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In Chapter 5, Sarah explored the dungeon outside High Rannoc, and helped Isaac Mintz who had attracted Dragon’s Disease and become obsessed with hoarding shoes. Now as we start the next chapter, we find Sarah exploring the town.
Now, let's jump back into the adventure.
Chapter 6: The Orchard
On her way back, from the Mintz’s, Sarah stopped by a small grocery called the Basket & Barrel. Inside, a middle-aged halfling stood balanced on a ladder, reaching to stack cans of soup on the top shelf. As she entered, a little bell chimed, and he turned with a friendly smile.
"Ah, you must be the new witch," he said.
Sarah hesitated, glancing around at the neatly arranged shelves with food and other supplies. "Uh, I guess."
The halfling nodded, continuing, "Yolonda mentioned someone would come by to pick up her groceries. It’s already paid for."
Climbing down, he disappeared briefly into a back room. After a moment, and a lot of rummaging, he returned with a large sack. "Everything’s in here. Food for a week. Name’s Finrik, by the way."
"Thank you," Sarah said, adjusting the sack’s weight in her arms. "I’m Sarah. Are you sure I don’t owe you anything?”
“No, no. Yolonda handled it. She stopped by last week and doubled the order, said someone would pick it up.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed. “I was hoping to find her. Did she say where she was going?”
Finrik thought for a moment. “Can’t say she did. Just said someone would come by. Figured you’d know where to find her.”
"Well, I’m her new apprentice," Sarah said, with a shrug. "But she wasn’t there when I arrived yesterday. Did she say anything about how long she’d be gone?”
Finrik sighed. “Sorry, that’s all I know.”
"Well, thanks anyway," Sarah said, managing a smile. "I’m sure I’ll find someone who knows what’s going on."
Finrik’s face brightened a bit. "I hope so! But while you're here—maybe you could do me a favor, if you’re not terribly busy curing ailments and all that."
Sarah blinked, surprised. "I suppose. I don’t have any patients right now. What do you need?"
“My son took off to play instead of helping, so I need someone to pick apples from Mrs. Nemiri’s orchard. If you’d be willing to take Mille and head over, it shouldn’t take long.”
“Uh, who’s Mille?”
Finrik chuckled. “Our goat. She pulls the cart for heavy loads. Bring her along, and I’ll make sure you get a basket of apples for your trouble.”
Sarah shifted the sack in her arms, casting a quick glance toward the door as if weighing her options. “Uh… alright,” she said, a slight pause in her voice. “So… Mille, huh? Are you sure it’s necessary to bring the goat?”
“I’m sure it’s for the best,” he said reasuringly. “Otherwise, it’ll be too heavy to carry. But don’t worry. Mille’s gentle as a lamb, and if she acts up, an apple will set her straight.”
Sarah managed a small smile. “Alright, then.” She didn’t have anything better to do anyway.
Before long, she was on her way toward the orchard. Finrik’s directions had been simple enough: follow the road east, and she’d find it. Though she’d worried about keeping Mille in line, it turned out easier than expected. The goat trotted along at her side, the little cart rumbling behind them. Sarah scratched her behind the ear and offered her an extra carrot, feeling oddly proud of herself.
The path took her over a moss-covered stone bridge arched above a slow-moving creek. On the other side, a field of primroses and violets stretched out before her, pale yellows and purples blending in waves across the grass. The flowers swayed in the spring breeze, filling the air with a fresh scent as she continued along the narrow dirt road winding through the hills.
The road rose and dipped over the hills, lined by wild grasses and bluebells. Birds flitted above, their songs blending with the breeze, darting between branches.
In the distance, she saw the line of apple trees marking the orchard, and soon enough, she spotted a small thatched cottage surrounded by trees heavy with red apples. A shiver crept down her spine, a fleeting thought of the witch from Snow White crossing her mind. But she brushed it aside. Mrs. Nemiri was probably a kind old woman, and besides, she was the witch in High Rannoc.
The cottage yard was empty, though the faint sound of humming drifted from inside. Sarah approached the door and knocked. “Hello? Is anyone there?”
“Just a moment! Who’s there?” came a voice from within.
“Um… my name’s Sarah,” she replied, clearing her throat. “Mr. Finrik, from the merchant in High Rannoc, sent me to pick up some apples.”
As Sarah spoke, an elf appeared in the doorway, blonde hair braided back and tucked behind her ears. She wore a simple apron, her hands still wet. “I thought Norwan would come for the apples.”
Sarah shrugged. “I think that was the plan, but Mr. Finrik mentioned something about him running off to play in the forest.”
Nemiri let out a small laugh, drying her hands on her apron before extending one to Sarah. “That sounds exactly like him. He’s a good boy, just... easily distracted. I’m Nemiri.”
Sarah took her hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sarah, the witch’s apprentice.”
“Welcome to my little corner of High Rannoc,” Nemiri replied warmly. “I was just about to make dinner. Care to join me?”
Sarah glanced back at the trees, where the shadows were growing longer. “That sounds wonderful, but I should probably head back. Don’t want to get caught out in the woods after dark.”
Nemiri smiled, waving a hand as if brushing away her concern. “Nothing dangerous has happened on that road in ages. You’re welcome to stay, but if you need to go, I understand.”
Sarah paused, then smiled. “Well, in that case, I’d love to. Let me just tie up Mille so she doesn’t wander off, and I’ll be right in.”
Inside, Nemiri’s cottage was cozy and filled with the smell of something wonderful. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow across shelves lined with jars of herbs, dried flowers, and bright bowls of fruit. A small wooden table stood in the middle of the room, covered with a woven cloth, surrounded by mismatched chairs.
With Mille happily munching on a carrot outside, Sarah settled into a chair as Nemiri moved about the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring a simmering pot. The rhythmic sounds of cooking filled the room—the tap of a knife, the bubbling of stew, and the gentle clatter of a spoon against the pot’s edge.
“So, how’s High Rannoc treating you so far?” Nemiri asked, looking over her shoulder with a smile.
“It’s... peaceful,” Sarah replied, resting her hands on the table. “A bit different from what I’m used to, but I’m figuring it out.”
Nemiri chuckled softly, adding a pinch of herbs to the pot. “It’s got its own rhythm. The people are kind, and the forest nearby… well, it always has its mysteries if you know where to look.”
Sarah nodded, feeling herself relax as she took in the details around her: copper pots hanging by the fireplace, colorful cushions on the chairs, and the mingling scents of rosemary and thyme mixing with the stew.
When they sat down to eat, Nemiri placed two bowls of stew on the table, its rich aroma filling the room. They ate slowly, savoring each bite. The stew was thick with root vegetables and tender meat, and as Sarah ate, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t expected.
“Have you met the witch?” Sarah asked between bites.
Nemiri wiped her hands on her apron, leaning back with a smile. “Oh yes, Yolonda and I have been friends for years. She’s quite the character—always up to something. Though, lately, she’s been... well, hard to track down. Keeps disappearing for days.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Do you know what she’s been doing?”
Nemiri shrugged, her eyes thoughtful. “Not really. She’s been secretive, even for her. But she did mention an old tower. she’s been visiting. She didn’t say, though. Just that it’s on the other side of the plains, somewhere up in the Sunspire Ridge”
“A tower?” Sarah asked, picturing it in her mind.
Nemiri nodded. “An old place, mostly crumbling. She goes there sometimes, stays for days. I’ve asked her what she’s doing, but she always brushes me off with a laugh. I imagine it’s some sort of project.”
Sarah thought about it. "Do you think she’ll be back soon?”
Nemiri’s mouth curved into a small smile, her eyes softening at the corners. “Oh, knowing Yolonda, she’ll come back when she’s good and ready. She always does.”
The conversation flowed easily after that, touching on lighthearted topics like the best time to harvest apples and the gentle routines of life in High Rannoc. Sarah relaxed, caught up in Nemiri’s stories. By the time the meal was finished, the last traces of sunlight had vanished, and the warm glow from the hearth was the only light left in the cottage.
Sarah looked outside and realized how late it had gotten. The sky was dark, the trees casting long shadows, and the distant sound of crickets filled the quiet night. She hated this feeling—feeling unsafe. Back in New York, she never felt fear or uncertainty, but something about the forest at night made her uneasy.
“I didn’t realize it was so late,” she murmured, trying to sound casual. “I don’t really feel safe walking through the forest after dark.”
Nemiri smiled warmly, folding her hands in her lap. “I’m sure you’ll be fine, but you’re more than welcome to stay here tonight if you prefer.”
Sarah glanced toward the stable. “I appreciate it, but Finrik might not be happy if I don’t bring Mille back. Don’t want him thinking I ran off with his goat.”
Nemiri waved a hand. “Oh, don’t worry about Finrik. He’ll be fine. We can put Mille in the stable, and you can head back to the village in the morning. It’s better than walking home at this hour, if you don’t feel safe.”
Sarah bit her lip, thinking it over. The idea of spending the night here, safe and warm, was far more appealing than trudging through a dark forest. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Not at all,” Nemiri said, standing up from her chair. “Let’s get Mille settled in the stable, and then we’ll make a bed for you by the fire."
Sarah stood, grateful yet still a bit unsure. “Thank you. This is so kind.”
Nemiri smiled. “That’s what friends are for. Besides, it’s nice to have company.”
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