CIRCLES

“I’ll say one thing about you.” “And that would be?”

“You are a strange man.”

A chuckle formed at his lips before bursting out in a full-hearted belly laugh. “Indeed I am. And what would your name be?”

“I’m Vanya.” She gave a slight bow of her head. “But everyone just calls me Nana.”

The Coanian gave another smile. “So, where exactly am I?”

“A small nation named Achil, but everything I need is right here. I’ve only left our borders once, you know.”

“Really?”

Vanya gave a slow nod. “It was back when I was much, much younger. I visited Efrea, down the river, saw Lake Mavi, and spent some time along the coast. It was truly a beautiful sight.”

The Coanian let out a sigh. “Ah, the shores of Lake Mavi, how I long to see them again.”

“You’ve been?” She turned to face the Coanian.

He paused. “I guess you could say that I have. It’s been a long, long time.” His eyes found the horizon over the plains and followed it east. “I haven’t thought about that place in quite a while.”

Vanya nodded and pointed up ahead. “Welcome to the village of Pashach.”

“A beautiful village.” The Coanian smiled as he looked over the squat houses, their roofs covered in grass and flowers, chimneys waving hello as their smoke drifted in the breeze. Bridges dotted across the river, while boats went to and fro along the docks. Old-growth trees dotted the landscape of the riverside town, providing shade by day and light by night with small lamps in their branches, with some boasting a green and blue banner. In the center of it all stood a large hill, and atop it rested a great hall, decorated with beautiful carvings. The brilliant white marble spoke to the care done in keeping it pristine.

“Where do you need all these apples?” he asked as the pair stepped into the village.

“My house, please.”

The two passed through the streets, everyone calling and waving to Nana as she passed.

“Right this way.” She turned down a side street, arriving at a knoll dotted with white daisies. Vanya led him to the side of the home, where a little wooden awning had been built, with the right amount of space for the cart to fit into it.

Vanya leaned over to the Coanian. “I noticed your amber charm; I recommend you don’t use your magic in this town.” She looked around. “We’ve had a spotty history with magicians., Most folk in this town don’t like it too much, especially the more destructive types of magic.”

The Coanian’s eyes lit up in recognition. “You’ll have no trouble from me. I assure you.” He gave a bow of his head.

“I know, Wanderer, but the others don’t.” There was a pause. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

“Actually, I don’t.”

“Why don’t you stay with me?” She motioned for the traveler to come around to the front of the house. “I have a spare room you could use.”

The Coanian shook his head. “I have plenty to buy a room at the inn. If this town has one.”

Vanya nodded her head. “We do––it’s just across the Center Street Bridge. But, before you go, please, let me at least cook you dinner. It’s the least I can do.”

The Coanian was silent for a moment. “Sure.”

The pair stepped inside the home, and the Coanian couldn’t help but notice how cozy everything was. The hearth was made up of beautiful slate rock. On the oak mantle rested several river rocks, and even a couple gems, one ruby, the other emerald. Maybe his host was a magician. Hanging above the stones was a spear, the shaft neatly decorated, with green and blue ribbons streaming from the joist between the metal and wood. A piece of true craftsmanship.

The rest of the home was just as the hearth. The floor