The rest of the morning dragged on painfully slow. Aside from the usual customers no one else had come in to buy or even browse. Autumn was starting to come to a close and soon it would turn to the unforgiving winter and though adventurers may be foolhardy, they were not stupid— well mostly.
It was just after the noon day bells when Master Anderson Allwood finally staggered through the door. He had made an effort to slick back his thinning hair but his bloodshot eyes revealed the extent of last night’s bender. Similarly he wore a clean jacket but had neglected to change his shirt, crumpled and sweat stained.
“Afternoon Master Allwood,” Lukas said in a practiced voice but Allwood just huffed in response and moved straight to the register. “Mr Draydon was in first thing this morning and Colts, Weatherworth, Munray, Heathers and Lox have all collected their scripts. They all expressed their gratitude to you.”
“Paf, those doddery old fools wouldn’t be able to tell a potion from a poison. I could have you change all their remedies to bitter root and chalk and they still wouldn’t know the difference.” Allwood pushed a laugh through his nose while Lukas struggled to keep his face impassive. “Is this it?” Allwood snarled as he counted the money.
“The street has been quiet all morning, but I completed all the orders and they have all been collected except for one.” Lukas explained with a level tone, but flinched slightly when Allwood shoved past him with a grunt to check the remaining order.
“What’s this?” He accused angrily, waving the brown paper package at Lukas. “You were supposed to deliver this first thing this morning. Are you so dim that you cannot follow a simple instruction?”
“But there was nothing written about a delivery,” Lukas responded before he could think better of it.
“You dare question me,” Allwood spat and slap Lukas across the face with the parcel. It didn’t really hurt, it barely even stung but Lukas flinched out of instinct. He grit his teeth and stared hard at the ground waiting to see which way this would go.
Allwood’s breathing was laboured after such a small exertion. “Stop pissing around and get it done,” he wheezed through his teeth. “And change out of those muddy rags before you embarrass my good name any further.” He snatched the money and shoved it into his pocket. He turned to leave then spun back and cuffed Lukas hard on the ear. “And don’t you ever talk back to me again.”
Lukas couldn’t hear the sound of the door slamming over the ringing in his ears, but he knew he had gotten off lightly. He was certain that there had been no note about delivering the parcel but questioning Allwood had been a mistake. Lukas didn’t know what was wrong with him today; losing track of time in the forest, then tripping over and now this incident with Master Allwood. Maybe it was the dream that had his mind all in a whirl, but he had better watch himself for a few days to not make things worse.
He shuffled his way to the front door but just as he was about to flick the lock it pulled open and a man with dark hair and golden skin stood framed in the doorway. Lukas’ pulse spiked, he was the very image of the man from his dreams. He stood frozen, shocked; like all the air had been sucked out of the room.
“Woah, sorry. You weren’t closing up were you? I just need a few things, I’ll be quick promise.” His voice was warm and bright and easily matched his wide smile and relaxed demeanour, and yet it didn’t fit with how he had imagined it. And then he noticed. The curve of the smile was off and when he looked higher Lukas saw that the eyes were the wrong colour; not a dark amber but the vibrant green. It was also at that moment that Lukas realised he hadn’t responded and was just standing there— staring.
“Of course, come in.” Lukas offered as he stepped away from the door. “I was about to step out for a delivery, but it can wait. What can I get you?”
“Really? Thanks man.” He clapped a friendly hand on Lukas’ shoulder. “I’m heading north and could use some supplies in case I run into trouble.”
“Y-you’re heading north at this time of year? You must be brave or—” Lukas cut himself short and flushed pink with a sheepish look.
“I prefer the term foolhardy, in truth it’s a little bit of both.” The man chuckled and grinned broadly. Lukas smiled back and allowed himself to relax. He shuffled around the room collecting up the usual herbs and potions. Casting an occasional glance over his shoulder Lukas could now see the obvious difference from the man in his dreams. This man’s hair was a deep russet that curled playful around his face, and not only were his eyes that wrong colour but they were entirely a different shape. His eyes were large and round beneath a pair thick eyebrows.
The man looked up from a colourful display of clay jars and caught Lukas staring at him. He straightened a little and smiled back at Lukas.
“Umm,” Lukas stammered trying to compose himself. “I’ve also included some dragon-fire tea to help keep you warm and dried basil in case of fever. Was there anything else you needed?”
“You are a true master of your profession apothecary.” The man admitted as he leaned against the counter and marvelled at the selection. Lukas blushed again, though less from the compliment itself and more from the way it was said and the look in his eyes. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to join me on an adventure?” He leaned further onto the counter and flashed a quick wink. Lukas stood frozen for a moment, surprised and unused to such attention.
“Sorry, I’m not really the adventuring type and I hate the cold.” Lukas replied with a smile, composing himself, as he packed up all the items.
“How will I keep myself warm at night now?” He sighed dramatically and pursed his lips into a pout. “But if you ever get that itch for adventure, my name is Beau and I promise that you would enjoy it.” He propped himself up on the counter and lightly pressed a kiss to Lukas’ cheek.
Lukas felt light and giddy as he waved farewell to Beau. He was very unaccustomed to receiving that kind of attention; he’d never even had a childhood crush. The local parents hadn’t been keen to let their precious sons and daughters play with the son of a thief. Though, for a time, Lukas had also been a thief himself; up until he had grown too big to be pushed through windows or be squeezed down a pipe and then his father had abandoned him here.
His euphoria was cut short when the clock tower chimed thirteen bells.
Oh shit, He mental chided himself before flipping the lock and hobbling up stairs to change. Hopefully the money from that sale would make Master Allwood less mad about being late with the delivery.
Within ten minutes Lukas was in a fresh change of clothes and striding down the cobblestone road of the high street. The ache in his knees was starting to fade and as long as he kept moving his joints didn’t stiffen, which was fortunate as he was delivering to Arckvile, the grand manor house atop the hill at the edge of town.
By time Lukas had reached the top of the hill his lungs hurt far worse than his knees had all morning. “Whoa, if only there was a potion or herb to improve my fitness.” he lamented between heaving breaths. Lukas may spend a lot of time outdoors but the forest was mostly flat and slowly walking and collecting herbs meant he didn’t often break a sweat.
The chime of the doorbell echo away beyond the door and then there was silence. Lukas shifted his weight from foot to foot trying to disperse his nervous energy. He tucked in the front of his shirt and tried to smooth down his hair. After a long moment everything was still silent and Lukas worried that no was home.
He leaned his weight over the ornate planter box that lined the edges of the patio and tried to peer through the large front windows. A sheer lace curtain obscured a clear view of the room, but if Lukas squinted and turned his head just so he could make out the dimensions of the room. From what he could make out it looked to be a stylish, well furnished room but it was completely absent of people. Lukas bit down and worried the side of his lip, unsure of what to do next. If he was unable to complete the delivery because he was too late, Allwood would have his hide.
“Can I help you?” A cool, dry voice called from behind him. Lukas shot up straight and spun back on his heels. While he had been looking through the window the front door had whispered open and a young woman with sleek blonde hair stared impassively with ice blue eyes.
“I wasn’t-” Lukas stammered. “I, um, rang- but then no one- so I tried to-” Lukas could feeling the heat rising up his neck and cheeks and the harder he tried to make sense, the more he babbled. “But I wasn’t peeping!”
The woman didn’t flinch, but her eyes ever so slightly narrowed in annoyance. “What business do you have here?” She spoke clear and slow like one would if speaking to a child or a simpleton.
Lukas suddenly felt very small. “I’m Lukas Quince-”
“Yes I know who you are.” She snapped, her face drawing tight frustration. “This town has a population of exactly one hundred and seventy eight people so it does not take much effort to know who they all are. You are Lukas Quince the unfortunate ward of Master Apothecary Anderson Allwood; father a thief, mother unknown; age, 19; traits, nothing remarkable. Now that that’s out of the way; what is your business here?” She listed off information about Lukas that seemed unusually detailed for someone he had never met before, but by time she had finished speaking her cool mask had slipped back over her features and only one quirked eyebrow remained and twitched ever so slightly.
“I’m here to deliver a package,’ Lukas mumbled.
“Well it’s about time. Anderson always arrives first thing to make his delivery. Why are you so late?”
“I apologise for that, there was a misunderstanding about the delivery. It was my fault,” Lukas lied taking all the blame.
“You really should try to be less of a burden. Anderson is getting on and years and he should reap some kind of benefit for all the effort he put into you.” The woman chastised before stepping to the side and motioning for Lukas to follow her inside.
If the purpose of the foyer was to be grand and imposing then it did a perfect job. White marble walls ribboned with gold stretched from the floor to the domed ceiling on the second floor.
Lukas hoped some polite conversation would help to smooth over his earlier mistakes. “You have an amazing home.”
The woman abruptly stopped, turned on her heels and glared at Lukas. “This is not my house. I am the personal assistance to Mr Alton Horth, this is his house. Don’t you know anything?”
Lukas could kick himself, of course he knew that Horth owned this house; he owned half the town. This day was going from bad to worse and probably any moment it would completely implode.
“You don’t even know my name, do you?” She accused; hands on her hips; her cool expression melting into anger.
Lukas racked his brain, he may have seen her in passing on the street over the years but he couldn’t remember ever meeting her or learning her name. He didn’t dare to admit it; but the blank stare in his wide eyes spoke the truth.
“Danneel Spears,” she practically growled before she turned away with a huff and stormed into the next room. Lukas doggedly trailed after her hoping this would be over soon but when he stepped into the next room an audible gasp escaped his lips. The foyer may have been designed to be imposing, but this room was build to impress. The walls of the circular room were lined with dark wooden shelves that were filled with books. There were small books roughly bound by hand, large tomes bound in leather and edged with precious metals and every kind of book between. Artfully placed all around the room were soft chairs, lounges and settees ready for an afternoon of reading. Lukas slowly spun in a circle, marvelling at the collection of books, while Danneel crossed the room to an ornate writing desk. Above the bookshelves skirted a balcony filled with more shelves lined up in rows like the spokes of a wheel from the centre of the room. From behind Lukas could hear Danneel mumbling something about deducting a late penalty but he wasn’t really listening; he was too busy trying to count all the books. He couldn’t fathom the amount of books that would be needed to fill all these shelves.
Since he was a child Lukas had always been drawn to books. The first thing he had ever stolen had been a book while on a job with his father. The book had been worthless in his father’s opinion and more than disappointment, his father took it as a personal insult. And despite his father’s ire Lukas had carried that book with him for several years until one night when his father and the crew got drunk and thought it would be fun to throw it in the fire. Lukas had cried angry, frustrated tears while they all laughed.
That fascination of books never left him though. Three years ago he had started helping Master Allwood compile his book of herbs and remedies that he had working on himself for over ten years. Lukas had been excited at first for the chance to contribute to the creation of a book and had eagerly pointed out all the out-dated and incorrect information. Allwood had not appreciated Lukas’ feedback and his irritation at being corrected quickly turned aggressive; at which point Lukas had just taken over completely. Master Allwood had never seemed to notice and currently he doubted a single sentence in that book belonged to Allwood anymore, and even after years of work the book was still far from finished.
How many years of work and knowledge were held in this room?
As his mind boggled at this forest of knowledge a slip of movement on the balcony caught his attention. A dark shape bobbed and weaved between the shelves with the grace of a cat and for a horrible moment Lukas thought a storm leopard had gotten inside and he was about to be mauled to death. But the head didn’t have large furry ears, just regular human ones, and what he thought was sleek black fur, was actually black hair. It was a man sneaking around between the bookcases, scanning the spine of each book. But if he was just looking for a book why would he be sneaking around? Was he afraid of being seen by Danneel? That was a reaction Lukas could identify with.
He watched on with curiosity as the top of his head poke in and out and between the bookshelves until finally Lukas caught a glimpse of his face. There was no mistake this time; those eyes flashed through Lukas’ soul like lightning. The world around him seemed to slow and as if he could feel the weight of Lukas’ gaze, the man on the balcony turned and their eyes met.
An array of emotion shot across his face; surprise, shock, fear and finally recognition and in that moment time stood still. The man Lukas had been dreaming of, who had filled his sleeping and wakeful mind, the figment of his imagination, was here in this room, only metres away. His pulse quickened, cheeks flushed and a million questions bubbled in his throat but he was stuck frozen, trapped in the gaze of those mesmerising amber eyes.
“What are you looking at?” A woman’s voice filtered through, but it seemed faint and distant. “I may have to add simple minded and easily distracted in my fil-,” there was a quick gasp before she screamed.
Lack of Coffee 