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“Why did I have to deliver this package to the local shops?” Beowulf groaned as he walked the dusty road between home and the town of Jodove. “Couldn’t they have just sent this thing through the normal post?”

That answer he knew the answer to as he had asked it before he had been sent off on this venture. It was an expensive piece of pottery, or so his father had said. Though Beowulf thought otherwise as he looked at the small package that he could carry with one hand. What was so special about something that he could carry so easily? While it was true that his mother had made the thing and she was very good at it. His parents had hoped that someday that he would be able to take over the small pottery shop and build his own market for pieces. Beowulf had little interest in spinning clay on a wheel and molding it into shapes. Nah, he enjoyed his books and learning of magic. Mostly the stuff that led to the preservation of things.

“Bah, this is stupid.” He groaned loudly as he drew closer to Jodove, “Lets get this over with so I can get back home before the sunset any further.” He had glanced up and the sun was barely overhead, reaching noon.

It was just noon when he did enter Jodove and started down one of the sprawling streets. Uninterested gray eyes glanced around at the shop signs looking for the one that he was to drop this package off at. His parents had said that the sign would have a swirling dragon motif around its edge. Well he wasn’t seeing it at this moment, perhaps it was down another street? Frowning to himself, Beowulf turned a corner that led down a small alleyway. Well this wasn’t the way that he had intended on going, but if it got him to the parallel street on the other side he didn’t mind it. That was until…

‘Hello there deary’ came a raspy voice, one that seemed to have seen the bottle one too many times. Or at least that is what he had thought it sounded like.

Turning, Beowulf glanced at a shapely woman that stood leaning against the wall in a smaller adjoining alley that looked like it was a dead end from where he was standing. The woman herself was dressed in what he presumed was finery, long sparkling dress and fine leather shoes. She certainly wasn’t from these parts as her pale skin had a glow to it and her hair was a fiery color. A mess of fiery orange curls that fell into bright green eyes. He had heard of the visitors that had come to the mainland from another island from passing Yael that had been off their home island.

“Ah… Can I help you?” Beowulf asked as he paused, though glanced the direction he had been going.

‘I was wondering if you could help me with something.’ She said looking him up and down, judging he assumed.

“With what?” he asked, not exactly liking the air that this person was giving off.

‘Just a small task.’ She leaned off the wall and headed down the short deadend. ‘Down this way.’ She motioned for him to follow her.

“I am not sure this is a great idea. I still have a package to deliver…” He half muttered, half said loud enough for the woman to hear.

‘This will only take a moment of your time, I promise.’ she said looking back, her voice sounding sweet as honey.

Glancing at the street he had been heading for, Beowulf heaved a sigh. He was both curious and reluctant to follow this woman to who knew where in these alleys. As he did take steps to follow, he paused outside the entrance of the deadend and glanced down it. There were small flickering lights that almost seemed to dance through the air.

‘Come deary, you look like a smart lad.’ the woman said, beckoning him forward. ‘Come and see what Fortuna may have to interest you.’

Beowulf edged forward and glanced at the charms and potions. He wasn’t in the slightest of interest in any of this stuff. But humored the woman by looking. There were many clear and colored jars laid out on the table.

“And you can’t sell these out there?” he asked, pointing back to where he had come from. “Seems shady selling things back here.”

‘I am sure that I could, but I am not sure the residents of this town would like what I do.’ she said with a dismissive tone. ‘But please look. Browse my wares.’ she pushed Beowulf towards her table.

Giving the woman a side glance he figured he could humor her and then be on his way. Little did he know that it wasn’t going to be that simple. As he looked, the Lightning woman passed around behind the table. A grin was plastered to her face as she did, Beowulf glanced before backing up slightly.

“Sorry, don’t think I see anything that I can even afford.’ He said before she picked up a small bottle.

‘This one is not the greatest, cheapest one might also find. Help you grow big and strong.’ the woman said with a smile. ‘Want to be strong don’t you? Smart maybe?”

“Ah… I can get that with reading.” Beowulf said, still backing away, though he had been a little interested. “Besides, if you are back here, these might not be the safest to take…”

Not really giving the woman a chance to speak again Beowulf turned and darted away from the alley way. This would be a lesson indeed. Stay away from shadowy places that might hide well dressed ladies and their equally shady wares..

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