Jin Visits
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WREN WAS STANDING BY her new stream, staring at the wash drum and trying to figure out the mounting system, when she heard hoofbeats. She looked up to see Jin riding through her gate. Alone this time, no Kenji.
Her stomach did a small flip. Had he heard about the Viktor incident? Of course he had. Everyone had probably heard by now. "Marshall," she said as he dismounted.
"Wren." His expression was calm, professional. "I heard there was an incident in town this morning. Lyra using magic in public."
"She was angry." Wren looked down at the wash drum parts scattered around her feet. "It was very unexpected." And kind of embarrassing, though she didn’t say it out loud. Lyra seemed too old for public tantrums.
He grimaced. "You didn't cause anything. Lyra's always been dramatic." He walked over, looking at the stream and then at the drum. "New project?"
"Washing machine. I'm trying to figure out how to mount it over the water so the current turns it." She gestured helplessly at the brackets and bolts. "The craftsman said it was straightforward, but I'm not sure..."
Jin knelt down, examining the pieces. "You need to anchor the support posts first. Here and here." He pointed to spots on either side of the stream. "The drum sits on top, and the water flows underneath, catching the paddles."
"That makes sense." She knelt beside him. "I have tools now. Somewhere."
"I'll help. It won't take long."
They worked together in comfortable silence for a while. Jin was efficient, methodical, showing her how to set the posts at the right height, how to secure the drum so it would spin freely but not wobble loose.
"Your stream is convenient," he said, tightening a bolt. "Most people have to haul water or live near natural sources."
"Water lily plant. It creates its own water flow." She handed him another bolt. "I'm still not entirely sure how it works. Magic doesn't always follow logic."
"Most magic doesn't." He tested the drum's spin—it rotated smoothly. "Your magic is unusual though. Growing finished products instead of raw materials."
"Is that rare?"
"Very. Most plant mages can encourage growth, improve yields, maybe influence characteristics. But growing bread from a tree?" He looked at her. "That's something else entirely."
She felt herself flush slightly under his direct gaze. "I'm still learning the limits. Some things work, some don't. The combat plants were disasters."
"I heard about the dogwood."
"You heard about that?" She covered her face. "The barking was horrible!"
His mouth quirked—that almost-smile again. "The guards heard it from the gate. They were taking bets on how long before you gave up."
"It was ten minutes. Ten very loud minutes."
"Smart to recognize it wasn't working." He stood, offering her a hand up. "Try it now."
She loaded a test batch of clothes—just a few things—and closed the drum's door. The stream's current caught the paddles immediately, and the drum began to rotate. Slowly, steadily, water sloshing inside.
"It works!" She grinned. "Oh, this is going to make everything so much easier."
"Practical magic." Jin nodded approvingly. "That's the kind that matters out here."
They watched the drum rotate for a moment. Wren found herself curious. "Can I ask about your ability? The tracking one?"
He glanced at her, slightly wary. "What about it?"
"How does it work? I mean, can you just... know where anyone is? All the time? Or do you have to focus on specific people?"
Most people either wanted to use his ability or were afraid of it. But Wren's expression was just genuinely curious. "I have to focus," he said. "It's not automatic. And it works better with people I know, or if I have something of theirs."
"Like a bloodhound with a scent?"
"Similar. I can sense direction, distance, sometimes emotional state if they're close enough."
"Does it work on animals? Or just people?"
"Mostly people. Large animals sometimes, if they're unique enough." He found himself explaining more than he usually did. "It's useful for finding lost travelers or tracking criminals. Less useful for everyday things."
"But it must be exhausting. All that... sensing."
He blinked. Most people never considered that. "It can be. I have to consciously filter out the background noise or I'd go insane."
"Like living in a crowded room all the time."
"Exactly."
She nodded thoughtfully. "My magic exhausts me too. Growing things pulls energy from somewhere—I'm always starving after a big planting day." She smiled. "At least I can grow food to fix that problem."
He almost smiled back. "That is convenient."
The wash drum continued its steady rotation. The dandelions were patrolling nearby, golden eyes watchful. Her property was green and thriving, organized now into clear sections.
She'd done well. Really well, for someone who'd arrived alone and unprepared just over a week ago.
"Viktor Andersen spoke to you today," Jin said. Not a question, but not quite an accusation either.
"He introduced himself, said he was being neighborly." Wren's expression was carefully neutral. "Then Lyra appeared and... you know what happened."
"I know what people are saying happened."
"She thought he was courting me. He said he was just being friendly." She looked at Jin directly. "I don't know what his actual intentions are. But I'm not interested in getting in the middle of... whatever that situation is."
Jin studied her for a moment. She met his gaze steadily, not defensive in the least. These were just the facts.
"Good," he said finally. "Viktor is..." He chose his words carefully. "Charming. Helpful. Good at making people feel special. Just remember that he's also a businessman who's wanted your land for years."
"I'll remember."
"And Lyra is vindictive. She'll blame you for Viktor's attention whether you encouraged it or not."
"I got that impression."
"If she causes problems—property damage, threats, anything—send word immediately. Using magic aggressively in town is one thing. Targeting someone's home is another."
"I will. Thank you."
He mounted his horse, then paused. "You did well in town. Making connections, establishing trade. That's smart."
"I'm trying."
"Keep trying. And..." He hesitated. "If you need help with anything else, let me know. The wash drum, expanding your defenses, whatever."
Was that personal or professional? She couldn't quite tell. "Thank you, Marshall." Her voice came out a bit more warmly than she’d expected. It sounded kind of flirty.
"Jin," he said. "You can call me Jin." Apparently, he didn’t mind.
He rode off before she could respond, leaving her standing by her new washing machine with her heart doing that small flip again.
Jin.
She tested the name silently, watching him disappear down the road.
The wash drum rotated steadily, clothes tumbling inside.
Everything was working. Her property, her trades, her life here.
And maybe—just maybe—something else was starting to work too.