“It’s going to take everyone a bit to get used to you,” Lavendu reassured me, “We almost never get visitors.”

  “The feeling’s mutual,” I said.

  At first gnce, the townsfolk’s clean, colorful clothing seemed their only difference from the people of Castletún. But as I looked closer, subtle otherworldly traits revealed themselves.

  Many had rge pointed ears, others had skin of various flowery colors, much like Lavendu’s. Of particur note were a few tall and lithe individuals with deep green skin.

  “Stop staring,” Lavendu muttered, nudging my arm.

  “Everyone else is staring at me,” I muttered back.

  “All the more reason to stop. Come on.” She took me by the hand and led me to one of the market stalls enveloped in the scent of batter and fried butter. A short woman flipped cakes on a long ft iron skillet. She wore a pid dress, apron, and a kerchief which held back her voluminous curly brown hair. Another woman stood at the counter, staring at us with wide green eyes. Her ears, pale and as delicate as porcein, pointed out from under her fming red hair.

  “Brinna, Era,” Lavendu said, “Let me introduce, Jethro.”

  The red head continued to stare as the curly haired brunette turned with an askance expression. “What are you on about now-” Her face fell into shock, then quickly reassembled itself into a wide smile. “A traveller!”

  She leaned over the counter and held a hand out. “I’m Era.”

  “Jethro,” I said, shaking her hand. It felt secure and energetic. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “I’ve always wanted to meet a traveler,” she said. “Where are you from? Will you be staying at the inn?”

  “I haven’t thought about it yet, but I suppose I will.”

  “Ooh! That’s great! Li will be so happy. How about a pancake?”

  Era beamed at me. I couldn’t help but notice her squeezing her round breasts between her arms.

  “We’d love some,” Lavendu chimed in.

  “Great! I’ll get started.” Era spun around and danced to the skillet.

  “And you would be Brinna?” I asked the quiet red haired woman.

  She nodded and awkwardly held out her hand, a nearly silent gasp escaping her smile. I took her fingertips in my own, her skin impossibly soft. Light, fragile—I had to fight the urge to kiss her hand. Deciding that may be considered too forward in this unknown realm I settled for a warm word.

  “Enchanted,” I said and her ivory cheeks burned as red as her hair.

  “So you never said,” Era said as Lavendu and I took our seats at the counter. “Where are you coming from?”

  “Castletún,” I said.

  Era spun round and gave Lavendu a long, hard look. Who looked away and pyed with her hair as though she wasn’t paying attention.

  “Really,” Era said. “We haven’t heard from Castletún in a long time. What brings you up to our lonely vilge?”

  “Well I’m-” I hesitated, my mind racing. Could I trust them? Could I afford not to? I gnced at Lavendu, searching her face for reassurance. Truth be told I probably shouldn’t have said anything to her either. “I came to study,” I finally said. “A schor told me there were ancient teachings in Itán that aren’t avaible elsewhere.”

  Lavendu gave me a quizzical look.

  “Ancient teachings?” Era mused as she flipped the pancakes. “Not sure I can help you there, but we do have a retively rge library for our humble vilge. You could ask around there. Brinna, the skillet’s cooling.”

  Brinna snapped her fingers and pced a hand on the ft iron. It glowed orange around her handprint, steam rose, and the butter sizzled louder.

  In a minute, Brinna served us each a pte of hot pancakes topped with syrup, huckleberry preserves, and whipped cream. Brinna gave each of us a coffee and sprinkled the cakes with powdered sugar.

  The vibrant blue of the berries surprised me. Era and Brinna watched intently as I took the first bite. The fluffy warm cake was softer than anything I had ever eaten. So sweet I couldn’t help but close my eyes and moan.

  Minutes ter, my pte was empty. I took Era’s hand, eyes misting. “I will never see food the same way again. Thank you Era, that was the single most wonderful experience-”

  Lavendu scoffed.

  “That is… er, one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had.”

  Era raised her eyebrows at Lavendu, then turned to me with her wide, eager smile rounding her cheeks. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said anything so sweet. Thank you.”

  I savored the feeling of a full belly for a moment before Era continued, ‘Be sure to let Li know you’ll want a room tonight so she can prepare one for you.”

  “Right, let’s go,” I said to Lavendu.

  ***

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