“WELCOME, WELCOME!” a linx shouted. Unfortunately, his feline voice was reedy and did not carry far. Elsewhere in the market, shopkeepers called the same advertising beckons, or dealt with their customers quietly, gesturing at their wares.

Organs, flutes, fiddles, and drums played, a festive cacophony drowning out everything if one wasn’t loud enough. Thus, everyone shouted, adding to the noise.

The marketplace was always like that. It’s been so long since Frenza had been to her hometown, but it seemed that nothing changed. Well, linx merchants didn’t use to come so far west back then, so that was something different. She smiled to herself.

Then, the linx’s calls changed. “You, mage, your staff looks like a fine piece of work,” the linx shouted. Frenza heard it but didn’t take much notice. Hurriedly, the linx called out again. “Miss!”

Frenza turned. “Me?” she asked.

“Yes, yes!” the linx said, nodding, happy that he drew her attention.

Frenza hesitated. She really shouldn’t; she has places to be! But Master won’t mind if she made a little stop, would he? No… he probably wouldn’t. She’ll have to be quick.

If she was going to buy something, then she’ll have to be careful. She knew from experience how quickly the little thieves that darted through the crowds were. After all, she used to be one of them.

Looking around warily, she covered the folds of cloak where she hid her coin purse instinctively, then instantly regretted it. She’d just shown every watching eye where her coins were. She really did change from that street rat from years ago.

Gripping the purse tightly through her cloak, she went over to the linx.

The linx was dressed luxuriously, fine colorful fabrics draping off his furry build. Despite the musky smell and heat of tightly packed bodies in the busy streets, the linx wore thick wool and a purple scarf that covered his neck. A jeweled turban sat on top of his head, completing his costume. A light floral perfume drifted from him and Frenza wrinkled her nose at the smell of lavender.

His table was filled with crystal wares, red, green, yellow and blue, in shards and in spheres. Each teemed with elemental magic and she knew then that the merchant was not a fraud.

“Such beautiful crystals, how much do you take for them, sir?” she ventured.

The linx’s eyes seemed to gleam at her interest and his face scrunched in a smile, lips curling and showing sharp feline fangs. Emerald pupils peered at her. “You have good eyes, lady. I can tell that you are a mage capable of great things, but yet untested. It pains me to see such a mage’s staff unadorned.”

He picked up a large blue crystal. “My nose tells me that you possess a duality of water and flame. This blue crystal was mined from the distant country of Beljourn. It took me great pains to obtain them.” The linx set the blue ball back down on its cushion and his paw shifted to a red. “This one is mined closer but is of just a slightly lower quality. I take furty crowns for it!”

Frenza’s hand shot to her mouth at the price. She bowed, face reddening in embarrassment. No one liked it to be known that they did not have enough money, and she was no different. “I don’t think I can afford such a commodity, good linx. Pardon me.”

She turned to leave, but the linx cleared his throat. “That is fine. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such an understanding, mage, that knows the quality of my wares, so I can give you a little something. This smaller crystal would fit your beautiful staff great!”

He held up a blue crystal the size of her thumb. Magic flowed off it in waves, offering a bit of cool respite in the stuffy marketplace. She instinctively reached for it, but the linx closed his paws and the crystal within it. He looked at her.

“Purhaps, you might tend to your wallet before we continue?”

Of all the times to forget what place she was in! Frenza whirled around, heart in her throat. She felt a hand brush against her cloak as she turned. A boy dashed away, mixing into the crowd without a trace.

Her hands shot down to her purse, and she breathed a sigh in relief when she found the heavy pouch still sitting in a pocket, secured by a string to her belt. She nodded gratefully to the linx. “I think I might purchase one, good linx. And...thank you...”

“Mreow!”