White Moon

Chapter 1

The last crate landed on the wooden floor with a loud thud, stirring up the dust in the room. I coughed to dispel the particles that made their way to my lungs as I waved off the particles around my face.

With my breathing firmly under control once more, I look around the place I would call home for the foreseeable future. The large windows that lined the front facing the street made the room seem open and bigger; the long narrow counter of dark wood towards the back of the room; the row of ceiling-high shelves just behind it, that separated the front of the shop from the back area housing a storeroom that doubled private work room and stairs leading up to the small living space and a door to a tiny back garden.

“Small” came the low but oddly regal voice from behind me. The word carried all the contempt I was sure queens throughout the ages had used to remind errant noble that they were only still in their position of power by her grace.

I rolled my eyes. “Yes well if you can point me in the direction of a vault filled with gold I’m sure I could find accommodations befitting one of your station,” I replied

She sniffed in annoyance and I smirked.

She was right though. The shop was rather small in comparison to what we were used to. And that wasn’t even taking into account that it would double up as our living quarters as well.

I felt a hint of heat and soft fur brush up beside me as Razia went further into the place to explore.

I could see why she complained about the size. If she had been a real wolf this place would have indeed been too small for us. Seeing as she was a specter consisting of nothing more than streaks of glowing blue lights formed into the shape of a wolf, the space would be more than enough.

I let out a breath and with it came the excitement and anxiety I had been carrying with me these last few weeks. My excitement at a new adventure was tempered by the fact that I was in Arisai, the capital of the Capital city and home to the stronghold of Amalias’ Guardians.

There was also the fact that I hadn’t been this far north since…

I dispelled the thought as soon as it formed not wanting to attract bad omens with my dark thoughts. It was bad enough that I was in this city. No use courting more trouble if I could avoid it.

Besides I only planned to be here for a year, two at the most before selling the shop and retreating down south where I was more comfortable. Nevertheless, the excitement of opening a new shop could not be beaten down as the endless possibilities of what could be spanned before me.

The bell over the door jingled causing me to turn. A small older looking woman with brown hair and grey eyes walked in with a young woman and man trailing behind her.

“G’day, ma’am my name is Phylis. This is Anya my youngest and Fane, my second boy,” she said pointing to them respectively. I tilted my head in askance wondering what they could possibly need from me

“Master Tilden said you would be needin’ some help in doing a bit of tidyin’ and heavy liftin’.” She looked nervous as she waited for my reply. Taking in the trio, I could tell that life here in the city was hard for them. While their clothes were clean they looked worn and hung awkwardly off their bodies. I briefly wondered how often they lacked food on their dinner table and felt a pang in my chest. I knew too well, how that felt.

“Ah yes,” I said. “He said he would send someone over.”

Tilden was the master craftsman here in the city and would be supplying the furniture for the shop over the next few days. He was referred to me by his brother, Alden, back in Mid-Faluex and after seeing his work when I stopped by on my way here, I was glad I took Alden’s advice.

I smiled and stretched out my hand in greeting. “My name is Daria and I would be happy to have some assistance.”

~

The sun had long set by the time the trio made their way out of the shop, tired but with a pep in their step.

“You paid them too much,” Razia said from where she lay sprawled out on the small bed set up at the far corner in the single room encompassing the upstairs of the shop

I shrugged. “I know what it feels like to be in their position,” I said as I riffled through the trunk to get my bathing things and sleep shift.

“And offering the woman employment here when you haven’t even sold a single leaf?”

I ignored her as I carried my things to the other side of the room.

Steam wafted from the large wooden tub situated in front of the fireplace and I couldn’t wait to get in. The knot at the base of my spine was killing me.

“Your bleeding heart will get you killed one of these days,” she chastised. “Ironic really.”

I looked over at her, eyes narrowed. “Don’t you have something to do, other people to torment?”

She chuffed. “Unfortunately for me, I’m stuck with you.”

“Oh joy,” I replied sarcastically

“It really is, isn’t it? I mean without me you would still be in that dull little town selling herb and tricks like a pauper with barely two coppers to rub together.” She got off the bed as she delivered that last statement and padded out the door.

I rolled my eyes. Dramatic that one.

Setting out my things on a small table, I stripped down and got into the hot water letting out a sigh as I felt my muscles relax.

I sat there just enjoying the feeling and letting myself prune for a long while as I went over the day's events in my head. At some point my roaming gaze slid to the mirror on the other side of the fireplace I caught sight of myself. The slim, light build and deeply tanned skin were nothing new. Neither was the slender neck, the heart-shaped face with its full dark lips, or the ‘cute’ button nose. The blue eyes and white hair on the other hand still gave me pause all these years later. They were a reminder.

A reminder of why I was here and of what I had to do.

They were also a reminder of what had been.

It wasn’t easy looking in the mirror and not recognizing who stared back. It was a feeling that I couldn’t fathom all those many years ago and that was no different now.

As they say all good – and bad – things happened in threes. Would I recognize myself the next time I was forced to change or would that be the time that broke me?

I grabbed the sponge from the side table and began to wash off.

Deep inside I knew I wasn’t strong enough to find out.