Sara’s Shop
Sara’s Shop
––––––––
WREN ARRIVED IN TOWN with her loaded purse, the beautiful green dress carefully packed inside. Her wooden horse attracted the usual stares, but she was getting used to it.
Sara's shop was on a busy corner, with a small door beside it that led to stairs.
"Wren!" Sara appeared at the top of the stairs, beaming. "Come up! Oh, is that your dress? Let me see!"
The room above the shop was small but charming, with a bed, a wardrobe, a washbasin, and a window overlooking the street. Simple but clean, with colorful curtains and a cheerful rug.
"It's perfect," Wren said.
"Isn't it? I've been here for two years now. Saving up to buy the shop from my uncle eventually." Sara took the dress and held it up. "Oh, Wren! This is gorgeous. Madame Lin?"
"She remade it from my velvet."
"She's brilliant. You're going to look amazing." Sara hung it carefully. "We have a couple hours before the festival starts. Want to wash up? I have a nice soap—"
"I brought my own." Wren pulled out a soapberry. "From my trees."
Sara sniffed it and sighed. "How is everything you grow so perfect?"
They spent the next hour getting ready, Sara chattering happily about who would be at the festival, what to expect, which food stalls were best.
"The Marshall will be there, of course. He always patrols during festivals, keeps things safe." Sara glanced at Wren slyly. "He's quite handsome in formal clothes."
"Is he?"
"Oh, don't play innocent. Everyone's noticed him checking on you."
"He's just doing his job."
"Mm-hmm. And Viktor Andersen's also 'just doing his job' when he asks about you?"
Wren groaned. "Please don't."
"I'm just saying. You've been here less than two weeks and you already have the two most eligible men in town interested. That has to be some kind of record." Sara grinned. "Lyra is probably plotting your demise as we speak."
"That's not funny."
"It's a little funny. Okay, help me with these pins?"
By the time they were both dressed and ready, the sun was setting. Sara wore a pretty blue dress, and Wren's green velvet caught the lamplight beautifully.
"Ready?" Sara asked.
Wren picked up her purse, stuffed with mints and elephant ears and paper tigers. "Ready."
They headed downstairs and out into the street, where lanterns were already being lit and the evening was turning magical.
***
THE TOWN SQUARE HAD been transformed.
Lanterns hung everywhere—from buildings, strung across streets, floating in decorative pools. Paper lanterns in every color, painted with flowers and birds and abstract patterns. Candles glowed inside them, turning the evening into a dreamscape of warm light.
The cliff face houses were illuminated too, lanterns climbing the terraced levels like a waterfall of light flowing upward. It was breathtaking.
Food stalls lined the square, sending up mouthwatering smells. Grilled meat, sweet pastries, roasted nuts, something spiced and savory that made Wren's stomach growl despite her nervousness.
Music played somewhere—drums and flutes and stringed instruments she didn't recognize. People crowded the square in their best clothes, laughing, eating, greeting friends.
"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Sara said, squeezing her arm. "Come on, let's find the organizers. You brought contributions, right?" They made their way to a large tent where an elderly woman was coordinating volunteers.
"Contributions?" she asked briskly.
Wren pulled out the bag of elephant ears. "I brought these. They're still warm."
The woman opened the bag, and the smell of cinnamon and fried dough filled the air. Her expression shifted from efficient to delighted. "Oh my. These are wonderful. We'll put them at the community food table. Did you want credit or—"
"They're free for everyone."
"Generous of you." The woman made a note. "Name?"
"Wren."
"Ah! The cursed farm girl." The woman's expression was appraising but not unkind. "Heard about your plant magic. These came from your trees?"
"Elephant ear plant."
"Clever." She took the bag. "Thank you, dear. Enjoy the festival."
Wren also pulled out several paper tigers. "And these, if anyone wants decorations."
The woman examined one, eyes widening. "These are exquisite. Did you make them?"
"Grew them. Tiger lily plant."
"Remarkable." She set them aside carefully. "I'm sure people will love them. Thank you."
As they walked away, Sara grinned. "See? You're a hit already."
They wandered through the stalls. The cheese merchant waved them over and insisted on giving Wren skewers of grilled meat and a sample of cheese curds.
"The good cuts, like I promised." The blacksmith had made a game where people threw rings at hooks, his daughter collecting coins and laughing at near-misses.
Children ran past with candied fruit and sticky fingers. A group of musicians had set up near the fountain, and several couples were dancing.
Wren spotted the fortune teller's tent, draped in dark fabrics, mysterious symbols painted on the entrance. A line of people waited outside, giggling and nervous.
"Want to get your fortune told?" Sara asked.
"Not really. I'd rather make my own opportunities than wait for fate to decide."
A voice behind them said, "Practical."
Wren turned.
Jin stood there in formal clothes, a dark blue tunic with simple embroidery, fitted but not flashy. Sara had been right, he looked good. Really good.
"Marshall," Wren said, then remembered. "Jin."
His mouth quirked slightly. "Wren. Sara."
"Isn't it beautiful?" Sara gestured at the lanterns. "Wren brought elephant ear pastries and paper tigers for decorations."
"I heard." Jin's gaze settled on Wren. "Generous contribution."
"I wanted to help."
"The dress is new."
She felt herself flush slightly. "Madame Lin made it."
"It suits you."
Before she could respond, Sara elbowed her. "I see my uncle waving. I should go say hello. You two... mingle." She disappeared into the crowd with a knowing smile.
Wren stood there, suddenly alone with Jin, very aware of the music and the lantern light and the way he was looking at her.
"Having fun?" he asked.
"Yes. It's wonderful. I've never seen anything like this."
"The town takes its festivals seriously." He glanced around, and she realized he was working, keeping watch even while socializing. "Stay near the center. Easier to find help if needed."
"You think something will happen?"
"Lyra's here. Viktor's here. You're here." His tone was matter-of-fact. "Something always happens."
As if summoned, a voice called out. "Miss Wren!"
A young woman approached, about Jin's age, with the same dark hair and intelligent eyes. She wore a pretty yellow dress and had a bright, friendly smile. "You must be Wren! I'm Mei-Lin, Jin's sister. I've been dying to meet you!"
"Mei-Lin," Jin said, a warning in his tone.
"What? I'm being friendly." She linked arms with Wren like they were old friends. "Sara told me all about you. And Madame Lin. And basically everyone. Come on, they're about to start the partner games. You should join!"
"I don't know if—"
"Please? They're fun, I promise. And if we get paired together, we'll definitely win."
Wren glanced at Jin helplessly.
"Go," he said. "Mei-Lin will take care of you."
His sister beamed. "Exactly! Come on, Wren. Let's show these people how it's done."
She was swept away into the crowd, Jin's amused expression the last thing she saw before the festival swallowed her up.
Mei-Lin pulled Wren toward a roped-off area where a crowd was gathering. A large spinning wheel stood in the center, names written on wooden tokens scattered in a basket beside it.
"How does this work?" Wren asked.
"They spin the wheel and draw names randomly.
Whatever it lands on, that's the game—relay race, lantern riddles, balance challenge, whatever.
Your partner is whoever's name gets drawn with yours.
" Mei-Lin was practically vibrating with excitement.
"It's completely random, which drives my mother insane because she can't control who gets paired with who. "
"Your mother?"
"Oh, she's here somewhere, watching Jin like a hawk. She has someone picked out for him." Mei-Lin rolled her eyes. "Poor Lian. She's perfectly nice but boring as rice porridge. Jin can't stand her."
Before Wren could process that, an announcer called out: "All right, everyone! Time for the partner games! If you want to play, put your name in the basket!"
People surged forward. Mei-Lin grabbed a wooden token, scribbled her name, and tossed it in. Then she grabbed another and handed it to Wren. "Come on!"
Wren wrote her name and added it to the basket.
The announcer spun the wheel. It clicked around and around before landing on: Trust Walk—Blindfolded Navigation
"Ooh, good one!" Mei-Lin bounced on her toes.
The announcer drew two tokens. "First pair: Mei-Lin Zhao and... Wren!"
"Yes!" Mei-Lin grabbed Wren's hand. "I told you we'd get paired!"
They stepped forward while the crowd cheered. Wren caught sight of Jin at the edge, watching. And beside him, an older woman with sharp eyes and an expression that could cut glass. His mother, probably.
The game was straightforward: one person blindfolded, the other giving directions to navigate an obstacle course. They'd be timed against other pairs.
"Do you want to be blindfolded or give directions?" Mei-Lin asked.
"Directions," Wren said immediately. She was better at problem-solving than trusting.
"Perfect. I'm good at following instructions. Usually." Mei-Lin grinned.
They won their round easily, since Mei-Lin was quick and trusted Wren's directions without hesitation. The crowd applauded, and someone called out: "That's the pun girl! From the magic farm!"
Another voice: "She brought those elephant ear pastries! They're amazing!"
"Pun girl?" Wren asked as they stepped aside for the next pair.