The moon’s silver glow shimmered upon the drifting rain. The boy ran across the rain-soaked bricks, where puddles sparkled under the crescent light. The air was rich with the scent of earth and dampness, cool and gentle enough to draw a smile from his lips.

  A knock resounded at the door!

  Ginger, dozing by the window, startled awake.

  The door swung open at once.

  “I’ve got the Trident leaf!” Theo exclaimed, holding up the sea-green foliage in excitement.

  Mr. Romney froze, unable to believe his eyes.

  The two of them dashed full speed into the glasshouse,

  the shop door left ajar… as it was.

  A little bird fluttered to the windowsill and sang softly. Shadows of leaves swayed gently as a young girl sat reading, while Ginger lounged at ease. A boy still lay fast asleep, lost in his dreams.

  Until at last… the boy slowly opened his eyes.

  “Ginger,” Anne whispered to the orange cat.

  It leapt onto the bed and fixed its wide, gleaming eyes on the boy.

  “Who… are you?” came his drowsy voice.

  He pushed himself up to sit.

  “That’s Ginger. And I’m Anne. How are you feeling?” she asked, smiling brightly, her voice light and cheerful.

  “I’m Ollie…”

  “My head hurts,” he murmured, pressing his temples and drawing in a deep breath.

  The boy looked down at the white cloth wrapped around him, then glanced around.

  “So… this is…?”

  “This is Meadowcroft Potioncraft”

  “I saw you passed out at the edge of the village,” the girl said, pausing to think for a moment.

  “Oh! I’ll go fetch Theo and Mr. Romney first,” she added, giggling, before dashing off.

  Her footsteps beat a steady rhythm against the wooden stairs!

  “Mr. Romney…! Theo…!” her sweet voice called out.

  Ginger shifted closer to Ollie and let out a soft purr.

  He smiled gently, stroking the cat’s head, then reached for Theo’s favorite book and placed it on his lap.

  Natural light filled the glasshouse, a cool mist hanging in the air. The fragrance of greenery drifted to his nose, soothing and serene. Ollie beamed as he pressed seeds into the soil and covered them with both hands, while Ginger watched with curious eyes.

  “Do you like growing plants, Ollie?” Theo’s voice broke the silence.

  “Yes, I used to work on a farm,” Ollie replied with a gentle smile.

  “Then… you must know a lot about flowers and trees?” Theo tilted his head, eyes glimmering with curiosity.

  But Ollie only shook his head lightly and closed his eyes.

  “Not here, Theo… This garden feels as if it belongs in a fairy tale.”

  Their laughter rang out like the first rain of spring, brightening everything around them.

  “Theo! Ollie!”

  Mr. Romney’s voice carried from afar.

  “Bring me some Memoir flowers and Skydelph leaves!”

  The two boys exchanged a glance before dashing off in opposite directions.

  Plop… plop…! The liquid in the glass tube bubbled.

  A haze of blue and pink smoke drifted out, carrying a sweet, dreamlike scent.

  “It needs to reach the post today.”

  Mr. Romney handed Theo the two glass tubes, wiping the sweat from his brow.

  One shimmered with clear pink, the other with pale blue.

  “And here’s the address and details.”

  He let out a weary sigh, his voice rough.

  “Orders keep piling up these days. I really need a hand.”

  Ollie and Theo exchanged a smile, their eyes alight with excitement.

  “Bird post!”

  With everything prepared, the two boys dashed off in high spirits, weaving past cottages and little shops amidst the bustling crowd.

  “Hey! Watch it, boy!” an old man shouted as the boy ran past him.

  “Sorry, sir!” Ollie called back, bowing slightly before dashing on.

  Their clothes fluttered in the wind, and no one slowed down even a little.

  An old brick house stood by the water, roughly the same size as the apothecary. A wooden boat was tied up beside it. A bright red sign caught the eye, painted with a little bird carrying a rope tied to a large box, the faded letters spelling out ‘Bird Post.’ Through the clear glass, the birds perched along the beams could be seen perfectly.

  They stood frozen for a moment, exchanging a glance.

  Theo dashed ahead and flung the door open.

  Ding! The doorbell chimed in welcome.

  “Mr. Frederick!” Theo called, craning over the counter.

  The mail slots and packages were lined up in a dizzying array, each marked with a city name. Some were packed full, others left empty.

  Mr. Frederick turned and smiled at him warmly.

  Parcels were neatly lined up, while quill pens and ink bottles sat on the windowsill table, bathed in the soft glow of the lamp.

  People stood in line, holding parcels and envelopes.

  The scent of glue and the fibers of twine binding the packages hung thickly in the air.

  What amazed the children most was the flock of birds of every kind, perched in neat rows along the beams.

  White birds with black-tipped wings and clear blue eyes, blue ravens the size of eagles, dusty-colored owls with large, round eyes, black-winged hawks with fluffy feathers, and many more.

  The flapping of wings and their calls echoed loudly throughout the space.

  The two children stepped up to the counter, handing over the parcels and documents, along with the postage money Mr. Romney had prepared for them.

  “Which one do you like best?” Mr. Frederick asked with a broad smile.

  The children both pointed at a light brown bird. Its wingtips were gold, its eyes amber, and its long tail shimmered like sunlight.

  “Of course… everyone loves Aster,” he said.

  “Amberciel… the fastest I know. It can cross the kingdom overnight.”

  Aster gazed at the two children, then flapped its wings just slightly. A gentle breeze stirred Theo and Ollie’s hair, and golden sparks shimmered across the room.

  Its voice rang out like a fairy-tale song, telling stories of endless adventures.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  The children stood with mouths agape, as if enchanted by magic. Their eyes sparkled, hearts swelling, excitement too great to contain a smile.

  “The pink vial goes to Holmhaven.”

  “And the blue one… uh, Syrin.”

  “The recipient’s name and address are correct, right?”

  Both of them froze, faces pale, their eyes meeting in silent shock.

  Mr. Frederick turned to fetch something from the shelf.

  “Oh, and… please make sure this letter reaches Romney as well.”

  Theo flinched slightly, his hand still trembling as he took the envelope.

  “Are you alright, Theo?” Ollie asked, his voice shaky.

  “I… I’m from Syrin,” Theo murmured, eyes still distant.

  Ollie took a deep breath before replying in a clipped tone,

  “Same here.”

  The room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft brushing of leaves against the windowpane.

  Not long after, the apothecary’s door closed behind them. Ginger lay yawning, while the soft scrape of the chair against the shelves echoed rhythmically. The scent of dampness filled the air, carrying a hint of coolness.

  The two boys stood near the wooden table. Theo’s gaze drifted, while Ollie flipped through the pages of his book aimlessly.

  “There’s no caravan coming to buy it, and we can’t sell it by ship.” Ollie sighed.

  “So I took Mr. Harry’s produce and sold it in the next town… at least I got some money to bring along.”

  He closed the book, then spoke with firm resolve.

  “I will take my mother and little sister somewhere else.”

  Theo stared at Ollie without blinking, shaking his head slightly.

  “There’s nothing left there, Ollie.”

  “There is! My mother and sister are still there!” Ollie shouted, making Ginger startle.

  “Are you really going back there?” Theo asked, his voice hollow.

  Ollie fell silent, clear tears beginning to well in his eyes.

  “I have to go, Theo… they’re waiting for me.”

  “…”

  “Then you’ll need to use the map,” Mr. Romney said as his chair scraped back.

  He set the paper on the table, dipped his quill into the ink, and picked up a ruler.

  “This village might not appear on any map, but I can draw a route all the way to Syrin.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Romney,” Ollie said, hastily wiping his face with his sleeve.

  “I’ll walk you,” Theo said, offering a warm smile.

  The emerald-blue water shimmered, gentle and unending. Small waves lapped at the shore, keeping time with the girl’s heartbeat. Soft grass swayed with the breeze, while a tiny squirrel scurried up a towering tree, clutching an acorn. The cool moisture brushed her cheeks, carrying a fresh, sweet scent like the first drops of rain. Anne closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and couldn’t help smiling.

  Ollie, Anne, Theo, and Ginger walked along the gray brick path, surrounded by the soft rustle of leaves like a gentle rain. Bookshops, flower stalls, and old stone-and-brick houses lined the way. They followed the path along the water’s edge as far as the eye could see, the entire village seeming to stretch out over the surface of the water, embraced by verdant hills.

  The three children and the little cat reached a soft white mist, drifting slowly toward them.

  “I asked Mr. Romney for this. I thought you’d like it.”

  Theo handed over a thick book — Botany and the Basics of Potioncraft

  Ollie smiled in thanks.

  “Goodbye… Ollie,” the little girl said, her voice tinged with sadness.

  Ollie waved, holding up the map.

  “Not forever.”

  On a starless night, black clouds swallowed the moonlight until it vanished. The world seemed to hold its breath in silence, broken only by the wail of the wind through a half-open window. Curtains stirred in the dark. Theo lay curled beneath his blanket. The air was colder than usual tonight. He rose from bed and walked over to shut the window tight.

  Then the boy heard it again.

  The sound of a woman weeping.

  It echoed just outside his room, circling like a call for someone unseen.

  Theo’s skin prickled. He clenched his fists before slowly reaching for the door.

  A dim glow spilled through the crack. It revealed a wavering silhouette.

  A young woman with light brown hair in a white nightdress was slowly descending the staircase. She looked as if she were lost in a dream she could never wake from.

  Theo remembered her… the young woman from the portrait. He swallowed, slowly pushed the door open, and stepped down the stairs one at a time until he saw her sitting at the bottom, sobbing. Her shoulders trembled slightly, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Theo sat down on the step just above her, watching silently, without saying a word.

  The young woman slowly turned to face Theo. Her pale, delicate face, her sorrowful eyes — as if a secret lay hidden within her tears.

  Then, suddenly… the sound of bones cracking echoed through the darkness.

  Her ears slowly stretched into sharp triangles, her eyes turning into deep, empty amber orbs. Her mouth elongated into a grotesque shape, black fur covering her body, each sharp fang emerging one by one, the musky scent of fur drifting into the air.

  The fox stared at the boy without blinking.

  Theo shivered all over, his hands gripping the stair tightly.

  He had no strength to rise or move.

  The tears that fell… spoke of a sorrow no one could hear.

  “Never rowed a boat before, Theo?” a deep, low voice asked.

  “Never, Mr. Frederick,” Theo replied, laughing.

  “It’s not hard, lad. You just need to move both arms in circles… at the same time.”

  Mr. Frederick sat behind him, holding Theo’s oars and rowing together, helping the boy find the rhythm.

  The sound of birds drifted lightly through the air. A flock of waterfowl skimmed across the water before gradually lifting into the sky.

  Theo tilted his head upward… lost in the beauty of the birds soaring freely across the heavens.

  The cool, damp scent of the lake filled his lungs. Gentle ripples danced across the water, carrying the wooden boat along, while the houses gradually dwindled from sight, as though the sky and the lake themselves were tenderly enfolding him in their embrace.

  “Drop the anchor now, Theo,” Mr. Frederick said with a smile.

  “Aye, Captain.” Theo struggled to his feet, stumbled toward the old, rusted iron anchor, and flung it into the water.

  Plop! Spray burst around the boat, and Theo let out a relieved sigh.

  “There you go! Beginners usually get lucky, you know,” Mr. Frederick chuckled warmly, handing him a fishing rod.

  The white clouds drifted slowly across the passage of time. Mr. Frederick had already caught both fish and shrimp, while Theo was on the verge of giving up. Then, suddenly, the bobber twitched. A silver-scaled fish leapt, flashing across the surface of the water. The boy sprang to his feet, gathering all his strength as he pulled the rod with every ounce of his might.

  At last, Theo won the silver-scaled fish!

  “You learn quickly, Theo,” Mr. Frederick praised.

  “Soon, I suppose I could come fishing on my own,” Theo replied with a smile.

  “Not just yet…” Mr. Frederick watched him silently for a moment, his voice taking on a tone different from before.

  “Can you swim?”

  Theo was silent for a moment, then said softly,

  “We’ve caught quite a lot of fish today, haven’t we?”

  And then they both laughed heartily, their voices mingling with the gentle lapping of the waves.

  Before long, the small boat drew close to the old wooden pier.

  Mr. Frederick tossed a rope to secure it, and together they slowly lifted the fishing rod and the wooden crate from the boat.

  “Theo!”

  A familiar voice rang out… the very voice the boy had been waiting to hear.

  “Mother!”

  Theo set down the crate and ran forward, throwing himself into his mother’s arms, holding her tighter than he ever had before.

  A veil of white mist drifted before the eyes of the one about to depart… The sky slowly shifted to shades of orange. White bell-shaped blossoms scattered on the wind, carrying with them the sweet, lingering fragrance of spring. The time to say farewell was drawing near… the lakeside village was now full of parting.

  “Thank you for everything, Mr. Romney,” Theo smiled, bowing his head slightly.

  “Safe travels, Theo,” Mr. Romney replied with a warm smile.

  Theo hesitated for a moment before asking,

  “Miss Lilia… what happened to her? Why did she have to depart?”

  His voice trembled, his eyes filled with sorrow.

  “She is ill… with a disease I do not know, and for which there is no cure.”

  Mr. Romney looked at the boy with gentle eyes.

  “But perhaps one day… you may discover a way to heal it.”

  He handed Theo a tall stack of thick books.

  Upon the pile of books… lay a little carved wooden fox.

  Jessica smiled, bowing her head slightly in a polite gesture of thanks.

  The sea of mist moved slowly as they stepped forward… without once looking back.

  Ginger came to sit near Mr. Romney, stifling a yawn.

  “They are good children, aren’t they, Romney?”

  Mr. Romney nodded silently.

  The scent of dew drifted in through the window. The young man placed the wooden fox gently upon the table. Slowly, he rose, slid his chair closer, and stepped past the skeleton standing in the corner. The room was filled with shelves of books and anatomical drawings. The door creaked softly as it closed, and the dim light fell upon the fox’s eyes, as if it were quietly watching him.

  “Where are you off to, Doctor?” the young nurse asked.

  “I’m just stepping out to deliver a letter,” Theo replied with a smile.

  In his hand, a pristine white envelope, addressed to — Brumelake.

  Theo gazed as far as the eye could see… a white stone bridge stretched over the flowing waters. The spired cathedral at the heart of Lunacia basked in the sunlight with majestic grace. Behind it, the sky gleamed a deep cerulean, adorned with soft, billowing clouds. The leaves rustled in the wind, and the scent of earth rose, as if the rain were on the verge of falling.

  “I must hurry,” the young man murmured, quickening his pace.

  The building he had just left… a dark wooden sign catching the eye — Meadowcroft.

  The soft sobbing of the young woman rose slowly. A crescent moon, tinted blue, seemed to smile down upon her. Misty clouds melted along the edge of the sky like a river of white snow. Time itself slowed, and each teardrop seemed frozen.

  Alice lowered her head, hugging herself tightly until her body trembled. Then she lifted her gaze to Amiri, who lay asleep. Her amber eyes quivered, reflecting a pain that cut straight to the heart. She rose… and walked away in silence.

  A blue raven alighted silently upon the balcony, its sapphire-blue eyes gleaming like polished gems. From its leg, a message was retrieved by a mysterious hand.

  A voice shattered the stillness… in the gloom of night.

  “Found you… the Tempestcaller.”