Chapter 4: A New Visitor
That same day at the inn...
Max was doing some repair work in the inn.
He looked exactly like a bear; big but a total softie inside. His crimson hair and amber eyes made him one of the handsome men in the village. He was strong and a capable carpenter, having worked this job since a young age.
"I've repaired it. See if it's fine," Max said, panting to the innkeeper. He was working on the wooden tables that were shaky and broken.
His sleeves were rolled up and he was sweating a little even in this weather because of the hard work. He was checking the next table leg.
"Max you truly live up to your name. You fixed this within just half a day. I have been wanting it repaired for a long time.", Mr. Fred said, satisfied.
Mr. Fred was the owner of this inn. His inn was the main accommodation travellers and merchants used in Henzville. So, most of the outsiders preferred to stay here because it was comfortable.
Max looked at him, still kneeling on the ground, examining for potential work.
Max replied, "It's nothing. I'm just going my job here.", with his charming smile; holding the equipment in one hand.
"Good thing you came today. I was wondering when you will have time.", Fred said while leaning his hands on the table.
"Then you should thank my wife. She told me not to come back home if I didn't get the work done."
The innkeeper laughed at his comment.
"Who doesn't have a scary wife?", he said agreeing.
They both looked at each other with understanding eyes.
Then Fred asked, "How is your wife? Is she in good health?"
Max stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, replied "She is fine. I am just a bit more anxious since it's our first baby."
Mr. Fred, who understood his worries as a new father, wanted to reassure him. "Don't worry, she will be fine. I was also like you when I was young", Mr. Fred said, trying to ease his worries.
While they were chatting, a man wearing a black hood came in.
Mr. Fred, returning to his polished customer smile, said, "Sir, are you here for lodging?"
"He is back to business huh?", Max looked awed at Mr. Fred's professionalism.
"Yes, I need a single room for two weeks. I prefer a less noisy one and have a horse with me."
"Sure, sir. There's a perfect room that fits your requirements.", Mr. Fred replied, maintaining his service look.
"It will be one silver.", Mr. Fred said, smiling for his new income. The stranger gave him the silver he took from his pocket.
"Sir, I'd like to buy some herbs. Do you have any shop here?", the stranger asked.
Max replied from behind, "There is only one herb store in our village."
"I'm heading that way—I'll take you.", Max continued.
"Then thank you sir", the stranger nodded.
At Noah's Store...
The twilight outside looked like a blazing flame. Noah was cleaning the scattered herb remains over the counter. The familiar clink sound was heard again. The last customer of the day finally arrived, and she ignored her fatigue from the busy day to greet him.
"Sir, how may I help you?", Noah said looking at the customer who just entered.
Her gaze fell upon the young man standing before her.
He was wearing a black overcoat over his tunic; clothes plain but neat. She had to lift her chin a little since he was tall; More than six feet with a lean frame. His black beard was uneven and seemed pricky. But nothing could hide his clear skin underneath. He was masculine but also carried a gentle air around him.
More than anything, she couldn't ignore his striking eyes. Those deep eyes...It was a brilliant shade of green, like an echo of the forest. It gives the feeling of being embraced by the forest gently.
The customer was also looking at Noah with synchronised silence, and it was only a fleeting moment, so it didn't get any awkward.
Noah quickly collected her thoughts and returned to reality. That brief second that she admired him was pushed back like it never happened.
The customer took out a list from his pocket and said, "Miss I need the herbs in this list", as he placed the list on the table.
His manners were polite and respectful. She took the list from the table and read them.
Noah could smell a hint of agarwood from the paper. She could tell the difference instantly because of her sensitivity to scents.
The list was articulate with the exact amount needed. That's a lot of herbs. Normal people don't buy this much. He must be a physician, Noah guessed.
"Sir, I don't have this one in stock.", she said her peachy lips parting a little, nervous in his presence.
"Then please pack me the remaining herbs", he said patiently.
"May I know the purpose of this herb? Is it to treat fever?", Noah asked confidently.
"Yes Miss", he looked at her puzzled. His nonchalant look from before now becomes little confused.
"I do have other substitutes if it is urgent or you could come back tomorrow for the exact one.", Noah said, exhibiting her expertise.
"Can I look at the substitutes? Also, I want to look at the other herbs too?", he was amused.
"Sure sir, I will get them for you. You can look around if you like anything.", she said.
Noah looked for the herbs in the shelf. Since she knows where everything was placed, she took out every herb with precision. Only one was left from the list.
She looked at the customer for a second. He was really immersed in looking around the store. She smiled unconsciously looking at him.
The last one must be in the upper shelf.
"I told Aster not to keep it in the upper shelf. He never listens to me."
She was looking for the chair she uses for climbing, but it was also missing. Aster...she scolded him in her mind. At the same time Aster got a weird chill who was in the home.
Noah dragged the sitting chair and it disturbed the silence in the room. The sound immediately caught the customer's attention.
"Miss, do you need help", he asked.
"No Sir, it's fine.", Noah replied. How can she let a customer help her?
She grabbed her skirt with her left hand and lifted it a little above her ankle and stood up on the chair. As she looked around, finally she found it.
"Thank God it's here.", Noah said to herself.
She took the glass jar and carefully came down while holding the jar. She placed a small sample of each on the white cloth on the table for him to see.
His eyes now looked at the herbs. He examined it carefully. "Your herbs are good," he said, still looking at the herbs.
"This one is Veti root and it's more effective for treating fever", Naoh pointed it out.
He looked at her, acknowledging her recommendation. She nodded politely.
Without much hesitation he said, "I am fine with the substitutes Miss; Please Pack them."
Observing his accent, this person must be new here. Noah had never seen him around, she reasoned.
As she was packing, Noah casually asked him," Are you new to this village?".
Noah who usually doesn't make much small talk, can't believe what she asked herself. Then he answered "Yes."
The tea pack caught his eyes, "What kind of tea is this?", he asked genuinely curious. Noah could see the slight anticipation in his eyes. His overall expressions were neutral but sometimes his subtle ways made him more approachable.
"It is an herbal tea for relieving cold.", Noah replied.
She took out a sample of the tea with a spatula and placed it on a small piece of cloth.
He observed it carefully, his eyes more attentive. He took a pinch between his fingers and inhaled its scent.
"Miss, did you make them on your own?", he asked.
"It was my father's recipe, and I just improvised it a little.", Noah replied.
"Then you must be very talented. This recipe is very effective.", he said.
He can tell it just by smell. Then he must be experienced, she pondered.
"It will be two Silvers at total.", Noah said.
He looked at her confused.
"Does he think I am charging a high price? This is really a fair price. Is he trying to reduce the price?", Noah's inner mind echoed. But he didn't say anything.
"Sir, may I know your Name"; Noah explained it to him it's to keep a record.
This practice was something she had learned from her father. One cannot control everything, but we can still be responsible by taking some measures. Because there were also some people who use herbs in a wrong way.
The customer left briefly. Noah also packed her things and left for home.
At Noah's House...
She went to her room upstairs after taking a hot shower. Finally, after her exhausting day, the bath was soothing and made her mind clear.
With water droplets seeping down the ends of her ebony hair, she sat on the bed, looking at the beautiful moon outside. There was no fog clouding the enchanting moon today.
It was strange day, Noah thought hitting her bed.