Vasilran's Herbal
An Examination of the Greater Known Botanicals of the Bound Realms, Real and Mythical, With Their Properties and Uses
Veray's destination was only one street over. A few moments later the two young women stood beneath the sign of a bookseller's shop. The barred window showed rows of leather and cloth bound volumes lining shelves and tables. A tiny bell tinkled as Veray pushed the door open. The scent of leather and parchment flooded over her, replacing the stench of the street. Veray breathed in happily.
"So much fuss over a book," Narasie muttered.
Veray ignored her and made her way toward the counter, trailing her fingers over embossed and gilded spines as she went. A young woman who looked to be a few years younger than Veray, twenty at most, hurried toward them from a curtained doorway at the back of the room.
"Good day, mistresses. May I be of service?"
"I am Lady Verayna Bátori of House Almássy . I spoke with Master Dunai about a specific book he was to procure for me."
"Oh!" The girl jerked a curtsy. "Please, my lady. Just a moment. I'll fetch him." The girl nearly ran from the room.
"One would think you were going to bite her." Narasie flipped idly through a volume bound in blue velvet with silver hasps latching the cover.
Veray twitched a smile. The poor girl likely wasn’t used to ladies of the court marching into her shop with muddy boots and hem. Most nobility simply sent a servant to fetch what was wanted or, more likely, summoned poor Master Dunai to appear with his goods in tow that they might peruse them within the comfort of their own sitting rooms. But Veray had no desire to spend one instant more within the palace walls than was necessary.
A moment later a kindly gentleman with gray hair and a bent back shuffled into the room leaning on a polished cane. He bowed deeply. Veray cringed, hoping he didn't fall over.
"Lady Bátori. Please forgive my granddaughter. We did not know to expect you today."
"Not at all, Master Dunai. I was taking the air in the city and thought I would stop and inquire as to the volume you promised me."
"Of course. Of course." He glanced over his shoulder as his granddaughter hurried out of the curtained doorway again, this time bearing a large package wrapped in cloth. "We have it here."
"Excellent."
Veray lifted the parcel from the girl's hands and set it carefully on the counter. She unwrapped it and found a large book bound in leather with a bare branched tree embossed in gold on the cover. A gilded hasp held it closed. Undoing the latch, Veray flipped to the title page. The words Vasilran's Herbal: An Examination of the Greater Known Botanicals of the Bound Realms, Real and Mythical, With Their Properties and Uses scrolled across the parchment. She turned a few pages. Beautifully inked drawings in vibrant colors flowed with the elegant script.
"Plants?" Narasie huffed, peering over her shoulder. "Honestly Veray, do you really need another herbal?"
Veray snapped the book shut and glared at her. She turned to the hovering shopkeeper...
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