah, make him sweat a little.” Cici huffed.

  The pair fumed behind the counter. The patrons didn’t risk approaching them.

  “You do know what Dragon Riders are, right?” Cici eventually asked.

  “I do now.”

  “By the gods, Meredith! Did you ever pay attention in social studies class?”

  “I’m blissfully unaware. It’s one of my endearing quirks,” Meredith retorted tartly.

  She breathed a sigh of frustration and stepped outside. Phillip stood by the doorway, waiting for her. Before them, shimmering in the sunlight, was a massive bronze dragon. She was lying on all fours, its tail curled around its haunches. The translucent, bony wings were folded against her scaly hide, with a leather saddle strapped between them.

  “This is Salinda,” Phillip announced. “Isn’t she amazing? Don’t think her rude; she’s talking to some dirty peasant riff-raff for…some reason.”

  Meredith was surprised to see Victor, clad in his usual garb, face-to-face with her.

  “His name is Victor!” Meredith exclaimed in anger. How could someone be so rude?

  “Indeed,” Phillip said nonchalantly. “Is he your servant?”

  “What? No! He’s my friend!” Meredith shouted indignantly. Her hands curled into tight fists.

  Phillip ignored her.

  “Salinda! A moment, please.” He beckoned his dragon.

  Salinda bowed her head to Victor, who returned it, then turned her long-necked and scaly head away from the tiefling and settled before Meredith and Phillip. Her throat hitched as Salinda peered at the witch through saucer-sized eyes the color of copper. The thought that the dragon could snap her up in an instant set her nerves on fire, but she tempered her fear and returned the dragon’s gaze.

  “Hello,” the dragon spoke directly into Meredith’s mind, like Thomas. But unlike Thomas, her voice was deep but feminine, silky smooth, and echoed in her mind. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Salinda.”

  “Hello,” Meredith replied aloud. “I’m Meredith.”

  “Salinda!” He interjected incredulously. “What has this commoner done to deserve a bow from one as magnificent as you?” Phillip gestured wildly between Victor and her.

  An amused hum escaped Salinda’s throat.

  “You have such a way with words,” she said. “We are hell-kin. It is a bond through our shared histories. We were just talking.”

  “I see.” Phillip grimaced and turned to Meredith as Victor approached. “You really should clothe your servants better.”

  Victor’s expression soured, and fury welled up in Meredith’s chest.

  “I told you he’s not my servant!” Meredith yelled. “He’s my friend! What the hell is wrong with you? What makes you think you can treat people like this?”

  Her vision grew black around the edges as her rage threatened to explode.

  “What?” Phillip shrugged and seemed genuinely confused. Salinda huffed and shook her head. Meredith’s shoulders bobbed as her chest heaved with righteous fury. Victor placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch grounded her and sent her heart aflutter. Meredith breathed a sigh of frustration and calmed her raging emotions. She watched as Phillip and Salinda stared at each other, speaking telepathically.

  “We have places to be,” Phillip announced abruptly as he turned to the young witch. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Meredith. I’ll be in contact soon.” He gave her a curt nod, but ignored Victor.

  Phillip clambered onto the leather saddle on Salinda’s back, and with mighty flaps of her powerful wings, she leaped into the sky and flew away. The pair watched them fly over the trees and out of view.

  “Ugh!” Meredith exclaimed. “I didn’t even get to give him back this stupid communicator thing!”

  “What’s his problem?” Victor grumbled as he dropped his hand.

  “I don’t know,” Meredith sighed. “Just some pompous Dragon Rider or something.”

  “The Dragon Riders I’ve met before were all nice,” Victor stated. “It’s a shame they let a prick like him into their ranks.”

  “What’s so special about them?”

  “What’s so special?” Victor exclaimed incredulously. “Dragon Riders are heroes! They’re defenders of the realm and saviors of the downtrodden and needy! A Dragon Rider has the strength of ten men, and their dragons are a force all their own! And they fight against injustice!”

  “Oh,” Meredith said, slightly taken aback by Victor’s sudden enthusiasm. “Well, the concept seems nice, but the real deal was a bit of a disappointment.”

  “Yeah,” Victor murmured.

  “So…” Meredith nudged Victor with her elbow. “What were you and the dragon talking about? Or is it a secret?”

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Victor frowned.

  “Ah, come on!” Meredith nudged him again and gave him a coy smile. His brow loosened. “Let’s go inside, Cici probably needs help.”

  The pair entered the shop, with Victor trailing behind. A line had formed from the checkout counter to the door. Cici howled with frustration as he awkwardly struggled to lift change out of the till with his dainty paws while the customer before him tried to explain which coins were which.

  Cici disappeared as Meredith hurried over and took care of the clients.

  “So,” she said to Victor as she finished ringing up the final customer. “What are you up to?”

  The tiefling sidled over as the last customer left. Cici appeared on his haunches beside Meredith.

  “You walked out with one boy and walked in with another,” Cici grumbled.

  “Go be grumpy somewhere else! It’s not my fault you can’t count! How can you read but can’t count?” Meredith shooed him away.

  “The lessons were boring!” Cici hissed, bounded off the counter, and disappeared. Meredith sighed and turned back to Victor. “Anyway…”

  “I have another list of ingredients the doctor needs.” The tiefling handed her a sheet of parchment. “I can’t stay long though. The doctor was…unhappy with my tardiness.”

  “Sorry I got you in trouble,” Meredith pursed her lips as she glanced over the list. “I won’t keep you long!” She swiftly stepped around the counter to pursue the ingredients for Victor.

  “There’s no rush!” Victor exclaimed with his hands up. “I just can’t stay long.”

  “Oh, okay.” Meredith relaxed.

  “Also, it wasn’t your fault. My time management is my own responsibility.”

  Meredith zigzagged around the bustling perusers in pursuit of the ingredients, with Victor following dutifully behind. She was repeatedly interrupted by shoppers with questions or ready to be checked out. After many back-and-forths, she finally finished Victor’s order.

  “There you go,” she said as she strode behind the counter and set the ingredients down. “That’ll be twelve silver pieces.”

  Victor procured them from his pockets.

  “By the way,” Meredith added as they exchanged goods. “You didn’t say earlier what you and Salinda were talking about. I’ve never spoken to a dragon before. It was pretty neat.”

  “Nothing crazy,” Victor answered, placing his items in his satchel. “We exchanged pleasantries mostly.”

  “Why did she bow to you? Phillip made it seem like a big deal. She didn’t bow to me!”

  “We’re hell-kin. Both of our races have emerged from the hells in the pursuit of freedom. It’s a…unique bond.” Victor shifted his bag on his shoulder. “And dragons are very proud creatures. A bow from them is a great honor.”

  “Why was Phillip so upset about it?”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t care.” Victor huffed. “But it’s probably because he doesn’t know what being respectful looks like. He was probably confused.”

  Meredith chuckled. He was clearly hurt, but she was glad he could joke about it.

  “I have to get going.” Victor waved and turned to leave. “Thanks for everything! See you next time!”

  An idea popped into Meredith’s mind.

  “Wait!” She called out, surprised by her spontaneity. Victor doubled back.

  “Do you want to hang out this weekend?” Meredith blurted. “If you’re not too busy, that is. We could go flying again!”

  “I’d like that.” Victor mulled the proposition over. “The doctor usually keeps me occupied, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Okay!” Meredith smiled and clasped her hands excitedly. “I’m closing the shop at eleven o’clock tomorrow, and we’re closed the next day, so if you’re available, stop by!”

  “Will do.” Victor beamed. “Goodbye, Meredith!”

  “Bye!” She watched Victor leave, happy and anxious for the weekend. Cici reappeared on the counter.

  “Another date?” The cat moaned. “Are you going to write about it in your diary?”

  “Stop that.” Meredith flicked his ear. “You’re just jealous. You should get out and meet some cats.”

  Cici flicked his tail under Meredith’s chin as he pawed across the counter and curled into a ball behind a display case.

  “I’d rather nap. You be careful around all these boys.”

  “Yes, mom!”

  The pair completely forgot to check in with Thomas or Grandma about the strange, robed person who never bought anything.

  The next day was bright and sunny. At exactly eleven o’clock, Meredith leaned around the front door to flip the sign from ‘open’ to ‘close’ when she saw a familiar red and horned figure round the bend on the dirt path that led to the shop. She waved at Victor, clad in his usual attire, and rushed through the shop and house and into her partially decorated room.

  A whip of her wand whisked clothes out of her closet. She magically swapped her gold robe and black boots for a pale yellow dress and a floppy straw hat. A red bow emerged from the closet’s depths and cinched across her waist. Sandals slid out and slipped themselves onto Meredith’s feet. She checked herself in her new mirror that hung on the wall beside the animated sea-scape painting. She tossed the hat back into the closet and inspected herself more thoroughly. Then she strapped her bag across her torso and investigated further. Satisfied, the chic witch slipped her wand into her purse, dashed back to the shop door, and opened it to see Victor had ambled much closer.

  “I’m glad you could make it.” Meredith smiled and stepped out as he approached.

  “Me too. The doctor is away traveling, so I’m free for a little while.” Victor returned her smile as he stopped before Meredith, then blushed. “You look great, by the way!”

  “Thanks!” Meredith wanted to return the compliment but thought better of it. She wondered if the doctor paid Victor enough, but he never smelled bad, and his garments, though worn, never reeked. All she could ever detect was the faint scent of ash.

  “Let’s get going!” Meredith thrust her head into the shop. “Cici! I’m leaving!” Then she beckoned her broom, and the pair were amongst the bright white clouds within moments. Meredith repeated her aerial maneuvers for Victor and chased a few birds until they dove into the trees below.

  “You’re so fast!” Victor shouted over the rushing wind as she swiftly weaved them between the pines. They chased a bird into the treetops before Meredith veered back into the sky. “How do you control your speed?” Victor yelled.

  “It’s part me, part broom,” Meredith explained as she slowed down and coasted high above the forest. “Brooms can be bewitched and shaped for speed, but the rider can also transmit their own magic to increase the speed. Ol’ broomy and I have flown together for a while now, so I’ve got a good handle on our combined capabilities.”

  “How fast can you go?”

  Meredith didn’t know. She angled higher before flattening their trajectory just beneath the sparse clouds.

  “Time to find out!” She shouted. “Hold on!”

  Victor tightened his grip around Meredith’s midsection as she let loose a torrent of magic into her broom. It vibrated for a moment as it quickly sped forward. The air cracked as they shot forward at an exhilarating speed. The wind tore at Meredith’s skin as she crashed headfirst through it. She winced as her face stretched backward. Her eyes and nose quickly and uncomfortably dried as the clouds above and the forest below turned into a massive blue. The pair’s clothes violently flapped against the wind. Meredith’s hair whipped wildly into the poor tiefling’s face. She struggled to keep herself pulled tight against her broomstick as the wind threatened to yank her off but continued to feed her magic into her broom as they ripped through the air. Victor’s grasp on her began to slip.

  Meredith eased the flow of magic, and her broom abruptly slowed. They soared for a brief spell, gradually slowing until they came to a complete stop. Meredith hovered in place, huffing. Her heart hammered in her chest, and her skin prickled. She smacked her wind-chapped lips to try to generate some saliva and rubbed her numb nose with a shaky fist.

  The pair sat there in the sky, panting, too exhilarated to speak.

  “That was crazy!” Victor eventually gasped. “I can’t feel my face!”

  “I’ve never gone that fast before.” Meredith puffed. “Look how far we went!” They were surrounded by open sky and endless forest. In the distance, a massive flock of black birds erupted out of the trees, blotting the sky behind them.

  “Phew!” Meredith exclaimed as she slowly caught her breath. “That was intense. Let’s head back so we don’t get lost.”

  She rechecked her bearings and then began to fly the way they came. The two rode in silence, digesting the experience. As they flew, Victor pointed past Meredith toward the horizon.

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  A slight golden sparkle glistened just above the forested horizon. A distant heat wave made it shimmer.

  “I’m not sure,” Meredith answered.

  They continued their flight. The glint grew larger as it neared. Eventually, Victor was able to discern it.

  “It’s a dragon!” Victor announced. It swiftly approached the pair, and Meredith realized it was Salinda with Phillip astride her.

  She looped around to fly beside Meredith and Victor and kept them at the edge of her wingspan. Meredith could feel the powerful beats of her wings press the wind against her.

  Phillip waved and beckoned them to follow, then they angled away and downwards.

  “What do you think he wants?” Victor asked grumpily.

  “Who knows,” Meredith sighed. “I suppose we should find out.”

  The half-elf was nice to look at, but Meredith couldn’t get over how obnoxious, pompous, and rude he was.

  Meredith swerved down and followed Salinda to a grassy hilltop amongst a small cluster of forested foothills. They landed beside Salinda and dismounted. She gave Victor a slight nod and said, “Hello again!” directly into their minds.

  Meredith greeted the dragon as Victor returned her bow.

  “Good noon!” Phillip slid off Salinda’s back and fell the last few feet. He deftly landed and strode towards Meredith and Victor.

  “What’s this all about?” Meredith asked.

  “Ah, straight to the point.” Phillip steeled himself and squared his shoulders. “I bid you here on two accounts. First, I saw you shoot past at great speed. I thought there might be an emergency. Is everything alright?”

  “Oh.” Meredith was slightly stunned. “Um…we’re fine.”

  “Right, then.” Phillip nodded seriously. “Sorry to disturb you. The second reason I wanted to talk with you is because…—” Salinda grumbled softly, “—it has come to my attention that we did not start on the right foot, as some would say. I want to apologize for my…previous disposition.”

  The half-elf gave a slight, rigid bow.

  Meredith was slightly stunned. She hadn’t expected an apology, let alone to see the Dragon Rider any time soon, if ever again. An unexpected sense of safety warmed her. She felt strangely lighter as if an unknown burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Meredith hadn’t realized she’d repressed the fear of being alone with no one to help her. She took care of the villagers, but who took care of her? Maybe she could rely on a Dragon Rider if need be. He was an ass, but perhaps she could call on him in an emergency.

  “Um…” Meredith was dumbstruck by the wave of emotion. Her tone changed from disinterest to genuine. “Thank you. I accept your apology.”

  Victor remained silent and crossed his arms.

  “Wonderful.” Phillip smiled as he clasped his hands together.

  Meredith’s heart fluttered. By the gods, was he handsome! She hadn’t realized that Phillip paid no mind to Victor.

  “So if there’s no emergency, why were you flying so fast?” He asked.

  “Just to see how fast we could go.” Meredith shrugged.

  “I see.” Phillip nodded. “And how fast did you go?”

  “Hm.” Meredith glanced at Victor, who seemed uninterested in conversing. “I’m not sure. Definitely faster than any bird I’ve seen.”

  “Faster than a dragon?” Phillip grinned.

  “I wouldn’t know,” Meredith replied slyly. “I’ve never seen how fast a dragon can fly.”

  “Want to find out?”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “Let’s go, Salinda!” Phillip turned and leaped onto her back in a single bound. “Let’s teach them a thing or two about real speed!”

  Salinda reared her head and roared before she jumped into the air. Meredith saddled her broom. Victor stood there and watched Salinda fly away.

  “Come on!” Meredith announced.

  “Oh!” Victor sputtered. “I thought…It was just, you know…you two.”

  “Hurry up and get on! I’m not leaving you here in the middle of nowhere!”

  Victor did so, and the pair soared upwards until they cruised beside Salinda and Phillip. The rhythmic beat of Salinda’s wings steadily increased in frequency and depth. Meredith gradually funneled more and more magic into her broom to keep pace as they raced beneath the clouds.

  They flew and flew for miles at untold speeds. Victor and Meredith leaned forward onto the broom. The wind threatened to blister Meredith’s face as she flew increasingly faster. Salinda, in Meredith’s peripheral vision, had become a yellow-brown blur.

  Meredith’s fingers began to slip backward down her broom handle, and she strained as she pushed her magic as far as possible.

  The young witch released her concentration with a gasp; she hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath. The pair swiftly slowed as the friction of their bodies caught against the resisting air. Salinda and Phillip blitzed past but veered to the side and returned to them in a wide loop. Meredith angled so that she flew beside Phillip, just above and in front of Salinda’s shoulder and out of the way of her flapping wing.

  All of them heaved with ragged breaths.

  “That was intense!” Victor cried out.

  “Yeah, it was.” Meredith huffed as excitement and adrenaline shook her body.

  Salinda roared in triumph.

  “You surprised me!” Phillip announced through haggard breaths. “I didn’t expect you to be able to keep up with Salinda. Especially with the extra weight.” He nodded towards Victor.

  “I’m surprised your big head didn’t weigh Salinda down!” The tiefling jeered.

  Meredith and Salinda guffawed.

  “Great,” Phillip moaned. “We’ve got ourselves a court jester.”

  “You kept up for a long time.” Salinda’s voice echoed in their minds.

  “Was there more? Can you go faster?”

  Salinda roared again, a spurt of flames fluttering out of her maw.

  “That was exhausting,” Meredith sighed. She had a newfound respect for Salinda’s abilities. She already respected the dragon; she seemed to be kind and intelligent. Also, she could eat Meredith on a whim. But going toe to toe against Salinda gave Meredith a greater understanding of her own abilities. It felt nice to test herself, stretch her magic, and exceed her own expectations.

  The small group chatted as they slowly flew through the sky, with Victor and Phillip mostly bickering, then Salinda gruffed.

  “Right,” Phillip stated. “This was fun, but we must continue our patrol. You have the communicator; contact me if something is amiss or…” The half-elf paused and brazenly gazed into Meredith’s eyes. “If you just want to talk.”

  Meredith blushed, shocked, as Phillip waved, and Salinda veered off and flew away. Meredith and Victor began their trek back home.

  “Let’s stop somewhere and get a snack. I’m starving!” Meredith said over her shoulder to Victor. “Magic burns a lot of calories.”

  “I didn’t bring any money,” Victor said surly. “And what are calories?”

  “I’ll pay! And they haven’t been discovered yet.”

  Meredith swooped down towards the nearby Norwich River and followed it south. She knew she’d run into a settlement eventually.

  “That was fun!” Meredith stated. “What do you think about Phillip? I wasn’t expecting him to apologize.”

  “Eh,” Victor answered. She could feel him shrug. “Salinda is great, but her rider is an ass. He’s more interested in talking to you than me. He just thinks I’m some street tramp not worth his time or energy.”

  “Victor—" Meredith started.

  “He’s pretty much right—” Victor sighed glumly.

  “What? No! Who cares what he thinks?” Meredith refused to let him retreat into his emotions. “Nobody besides Salinda, probably.”

  Victor mumbled something that Meredith couldn’t make out.

  “Well, I don’t care what you dumb boys think,” Meredith declared confidently. “You’re my friend, and I like hanging out with you.” She glanced back and met his eyes. Victor smiled.

  The pair chatted until Meredith spotted a small town sitting on the eastern side of the river. Meredith banked and landed just outside it, where a decorative sign that read “Welcome to Craspin” stood beside the dirt path leading within.

  “I’ve never been here before,” Meredith remarked as she stepped off her broom, eyeing the wooden structures. “Have you?”

  “A few times.” Victor disembarked. “But only to run errands.”

  Meredith meandered forward with her broom and Victor in tow. They went down what appeared to be the main street that led to a central marketplace. It was teeming with humans, gnomes, and dwarves. A stone fountain stood in the middle of the market, with stalls and shops encircling it.

  “Do they all live here together?” Meredith asked Victor, who nodded. “That’s so cool!”

  The pair joined the throng of bustling people. Meredith walked around, evaluating her options as her stomach growled. Salespeople beckoned loudly for customers and advertised their wares. Meredith spied a fruit vendor and made her way to it.

  “Shit!” Victor leaped into a narrow alley between two shops. Meredith was startled at the sudden outburst.

  “What’s wro—"

  Victor turned and raised a finger to his lips; fear splayed across his face. He beckoned her over. Meredith calmly walked into the alley. Victor was slightly crouched, ready to sprint at a moment’s notice.

  “I have to get out of here!”

  “What? Why? We haven’t even gotten anything to eat yet?”

  “I saw the doctor! He can’t see me; I’m not supposed to be here!” Victor held his head in despair and trembled. “If he sees me…”

  “What is going on?” Meredith asked as panic began to rise within her. She had never seen such blatant fear in someone before.

  “Can you fly me out of here?”

  “Sure, but—"

  Victor glanced over Meredith’s shoulder. Terror erupted across his face. He turned and sprinted deeper into the damp alley. Meredith instinctively chased after him, her broom floating along behind her. Victor disappeared around a corner. Meredith rounded it, then stopped.

  Before Victor stood a tall, portly, bespectacled man with a bald head and thick brown mustache. He was dressed in a white doctor’s coat that was buttoned up to his neck, and his hands were clasped behind his back. Where had he come from? He smiled kindly at Meredith. Victor was frozen in place, panting almost to the point of hyperventilation. Meredith stood behind him, confused, scared, and tense. Her hand twitched toward her wand.

  “Whatever are you doing here?” The man guffawed. “If I had known you wanted to visit Craspin, I would’ve taken you along!” He lifted his chin towards Meredith. “Who is this young lady? A friend of yours?”

  Victor gulped.

  The man genially clapped Victor on the shoulder and shifted past him towards Meredith. Victor turned around, panic riddled across his face as the man approached her.

  “I am Dr. Eugene Archibald.” the doctor extended his hand and smiled genially. “Travelling surgeon and general practitioner at your service.” he bowed slightly as Meredith cautiously shook his hand. “Don’t mind Victor. He gets a little shy sometimes.”

  “I’m Meredith.” Meredith relaxed, but only a little. She didn’t understand Victor’s blatant fear of the man. Dr. Archibald seemed charming. Was she missing something? Why was he reacting like this? What should she do? What would Grandma do? She’d blast someone. Could Meredith do that? Should she?

  “Surely you’re not the very same Meredith who took over Ethel’s Apothecary?” The doctor beamed at her inquisitively.

  “How did you know?” She asked warily.

  “Word gets around in our community quite swiftly,” Dr. Archibald answered. “The medical community, that is. I’m not gifted in magic, though I do frequently administer magical medicines and treatments to help my patients.” The doctor smiled and gestured at the surrounding alley walls. “Shall we talk in more open conditions? This hardly seems an appropriate place to make an acquaintance.”

  Meredith stole a glance at Victor. The poor tiefling silently pleaded against it.

  “Actually.” Meredith blinked back to the doctor, “We have to get going. We’re going to be late. We’re supposed to pick up my cat from the groomers. I volunteered Victor to help me. He holds my cat while I fly.” She gestured to her broom coolly as she continued her lie. “My cat Cici is really prissy. I don’t like to have him sitting on my broom after he’s had his nails sharpened, and it’s hard to hold him and fly at the same time.”

  Meredith felt secure in her lie but wondered if she over-explained. What would Grandma have said?

  “I hope that’s okay,” she added sweetly. The doctor raised no suspicions.

  “Of course!” Dr. Archibald spread his arms wide. “Victor is such a hard worker, isn’t he? Always so helpful. I gave him the day off, and he spent it working some more! Hey, don’t try to steal my employee away, young entrepreneur!”

  Meredith forced a smile as the doctor laughed.

  “Anyway.” He settled down. “Who am I to keep a princely feline waiting on his escort? Take care then!” He turned and clapped Victor on the shoulder as he strode out of the alley.

  “Have fun!” The doctor called back as he turned the corner and disappeared into the market. Meredith stepped before the terrified tiefling.

  “Are you okay?” Meredith gently touched his shoulder and stared into his red eyes. “What’s going on?”

  Victor met her gaze, then glanced down and buried his face in his hand.

  “I can’t say,” he muttered. “Please, just get me out of here,” he added desperately.

  “Okay.” Meredith nodded. She mounted her broom, and Victor quickly clambered on after her, squeezing her tightly.

  Meredith kicked off and flew up and away, back towards Greenwood. They silently followed the river home, slowly drifting in the wind. After a while, Victor’s grip on her loosened as he slowly relaxed.

  “How are you doing back there?” Meredith called to him.

  “Fine, I guess,” Victor answered glumly.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “I can’t.”

  Meredith rolled her eyes and sighed. Of course. She couldn’t imagine what could cause his reaction.

  “Let’s talk about something else. It’ll get your mind off things and distract me from my hunger.”

  “Sorry about that,” Victor said.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Meredith replied. She thought for a moment, then asked, “What’s your favorite color?”

  Victor mumbled something unintelligible.

  “Oh, come on.” Meredith summoned some of Grandma’s brazenness. “You can hold onto my waist, but you won’t even tell me your favorite color? You might as well be a stranger!”

  “It’s purple,” Victor sighed.

  “Mine’s green,” Meredith responded. “What’s your favorite food?”

  “Cheese, I suppose,” the tiefling said with a little more gusto.

  “I love strawberries!” Meredith declared.

  “I had my first strawberry during our picnic.”

  “What?!?” Meredith exclaimed incredulously but happy that Victor seemed to be coming out of his shell.

  easy part.