Chapter 4
#4 of The Elf and the Wolf
Hello it's me again. Sorry this chapter took so long, I had some personal tragedy and my work has been exhausting. Anyway as always if you want to leave a comment that would help me out a lot. Thanks in advance and hope you enjoy.
"So how are you settling in?" Mira said placing a bowl of potato soup and mug of beer in front of Freya. "You must be quite busy now that you're offering your wares for free."
"You have no idea," the elf muttered trying not to fall asleep. Freya was exhausted, dark circles formed under her eyes and skin paler than usual, and without the natural glow her kind always seemed to possess.
It was only two days after the event in the town center and news of Freya's shop spread like wildfire. Lycan came to her for all manner of things, the most common being tonics and poultices for injuries dating back to The Revolt. Freya tried her best to be polite and courteous but every customer she met with sent shivers down her spine.
She learned that a Lycan healed rather quickly from most wounds such as cuts and bruises. But this was a double edged sword, for if a bone broke and was not set properly it would heal incorrectly leaving the bones twisted, jagged and the victim in constant pain. Some had a broken arm that appeared jagged and at a wrong angle, others had a cracked nose, the worst one to come in by far was a grey wolf whose ribcage had been broken giving the appearance that it was sunken in and missing his left ear and eye. Freya felt horrified and helpless, she was no physician and even if she was her fear of wolves and dogs would prevent her from getting close enough to help.
"Freya? Freya?!" The sound of Mira's voice broke the elf's trance.
"Hmm?"
"Are you alright? You seem... distracted."
"More like exhausted," the elf murmured. "I haven't gotten more than a few hours of sleep in the last few days."
"Is it that busy?"
She nodded. "Each potion I make requires at least several ingredients and instructions unique to it alone, and I can't leave them unattended or they spoil."
"Sounds like you need an assistant," Mira remarked.
"Do you know of anyone in mind?" she asked, but it was a jest. While she was trying to become more comfortable being around the Lycan
"Fraid not, you could try asking around but if you hadn't noticed a lot of us are setting up for the Festival."
"I have noticed." Magnolia was becoming busier with every passing day. Freya had ventured from her shop for deliveries and saw the progress. Tents were being set up outside the city walls for games and music, an arena was being cleared for wrestling and a large pit was being formed for the ceremonial bonfire that accompanied each Harvest Moon Festival.
Mira excused herself and went to the back, upon opening the door the smell of several different alcohols fermenting filled the air once more.
"Ah now there's a smell I never get tired of." Freya turned to see Sunflower walking up to the bar dressed in the same guardsman attire when they first met. "Afternoon Freya."
"Hello Sunflower," she greeted the fox warmly.
"My you look terrible," the fox noticed. "When was the last time you had a good night sleep?"
"What's today?" she asked, not quite sure herself.
"Wednesday I think."
"Then... almost a fortnight," Freya was surprised by her own answer. That meant she hadn't had a comfortable sleep since she was back in The Capital.
"Well no wonder," the fox frowned. "You must be exhausted."
"That's an understatement," she slurped down a spoon of soup. "I'm only here now because I don't have much time for a proper meal aside from bread and cheese."
"Sounds like it's been pretty rough," Sunflower frowned. "Well I was hoping to speak with you when you weren't too busy, unless now is a bad time."
"It doesn't bother me," Freya took a sip from her mug. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Well Jackson and I have been together for over a year now and I was hoping we could start start a family soon."
"Oh..." Freya's pale cheeks turned rosy red. "Well I don't have any aphrodisiacs in my store."
"Oh I don't need those," Sunflower giggled. "Jackson and I have at it whenever we have a moment to spare."
"You don't say," the elf felt the tips of her ears burn and rather light headed as she sipped her drink again.
"Sunflower I think you should change the subject before Freya faints," Mira said with a grin.
"Oh sorry," Sun giggled. "It's just that I've heard an A-poof-a-carry like yourself can make a mixture that could increase fertility."
"Apothecary," Mira corrected with a chuckle. "And I'm not sure Freya has what you're asking for."
"Actually I do know of some herbs that might help with your problem," Freya stammered. "If you stop by my shop tomorrow I should have something for you."
"Really?" Sunflower's tail whipped back and forth like a whirlwind as she hugged the elf tightly. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea how happy this makes me!"
"I... I think I can manage a guess," she squeaked feeling the crushing strength of the vixen.
"Careful Sunflower," Mira chuckled. "You don't want to break Freya."
"Sorry," the fox apologized as she let go.
Freya managed to speak after several gasps for air. "It's alright, I just hope what I know can help."
"You're already doing that," she then snapped her fingers. "Hey I get together with a couple of friends tonight. It's nothing fancy, just some ladies getting together for drinks and gossip, you should join us. It'll be nice to meet everyone and just relax."
"Oh I don't know if-"
"She'd love to," Mira's cut in.
"I would?" the elf blinked.
"Wonderful!" Sunflower yipped. "I'll come get you after my shift is done, and remember to wear something nice."
"Wait but I-" it was too late however as Sunflower bounded out the door with her tail wagging excitedly. She then shot a dirty look at Mira. "Why would you say that?"
"Oh come now," Mira grinned. "You wanted to go, I could see the look on your face."
"Even if I wanted to," she rebutted. "I'm far too busy to just drop everything to have a few beers."
"Wrong, now is the perfect time to do that. You said it yourself you haven't had a decent sleep for almost two weeks. You need to relax and enjoy yourself a little."
"By surrounding myself with the things that frighten me to no end?!"
"You've had plenty of time to adjust," Mira dismissed her concern with a wave of her hand. "Besides the best way to overcome fear is through constant encounters."
"That's terrible advice."
"Really? Worked for me back when I was a mercenary."
"You were a mercenary?" Freya's eyes widened.
"But of course," the wolf puffed up her chest and flexed one of her arms. "I didn't get these polishing beer mugs all day."
Her fur and muscles rippled and bunched like tight cords and Freya laughed, amused by the display of bravado.
"Well I'd like to know how a woman of fortune ended up a simple barkeep."
"If you show up tonight I'll be sure to tell you the whole story."
Freya took another bite of soup, a small smile crept over her mouth thinking the offer over. "Maybe I will."
Mira did have a point, it couldn't hurt to relax a bit.