Ellie awoke to the sound of a horse’s whinny and the smell of hay. She blinked, taking a moment to remember where she was. The stable. It was Wednesday morning, and the scratchy straw beneath her felt like a luxurious mattress compared to the cold, hard ground of the Wilds. Plus, there were no giant spiders crawling across her face, which was a definite improvement.

She sat up, instinctively reaching for her necklace and ring; they were still there, the metal warm against her skin. The barn was alive with activity, the distant clucking of chickens mixing with the shuffling of hooves on the worn wooden floor. Dust motes danced in the sunbeams that filtered through the cracks in the walls, creating a golden haze.

The sound of hooves clopping on the cobblestone path outside drew Ellie’s attention. She peeked through a crack in the wall to see a farmer leading a horse into the stable. It was a magnificent creature, its coat a deep chestnut brown and its mane a flowing black. The horse’s muscles rippled beneath its glossy coat as it walked, its head held high.

“Easy there, boy,” the farmer said, patting the horse’s neck. “You’ll be nice and cozy in here.”

Her stomach growled. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the juicy fruit she had saved from the previous day. It was bruised, but still sweet and refreshing.

“Mornin’, miss,” a stable hand called out, tipping his hat in Ellie’s direction. “Hope you slept well.”

Ellie smiled. “I did, thank you. It’s a lovely stable you have here.”

“Aye, that it is. Been in my family for generations, it has. There’s something special about working with horses, you know? They’ve got a way of understanding us better than we understand ourselves sometimes.”

“I know what you mean. Animals have a way of seeing the truth in people.”

With a final stretch, Ellie gathered her belongings and set off for Dr. Bennett’s office. The village was bustling with activity, the market square filled with vendors hawking their wares and the streets crowded with shoppers. The air was filled with the scent of grilled seafood and the sound of chatter.

But Ellie barely noticed. Her mind was focused on one thing: the Elixiron.

She arrived at Dr. Bennett´s office and pushed open the door. The office was dimly lit, the air smelled of herbs and chemicals. The doctor was hunched over his workbench, surrounded by an array of vials and flasks. He looked up as Ellie entered.

“Ellie!” he said, setting down the beaker he had been holding. “You’re back! And just in time, too. The elixir is ready.”

 “It is? Can I see it?”

Dr. Bennett held up a vial filled with a golden liquid. “This is it. The cure for your grandfather.”

“That’s incredible.” She reached out to take the vial from the doctor’s hands. The glass was warm to the touch, and the liquid inside seemed to glow with an inner light.

Dr. Bennett gestured to a basket on the table. “There are more vials in there. Enough for your grandfather and plenty left over to sell. We’ll split the profits, of course.”

“I’ll take them to Gavin Brooks when we get back. I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to buy them.”

“Let’s be off,” Dr. Bennett said, picking up his bag. “Your grandfather awaits.”

They found Grandpa Joe lying in bed, his breathing shallow and labored. Ellie’s mother sat by his side. She looked up as Ellie and Dr. Bennett entered the room.

“You’re the young lady that was here yesterday,” she said, her voice tinged with confusion.

“Yes, I stopped by.”

“She’s here to help,” Dr. Bennett said. “We have a medicine, Elixiron, that might be able to save your father.”

Ellie’s mother’s eyes filled with tears. “But we don’t have any money.”

Ellie knelt down beside her mother. “Don’t worry about that. It’s already been taken care of.”

Grandpa Joe stirred, his eyes opened. He looked at Ellie, a hint of recognition in his gaze. “You . . . you look familiar . . .”

Ellie fought back tears as she uncorked the vial of Elixiron. “This will make you feel better, Grandpa. I promise.”

She carefully tipped the vial to his lips. At first, nothing seemed to happen. The room was silent, save for the sound of their breathing and the distant ticking of a clock.

Dr. Bennett leaned in closer. He placed two fingers on the old man’s wrist, feeling for his pulse. After a moment, he straightened up. “Give it time. It will work.”

As the minutes ticked by, color began to return to Grandpa Joe’s face. His breathing became more even, and he managed a weak smile. Ellie grasped her grandfather’s hand, feeling the warmth returning to his skin.

“Look at that,” Dr. Bennett said. “The Elixiron is working faster than I could have hoped.”

Ellie felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “I’m here, Grandpa. And you’re going to be okay.”

Dr. Bennett placed a gentle hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “We should let him rest now.” He picked up a second vial from his bag and placed it on the nightstand. “Keep this for a time when you need it.”

Ellie cast one last glance at her grandfather, taking in the sight of him looking more peaceful than he had in months. She followed the doctor out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

In the kitchen, Ellie’s mother was bustling about, wrapping up a bundle of fresh baked goods. The aroma of warm bread and cinnamon filled the air. With a warm smile, her mother pressed the package into Ellie’s hands, the heat from the freshly baked treats seeping through the cloth and into her palms.

“I don’t believe I ever got your name,” her mother said.

“Ellie,” she said softly. “My name is Ellie.”

“Thank you, Ellie. I don’t know how to repay you for what you’ve done.”

“There’s no need. I’m just glad I could help.”

As they stepped outside, Dr. Bennett turned to Ellie. “I can’t even begin to imagine how painful it must be, your own family not recognizing you. But in the midst of this heartache, take solace in knowing that you’ve achieved something remarkable. You’ve saved your grandfather’s life, and that is a testament to your unwavering love and dedication.”

“It’s strange. I always thought that saving Grandpa would be the end of my journey, that everything would go back to the way it was before. But I was wrong.”

“You know, Ellie, the Shorlings have a proverb that seems fitting for this moment: ‘The tides of life are ever-changing, but the steadfast rock remains unmoved.’”

Ellie looked at him, confused. “Speaking of change. I should probably get started on selling the elixir. I’ll go gather the remaining vials. Do you know where I can find Gavin Brooks?”

“Your best bet would be to check with Mayor Helen Wright. She should know where to find him.”

As they entered the doctor’s office, Dr. Bennett carefully selected a handful of Elixiron vials and placed them on a separate shelf. He turned to Ellie, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You know, Ellie, I have to keep a few of these little miracles on hand. Never know when a patient might come knocking, desperate for a swig of this golden nectar.”

Ellie chuckled. “Dr. Bennett, you make it sound like we’re running a speakeasy for magical elixirs.”

“Well, if the shoe fits! But don’t you worry, my dear. That basket is still brimming with enough Elixiron to keep Gavin Brooks grinning like a Cheshire cat.”

Ellie hoisted the basket up, giving it a gentle shake. The vials clinked together merrily, like a chorus of tiny bells. “In that case, I’d better get these beauties over to the mayor’s office before Gavin sends out a search party.”

She paused at the doorway, glancing back at Dr. Bennett with a playful smile. “But if anyone asks, we’ll just tell them it’s a special delivery of ‘Grandma’s Secret Tonic.’ Wouldn’t want to start a riot in the streets, now would we?”

Dr. Bennett waved her off. “Your secret’s safe with me, Ellie. Now go on, before Gavin starts climbing the walls!”

Ellie stepped out into the sunlit street, the basket of Elixiron swinging merrily at her side. She set off towards the mayor’s office, her spirits high as she ate the cinnamon bread.

As Ellie pushed open the town hall doors, she was greeted by the sight of Amelia, the receptionist, sitting behind her desk like a watchful hawk.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Ellie.” Amelia said. “What brings you to our humble abode today?”

“Good morning, Amelia! I was hoping to have a word with Mayor Wright if she’s available.”

Amelia leaned forward conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a stage whisper. “Oh, she’s available all right. Been holed up in her office all morning, muttering about ‘big plans’ and ‘game-changing ideas.’ You might be just the distraction she needs!”

“Well, I’ll do my best to keep her on her toes.”

Ellie made her way to the mayor’s office. She could hear the faint sound of shuffling papers and the scratching of a quill from behind the closed door. She knocked firmly, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway.

“Come in, come in!” Mayor Wright’s voice rang out, a touch of impatience coloring her tone.

Ellie pushed open the door to find the mayor hunched over her desk, surrounded by a veritable mountain of scrolls and documents.

“Ah, Ellie. To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?” Mayor Wright leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers and regarding Ellie with a curious gaze.

Ellie stepped forward. “Mayor Wright, I was hoping you might be able to help me locate Gavin Brooks. I have something I believe he would be very interested in purchasing.”

“Is that so? And what, pray tell, could be so valuable that you’d seek out Gavin Brooks. Is it the compass?”

Ellie reached into her basket, producing one of the vials of Elixiron. She held it up to the light, the golden liquid casting a warm glow across the room. “This, Mayor Wright, is Elixiron. A miracle elixir capable of curing even the most stubborn of ailments.”

Mayor Wright leaned forward. “Elixiron, you say? I’ve heard whispers of such a thing, but never thought I’d see it with my own eyes.”

She stood up from her desk, circling around to get a closer look at the vial in Ellie’s hand. “And you believe Gavin Brooks would be interested in this? He´s been staying at the Rusty Anchor Inn, down by the docks. You should be able to corner him there.”

Ellie placed the vial back into the basket.

“You know,” the mayor said. “I could take those pretty little potions off your hands. Save you the trouble of dealing with Gavin. I’m sure we could come to a very . . . agreeable arrangement.”

Ellie knew Mayor Wright’s reputation for cunning and manipulation. Gavin Brooks might be a scoundrel, but he was more likely to have the coin to pay top dollar.

Plastering on a smile as fake as the mayor’s concern, Ellie shook her head. “Thank you, Mayor Wright. But I believe it’s best if I negotiate with Gavin directly.”

A flash of irritation sparked in the mayor’s eye. “Of course, my dear. Far be it from me to stand in the way of a young woman’s ambitions. Go forth and conquer, as they say.”

The Rusty Anchor Inn loomed before her, a decrepit behemoth squatting on the edge of the docks. Ellie pushed through the weathered doors, her senses immediately assaulted by the aroma of stale ale and unwashed bodies. The common room was a dimly lit den, the air thick with the haze of cheap tobacco and cheaper perfume.

Gavin sat in a corner, sprawled across a chair like a indolent king surveying his domain. ‟Well, well, if it isn´t Eloise Harper. Did you finally decide to sell the Seafarer´s Sigil?”

Ellie approached him and set the basket on the table with a thud. “Elixiron. Enough to cure a dozen plagues and restore a hundred dying men to the bloom of health.”

Gaven reached for one of the vials. “Impressive. The market for something like this would be immense. How much do you want for them?”

Ellie hesitated, realizing that she had no idea what the Elixiron was truly worth. She had risked everything to obtain it, but putting a price on something so valuable seemed impossible.

“I’m not sure. What do you think is fair?”

Gavin stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Well, considering the potential demand for a product like this, I could easily see each vial going for five-hundred Thornveil Pieces or more. So, I´ll pay two hundred fifty silver pieces.”

Ellie knew Gavin would underpay for the Elixiron, so she knew it was worth more. ‟Two hundred fifty silver pieces can be won at the festival. I believe a fair price would be two hundred fifty Gilded Gryphons, they have gold and are worth more than the common Thornveil Piece.”

“Gilded Gryphons? My dear, I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you one hundred gold pieces per vial, and I’ll take the entire lot off your hands. That’s my final offer.”

Ellie was pretty sure that one hundred Gilded Gryphons were worth five hundred Thornveil Pieces. She extended a hand. “Deal.”

“Excellent. Let me just fetch the coin from my safe.”

He rose and beckoned for Ellie to follow him. She hesitated for a moment before trailing after him, clutching the basket of Elixiron. Gavin led her up a narrow staircase to a room on the second floor. A heavy iron safe sat in the corner.

Gavin quickly spun the combination and opened the safe, revealing stacks of coins. He counted out the agreed-upon sum and placed it in two velvet pouches.

‟You´re lucky the Gryphons are smaller than the silver pieces.” Gavin held out the pouches. ‟But they are a little heavy.”

Ellie sat the basket on a table and took the pouches. ‟Is there the same amount in each pouch?”

‟It´s close.” Gavin began inspecting the Elixiron. ‟Nice doing business with you.”

With the pouches now inside her pack, Ellie made her way back to Dr. Bennett’s office. She burst through the door, startling the doctor from his work.

“Dr. Bennett! Look at this!”

She removed the pouches from her pack, the gold coins spilling out in a glittering cascade. Dr. Bennett´s mouth fell open in shock.

“Ellie, this is beyond belief,” he stammered, running his fingers through the coins. “With this kind of money, we could expand the village hospital, buy new equipment, hire more staff. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll have enough left over to finally take up that hobby I’ve always wanted to try—beekeeping!”

Ellie smiled at the doctor’s enthusiasm. But as she turned to leave, a sudden commotion outside caught her attention. She rushed to the window, spotting a familiar ship docking in the harbor—the Wavecrest.

“Dr. Bennett, look! The Wavecrest is back from war; that’s Tyler’s ship!”

“That’s wonderful news, Ellie. Go on, take your pouch and run down to the docks to greet him. I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed to see you.”

She put the pouch in her pack and rushed down to the docks just as the gangplank was lowered. Soldiers began to disembark, and Ellie scanned the crowd frantically for any sign of Tyler.

But as the last passenger stepped onto the dock, Tyler was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she spotted Tobias, his face grim and head down.

“Tobias!” she called out, waving to get his attention.

He looked up, his expression softening slightly as he recognized her. “Ellie!”

She ran to him. “Where’s Tyler? Why isn’t he with you?”

Tobias closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were filled with a deep, aching sadness.

“Ellie . . . I’m so sorry. The Wavecrest was badly damaged in battle, and we had to come back early for repairs.”

He paused. “But that’s not the worst of it. Tyler . . . he was injured during our journey. It was bad, really bad.” Tobias’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he looked away, unable to meet Ellie’s gaze. “We had to leave him on an island to receive medical attention. I wanted to stay with him, but I couldn’t.”

Ellie felt as though the world had fallen away beneath her feet. She stared at Tobias in disbelief.

“What? Is he . . . is he going to be okay?”

Tobias shook his head. “I don’t know. The doctors on the island, they said . . . they said it was touch and go. That he might not . . .”

He trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Ellie felt a sob rising in her throat, her knees buckled beneath her. She clung to Tobias as she tried to steady herself.

“No.” Tears streamed down her face. “No, he can’t . . . he can’t leave me.”

Tobias wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she wept. Ellie felt as though her heart had shattered into a million pieces, the joy of her grandfather’s recovery overshadowed by the devastating news about Tyler.

She didn’t know how long they stood there, clinging to each other in the middle of the bustling docks. All she knew was that her world had been turned upside down, and nothing would ever be the same again.