It hadn’t been long since the Resistance had been beaten back from Solantha, and their attempt to take over the city was still apparent in the damaged buildings and sidewalks I passed. However, there were plenty of humans and shifters out and about as I drove through Rowanville, and more than a few construction crews repairing the damage. The sight of the city recovering so quickly brought a smile to my lips—Iannis had heeded my advice about putting the citizens to work repairing the town, using gold from the Mages Guild’s coffers. At this rate, Solantha would be back to normal within the next couple of months, and the Resistance attack would be reduced to a faint memory.

Pretty soon, the houses and storefronts of Rowanville receded, and the Port came into view—a series of piers that lined Solantha’s eastern shore. It was one of the largest shipping ports in the Federation, with ships from all over Recca constantly coming and going, loading and unloading goods and passengers. As a result, quite a few shops were set up in the area, and it was a popular tourist spot.

I rode my bike all the way down Witches End, then parked it outside Over the Hedge, Comenius’s shop. The front door was locked, the ‘Open’ sign flipped toward closed, but it was a simple matter to unlock it with an open-door spell I had recently mastered. “Com?” I called as I entered the shop, the bell on the door tinkling to announce my entrance.

At this time of day, Comenius was probably having lunch, or working in the back room where he prepared and stored extra merchandise. I could definitely smell him nearby—his woodsy scent lingered beneath the scents of herbs and sea salt that permeated the store.

“Naya?” Comenius called, his crisp, throaty accent muffled by the curtain behind the counter. A moment later, the curtain parted to reveal a tall, lean man with ash-blond hair, cornflower blue eyes, and angular features. He was dressed in a dark green tunic, most of his upper body obscured by a large box he was carrying in both arms.

“Need a hand?” I asked, coming up to the counter as he set the box down.

“No, this is just some inventory I need to put out on the shelves.” He patted the box, then came around the counter and gestured to the sitting area—a group of wicker chairs and couches located in a cozy nook where customers could sit as they waited for Comenius to mix up an order for them. “Why don’t you come over here and sit with me? Elania was just about to—”