The Enchanter (Journals of Evander Tailor Book 1) by Tobias Begley

Author:Tobias Begley [Begley, Tobias]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-14T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Aldvarri

The next day, we boarded a carriage out to Westmarsh, and I smiled at the memory of our first ride there together. We took the train from Westmarsh to the capital, and then I led us out of the accursed Central Station and back home.

I felt a rush of nostalgia as I stepped into the shop. I could smell the slightly musty smell of felt, the waxy smell of the waterproofing, and the distinct leather scent. The shelves were lined with fabrics, the mannequins displaying assorted clothes. I was glad to see that Aldvarri hadn’t retired.

Behind the counter was a new face. He was a few years younger than Osheen or myself, and with his thin, wavery appearance, I guessed that he was probably a waif.

“Hullo,” the young man called out to us as we entered. “How may I help young sirs today?”

I blinked at that. I was hardly a sir. Osheen looked at me, and I realized that I probably ought to say something.

“Is Aldvarri in?” I asked, and the young man’s eyes lit up.

“You’re Evander?” he asked, and I nodded. He darted off to the backroom, and a few moments later, he emerged with Aldvarri.

The old elf’s leathery face cracked into a smile as he saw me, and he walked over with surprising speed and wrapped me in a hug. I was thrown off guard for a moment, unused to Aldvarri being the one to initiate physical intimacy.

“I’ve missed you, Evan,” he said softly, and I teared up at that.

“I missed you too,” I whispered back, and then we stepped apart. Aldvarri turned and looked at Osheen.

“You must be Osheen,” Aldvarri said, though he pronounced it like ocean, rather than oh-sheen. “Evander has spoken well of you in his letters. I didn’t realize you were coming.”

Osheen gave him a courtly bow, and Aldvarri let out a dry chuckle.

“I’m hardly deserving of that much respect, young man, but I appreciate it nevertheless.”

His eyes flicked between Osheen and me, and I sensed the unspoken question. I nodded in confirmation, and Aldvarri gave me a proud smile before turning and gesturing to the young man.

“This is Adam, my new apprentice.”

Adam smiled broadly and waved a hello.

“He was very kind to take me in,” he said. “My last few teachers threw me out for wising off at them about not giving fair wages on account of me being a waif, so I’ve struggled to hold a job ever since I turned old enough to realize the fact of it. I’ve a small apartment me ma ‘n’ pa left to me, so ‘m a lot luckier than most waifs. Mr. Aldvarri pays me well an’ don’t try to beat me or nothing, so I don’t need ta give him lip. Not his son or ward or nothing, but I figure I can make a good worker if I’m treated right.”

He sure was talkative. Why was he telling all of this to me? Maybe it was because I was Aldvarri’s ward? But even if that was his logic, he was still awfully chatty.

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