III

It was time for John to leave. And leave he did, with a heavy heart and a broken pleasure. Who knows what will the two women do next? This round of pleasure was over for the three of them.

John continued down the street, passed several stores, until he stopped at the second one to the left. A tall building, painted in gold and green, stood in front of him. He liked anything that had gold in it. With a moments hesitation, his left foot moved on the first step. Three large marble steps led to the reinforced oaken door.

He entered. His eyes caught every detail.

Goods of all sizes were placed in wooden boxes that had the Adamil crest.

This was interesting. Naturally he wanted to know more, maybe he could make a trade agreement or any other type of contract. That was constantly on his mind since he entered the shop.

Books, perfumes and dyes of all colors were placed on shelves in front. The shop had a huge collection of keys, Egsoret pillows, rags and everything that a man needed or didn't need. He walked through the rows of shelves, trying not to touch anything with his elbow and knee. It was hard to find a path in the endless maze of shelves. He wondered how the owner of the person working here know their way and where to find something of need. Minutes slowly pass. The shop seems endless. How does light enter here? The second thing he asked more than once. He was once at Helga's shop - the feeling was the same - but not like this.

John stood in the middle of the maze of shelves.

This was different. This was something new, it smelled differently. It smelled of magic - not of the dangerous kind. But, none the less, it smelled magic. There was no to describe that smell, nothing similar to compare it to. A pleasant smell lifted from one of the many shelves in the back. He followed the smell.

A large table, filled with all sorts of things, was placed in the middle of the shelves that had armor and weapons placed in a strange fashion. The woman behind the desk was placing something in large jars on the top shelf. He never has hair that long on a woman. Gathered in a single braid, the hair fell almost the woman's ankles. He didn't see the color.

"A customer," she said.

"Just looking through," John replied, "killing time." he added at once.

"Killing time? Eh? By the looks of it, you haven't changed."

The woman turned. A beautiful face eyed him with blue eyes. He knew her face from somewhere. Bad was his trait of remembering faces.

"Nothing has changed? Eh, John? Still the same?" she smiled.

"Depends who's asking?" John could only say that.

"Joanna across the street," the woman replied.

He couldn't believe now much she has changed since he last saw her a few months ago. One day long ago, she left somewhere, nobody knew where.

"I've been every where and nowhere," she guessed his coming question. "Now I have returned to open my own shop. For you it's much easier, in a way I guess, but it in most things it's much harder. You have a family name to keep while I'm free to make my own name."

"True." he knew she was more than correct about that. Continuing the family business was the only that we could do. "Why does it smell of magic in here?"

"That's mine…"

"You know magic? When did you start doing magic?"

"Since I started learning it, this is a magic shop."

"How can you find anything here?"

"Register, my secret weapon."

"We have one, but I guess yours is magical."

"Correct, when I need something the register finds it."

"Good to know, it can come in handy."

"They are a common thing in Almadica."

"Almadica is on the other side of the canal."

"I was there last spring."

"Did you see anyone?"

"Anyone… you mean from our group."

"Yes."

"Hilda and Damon are together. Those two…"

"I know, who would have guessed."

He didn't say a word, the memories where more than painful to be remembered again. Many times, he asked himself what could have happened if he said what he wanted to say to Hilda. Would the things be different. He never found out.

"Where… where did you meet them?" he said somehow.

She stopped for a moment to think. "In Kazar."

"Kazar… the University Town."

"Have you been there? Did you enter the University? What's like inside?"

Now, it was his time to stop and think:

"I have, almost a year ago, family business. They needed spice for their kitchen, to be, precise their famous chicken. It's way better then the Academy. Much more grander in size and in knowledge."

"Lucky you."

"Maybe, maybe you are right, I am lucky. I never looked at it that way. It always seemed like a huge boulder in my way. I see things will change soon."

"I'm glad I helped."

"More than you think. Do you know what were they doing?"

"Searching for something… a cure, I heard."

"A cure, are you sure?"

"I am, you don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

"Damon…"

"What did he do know? Get himself cursed?"

"Yes. He's a werewolf."

"A werewolf? That fool is always rushing into things. Those she know?"

"I think she doesn't."

"He's always like that. Keeping secrets…"

"I know. So, what happened between you and Hilda."

"Nothing, Damon was faster." he couldn't do anything.

"In that part, you are unlucky." she smiled.

"I know."

"Did you find anyone after her?"

"I had a few."

"Buy the look on your face, none of them lasted long."

"Correct again."

"Just wait, you will find your woman."

"I hope so. I won't bother you more, you have work to do."

He turned and left.

"You will return," she said behind him.

He smiled. The market was full of people.