Chapter Thirteen.

Sira, Twila and Ena rode into the vibrant Plant Market, where the sun danced in the sky, and the air carried the sweet scent of blooming daises. Twila gently squeezed Sira's hand, her voice soft, "You doing alright?" Sira smiled and squeezed back, "Yeah, just trying to enjoy the moment." Twila returned her warmth with a smile before releasing her hand. 

They reached a stall where visitors stored their animals and belongings. The women hopped off the landstriders and approached the attendant at the entrance. Twila, in her usual charming manner, inquired, "What's the cost to keep my birds here for an hour?" The worker recognized her and offered a respectful bow. "Madame Twila. It's really you."

"Hello." Twila greeted, waving her hand. The worker shook his head. "I can't possibly charge you, Madame. Your family has done so much for our city; we can't let you spend on anything " 

Twila chuckled, arms crossed, and insisted, "Nonsense. You won't stop me from spending my money. Tell me, how much for an hour?" 

The worker sighed, "10 ducarins for a bird, Madame."

Twila reached into her purse and paid him before writing down something in a logbook on the counter, flashing a warm smile at him.

"Thank you," she said as they headed to leave their helmets. Sira took some ducarins from her chest and secured the rest in the trunk. 

Twila expressed her gratitude again, "Thank you." 

"Have fun Madame." the worker said.

As they stepped into Plant Market, Sira's eyes were drawn to a massive signboard adorned with lush plants and blossoms. The words "Seeds n Sprouts" on the signboard caught her attention. Twila nudged her playfully, "Hey, how about getting a soul seed for Neith?" Sira looked at the blonde woman who was adjusting her glasses thoughtfully. "Yeah, sure. I was just thinking about it," she confessed. 

Twila grabbed her arm, brimming with enthusiasm, "Let's go, then."

"Absolutely," Sira replied, striving to keep up with Twila. 

The women navigated through the bustling market, filled with colorful banners, signs, and an array of lush plants. Eager children ran around, and some market visitors glided by on landstriders. Spotting Twila, people rushed to greet her, offering gifts and well-wishes. Twila graciously accepted them all, but Ena struggled with the abundance of offerings. Sira chuckled and extended a hand to help. "Thank you, ma'am," Ena murmured with gratitude. 

Twila led the way, heading towards an empty cart, which she wheeled over to them. "I apologize for having you carry all these gifts. People can't seem to help themselves. Please place the gifts in the cart," Twila kindly requested as she gathered more presents. 

"Seems like everyone adores you, Twila," Sira remarked with a grin. 

Twila chuckled and responded. "Oh, no, they adore my mum. I'm just a representative of her work." She finished helping Ena unload and then turned to Sira, continuing, " Being in this business can be challenging. I often feel uneasy receiving so much recognition and excessive gifts. It feels like it takes from the recognition my mum truly deserves." 

Sira shook her head and let out a short laugh. "Your mother probably deserves all the glory," she said, shrugging. "I don't know much, but don't you think you deserve some glory too? After all, you're keeping her legacy alive." 

Twila gazed at Sira with wide blue eyes, and burst into laughter. "Sira, that was such a lovely thing to say."

Once their laughter subsided, she wiped a tear from her eye, and said, "Excuse my laughter, but I really appreciate your perspective. It means alot. Thank you." 

Sira replied with a smile, "Yeah, whatever. You're welcome." Ena, who had been watching a smiling, stood by. 

"Shall we go get those seeds?." Twila suggested. Sira agreed, and Twila turned to Ena, saying, "Ena, my dear, would you be a peach and take these gifts back to the animal stall?" Ena nodded and said, "Of course, Madame," with a polite bow before wheeling the cart away. 

Twila led Sira to a distinct stall that stood out from the others. Instead of vibrant green leaves and flowers, its sign was adorned with intertwining, colorful vines. The vendor adjusted the sign, which read "Seeds n Sprouts," before moving to the shelves. 

As they approached, the young girl with short black hair tied in twin buns, adorned with red ribbons matching her kimono caught sight of Twila, her excitement was infectious. "Madame!" she exclaimed, rushing over to greet Twila, bowing deeply. "Madame, it's so nice to see you here again." 

"So nice to see you too, Endo," Twila replied, hugging her. "Did you come for weedroot today? I've got a new supply," Endo said to Twila, who giggled. 

"How lovely! I'm thinking of starting a weedroot farm of my own in the Apothecary," Twila said as Endo handed her a jar filled with red seeds. Twila squealed as she opened the jar and sniffed its contents. Sira watched as Endo leaned back against the shelves, arms folded, observing Twila moan in satisfaction from the scent. 

Then Endo turned her attention to Sira. "Are you new here?"

Sira nodded. "Yeah, how can you tell?" she replied.

Endo smiled kindly at her. "You've been quiet and looking around. Are you a new staff working for Madame?"

Sira chuckled nervously and managed a smile, "No, I just moved here." Twila adjusted her glasses and pulled Sira closer, "Endo, this is Sira. She just joined the family. Sira, this is Endo. She's a human from Japan, but in Elamenta, she lives in Sirion." Sira smiled at Endo, who smiled back.

Endo moved to a shelf labeled "Soul Seeds" and retrieved a small tray of neatly arranged white seeds in bamboo containers, brining it over to them. Twila placed the jar of weedroot on the counter, watching Endo place two soul seeds in a small container.

"Weedroots and soul seeds are the only things Madame Twila buy from my stall," Endo said to Sira. 

"Oh? What's weedroot anyway?" Sira asked. 

Twila giggled and retrieved a rectangular box from her purse. She opened it and unwrapped a leaf-shaped like a long straw, which Sira had noticed when they first met. "Hey, I've seen you with this before. It smelled like lilacs and something I couldn't tell what it was," Sira pointed out. 

Twila nodded, smiling. "Weedroot plants are Elamenta nature's dopamine. They help to heal and enhance your mood. The seeds' scent is similar to lilacs while the leaves' scent is minty. The wrapped leaves are called blunts." 

Twila unwrapped the weedroot, revealing crushed seeds, and handed it to Sira. Sira brought them close, sniffing. "It does small like lilacs and mint, but what about that unique scent?" she inquired.

"The minty and lilac aroma becomes minty blooms when burned. Fascinating, right?" Twila giggled. " But most importantly, weedroot also has healing properties, great for treating small wounds. That's why I plan to start a farm to study them," Twila explained, adjusting her glasses. "Maybe i can figure out a way to evolve them so they can heal bigger injuries. It'll be my greatest achievement as a healer."

Ena carefully placed the containers into a small bag, handing it to Twila, who expressed their gratitude. "The boys and I sometimes gather to enjoy it together, it's usually a wonderful atmosphere," Twila mentioned, her eyes inviting. "You should join us tonight in the study after dinner," she suggested, offering a couple of ducarins to Endo. Sira exchanged the leaves for the bag in Twila's hand and couldn't help but inquire, "Is there a meeting happening in the study?" 

Twila responded, wrapping her leaves thoughtfully. "Well sorta. Koa has a surprise waiting for you when we get home and we all have something we wanna talk to you about after dinner." Sira was left perplexed and somewhat uneasy. "What kind of surprise?" she questioned. 

With a mischievous grin, Twila replied, "He didn't tell me either. I guess we'll both find out," Sira reluctantly agreed, "Alright then."

As they were about to leave, a child riding a landstrider accidentally collided with them, causing them to stumble back a few feet. "Sorry, sorry!" the boy exclaimed, glancing back in guilt. He inadvertently agitated the landstrider, causing it to crash into nearby stalls, sending everything crashing to the ground. Startled, Sira let go of one end of the bag, and the small container tumbled to the ground, rolling towards a stall across the road.

When the chaos settled, Sira understood what has transpired and couldn't help but hiss in frustration. "What the fuck?" she screamed in her head. "Sira! Are you okay?" Twila's worried voice called out. Sira disregarded her friend's concern, tossing her the bag, and hurriedly rushed across the street, pushing through the crowd gathering around the accident scene. Sira located the fallen container beside a tree trunk and retrieved it. She stood up, turning around to see the people anxiously backing away. 

The landstrider was now running amok, driven by the pain of an injury on its head. It stomped perilously close to the child, who was in tears. Bystanders attempted to soothe the agitated bluebird but hesitated due to the fear of being stomped as well. Twila joined Sira, placing the container back in the bag before heading to the front of the crowd. The child lay flat on his stomach, while the enraged bird repeatedly stomped around him. One of it's stomps landed on the boy's leg, causing him to cry out in pain. 

Sira winced at the sound of the crack and bit her lip. She could easily control the bird's movements, immobilizing it, but the situation was risky with so many people around. She glanced at Twila, who, like her seemed to be searching for a solution. With a heavy sigh, Sira refocused her attention on the bird.

Sira turned to speak to Twila but saw her leaning close to her. "You can stop that bird from moving, can't you?" Twila whispered. "If it keeps moving, it'll really hurt the kid." she said softly.

Sira hesitated, looking around at the bustling crowd. "Yes, but," she started, her anxiety evident. "There are alot of people around, so i can't use magic on that bird. Besides, what if elementals see the color of my energy?"

"Humans can't see it but elementals can. I haven't fully learned to conceal it yet." 

Twila turned Sira to face her, her grip firm. "You were raised by the strongest warrior of your home. Don't you believe in yourself as her disciple?" She squeezed Sira's hand and fixed her with a stern expression. "If you want to help that child get away, you have to get rid the bird now. Don't worry about the people; I'll deal with them." Twila adjusted her glasses and strode forward without waiting for Sira's response. 

Sira felt a lump in her throat and swallowed hard. "Happy thoughts," she whispered to herself as Twila addressed the crowd. 

"Everyone, please! Please calm down! I'm going to figure out how to stop the bird, but I need you all to divide into two groups." Twila's cry caught their attention, and most turned towards her. "What do you want us to do, Madame?" someone shouted.

"Okay, good. Now, I need you to divide yourself into two groups. One group will bring carts for the boy and the bird, and the other will clean up the damaged stalls." She gestured towards the injured child on the ground. "Let's help this child by giving the bird more space. Maybe it'll run around instead of focusing on the boy. Don't you think?" 

As Twila distracted them, Sira searched for a safe corner where she could use her magic discreetly. She glanced between the bird and the boy, hoping no one would notice her standing alone away from the crowd. The whimpering child clutched his broken leg.

The people in the market agreed and split off to clean the stalls and bring carts. Sira saw Twila giving her a thumbs up. She scanned the surroundings for safety and, when the moment was right, focused her gaze on the bird, clenching her fists.

Her eyes emitted a fiery red glow. Sira felt the energy surrounding her fists change as she desperately tried to conceal its color. The people were returning now; most of the stalls were cleared, and the carts were approaching. "Hurry up, Sira." Twila whispered, crossing her fingers. Sira grunted softly, her eyes fixed on the bird as she extended a hand.

Twila's eyelid twitched open to find Sira struggling to hide her energy's color, while beneath the landstrider, the terrified child cowered, covering his face and crying out in anguish. Twila removed her glasses, revealing her bright azure eyes. Her eyes flashed a blue haze as she scrutinized Sira's efforts to conceal her energy's hue, and noticed a flicker of red as Sira battled to mask it. The sounds of wooden carts and hurried vendors drew nearer, prompting Twila to whisper again, "Hurry, Sira!" 

"Help me!" the child pleaded. Twila cast a worried glance at Sira, whose veins throbbed as she struggled to conceal her energy's hue. Sira's face contorted with the effort of concealing her energy, her head throbbing from the strain. She bit her lower lips and grunted one last time, watching as the hue gradually reduced until it vanished. Relief swept over Twila briefly, but it waned as she spotted blood trickling from Sira's nose. 

As Sira extended her hand a little further, the bird suddenly stopped moving, sending a hush through the onlookers. The sudden stillness of the bird sent shivers through the crowd.

The boy beneath the landstrider peeked from behind his arm, witnessing the bird's talons just inches away, panic catching in his throat. Twila urged, "Crawl out, now!" The child sniffled and nodded. The people caught up with Twila, and she spared a quick look at Sira, who still clung on. 

Sira clenched her teeth, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she maintained her grip on the bird, each second feeling like an eternity. She held her grip on the bird while keeping her face turned away from the approaching crowd. The child finally wriggled free, and Sira let go of the bird, steadying herself against a nearby stall. 

The bird fell to the ground, its wings fluttering frantically before setting in place, which prompted the onlookers to exchange whispered remarks.

"Did you see that?" one asked.

"No, i didn't. Did you?" another replied. 

"The bird was going crazy, then suddenly it just froze there." a woman added, approaching the whimpering child. She lifted him up and carried him onto a cart and asked, "Are you alright child?" 

He nodded, and the others wheeled him away. The crowd continued to murmur, some discussing stall repairs, others concerned about the child and the bird's strange movement, and a few simply relieved his was safe. 

Sira's heart raced as she gazed at the empty spot where the bird once perched, the adrenaline of the moment still coursing through her veins. 

She wiped her bloody nose with her white sleeve, only to realize her mistake. "Fuck!" Panicking, she tore the sleeve from her gown. 

Twila addressed the crowd once more. "Please, everyone, remain calm. The child will recover from his wounds, and the injured bird needs help, instead of dwelling on what happened, let's get it treated " She passed, awaiting their responses. 

Murmurs persisted, but many in the crowd nodded in agreement. A group of men wheeled a cart toward the bird, causing the landstrider to screech and grumble angrily. After some coaxing, they managed to calm it and rolled away. Sira watched as the people dispersed one by one. 

Twila hurried to Sira, who let out a weary sigh, finding solace in the normalcy that had returned. Kneeling beside her, Twila whispered, "Are you alright? Don't worry, you did well. Everything's fine now." she hugged Sira gently.

Sira lifted her blood-stained sleeve and said, "I'm sorry about the dress." Twila adjusted her glasses and playfully pinched Sira's cheek. Sira yelped, and Twila said, "You're hurt and you're worried about a piece of clothing? Focus on yourself more." she pouted lightly. 

Sira's cheeks stung but a smirk played on her lips. "Alright," she replied. Twila extended a hand, helping Sira to her feet.

"Now, let's hurry. We've got an hour left before we have to go visit Auntie Noemi," Twila said, guiding Sira as they walked. Sira raised an eyebrow. "Who's Auntie Noemi?" 

Twila chuckled. "Zev didn't tell his mum's name? How forgetful of him." she laughed. 

"I guess he forgot." Sira replied. Her eyes darted around and noticed Twila's hands were empty. "Um, Twila, where's the bag?" she inquired.

 "It's with Ena. I gave it to her and sent her home with the landstriders. I've called Grover here. He should arrive any minute soon." Twila explained.

"Ah, got it," Sira acknowledged. As they continued their slow pace, they heard a voice calling out from behind. "Excuse me? Excuse me," It was Endo, running towards them with a napkin in her hand. She bowed politely and approached Sira. "Are you okay?" 

Sira nodded.

 "Thank you so much for helping us," Endo said, handing Sira the napkin. Twila and Sira exchanged shocked glances as they realized the truth. "Y-you saw me use my powers?" Sira whispered to Endo while taking the napkin. 

Endo nodded, her voice soft. "Yes, I ran after Madame Twila when she ran after you. Then I followed you to the front of the crowd and overheard your conversations." she admitted, then looked down. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I didn't see anything I swear."

 Sira's brows creased. She realized Endo was a human, and to her, what she had witnessed was just something any elemental could do. Sira sighed and managed a smile. "It's cool as long as you swear to keep it to yourself." Endo giggled and gave Sira a warm hug. "I promise I will." Twila beamed and kissed Endo's forehead. "Thank you, sweetie." Blushing, Endo waved goodbye before disappearing back to wherever she had come from. 

Sira felt a wave of relief wash over her. Their journey continued until they reached the exit, where they found Grover standing beside a motorized carriage. Twila took the lead, and Grover bowed before opening the door. With gratitude, she helped Sira into the carriage, and Grover closed the door before joining them. The engine roared to life, and they set off to the chateau. 

*******

Back at the chateau, the Alvarez siblings gathered in Koa's study, all dressed up in their finest attires. Twila, in her elegant blue velvet gown, was decked out with matching gloves, a feathery veil, and perfectly coordinated shoes. The boys, looking dapper in their blue velvet tailcoats, proudly displayed the Alvarez family crest.

Then, a gentle knock at the door, and in walked Sira, cradling Blu in her arms. She donned a striking red velvet gown, complemented by see-through black gloves and black boots. A black veil covering her neatly tied hair into a bun with a few loose strands framing her face, added the finishing touch to her attire.

Twila couldn't help but gasp and approached her. "You look absolutely stunning," she whispered, touching Sira's cheek softly. Sira beamed, "And so do you." With a gentle gesture, Sira let Blu down on the floor before taking her place beside Zev on the couch, while Twila stood by Koa. Zev's earring dangled as he leaned against a cushion, grinning as he inquired, "Twila filled us in on what happened at Plant Market. How are you holding up?" 

Sira shrugged "I'm mostly fine now. I've already healed but there's still a lingering headache." Koa chimed in, "We're really relieved you're okay. But for your safety, you should get a proper check-up when we return." Sira nodded, her agreement met with a warm smile from Koa. 

Curiosity got the best of Twila, and she asked, "What about the surprise you've been teasing, Koa? You've kept Sira and me in the dark all morning," she added, playfully glaring at her brother.

Koa chuckled and rose from his seat, walking over to a bookshelf at the far end of the room. He retrieved a long wooden case, and with a grin, placed it on his desk. "After Sira shared her story, and Zev found Bludark, i realized something else was missing," He looked up to find Sira and Twila exchanging curious glances, and both Zev and Koa wore matching grins as Koa opened the case. 

He gently uncovered an item wrapped in white linen and handed it to Sira. She unwrapped it with care, and Twila let out an astonished gasp. "This can't be..." she began, her voice trailing off as she stared blankly at the object. Zev exchanged a triumphant high-five with Koa, who chuckled while Sira lovingly caressed the wooden item. 

"How...?" Sira asked, her voice trembling. "How did you find Neith's staff?" 

Twila couldn't resist and asked, "May I take a look?" She pointed at the staff, and Sira nodded with a small smile, passing it over. Twila ran her fingers over the wood, eyes sparkling with awe. "This....is....amazing!" She exclaimed, turning to Koa. "How did you get this?"

Koa chuckled sheepishly, "Sira mentioned Neith being cremated except her staff. So, using Sira's description of the forest, I conducted some research to find out where it was hidden." He quickly added, adjusting his glasses, "Then i 

sent Grover to retrieve the staff." 

Zev chimed in, "When Koa showed it to me, I couldn't believe my eyes either. He really is incredible with surprises."

"Yes, he is," Twila responded, "Poor Grover, he must've searched all night, right,Sira?" But Sira remained teary-eyed, lost in the moment. 

"Sira?" Twila called.

Sira blinked and wiped her tears with her gloves hands. "I'm sorry," she sniffled, "I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm just so grateful and happy." 

The Alvarez siblings watched as Sira carefully held the staff and bowed to them. "Thank you so much for being such wonderful people, for helping me regain my guardian's staff and Rieti's treasure."

The Alvarez siblings exchanged warm smiles. "It's our pleasure Sira," Koa said. "And thank you for allowing us to support you during this challenging time." 

"Yeah, we've got you." Zev reassured her.

Twila embraced Sira, whispering in her ear, "Besides, you're family now." Sira smiled and returned the hug. 

Amid this emotional moment, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Young masters, the carriages are ready to go now," Ena announced. "We'll be right there. Please get everyone ready," Twila responded. 

"Yes, Madame," Ena replied and went away. Sira broke away from the hug and picked up Blu as the feline strode to her, meowing. "Look buddy, It's Neith's staff," Sira said, waving the staff at Blu. "Alright, guys, it's time to go," Koa said, taking the staff from Sira and placing it back in its case.