Chapter 2
1291 Words
Nana
"Oh my! Purple appleberries!"
Ayu chuckled at Nana's reaction. "It's not the first time I've brought you appleberries, Nana."
The old lady fanned herself as she took one piece and studied them, took another, and another, until she got to appreciate each fruit.
"Yes, but not purple! These things are rare! I don't even know how to explain to my customers where I got these from."
"Well, should I just take them back, Nana?"
Nana hurriedly held the basket like her life depended on it and shook her head furiously. This gained another chuckle from Ayu.
"Just kidding, Nana."
"Silly child. You know I won't say no to making money. I'll be giving you more for this. These fruits are very expensive. And don't say no."
"Yes, Nana." Ayu answered helplessly under Nana's threatening squinty eyes.
"Does this mean it's time for appleberry harvest?" Nana asked as she gave her five gold coins.
She was about to return two of them when Nana's index finger and fiery eyes stopped her from doing so.
Ayu immediately kept the coins in her strap-bag securely and nodded in answer to Nana's question.
"It won't be a lot, considering the difficulties in looking for purple ones. But there will be more red and green ones in this year's harvest."
"Thought so. You always bring me special plants that are tricky to find but not shady. And only bring me rare ones when it's their abundance."
Ayu twisted her mouth and subconsciously tip toed up then down, as Nana's jolly voice turned serious.
"However, Ayu. You don't bring me things as rare as these."
Nana held the purple appleberry with a glint in her aged eyes. Then she gave Ayu a side-eye.
"I think there will only be two purple appleberries arriving tomorrow. Yet you gave me ten... Do you trust this old lady too much?—"
A sudden gust of wind passed through both sides of Ayu's neck.
"Or are you testing me?"
Ayu only started supplying the market with her products months ago. Three months was it? At first, it was common herbs and fruits. Then, it is too hard to find ones.
She was actually looking for a trusted shopkeeper who are strong enough to defend themselves as the products she brings become more and more... outrageous?
That's when she found Nana. Someone who is at the end of the market but is mysteriously able to keep their stall working despite the shortage of people who actually arrive at the end.
"What do you think, Nana?"
Up until now, she doesn't know this old lady's name.
The old lady just smiled. Nana asked her instead.
"Do you really need to know?"
Ayu shrugged. "Trade secret?"
Then both of them chuckled lightly. Funny how people with secrets found their way with each other. And it seems like the old lady's secret is not any lighter than Ayu's.
"Thank goodness I found you. Right, Nana?" Ayu playfully wiggled her eyebrows.
Nana chuckled. But then her eyes spotted something... or someone, walking closer to her stall.
"You're not the only one who found me." She gave Ayu a mysterious smile while staring at the group that's getting closer.
Ayu didn't need to look back. It was that same group again. She pulled her hoodie up and tucked it closer to her face. She strapped her bag properly.
Nana propped her chin on her hands as she watched Ayu getting ready to leave, in a very covered way.
"You don't like that group?"
"How did they find you here, Nana? There's a whole lot of stores in this street. Why come at this place?" Ayu murmured half of what she said. Nana heard it though.
"Desperate people find this stall you know. Like how you did. Or maybe, I let people find it?" The old lady winked and chuckled when Ayu gave her a stunned look. The young lady looked like she had lots of questions. However, the group was only a few steps away now. So, Ayu hurriedly crossed the street while waving her hand at the old lady goodbye.
"That lady. How long does she think she can avoid fate?" Nana muttered to herself. A little bit of spirit dust has shone on one of her eyes.
"Old lady!"
"I told you to call me Nana, boy!"
Tresias laughed and scratched his hair at Nana's complaint. He glanced secretly at the lady leaving. Tresias was sure, that was Ayu.
"You know her?" The old lady asked.
Tresias gave a smile as an answer. He turned to his group and asked the person who looked like he had the most authority.
"What was it called again, Zen? Gumdrops?"
"It's dewdrops, Tres." Carles said.
"It's Dew drip!" Haki finally said impatiently.
Tresias shrugged and turned to the old lady.
"Anymore Dew drip, old—Nana!" Tresias fumbled when Nana gave him a stink eye. For a moment, he thought he saw their clan's elder. But that's impossible. It's been a hundred years.
Nana humphed at the not humorous young man. "No Dew drips delivered today."
"Huh? But didn't Ay—." Tresias cut his sentence off midway.
"Tres?" Lorelei, who clinged at Zen, asked. She was also a seer. And she thought he heard him call the name of someone the prophetic world hadn't heard for a long time now.
"Nothing." Tresias answered. His eyes wandered to where that cloaked lady left.
"I do have appleberries. Purple appleberries."
"Purple!" Nana's words immediately stole Tres' !ttention. He stood there dumbfounded. That brat! She can't help him but she sells those rarities away! Can't she give them to him?!
"We'll take them." Zenith spoke. "If you have anymore of these, Nana, can you please keep them for us. We'll pay no matter how much."
"Why, of course. We can't have you suffering the ritual. Full moon is just five nights away."
Zenith casually nodded for a bit. Then, for the first time, the always stoic-looking little prince's face cracked? What did she say?
The rest of the group also went silent, and guarded. Who was this old lady? Why did she know such things?!
Even the ever jolly Tresias suddenly looked frightening. His eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
No one said a word. The tension became thick as time passed.
Zenith coldly asked, "Who are you?"
Nana chuckled, "This whole basket is worth 20 gold coins. Are you taking it?"
Tresias stared at Nana intently. She clearly didn't want to explain anything after dropping a statement like that. It seemed like she didn't even say anything that made them all tensed.
With a deep breath, he retracted his gaze and smiled at Nana. His smile didn't give off his usual goofy grin though.
Zenith was not letting her be though.
"What do you know?"
Surprisingly, this time, Nana entertained the question.
"Nothing," the old lady playfully waved her hands. " Grandson of the king who erased the eyes, you'll also need this."
Nana handed a small berry to Zenith. It's what they've been searching for this whole time. They've asked the old lady for this but she always said no. Yet she gave them one today. Just enough.
Now they became more confused and curious. This is bad. This old lady is more different than what they initially thought.
"Zen," Lorelei called.
Zenith stared back at Nana's smiling face and with a heave, led the group away.
As frustrating as it sounds like, he knew he can't defeat the old lady. Yes, he tried to fight her when they first met because he felt that pull. She was leading them to where she was. But his attacks can't reach her.
She was like there. But not there.
- Writer
