original: willowdale, chapter 2

[tiny_ninja]

Title: Willowdale (Chapter 2: First Day)
Rating: Teen (expect this to increase?)
Summary: They say everyone is welcome in the village of Willowdale — if you can find it.
Notes: Written for Build-A-Bingo at getyourwordsout It's also a writing exercise because I'm struggling to finish my other WIPs right now. Each chapter features a different BaB prompt. I also... haven't outlined this? So who knows where it's going, because I sure don't, but I do know I'm having fun.

[ part 1 ] 

2: First Day

When the light fades, I take in my surroundings. The dirt path transforms into cobblestone, leading towards a stone arch at the entrance to a village. A high wall surrounds the area, as if to keep out intruders. A gate blocks the entrance itself. Wildflowers line either side of the path, as far as the eye can see. I draw a breath of sweet, fresh air, the opposite of the smog and smoke and body odor of the city. 

There’s a small sign next to me, wooden with carved letters inlaid with gold paint. Willowdale, A Magical Haven, it reads. 

It’s true.

I’ve seen this sign before. Walked this road in my dreams. It will wind to the center of town, where the marketplace awaits with far-flung treasures. To the west is the residential district, where creatures of all kinds make their home. To the east, the mayor of Willowdale presides over the small government and volunteer military. 

My heart thuds in my ears. I don’t care if this is another dream — I want to enjoy every moment of this discovery. I walk forward, each step taking me closer to my destiny. 

The legends say that a wall of magic protects Willowdale from the outside world. Being as ordinary as they come, I can’t feel anything different as I approach, only a sense of calm and purpose the closer I get. I reach out a hand anyway, like I can sense the magic there. 

The tingling at my fingertips must be part of the dream, I decide. 

A guard snaps to attention next to the arch. Horns curl around his head, his sharp teeth adding to his intimidation factor. His uniform is crisp but simple, brown leather and gold buttons with well-worn boots. His skin, like that of the hand who brought me here, carries the same green tinge. 

“Who approaches the village?” he asks, glancing me over from head to toe. 

I bow, because it seems like the right thing to do. “My name is Cass,” I say, then add, “Cassandra, I mean.” What else could I add? I come in peace? This isn’t an alien movie, though I’m still not convinced it isn’t a dream, either. 

Gold eyes widen. “You’re here!” He stumbles forward, only to catch himself. A clumsy salute follows. “We’ve been expecting you!” 

“You have?” Who does he mean by “we,” and what was so special about my arrival? I glance down at my attire, wincing as I realize I’m still in my comfy clothes. Maybe I should have stayed in my pencil skirt and heels. 

“Of course!” He wipes a hand on his jacket. “Oh, where are my manners? I am Spiderbone, sworn guard and protector of Willowdale. We have long spoken of the day in which you would arrive and grace us with your presence.” He bows at the hip. “The mayor will be so excited to know you arrived.” 

“It’s lovely to meet you, Spiderbone.” I grin at him. “I’ve… been looking forward to this too, even if I’m still working out how I got here.” Because “magical portal in my bedroom closet” doesn’t appear in any of the Willowdale legends, and I know those like the back of my hand. 

He ducks his head as if he’s shy. “It’s not up to us, who comes and who leaves our village. The road will take you where you’re meant to go.” Spiderbone looks me over again, crinkling his nose. “Though perhaps you might like a change of clothes before you meet the mayor?” 

Sweatpants are far from formal attire. If I’m to make a good impression, it won’t be while wearing my pajamas. I can’t bear the thought of being force to leave Willowdale before I properly arrive. “I don’t want to be a burden.” 

“Hardly! You’re not the first supernatural being to be plucked out of their bed and shown the road.” Spiderbone offers me an arm, as if I am a princess, or a visiting dignitary. “Please do me the honor of escorting you to the clothier, Lady Cassandra.” 

“Just Cass is fine.” My cheeks heat at the use of my full name. 

“I couldn’t dream of disrespecting you, Lady Cassandra.” Patting my hand, Spiderbone turns his attention to the gate. His fingers weave in the air before him. Sigils appear, pulsing in the same colors as the closet portal. 

A lock clicks, and the gate lowers. More than that, something pops in my chest, like a bubble releasing its tension and spreading throughout my body. Magic — I’m sure of it. A soft gasp escapes my lips. 

Spiderbone laughs, a deep guffaw. “Wait until you learn the real gifts,” he says, winking. “It’s more impressive than opening a gate.” 

Can I learn magic? Is that even possible? Maybe that’s why I can feel the ripples of pressure as we cross the threshold into the village. A thousand thoughts race through my mind, but I can’t focus on any one thing — especially not after I get my first glimpse of Willowdale proper. 

It’s as beautiful as I envisioned in my dreams. The cobblestone road turns into a street leading into the town square. Stalls line either side, offering wares of all kinds, from fresh produce to the finest silk to delicate, handblown glass. Ivy covers the buildings, climbing towards the sky in lush greens. The scent of cinnamon and fresh baked bread lingers in the air. 

My breath catches. The baker — he must be here, just like I’ve seen in my dreams. 

Like Spiderbone, creatures of all kinds go about their daily lives. Some look human on the outside, like me. Others are elfs, gnomes, dwarves. There’s even a dragon behind one of the stalls, selling what looks like precious stones. Smoke curls from its nose and its teeth are razor sharp, but it grins at a customer, and it puts me at ease. 

“The residences should be… this way, right?” I point to the alley to our right. “This way would be commerce, and then the mayor’s townhouse on the opposite side of the square.” 

“Look at you!” He bumps his hip with mine, with a little more force than I expect. If not for the fact that he has my arm, I would have toppled over. “You remember your history.” 

“I remember my dreams.” It’s a soft omission, but that doesn’t make it any less true. “I’ve seen this before, it’s just… now it’s real.” 

“It was always real,” Spiderbone points out. “Dreams are a portal from one realm to the next. Until you’re ready for the journey, it would show you what life could be like.” 

He pauses in front of a shop. The sign above reads The Owl’s Trove. The door is oak with a stained glass pane in every color of the rainbow. “Don’t you worry, Miss Merrilyn is going to take right care of you.” Spiderbone opens the door for me and gestures for me to step inside. 

Before, I set aside money for special occasion clothes. I like to purchase a few nice items and then mix them up with accessories, so no one can tell that the skirt I wore last week is the same when I have a different, colorful top. I bargain hunt when I can and strive for the best deals. 

In here, however? Everything screams quality, high fashion for the village. Bolts of fabric fill the west wall in rich, decadent colors. Mannequins display dresses meant for a ball at a castle, or perhaps even a wedding or a coronation. Hats line another display in the center of the room. Oil lamps perch in the corners, offering light once the sun goes down. 

I brush my fingertips over the edge of one dress. Silk, I’m sure of it. Another one looks to be made of velvet. Lush, expensive, absolutely beyond my price range. Not that I have money at the moment. Somehow following the crazy swirling light into another world — realm? Dimension? Hell if I know anymore — meant I didn’t grab my purse or anything close to cash. 

“Miss Merrilyn!” Spiderbone calls out, knocking against the hat table. Three of them fall off their stands, and he rushes to straighten them. “I have a guest for you!” 

A light, lilting voice carries down the side stairs. “If you ruin my displays again, I’ll insist you wait outside.” 

Spiderbone plops the last hat back into place. I haven’t the heart to tell him it’s crooked. “I would never do such a thing. Swear on my mama’s grave.” 

“You are a kind soul, but you are a poor liar.” A willowy woman comes into view, draped in a dress that would have fit in at any royal function. Dark green velvet swirls around her legs and a corset makes the best of her womanly assets. Her hair, nearly black, is braided away from her face. Her nails match her dress, sharp and pointed. “Who have you brought to me this time?” 

When Spiderbone bows, I do the same, because it feels proper. “The Lady Cassandra has joined us from outside the realm,” he explains. “The road has brought her to us, and its judgment is never wrong.” 

Merrilyn steps closer and tucks a hand underneath my chin. She’s easily a head taller than me, so I have to look up at her. Her pupils are vertical slits, like a cat, and there’s no white around her irises. “There’s been much talk of when you’ll join us, Lady Cassandra.” 

Talk? Spiderbone mentioned something about that earlier, too. I tuck that thought away for later. “You can call me Cass,” I say. Then, on a whim, I curtsey, as best I can in sweatpants. “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance.” 

“No need for such formalities. I’m no queen.” She flashes a smile, and it’s only then I notice the fangs: sharp, pointed, deadly. “I take it you’d like me to dress her before she’s presented to the mayor?” 

“Yes ma’am.” Spiderbone nods his head so fast, it reminds me of the Jesus bobblehead I had on my dashboard as a teenager. “She should be dressed as befitting her station.” 

“My station?” My eyebrows shoot up. 

Merrilyn waves a manicured hand. “The mayor will explain that later. I’m sure you want to get out of…” She glared at my sweatpants. “Whatever foul contraption you’re wearing. I can burn them for you if you’d like.” 

I blink. “I’d like to keep them, if you don’t mind. To sleep in. Which is what I’d planned to do before, I, you know. Ended up here.” 

Her mouth puckers. “If you insist.” Then, with another gesture towards the door, she adds, “Leave us, guard. Us women have matters of fashion to discuss.” 

“How do you know I don’t like fashion?” 

She raises an eyebrow. “When was the last time you wore something besides your uniform?” 

“Last fall, at the Archers’ celebration ceremony.” Spiderbone puffs up his chest. “I wore my medals and everything. Very fancy, Miss Merrilyn, I can assure you.” 

With a sigh, she turns away from him, a sign of dismissal. “Lady Cassandra, follow me. Guard, you may wait for my signal to bring her to the mayor.” 

“As you wish, Miss Merrilyn.” With one last bow, Spiderbone leaves, the click of the door echoing in the otherwise silent room. 

“Well, with that out of the way…” Merrilyn flicks a wrist at me. “Let me see what I’m working with.” She spins a finger in a circle, as if telling me to show off for her. 

I turn slowly, biting my tongue, old wounds resurfacing. Every stomach roll, every too-tight shirt, every snide remark made about my appearance. I stuff them down and remind myself that this is a new start. Sure, I’m not thin and gorgeous like Merrilyn is, but I like my long, wavy brown hair in spite of the gray creeping in, and my long eyelashes that never need mascara. Maybe I can’t fit in one of the fancy dresses on display, but perhaps there’s something that feels like me in Merrilyn’s shop. 

A delicate hand pushes my hair off my shoulder. “Amazing bone structure,” she murmurs. “And beautiful skin. You’ll do nicely.” 

“Do nicely for what?” I ask, but she’s off again, moving towards the side stairs at a speed no human can match. 

“My workshop is upstairs,” she calls behind her. “I’ve been saving a handful of designs for this moment. Come, come. We’ve not a minute to waste.” Merrilyn snaps her fingers. “Unless you want to meet the leader of our town in your pajamas.” 

She has a point. I’ll blend in here in Willowdale if I had clothing similar to the others. Though I know I have to meet the mayor at some point, there is one person I want to see more than anything: the baker of my dreams. If Merrilyn can help with that, who am I stop her?

Drawing a deep breath, I follow her.