Prologue:
"Adsum, adsum." I chuckled, ruffling Englo's fur. "I'm here, I'm here, my sweet girl."
I had just closed the gate behind me, when the black wolf came charging from the backyard. She stopped shy of knocking into me, before headbutting my stomach for affection.
"My sweet girl." A soft sigh, my body relaxing at her presence.
I had been in town to send a few orders through the mail, coming back with the glass jars that had found their way to my P.O. box. Even quicker than I'd originally expected. I'd had to place a rush order and thankfully, the seller had been more than happy to, at no extra cost. Because I was a recurring client, and I only bought jars and the like from her.
"Careful, Englo." I chided when she pressed her muzzle against the bag, eager to see what was in it. "No treats today, I'm afraid. I didn't stop by the butchers. The next time I go out."
She let out a soft whine, but didn't verbally argue. Just lowered her ears and slunk back toward the house. I couldn't help but be amused- the model of a predator, and she could be the most timid thing. And very capable of dramatics.
"Ariel, I'm home!" I called out as I crossed the space to the front door.
It swung open, revealing the brunette, and I gave her a tiny wave. She smiled back at me, motioning me inside.
The wolf shot past me, a dark blur, racing me inside. Only, I wasn't aware of said race. I laughed quietly as I followed after her.
"Your jars came?" Ariel asked, looking at the bag I was carrying.
I nodded. "Yes! Now, I can get that order ready. Such a large order." I couldn't keep the grin off my face. "I'm glad to have it- especially from a clinic with the reviews this one has."
Placing the bag on the counter, I took out each jar carefully.
"It's been a dream of mine, to supply a clinic." A soft sigh, a wave of happiness washing over me. Not for the first time since receiving the order. "I can't believe it, really. I keep checking the receipt, to make sure I'm not dreaming."
After washing the new jars, I dried them, making sure I got all the water. I never wanted to risk soap getting into the concoction. Taking care, I pulled out the herb containers I would need, before measuring them out and filling the jars. I put the herbs away, taking the tonics out from the cabinet. Measuring them and pouring the allotted amount into the herb mixes.
With that finished, I placed a small sheet of saran wrap over the opening and screwed on the lid around it. This way, it wouldn't stick when they went to open it.
"I'll take this tomorrow, first thing." I murmured, more to myself than either of them, as I placed the jars carefully into my crate that I used for larger orders. I would have to take the car tomorrow, the order too heavy for me to comfortably carry.
I packed the crate back into the back of the car, shaking out my arms to try to alleviate the soreness of overexertion. I was about to get into the car, when my eyes landed on the antique shop. There was a little girl standing in front of the window, staring at me.
Curious, I moved to the crosswalk, heading inside the shop. I found the girl, who was now staring at a pretty, semi-translucent gray pyramid, no bigger than my palm.
"Take it." She spoke up suddenly, after several minutes of us staring silently at the piece.
With a nod, I gingerly picked it up, not even inspecting it, before walking to the front and paying for it.
A group of women stood near the crosswalk, and I had to slip between them to press the button. They, too, stared at the pyramid. It was strange, as if it put everyone into a trance.
Strange, indeed.
When I reached home, I placed it on the windowsill of the living room, more than a little concerned, because the women had followed me home. The little girl, too. And they were all staring at the pyramid.
"What is it?" I murmured, sitting on the couch, studying it from afar.
"It is pretty." Ariel chimed in.
I nodded. "It really is... It really is."
"What made you purchase it?"
"Prima facie." She gave me a curious look. "Ah. Sorry. It was at first sight. When I saw it, I just felt I had to have it. And its aura is..." The color flared out for some unknown reason. "It's a darker gray than the object itself, but it's... Kind. Soft. Gentle. A guiding influence, I feel."
She let out a thoughtful hum, before moving to the kitchen. "It's late, Eira."
"Ah, yeah, it is." I frowned down at my phone screen.
Where had the time gone? Had I really spent the whole afternoon and evening just... staring at the pyramid? What an unsettling thought.
At three-oh-three in the morning, I found myself woken up. I wasn't sure by what, but I got up and made my way to the bathroom. When I passed by the living room on my way back to bed, I felt compelled to approach the pyramid.
Placing a hand on it, I inhaled sharply as a wave of disorientation hit me, my legs buckling. I collapsed to the ground- I was outside, now- and looked around, in a daze.
I was in a field, a little cottage to my right, an encroaching forest behind it. On my other sides, it was just field- wildflowers and unkempt grass, a footpath leading out of sight from the home.
The door opened, catching my attention, and I looked over, my eyes wide. An old couple was standing in the doorway, illuminated by firelight.
The woman's eyes went to the pyramid I was holding loosely in my lap, widening at the sight of it. Slowly, they rose to meet mine, and she whispered something to the man. He nodded to her, and he disappeared inside.
She gestured for me to go in and stood aside to give me room. Reluctantly, I got to my feet and obeyed. What else was I going to do, lost in an unfamiliar landscape?
"Here, dearie." She showed me to the living room, to an armchair. "Sit, sit."
The man walked in with a tea tray, pouring us cups. He handed me mine with a kind smile.
A slight sniff, and I gave my own smile. Chamomile tea. One of my favorites.
"How did you end up in our front yard?" She asked, watching me keenly.
"Honestly, I'm not sure." I frowned down into the cup. "I was standing in my house, holding this," A gesture to the thing in my lap. "and the next thing I knew, I was outside. Here. Wherever 'here' is."
They exchanged glances, unspoken words passing between them.
A little girl came out from the hall, smiling at me. She came to stand in front of me, picking up my hands and swinging our joined hands out to the sides.
"Aren't you the cutest thing." I giggled.
Too late, I realized what was happening, and my eyes shot to the couple, who were smiling softly at the girl.
"She is, isn't she?" The woman murmured, wistful.
"This town is called Driftwood." The man explained. "We live on the outskirts, at the edge of the forest. That," He motioned to the pyramid. "is a teleportation device. Tell me, where did you come from?"
"Andover, Maine." At their blank expressions, I added. "The United States of America." No change. "North American continent." Still nothing. "The planet Earth."
That sparked something in them.
"Ah. This is Rivellon." He said, giving me an apologetic look.
Rivellon? That didn't sound familiar, not in the slightest. And I'd studied the map, while learning about different herbs in different places. How the same plant could grow so differently as to be mistaken for separate entities because of where it grew.
"Are you going to stay here?" The little girl asked, tilting her head. "Please stay here with us."
"I don't know if I can." I answered, feeling lost.
If what he said was true... I was in a different world entirely. Which begged the question- why had the pyramid been in that shop to begin with?
Wait. Englo!
I jerked my hands free from the girl's, holding my head as a sob threatened to break free. My sweet girl... I'd left her behind...
A hand settled on my head, fingers running through my hair. "She is here, with you. In your soul. When the time is right, she will come."
I sniffled, collecting myself. "Thank you, Ariel."
I wasn't surprised she was here- she'd always been with me. I had vivid memories of her being around when I was a young girl.
Her words put me at ease, and I let myself relax a little. Not much, because I had to figure out how to live in a new world. I wasn't sure where to go, what to do. I had no money, so I couldn't set up my herbalist shop right now. I had no way of making money, then.
"Dearie." The woman interrupted my spiraling thoughts. "You can stay here, with us."
"Oh, no. I couldn't possibly impose upon you like that." I waved my hands in front of me.
"You have nowhere else to go." She pointed out, not unkindly.
I chewed my lip. "That... Okay. If you're sure. But! I have a craft. I'm an herbalist. I won't be dead weight."
"That's perfect." She clapped her hands excitedly.
"Our last herbalist died some years ago." He explained, looking just as eager as she was. "You will have plenty of business."
That perked me up. Between that and knowing that Englo was okay, I wasn't as upset as I probably should be during a situation like this. After all, I hadn't left anyone behind- my parents having passed three years before, and I was an only child.
I had been here for three months, and word had spread about my potions- which I'd had to learn to make, though it wasn't hard- causing my business to skyrocket. Several people had come from across the ocean to seek me out. My renown only grew with each order I completed, the strength in my potions keeping everyone coming back to me.
Today, I was wandering the forest, looking for a specific herb.
The presence of someone nearby had me glancing over my shoulder. A man- dark hair, scraggly beard, and dark eyes, a muscular build to him- stood in the shadow of the trees behind me. He hadn't been there for long, unless I hadn't sensed him until just now.
"Hello." I greeted softly, before turning my eyes to the ground again.
"Hello." His voice was deep, rough. "You look like you're looking for something."
I nodded, my gaze falling on it. "There you are. Pulchra, argentum album in flore."
"What?" I could hear the confusion.
"Oh. I'm sorry." I smiled at him apologetically. "Pretty, white silver plant that's blossoming. This is what I was looking for."
Realization dawned on his face. "You're the new herbalist I heard about yesterday."
I carefully cut a few sprigs, taking a handful of flowers from it, placing them gingerly in my basket.
"I am." Standing, I smoothed out my tunic dress and turned back to him, really paying him attention now. "I haven't seen you before. My name is Eira."
"Ifan." A slight nod from him. "I was out on a job. Just got back yesterday." Curiosity, now. "What language is that?"
"Lingua mortua." I felt my face heat. "Sorry. It's a dead language that no one speaks anymore. It's called Latin. Lapsus linguae. Ah, sorry. Slip of the tongue. I slip into it easily without realizing it."
"I haven't heard of that one." He frowned.
I smiled, nodding. "Not many know of it."
Just the people I spoke to when the words slipped out.
"Are you out for any reason in particular?" He'd been nice enough to ask me, so I wanted to return the favor.
I was also curious about him, since this was our first meeting.
"Have a lot on my mind, and I thought a walk might help."
"Ah. Solvitur ambulando." I nodded, speaking more to myself than him. At his confusion, I explained. "It's solved by walking. That's what it translates to. Referring to a problem or figuring out a bad situation. Things like that."
He chuckled. "I hope it does. Been on my mind for a few days, though." A sigh.
"Cum tempus." I offered a kind smile. "With time. I hope you work it out."
"Thanks." His eyes wandered, and his expression fell a tiny bit. Just enough to be noticeable. "The sun's setting already."
"Tempus fugit." I said, looking around. Indeed, it had gotten late. "Time flies."
I needed to get back, to start the process of drying the herb.
"Vale." I gave a little wave. "Farewell."
"I'll walk you back." He offered as I went to step around him.
I tilted my head. "Are you finished with your walk?"
"Yeah." A strange expression crossed his face, gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Then, I would like that. Thank you."
He walked with me back to the cottage, to the gate, and I smiled at him.
"Thank you. I appreciate this." I had genuinely enjoyed his silent companionship. "I hope your night goes well."
"Yours, too." He murmured.
He waited until I was standing in the open doorway, before leaving.