While Dahlia and Marcello were chatting about this and that, the man who’d taken the carriage returned with Dominic in tow.
“I’m sorry to trouble you again so soon, Dominic.”
“It’s quite all right; I did say to call on me anytime. No need to apologize.”
Dominic listened with a kindly smile as Dahlia explained all about the move, her furniture and belongings, and the things here that were not hers. She tried to remain indifferent, but the overwhelming air of sympathy filling the room almost made her want to run and hide. Only Dominic remained serenely calm and professional as he took stock of all Dahlia’s belongings and prepared the documents in no time at all.
“How much will that be? I’ll pay now.”
“Ah, well, we finished our meeting earlier a little ahead of time, as I recall. Three silver to cover the cost of documents will be plenty.”
“Thank you.”
She handed over the coins and then quickly got back to packing.
The light outside was dimming, evening drawing in already. The back of Marcello’s carriage had ample space for cargo and enough seats for several people. Once everything was loaded, everyone climbed into the back, and they set off. It was that time in the evening when the roads became more congested with carriages and people, making the journey a little longer than before, but it only took around ten minutes before they reached the Merchants’ Guild.
“I just need to go and hand in the house key at the counter. I won’t be long.”
“You sure? I don’t mind going,” Marcello offered.
“The two of you must be tired. Let me take it for you,” said Dominic, stopping Dahlia as she made to climb down from the carriage.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t trouble you any further.”
“After our meeting this afternoon, I expect the rumor mill is in full swing. You’ll be mobbed. Please, won’t you leave this to me?”
He was right. She could very well imagine the staff quizzing her on every detail of the breakup the moment she stepped through the door. She truly didn’t have the strength to face that right now.
“You’re right. Thank you, Dominic.”
“No need.”
Having taken the key, Dominic looked down pensively for a moment before raising his gaze to look Dahlia squarely in the eye.
“It may be a tad improper of me to say this, Miss Dahlia, but I believe today was an important turning point for you, and you made the right choice. I pray the future brings you naught but happiness.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”
Goodbyes exchanged, Dahlia gazed after his retreating back until he finally disappeared inside the guild.
After another short ride aboard the carriage, the high stone wall that encircled the royal capital rose into view, and along with it, the vine-wrapped tower that Dahlia called home. It was a sight for sore eyes. The Green Tower, as it was called by those who knew it, was a fairly old building made of stone. Dahlia had lived there with her father ever since she was small, but since his passing, she’d been living there alone.
Just this morning, she had been prepared to leave it behind and begin her new married life. She and Tobias could have lived here comfortably, but Tobias had had his heart set on the city center. Being close to the Merchants’ Guild and his trading company would make it easier to manufacture and sell more of their products—that had been his reasoning.
The tower was ringed by a wall made of dark, red-brown bricks. It was about the height of a man and had bronze gates wide enough for a carriage to pass through. Dahlia jumped down from her seat and laid a hand upon the gates. Just a touch, and they swung smoothly open all on their own.
“They’re really nifty, those gates,” said one of Marcello’s men, impressed.
“Wish all the ones at the Couriers’ Guild worked like that,” muttered the other.
As long as they were on the register, all a person had to do was lightly touch these gates and they would open. It wasn’t necessarily the gates themselves that interested the men, just the automatic function. Opening and closing high-security gates could make moving goods in and out of warehouses a slow process. There were some castles and homes of high-ranking nobles that had automatic gates, but from what Dahlia had heard, they required quite a large amount of magic crystals and regular maintenance.
As far as Dahlia was aware, however, her gate had never been resupplied with crystals, and it didn’t require any particular upkeep. Her grandfather, the man who’d designed and built the gate, had left no blueprints, not even passing on any verbal hints regarding its construction. To figure out the mechanism, she would have to take it apart. Her father had always said he’d do it one of these days, but he’d passed away before he had the chance.
“It was my grandfather who made this, but he didn’t leave us blueprints or anything,” she told them. “If I ever do manage to work it out and recreate it, you’ll be my first customers.”
“Hey, if anyone can do it, you can.”
“We’ll be waiting with bated breath!”
Dahlia couldn’t help smiling at their enthusiasm, even if it was a little over the top. Once they pulled up to the tower, Dahlia took out her key and unlocked the front door. This key was just an ordinary one, for an ordinary lock.
Now it was time to unload. Members of the Couriers’ Guild often used magic to enhance their strength. As for any boxes that were a little heavy for Dahlia and any large pieces of furniture, these men could carry them up the tower’s stairs with ease. Her few belongings were whisked inside in the blink of an eye.
“I reckon that’s all of it. Just sign here, would you?”
“Thanks for everything, Marcello. You’ve been such a big help.”
Once Dahlia signed the receipt, the men bid her goodbye and returned to the carriage. Only Marcello hung back.
“You won’t have anything in for dinner; why don’t you come eat with Irma and me tonight?”
“Oh, it’s nice of you to offer. I’ve got some dried food, though, and I want to get everything unpacked tonight.”
“All right. Don’t overdo it, though.”
Dahlia followed Marcello to the gate, ready to see him off. But after hopping up onto the carriage, he soon returned with a somewhat large burlap sack, which he handed over to her. Nestled inside were Dahlia’s favorite walnut bread and a bottle of red wine.