24. A Blooming Business

Business was thriving, and it felt surreal. Every day, we found ourselves running out of lemonade before the sun even began to set. As promised, we delivered our signature Zorlanth lemonade to Jorin's tavern, where it quickly became a favorite among patrons—right alongside his famous ale and beer. The buzz around town was palpable, and it felt like we were living in a dream.

Even with our new venture flourishing, Billy and I continued our shifts at the bakery and the tavern. We kept our routine, working hard in the morning, and then hustling to set up our lemonade stand at noon. The hours were long, but the rewards were undeniable.

Word had spread like wildfire about the refreshing Zorlanth lemonade, attracting merchants and townsfolk from all city corners. It felt like every day brought new faces to our stand, eager to try the drink everyone was raving about. We had already earned over 50 silvers in just a week after paying Lena and Jorin their shares. At this pace, we could practically see the riches on the horizon.

Thanks to Jorin's reputation, no one dared to give us any trouble—not even rival businesses. It was as if we had a shield of protection around us, letting us focus on our growing success without worrying about sabotage. Honestly, his 10% share feels like a small price to pay now, considering how much his name has helped us.

Over time, we learned more about Jorin's past from the stories shared by adventurous customers, deepening our appreciation for the community we had become a part of.

Jorin hadn't always been the jovial tavern owner we knew. He had once been a renowned adventurer, famous for taking on perilous quests and battling dark forces alongside his trusty companion, Caldora. Tales of their escapades echoed in the tavern, where patrons recounted how they had faced down a dragon to save a neighboring village and navigated treacherous ruins in search of ancient artifacts. But with every heroic story came the weight of loss; Caldora had fallen in battle, leaving Jorin with a bittersweet legacy. Although how much of it was true or was it the alcohol talking only they knew.

Though he had hung up his sword, the fire of adventure still burned brightly in his heart. He dedicated himself to the tavern, transforming it into a place where stories could be shared and laughter could heal old wounds. His protective nature towards us stemmed from his desire to see young dreamers like us succeed—he saw a bit of himself in our passion.

For the first time in our lives, Billy and I were experiencing a level of comfort we had only dreamed of. We indulged in good food and cozy beds, reveling in the simple joys that came with our newfound success.

There was a comforting rhythm to our daily routine—a sense of camaraderie that made everything feel worthwhile. With each glass we poured and every smile from a satisfied customer, we felt a growing sense of belonging. Before we knew it, three weeks had flown by.

"Can you believe this?" Billy said one afternoon as we watched a line of eager customers forming at our stand. "We've made it!"

I nodded, feeling a grin spread across my face. "Yeah, and it's only getting better from here."

Just as I was beginning to relax into the rhythm of the bustling market, I handed a drink to a customer when a hooded figure emerged from the crowd. My heart dropped, a cold knot tightening in my stomach. Time slowed as I froze, sweat trickling down my spine. The sounds of laughter and chatter faded into the background, replaced by the rush of blood in my ears.

Memories surged through me, sharp and uninvited, dragging me back to darkness I thought I'd escaped. I tried to steady my breathing, but each inhale felt like I was drowning—heavy and suffocating. The figure's presence stirred something primal within me, a fear I hadn't felt in months.

I could still see the glint of steel in the moonlight, the cold bite of a blade too close for comfort. My pulse raced, drowning out the cheerful sounds around me. The world blurred, the shadows creeping in like they were alive, threatening to pull me back into the past I desperately wanted to forget.

"Elliot!" I heard Billy call out to me.

I gasped for air, struggling to cling to the present as panic tightened its grip. Every muscle in my body tensed, instinctively preparing to flee. I glanced at Elliot beside me, but even his reassuring presence felt distant, as if I were trapped in a memory where survival was uncertain, and every moment was a gamble with fate.

As the hooded figure drew near, their slow, deliberate steps echoed in my head, each footfall a countdown to something unknown. My chest tightened further, and I felt the familiar grip of fear; the shadows from my past—were they back for me? Were they here to finish what they'd started?

Just as I was about to bolt, I felt a heavy hand on my back. Jorin leaned in, giving me a firm pat that snapped me out of my daze. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. And then I saw her.

Under the hood, a young elf with long ears peered back at me, her expression soft and curious. It was my first time seeing an elf up close, and her delicate features contrasted starkly with the dark thoughts that had momentarily consumed me. My heart began to calm, the memories receding as I tried to gather myself. I could almost hear the laughter and chatter of the market returning, pulling me back to the present.

"Are you alright, kid?" Jorin's voice cut through my haze, his brow furrowed with concern. I looked at him, then at Billy, who was nearly in tears, his wide eyes filled with worry. I'd never seen him look that way before; it made my chest tighten even more.

"I'm fine," I managed to say, though my voice wavered. Jorin wasn't convinced.

Billy stepped closer, his brow furrowing as he searched my face. "Elliot, what happened? Are you really okay?"

"Go take a breather, Elliot," he said firmly. "Just for a bit. Billy and I can handle the stand."

Reluctantly, I nodded, feeling the weight of their concern pressing down on me. I stepped back from the stall, heading toward the alley behind the market, hoping the shadows would help me regroup.

As I made my way through the narrow space, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to find a merchant—a slick man in a fine cloak—approaching with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Ah, young entrepreneur!" he said, his voice smooth. "I've been hearing wonderful things about your lemonade. Care for a chat? I'd like to discuss potential business opportunities."

I kept my distance, wary of his intentions. "What do you mean?"

"Well," he said, waving his hand dismissively, "I could offer you a partnership. Perhaps buy your recipe and help expand your business."

My stomach churned. "No thanks. We're fine on our own."

His smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "You don't understand the opportunities I'm offering. You could be making far more than you ever will with this little stand."

I shook my head, my voice firm. "I said no."

The merchant's expression darkened. "You'll regret this. There's a lot of money to be made, kid. Don't let pride blind you. You might think you're safe behind Jorin's reputation, but he can't protect you forever. People like me have ways of making things… difficult for those who refuse to play ball."

I felt a knot of anger and unease twist in my gut. "I'm not afraid of you," I shot back, my voice steady despite the tension.

"Should you be?" he sneered. "Maybe I should pay Jorin a visit. See how he likes having his little lemonade stand taken down. Or maybe I should just pay you a visit while you sleep, remind you what happens when you refuse a partnership."

That was the last straw. In a burst of anger, I stepped forward and punched him square in the face. He stumbled back, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Fuck off, old man, or I'll kill you," I spat, my heart racing.

He glared at me, his face contorted with rage. "You'll pay for that, kid. You and your little friends. Just wait."

With a furious glare, he turned and stormed away, muttering threats under his breath. I could feel my blood boiling, but deep down, a sense of unease settled in. What had I just provoked?

Unbeknownst to me, two thugs lingered in the shadows, their eyes glinting with mischief. They had been lurking near the bakery, causing trouble for Errol and Lena before. With sly grins, they exchanged glances before disappearing deeper into the alleyways, plotting their next move, all while I remained oblivious to the danger lurking just out of sight.