“Here now! No stealing my customers!” The fruit merchant protested.
Both you and the old woman looked at him, having forgotten his presence.
“I assure you, I am not stealing anyone’s custom,” the woman stated. “I am merely repaying a debt.”
“A likely story,” the man snorted. “Just when he’s inspecting my wares, you sic your bird on him and pretend to be sorry just so you can give him a ‘free’ gift.” Focusing on you, he grumbled. “Mark my words, boy. The next one she offers isn’t going to be free, once you’re hooked. My apples are just as good as her’s, and I’ll match any price she gives you!”
“Now, look here, good sir,” the old woman snapped, stepping up to the booth. “I have no intention of selling anything at this market, ever. You are interfering with a very important matter, and I would advise you to stay out of it.”
“Very important, my foot!” The man growled, coming out to face her head on. “Protecting my business is just as important!”
Their argument grew more heated, leaving you feeling a bit out of place. So, pocketing the apple, you slipped away.
------------------------
A while after the young man had left, the old woman glanced around with a frown. “Wait, where did he go?”
The merchant crossed his burly arms and sniffed. “Well, it looks like I’m not the only one to lose business today.”
Whirling on him, the old woman shrieked. “You fool! Because of you, I have lost the future queen of this entire kingdom!”
“Queen?” The man snorted. “Perhaps you need your eyes checked if you thought that young man was a noble lass.”
“I owe you no explanations,” the crone hissed. “In fact, I believe it is you who owe me.”
“You’re mad if you think I’ll pay you anything.”
“Oh, I do not require money,” the old woman cackled darkly. “I only need a fresh pair of eyes and strong wings. Ebony could use some assistance in this search, after all.”
With that, her hand darted out, bony fingers curled like claws. There was no fancy flash of light, no arcane chants or mutterings. The fruit merchant simply jerked upright before shrinking rapidly into his clothes which crumpled to the ground in a pile. A small bump pushed its way to the empty collar before a sleek crow wriggled out into the sunlight. With a startled caw, it leapt into the air and winged over to the witch’s shoulder opposite Ebony.
“My, how much lovelier you look this way. I think I’ll call you Nightshade.”
Ebony studied the other crow critically. “Caw! Ca-Caw!
“No need for jealousy, dear,” the old woman cackled. “I think you’re both equally pretty. You two are sisters, now, after all.”
“Caw?”
“Because a female suits me, pet. And I don’t want you having distractions from your duties. Now, enough questions. We have a princess to find. Fly, now, and find her before anything goes wrong!”
With a beat of wings, Ebony and Nightshade sailed into the sky and began circling the town, sharp eyes on the lookout for a familiar young man.