Lilith was finishing brushing her hair at her dressing table.
The brush moved slowly through her hair, working out the knots that had remained from the night.
"Lilith!"
The voice came from below, impatient. She set the brush down on the wood. She stood up. Left the room. Went downstairs.
Her master was waiting for her in the shop. He carried a leather suitcase, heavy, with worn corners. She would carry a small folding wooden table. She took it. Folded it under her arm.
"This is our first time going out," he said, adjusting his shirt collar. "So don't wander off."
She nodded.
They left.
---
They began to walk.
She already knew the streets. The shops with their colorful awnings. The workshops where blacksmiths hammered metal from morning onward. The squares where children chased pigeons.
When they passed near the square, a chill ran through her.
The wooden stage was gone. The remains had been swept away. The coins collected. Only the marks on the ground remained.
She quickened her pace.
---
Arriving near the market, the street began to fill with people.
Vegetable stalls. Caged animals. Raw meat hanging from hooks. Fish on wooden boards, their glassy eyes staring at the sky. Everything at once. The vendors' shouts mingled. Coins passed from hand to hand.
"Damn it," the master muttered, looking around with disgust. "How am I supposed to sell anything in a place full of filth?"
"Let's find a clearer spot," Lilith said.
They walked between the stalls, dodging carts and running children. The master covered his nose with his shirt collar. Lilith cleared the way with the folding table.
After a while, they found a space.
"We'll set up here."
Lilith set down the table. Unfolded it. Adjusted the legs. The master placed the suitcase on top.
"Go get a couple of chairs," he ordered. "I'll arrange the perfumes."
She obeyed.
She walked out through the crowd. She felt lighter without him nearby.
*He didn't look comfortable*, she thought. *But if he dislikes coming, maybe he'll let me come alone.*
---
Arriving at the shop, she saw two men outside.
They stood by the closed door. They were dressed elegantly: dark jackets, high boots, short-brimmed hats. They spoke quietly to each other. When they saw her, one looked up.
"Hello," he said. "Do you run the shop?"
"I'm an employee here," Lilith replied, searching for the key in her pocket.
"Great!" the man smiled. "I thought there'd be no one."
"Of course. I'll help you."
She opened the door. They entered. The scent of perfumes enveloped them. The two men looked at each other, surprised.
"What are you looking for?" Lilith asked, positioning herself behind the counter.
"Just a fragrance," said the taller one. "Small. For tonight."
"Is something happening tonight?"
He smiled. Lowered his voice.
"I don't think anything will happen if I tell you."
The other man looked at him but said nothing.
"There's going to be an awards ceremony at the palace."
"For what?"
"Who knows," the man shrugged. "His Majesty has been handing out awards to everyone at the palace lately."
"Trying to hide that he's achieving nothing in the war," the other murmured.
The first elbowed him.
"Shh. Quiet."
But he continued.
"Yes, several nobles disagree with how he's handling the northern campaign."
Lilith put a finger to her lips.
"Perhaps... No. I just hope it doesn't go beyond a revolt."
Both laughed. But one began nodding slowly.
"Yes," he said. "I hope so too."
A long silence followed. The taller man blinked, as if waking from a dream.
"Well," he said. "I forgot why I came."
He took a small bottle at random from the shelf. Looked at it. Placed it on the counter.
"I'll take this one."
"Very well."
Lilith took the bottle. Wrapped it in cloth. Tied it with string.
"May I know your names?" she asked as she handed over the package.
The man looked at her with curiosity.
"I'm Armand," he said. "And he's Dorian."
Dorian nodded, silent.
"If you ever need a road or a bridge," Armand said, tucking the package away, "call on us."
Lilith smiled.
"Very well. Have a good afternoon."
With that, they both left.
The door closed behind them. Silence returned to the shop. The perfumes on their shelves. The light coming through the windows.
Lilith rested her hands on the counter. She stood staring at a fixed point on the wall. Her eyes didn't move. She didn't blink.
*I'm still too low in the hierarchy.*
She sighed.
*No. It's still too soon to change plans.*
She straightened up. Came out from behind the counter. Took the two chairs she had gone to fetch earlier. Carried one under each arm. Left the shop and locked the door.