The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 13

The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 13

Rafferty stood at the counter, looking around as if he had all the time in the world. At last, he picked up a packet of star anise, held it near his nose, and smiled at Aveline.

“These weren’t dried long enough. The scent’s trapped.”

Aveline looked at him. “Are you here to buy spices?”

“I’m here to teach you to read.”

Rafferty set the packet down, still smiling.

“You looked ready to declare war on that ledger yesterday. I thought I’d spare it another beating.”

He drew a thin reader from inside his jacket and placed it on the counter.

“I have half an hour most afternoons. If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

Aveline was about to refuse.

But Rafferty had already pulled a stool up beside the counter, taken a thin beginner reader from inside his jacket, and opened it to the first page.

“Come here.”

Aveline did not move.

Rafferty did not rush her. He simply sat there, smiling, as if he had nowhere else to be.

After a long moment, Aveline put down the rag in her hand and walked over.

From then on, Rafferty came by every few days. Sometimes he brought a book. Sometimes he came empty-handed. Either way, he would sit by the counter, teach her a few words, explain a story, and occasionally tell her about the Sable Coast.

He was funny when he spoke. Even the driest things sounded interesting when they came from him.

At first, Aveline kept her guard up.

But as time passed, she realized he never crossed a line. He taught her words, made idle conversation, and never once asked where she came from or what she was running from.

Slowly, she relaxed.

She told herself he was just a rich boy with too much free time, looking for a harmless way to stay entertained.

Until one evening, during dinner, Tamsin suddenly said, “Do you know who that Quillan boy really is?”

Aveline’s fork paused.

“Quillan isn’t just a family name around here,” Tamsin said, cutting into a piece of smoked ham. Her tone stayed flat. “They’re an old statehouse family. Not royalty, but on this coast, close enough.”

She chewed once, then added, “They also own the largest shipping company in Briarport. Half the boats running the Sable Coast routes answer to them.”

Aveline did not feel much about his identity.

She listened, then let it go.

Life continued at its quiet pace. Aveline learned quickly, worked hard, and slowly began to show a talent for business.

The shop’s business steadily improved. Before long, a buyer from farther down the coast placed a large order.

The price was fair, and the buyer paid a thirty percent deposit upfront.

Tamsin thought it over for a few days before choosing the best stock from the storeroom, hiring two motor wagons, and bringing Aveline along for the delivery.

On the day of the drop-off, the buyer inspected the goods, counted out the payment, and signed off without trouble.

Everything went smoothly.

But the next morning, just after they returned, deputies pounded on the shop door.

“Someone filed a complaint against you for passing off bad spices as premium stock.”

The deputy in front shook a printed complaint in his hand, his tone unfriendly.

“The buyer has filed charges. Judge Pritchett wants both of you at the courthouse.”

Tamsin frowned. “They inspected the goods in person and paid in full. If something was wrong, why didn’t they say so then?”

“You can argue that in court.” The deputy waved a hand. “Move.”

In the courtroom, the buyer stood at the front with a handkerchief pressed to his eyes, claiming Tamsin had sold him spoiled spices as premium stock.

Tamsin tried to show the signed delivery receipt, but Judge Harlan Pritchett barely looked at it.

“That’s enough.”

He tapped the gavel once. The inventory would be seized, the shop closed, and Tamsin Rook held pending trial.

Tamsin’s head snapped up.

“Judge, they inspected the shipment themselves. If the goods were bad, why accept them?”

Judge Pritchett waved impatiently.

“Still lying? Take her down.”

Two deputies stepped forward and seized Tamsin by the arms.

Aveline rushed in front of her aunt.

“You’re arresting her without even looking at the facts. Is there any law in this town at all?”

Judge Pritchett gave a cold laugh.

“Law?”

He leaned back in his chair.

“In my courtroom, I am the law.”

Then his eyes cut to the deputies.

“Take her too.”