Dean Hawthorne: Headmaster of a Magical Academy, page 19
Perhaps they needed to purchase from a different brand; I considered the possibility. It would certainly be the case if one of my chosen suppliers ran out of an item, although proper procedure for The Trading Company would be to discuss the change with their client first before making the alterations. Whatever the case, Brummagem Wares was not a company I would order from in the future, I made a mental note, eyeing a stack of rotted wood the students had collected to be discarded, their name boldly printed on the boards.
As I crouched beside the wood pile, inspecting the cracked grain more closely, the familiar sensation of an unsolicited stare sent goosebumps up my arms. I surveyed the arena, looking for someone out of place, for anything malicious in the area, but found nothing.
I sighed inaudibly, frustrated by the alarming feeling—Was there something wrong with me? I chalked it up to the stress of the impending festival, not wanting to dwell on it for too long. About ready to leave the space, I turned, nearly colliding with one of the students.
“Dean Hawthorne! It’s good to see you here!” Molly bounced on the balls of her feet with each overly-enthusiastic word.
“Miss Molly,” I greeted her with a short nod. I should have known. “Are you about finished with your class project?” I asked, already anticipating my exit.
“We are wrapping it up as we speak! We’ve decided to do a sweets shop and will be selling candy floss, chocolate drops, and homemade lollipops. Would you like to try one?” She pushed a handful of chocolate toward me, waiting in anticipation.
“Not right now but thank you. I’ll be sure to check out your booth during the festival,” I promised, not in the mood for the sweets despite them looking well-made.
She visibly deflated, making me feel bad for rejecting the offer, but she surprisingly didn’t push, seeming to accept my words.
“Make sure you come in the afternoon—that’s when I’ll be in charge of the table, and I’ll make sure you get the best batch!” She winked at me before wrapping the chocolate drops back in the cloth she carried them in and slipping them in my pocket. “For later.”
Turns out she wouldn’t take no for an answer, promptly leaving before I could return the sweets. I chuckled as I watched her go, feeling a bit guilty for suspecting her. I pulled a handful of the chocolates from my pocket, the drops carrying the same light floral scent as the macarons she had gifted me before. I understood the smell for macarons, but for chocolate it seemed a bit out of place.
After analyzing the candy once more, I decided that maybe the scent was a signature of all the sweets she made and shrugged, trying the candy for myself. Flowers and herbs assaulted my tongue, but other than the mismatched taste, they were pretty normal. Placing the rest of the candies back in my pocket, I resumed my analysis of the wood pile.
During the rest of my time in the arena, no students approached me with concerns about running out of materials, the built-in extras to the supply list seeming to have fulfilled their purpose, but that didn't mean I could forgive the useless products delivered. Seeing all I needed to see in the arena, I headed back to my office to confirm the order—mostly for my own peace of mind.
Appearing outside the door, I walked into my office, wasting no time locating the order document. After scanning through my selected items, I found no mention of Brummagem Wares on my initial request form. With the matter of making the purchase myself confirmed to be false, I switched over to the itemized list, finding the brand name too many times for it to be a simple matter of low stock.
“Jodie, did anyone alter the supply list for the festival after I approved it?”
“Not that I'm aware of, sir. Is something wrong?”
“I'm not sure yet,” I answered honestly before filling her in on the issue of the cheap products. “I'm sure I’m over-thinking things, but if you wouldn't mind checking with The Trading Company, I think that would alleviate my concerns.”
“Of course,” she responded, hopping up from her desk chair.
She reached for her coat hanging on the coat rack behind her, ready to fulfill the request immediately.
“Would you like Luna to accompany you?” I asked, ready to pull her from Professor Borlander’s side if needed.
“No, that won't be necessary. I'll be fine and it’s not too far,” she responded confidently, collecting the papers and heading out the door. “I’ll be back soon,” she announced, shutting the door behind her.
When Jodie left the room, I sat down with the order once more and going over the numbers again, I realized there was a pretty significant savings between my own estimation and the actual invoice. Although the supplies were a bit shoddy, the damage was done, the event much too close to reorder new supplies and redo the work. My only concern now was the reasoning behind the change and the difference in cost.
That money, in theory, should be back in our school’s budget if there was no sketchy reasoning behind the change, but at this point I couldn't be sure of that. Knowing all I could do was wait, I busied myself with the additional paperwork on my desk, waiting for Jodie to return.
∞∞∞
About an hour after her departure, Jodie walked back into the office carrying more paperwork than when she left.
“What did you find out?” I asked before she even set down her belongings.
“So…” She exhaled heavily, emphasizing the word. “The Trading Company was pretty sure about the fact that someone from Hexerei changed the order themselves. They said all communication was done through magic mail, but the letters they received had the official seal of the school, so they accepted the changes requested.”
She handed me a magically-inscribed copy of the request letter, the seal certainly having come from Hexerei. It was hard to go around accusing anyone of anything since all I knew was that some items were changed and some money was saved as a result.
In addition to myself, Duke Howard, and the overseeing members of the council each held official seals, each one responsible for using it wisely. It wouldn't be the first time I was left out of the loop for something that involved the council members, but it still didn't sit right with me.
“Thank you, Jodie.”
I accepted the results of the investigation as something official that had failed to be shared with me, figuring there was a greater reason behind it. With nothing more to be done—nothing that wouldn’t stir up unnecessary trouble—I let the matter go and focused on more pressing issues, the current one being the tournament platforms that would be erected the day prior to the festival.
Of course, the majority of the legwork for this project had been completed, I just needed to ensure everything would be carried out as expected. Only one week to go, I tried to motivate myself, needing to focus on the paper in front of me. Jodie hung her light coat up before settling back at her own desk, then cleared her throat, garnering my attention. I lifted my head from the paper I had just begun to read, meeting her eyes, meaning the extra noise was meant for me.
“Isn't there somewhere you were supposed to be, sir?” she asked with a smile.
“Wibblesnatch,” I cursed under my breath, forgetting about the promised meeting.
After bringing Mr. Crane back to the Academy, I'd seen Bryan for the first time in months, reminding me to reach out to Evelyn. Today was our chosen time to get together, and I was supposed to be having tea at her house as we spoke.
“I thought I'd have more time,” I mumbled, setting my paperwork back onto the desk. “Thanks for the reminder.” I stood up immediately from my chair, heading to the coat stand behind Jodie’s desk.
The discrepancies with the order had required my immediate attention, my previous engagement slipping my mind.
“I can't believe I almost forgot,” I breathily added, slipping on my light overcoat before pulling out my wand.
I turned around to find Jodie holding a bouquet of autumn flowers, the petals bright and vibrant in her hand.
“This is just a get-together between old friends, so I’m not sure a bouquet will be appropriate,” I told her, but she remained unaffected by my apprehension.
“Well, you certainly can't show up empty-handed. Trust me, she will appreciate it,” Jodie insisted, pushing the flowers against my chest.
“Very well.” I chuckled, accepting the bouquet, the light floral scent wafting into my nose. “Alright, how do I look?” I asked her, suddenly more conscious of the meeting than I intended to be.
Jodie gave me the once-over, nodding to herself thoughtfully before she picked a stray fuzz from my jacket. Letting it drop to the floor, she gave me a thumbs up. “You look great, sir.”
Just before I could respond, hoping to be on my way, Luna barged into the room. Her way of opening the door was never very subtle, as she practically pounced on the door handle, the door swinging open in response. She immediately knew something was up, both me and Jodie standing in the middle of the room, a bunch of flowers in my hand.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, to see Evelyn Sparrow.” After a brief pause, I asked, “Would you like to join me?” After all, Luna had known the woman just as long as I had.
Luna seemed ready to accept the invitation, but one quick look from Jodie had her declining instead.
“Don't worry, we’ll be fine here. You go and have fun,” Jodie spoke up in her stead. “Isn’t that right, Luna?”
“Y-yes.” She sounded unsure of her answer herself, but she followed Jodie's suggestion, sure to ask about it when I was no longer in the room.
It was easy to know what Jodie was thinking, and I didn't have the heart to tell her she had gotten the wrong idea about my relationship with Evelyn.
“Well, if you’re sure.” I shrugged, finding no point in dragging her along if she really didn’t want to go. “I’ll see you ladies later.”
“Enjoy.” Jodie couldn't seem to contain her smile, further confirming that she had the wrong idea about me and Evelyn.
I didn't say anything more, instead walking to the hallway outside my office in preparation for the teleportation spell. Once clear of all the paperwork that could be affected by the influx of the wind my spell created, I waved my wand, the incantation ready in my mind.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
MARKET DISTRICT: ALASTOR
When I reappeared, I was in the middle of town, a few feet away from Evelyn’s home. Her place was in one of the busier shopping districts in Alastor, the shops lining either side of the square, a massive fountain in the middle of it all. One of the largest water crystals I'd ever seen sat at the top of the structure, continuously pouring water into the fountain, the excess being distributed to a few of the nearby homes.
In the middle of the row of storefronts, an elegant sign displayed the name ‘The Sparrow’s Thread’ in bold script. A large glass window under the framed signage featured one of the store’s newest designs on a freestanding mannequin, the display window enticing the city’s residents to come inside.
Once upon a time, Evelyn exclusively created adventuring gear, but after years of stories of her customers perishing in battle, she switched her focus, deciding she no longer wanted to feel as though she had a hand in their deaths. Instead of armor and adventuring attire, her specialty changed to evening wear, the woman preferring to make things that were meant to celebrate someone’s life and, for most, wouldn’t be the last thing they ever wore.
I felt this was a waste of her talents, her adventuring clothing always being the best I could find, but I understood her reasoning, so my team and I never attempted to alter her decision. Now she was one of the most-sought after designers for women’s party dresses and wedding gowns, her shop exquisite despite its smaller scale.
From the shop’s window, I could also see that she still had quite a number of customers, the people of town perusing the ready-to-wear garments. I walked inside, fully prepared to leave if she told me she was too busy for our get-together. A little bell chimed upon my entry, a young woman in the back with chestnut-colored hair perking up at my arrival. From behind the counter, she emerged, making a beeline toward me, while I stood awkwardly in front of the shop’s door.
“You must be Dominic Hawthorne!” she exclaimed as she approached, her face lighting up. She offered me a friendly bow.
“I am,” I confirmed her assumption, having never met the woman before.
She nodded swiftly; happy she had been right. “The Madame was right; you were easy to spot.” Another affirming head nod assuring herself of a job well done. “Oh, I'm Lara! Madame Sparrow’s apprentice and shopkeeper. It's nice to meet you! She was adamant that I escort you to her home as soon as you arrived. If you’ll follow me.” She gestured back toward the service counter.
“Thank you, Lara. It’s nice to meet you too.” I exchanged her greeting, following her to the back of the shop and even further still.
The woman directed me past the counter’s line, breaking the invisible separation between customers and employees. Once behind the counter, we walked through an archway concealed by a curtain, revealing the main sewing room of the establishment. From there she pointed to a stairway to the right, instructing me to knock when I had reached the top of the landing and the door.
Despite being there several times before this, I didn't bother stopping her instructions, the girl obviously only recently joining Evelyn’s shop. Instead, I nodded along, accepting the woman's words.
“Enjoy your visit!” she chimed, ushering me up the stairs before promptly returning to her position in the store’s front.
I chuckled at her sincerity, already quite fond of Evelyn's new apprentice. After ascending the stairwell, I knocked three times on the door that awaited at the top. Rustling could be heard inside and after a brief minute of waiting, the door swung open, Evelyn greeting me with a warm smile on her face.
“Dominic, my old friend. It's good to see you. I was starting to wonder if I would ever see your introverted self again,” she teased, pulling me in for a hug, the pleasant smell of bergamot and vanilla tickling my nose.
“You know I could never stay away,” I responded with a chuckle, returning her hug.
When she released her hold on me, I pulled the flowers from inside my robe, handing them to her, most of the petals still intact.
“These are for you.”
“Thank you!” She accepted them, leading me into her quaint apartment.
The kitchen was connected to the foyer, Evelyn pulling a teal vase from one of the cabinets. While she focused on filling the vase with water from the faucet, I glanced around the space. Her place was directly connected to the fountain in the square, meaning there was no need for a water crystal, the amenities working just fine without the need for additional magic.
The apartment was on a smaller scale, the empty top floor of her shop making the perfect home for one person. Renovations always seemed to be in the works, but were slow, the changes happening gradually over time. Glancing around at the differences that had occurred since my last visit, I smiled at the progress. She certainly made the place her own, the elegant yet artsy decor speaking volumes about her character. Her unique tastes were perfect for the world of fashion, and she had never been afraid to try something bold and original.
Evelyn Sparrow was a beautiful, vibrant mother of two adult children, and a widower, having lost her husband three years ago. Her husband had died unexpectedly, his heart failing him without warning, a condition even the healers in the town couldn't save him from. When she had lost her husband, she also sold her house they’d lived in together, her children having already moved into their own dwellings.
This place represented the woman she was in this new chapter of her life; both it and she were beautiful. After arranging the flowers in the vase, she walked to the two-person dining table, setting the vase in the middle.
She brushed her white-blond hair behind her ear, her dark blue eyes examining the set-up. “Lovely,” she said to herself, and I was suddenly happy Jodie insisted I bring the flowers. “Would you like some tea, Dominic?”
“I'd love some,” I responded, and she led me through the kitchen and into the living room, gesturing to a floral embroidered loveseat, wanting me to sit while she prepared the tea.
∞∞∞
The evening seemed to fly by, our conversation flowing easily, the topics ranging from the additions she wanted to include in her spare room, to the prospects for her business, to what her children were up to since we’d last seen each other.
“You know, I think he's always idolized you in a way. Which is why he entered the city watch despite having no magic of his own,” she revealed, talking about her son Bryan.
“He’s a good man,” I added, proud of the man as though he was my own flesh and blood.
“You would have made an excellent father.” She had stars in her eyes, envisioning a path that had never been. “If only…” She stopped herself before she could say what came next. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay. I think Freya and I would have liked being parents,” I continued the conversation, not wanting to make things awkward for her after such a nice night.
While Freya’s death still brought up intense feelings, I didn’t want that to be a reason to never say her name. She was my everything, and it didn’t feel right to pretend she had never existed just to make myself feel better.
“You’re right.” She smiled with tears in her eyes. “And your babies would have been beautiful,” she teased, patting my forearm playfully, trying to lighten the mood. “I miss her,” she spoke quietly, and I wasn’t sure if she meant for me to hear her.
“Every day,” I agreed.
“Why must loved ones leave us behind?” she sighed, now thinking of her husband. She rested her head on my shoulder, our minds on those gone too soon.
We sat in an easy silence for a bit, taking comfort in the other’s presence, until I remembered one of the main reasons that I had come to see her.
