A Kindly Visit

                  Originally, Lili planned her day around Leila and Ella hanging around the booth, selling herbs, potions, and ointments, then using that money to buy the festive foods overly prevalent at Frilofest. Ella and Leila had the rare ability to take the most mundane jobs and turn them into a party. Lili hated feeling jealous. She felt her sister could do anything she wanted. If Leila wanted something, she got it. Lili dreamed of being that bold.

                  No matter what she did, or how hard she tried, Lili felt she would come up short. Never good enough. That’s why she didn’t mind being left out occasionally. She felt safer without others there to feed her insecurities. But today her solitude was forced upon her. A frustration she hid deep inside her mind, making sure she put on a cheerful face for the customers shopping at her booth.

                  Today she hoped to spend some time with Enok and Torben. Torben could be annoying, although quite funny at times. She would be the first to dismiss any notion of a crush on Enok, but she felt comfortable around him. He looked out for her, including her in conversations and activities. She felt more accepted when he was part of the group.

                  Alone at the booth, she told herself to focus on the things she enjoyed. The immense number of different people in attendance of Frilofest fascinated Lili. She loved watching the variety of humans, dragons and tyrns running back and forth, laughing and being themselves. She enjoyed sketching interesting individuals she found throughout the festival. As much as she didn’t want to be in the booth today, she figured she could enjoy a few character sketches. Mildly upset, although not surprised, Lili kept her nose in her sketchbook, unless otherwise helping the occasional customer.

                  “They pay you for this type of work,” a deep gravelly voiced called out.

                  Lili peeked over the edge of her sketchbook. “Paakkua!”

                  Paakkua Rahvi was an old dragon and an extremely long-term resident of Eknor. Most everyone knew him, and he seemed to know most everyone in the village. He acted like a grandfather to the village, or great great-great-grandfather based on his age. He served in plenty of government positions, contributing to the community, helping people launch and start successful trades, and became an instrumental figure in building ties with the capital city of Hallador.

                  “I must commend your parents for putting you to work at such a young age,” Paakkua said, “it’s good for you, builds character, it’s good to learn this young.”

                  “Well, we sort of volunteered. My parents said we could do whatever we wanted, but we don’t mind being in the hustle and excitement.” Lili gave her assigned situation the typical positive spin.

                  “Then it’s a good thing I brought you some … vanilla roasted almonds.” The old dragon raised his brow as he held up a package of almonds with a sweet aroma almost visible to the eye. “All the way from the south shores. They sell out fast. It wouldn’t be right for someone as dedicated as you to miss out on such a deserving treat.”

                  Lili’s eyes widened. Eknor had plentiful access to a variety of nuts, but the vanilla roasted almonds were a rare treat. The food vendor made its way to Eknor only a few years ago with the vanilla roasted almonds, which grew to an instant success selling out every year. It became a competition in of itself to get your hands on some with the sweet snap of the sugar and vanilla as the reward for such a feat.

                  “Oh, thank you! That is so kind!” Lili elated as she gingerly yet eagerly accepted the offer. “Maybe my sister doesn’t have to know about these,” Lili said, passing a comical, mischievous look.

                  “That’s right! Where is your sister? Usually it’s her and her friend at the booth.” Paakkua’s aged mind still kept a keen sense of observation. “Ahh, let me guess, they volunteered, then you got stuck with the work?”

                  Lili shrugged, trying to hide the frustration. “It’s okay, though. I don’t mind helping. I know I shouldn’t let her push me around, but truthfully, I would do anything for her.” Again, her positivity and kindness surfaced.

                  “You are a kind, loving sister. You don’t need to change anything about that.” Paakkua said.

                  Lili smiled from the encouragement. “Thanks.”

                  Paakkua looked around at the busy street vendors. “I suppose they are off to every food booth in the village. I would venture to guess those sausage sandwiches are all sold out by now. Ahh, what it would be like to live as a youth again.”

                  “Usually, that is the case, but Ella is obsessed with the attacks on the livestock. I guess she thinks she can hunt down whatever is causing the problems. She’s insisting she go with Enok and Torben on their trip up the valley ridge. I guess she thinks she can find the creature or whatever animal it is.”

                  “Did you say… they’re going up to the valley overlook?” Paakkua asked, his weathered eyes shifting to concerned curiosity.

                  “Oh yeah, Enok and Torben got hired by someone sent from Hallador to survey the area. I guess he’s making maps or something. He wants to travel to the top of the ridge for a survey of the mountains on the other side. Seems like it’s more work than it’s worth. It’s just a bunch of mountains.”

                  “You say Hallador sent him? It seems they would notify us about the visit. That’s interesting,” Paakkua said, thinking to himself.

                  “I know that’s how I felt. It seems like an odd time to be doing work for the kingdom. But that’s what he claims.”

Paakkua thought for a moment, “Hmm, I’ll have to check my records. Do you think he’s another one of these treasure hunters?”

                  “I don’t think so. He’s, well, he’s boring. He looks way more academic than those wily treasure hunters that we get. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I can’t imagine he has some plan to look for treasure. He wouldn’t hire Enok and Torben if he were. He seems genuine about his purpose here.”

                  “That’s true, that’s true. Well, maybe we didn’t get informed in time. This area is rather unmarked. It would make perfect sense to update our maps, after all.”

                  Lili acknowledged. Then she got a gut feeling to say something about Jonas’s other request. She initially felt like she shouldn’t say anything, but she figured Paakkua of anyone in the village was the most trustworthy and could help ease her mind. She slowly ramped up to her confession.

                  “Well… he had one odd request,” Lili finally said.

                  “Really?” Paakkua caught the slight change in behavior. “What was it?”

                  “He seemed rather interested in the ancient world. He wanted to meet my grandma for some reason, to get her view of the old world or something. Not sure exactly what. It just felt weird.”

                  Paakkua thought for a moment, “Huh… That is interesting.”

                  “Yeah, I don’t know, it seemed… off, you know? I’m sure I’m over thinking it. It just seems strange to me.”

                  Paakkua thought a moment along with Lili, then spoke up. “Well, it’s nothing you should worry about. I’ll tell you what, I’ll investigate this guy for you; make sure he’s not up to some sort of scam or something. All you need to worry about is enjoying the day. Let an old dragon like myself carry the burden.”

                  Lili looked up at the old weathered dragon with a smile. “Thanks, I appreciate that. And thanks again for the almonds. And so many thanks for everything you have done for our family! We wouldn’t have this shop without you. We are so thankful for all you have done for us.”

                  The old dragon waved away her praise. “No, no, don’t mention it. I just want to see people succeed in life. You take care and enjoy that sketchbook of yours.” Paakkua pointed to Lili, lifting his old brows.

                  Lili gave a huge smile with a slight laugh. “Thanks.”

                  “There’s that intoxicating smile!” Paakkua said as he smiled back.

                  Lili waved goodbye as Paakkua Rahvi shuffled off into the crowd and she went back to her corner to sketch and snack on the sweet vanilla roasted almonds.