As Jenden weaved her way through the lower town on the way to the apothecary, she couldn't help but be reminded of her home village. The same smells, noises, and sights of fresh meat, a clanging blacksmith's hammer, and giggling children running through the streets, getting underfoot overwhelmed her senses. Her attention was captured by a little girl with stringy blonde hair. She was sitting by the well with her head in her hands, crying.

"There now, what's wrong?" she asked, crouching down to the child's level.

A small, dirty, and tear streaked face looked up at her, "I… I lost my new ribbon. Ma gave it to me yesterday and I already lost it!"

"What color was your ribbon?" asked Jenden, an idea forming in her mind.

"Yellow," the little girl sniffed, rubbing tears out of her eyes.

Jenden slipped her hand into the medicine basket and scrunched her face, pretending to think; "Well it just so happens that I found a beautiful yellow ribbon this morning! I was wondering who lost it…"

The girl gasped in surprise as Jenden pulled out a yellow hair ribbon from beneath the medicine bottles.

"That's it! That's the one I lost! You found it!"

Jenden smiled and handed it over, "Take care and don't lose it again!"

Jenden stood to continue on her way and found her path blocked by a suspicious looking castle guard.

"Come over here, miss. I have a few questions for you."

Jenden's heart raced. How could she have been so stupid? Conjuring the ribbon out of thin air had seemed so harmless, but she had forgotten where she was.

The guard crossed his arms over his chest, "Who are you and what's your business in the lower town?"

Jenden quickly explained her new placement in the royal household. Her palms stated to sweat. She tried to keep her face relaxed and composed. As long as she didn't appear to have anything to hide she would be fine.

"So, explain to me how you produced that ribbon for the little girl? Seems almost as if it was done by, oh, I don't know… magic?" He leered threateningly at Jenden.

"Magic?" Jenden laughed nervously, "Oh no, I found it on the ground…" she gestured vacantly behind her, "Yeah, I found it a little while ago and put in my basket for safe keeping."

"It seemed awful clean to have been found on that muddy ground."

Jenden swallowed and forced herself to remain calm, "I know! Strange, isn't it? That's why I noticed it… in the mud I mean. It stood out on the ground because it was so clean. The little girl must have just dropped it."

The guard narrowed his eyes, "Well what a happy coincidence," he replied sarcastically.

"Yes, well, if that's all, I really have to be going. Errands to run…" Jenden trailed off nervously.

The guard seemed to realize that he had no proof or real reason to detain her and finally relented. "Don't let me catch you doing anything suspicious again. You're new here, but you should already know what King Uther's opinion of magic is,"

"Of course, thank you," Jenden curtsied and dashed down the street towards the apothecary, extremely happy to have avoided being thrown in the dungeons.

The apothecary was surprisingly well lit and airy. The stone floor was swept clean and the curtains were drawn away from the windows to allow sunshine to fill the small room. The man behind the counter was holding two vials up and comparing the contents. When Jenden walked in the door he carefully set both containers on the counter and said, "You'll be Gaius' new apprentice, then?"

"Yes, sir. These are for you. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. I was momentarily detained by a castle guard."

"Nothing serious, I hope."

"No, sir."

"Very well then, what do you have for me today?"

Jenden pulled out the remaining bottles from her basket and set them on the wooden counter.

"Good!" The apothecary quickly read the labels and stored them on one of the shelves that lined the shop and then pulled out something from a small chest, "Please give this to Gaius. I believe he is expecting it in lieu of payment." He placed the small parcel on the counter. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

"Thank you sir, I'm sure I'll see you again soon." Jenden slipped the object into her basket, exited the shop, and started walking back towards the castle, curious as to what the small parcel contained.

As always, I would welcome any feedback!