They were selling tail hairs from unicorns and small pieces of horn. Small skeins of elf hair, and the shells of dragon eggs. Where did they get these? From bushes where hairs naturally were lost to shedding, places where pieces could be found where horns were scraped due to sharpening. From brushes after a being brushed their hair and threw the loose hairs from the brushes into leavings, and the shells were gathered, politely of course, by asking to clean the nest after the young had hatched and no longer needed them. -- Anon Guest
Charms were a common trade item amongst the roaming folk. They were easy enough to make, and the associated sales pitch simple enough to allow money to exchange hands. Of course, some were more honest than others in the making. For every gross of folk declaring their charms worthy for warding off all woes, there was one who listened to their potential customer and made the charm to fit.
Of the two varieties, the latter was more effective, but the former was more popular.
Raisel didn't mind. She much preferred to be honest, reliable, and kind. She much preferred to listen, and provide what her customers needed. She had some more generic ones, for protection against ill will, or to ward off disease, but some needed to be tailored and used in special cases.
Like this one. "The usual disease charms don't work," said the goodwife. Her skin was waxy and pale, with a blue tint. She had some spotting on her skin and thin hair. More telling, her breath smelled of bitter almonds. "My household's sick and out laird won't let us move. I swear it's cursed land. Please... can you do something to help us? Your kind know magic, don't you?"
Raisel let the your kind pass for now. "We know lots of things, but I'm no more magic than your neighbour," A safe bet. Those born in backwaters like these who had a grasp of magic tended to leave them. "I can have a look at your land and seek what the problem might be. Once I know... I may be able to help you." She didn't make firm promises. There were certain things she could not help.
The well also smelled of bitter almonds. Raisel drew some water and tested it in a vial with some of her other components. The contents of the vial turned blue.
"You need to hang a charm of unicorn horn from the bottom of your well pail," she said. "I can make one for you, but it will take a day."
"I'd rather die than kill a unicorn," wailed the goodwife.
"Killing is not necessary," said Raisel. "I can find unicorn horn without causing harm."
"How?" wondered the goodwife.
"Sometimes, they tilt at trees rather than each other. Sometimes they tilt at rocks. Bits chip off, and we collect them whenever we see unicorn grounds." She smiled, "Same with the unicorn hair. It's easy enough to find it caught in bushes and bark. I can show you some of my collection. Your charm will be bound in unicorn hair, which does not break."
The goodwife eagerly followed, awed at the opalescent shine of the horn pieces, and the prismatic hues of unicorn hair. She was also surprised to find that Raisel had fine nets already made to contain those chips, and cording woven from unicorn hair ready to put it all together.
Raisel even had a little chart with hues related to the measures necessary for her work.
All it took was quick work with a silver needle and a walnut cap of hazelwood to create it. After that, it was a race to get it installed before the sun set.
"Tomorrow is our sacred day," said Raisel. "We must devote it to our god." Her hands flew. Drilling into opposite corners of the pail. Threading the cord through those holes, catching the net charm with it, and tying off the ends securely. "If I do not, then I am shunned by my people for a week."
Severe consequences. The goodwife understood. "What do I owe for this service? And when may I pay?"
"It is a blessing to help the health of others," said Raisel. "Be sure that all the water you use comes from the pail with the charm. If you change the pail, move the charm to that new pail. All should be well. If you wish to give in gratitude, we cannot accept the products of a pig. It is like poison to us. Other than that, a useful making would be welcome." Raisel bade her farewell and returned to her caravan for the evening cleansing.
The day after sabbath, the goodwife dropped off a basket of eggs and a basket of fruit. She also vowed her good word for Raisel's people whenever anyone spoke ill in her presence.
It was more than enough.
[Photo by Yansi Keim on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
Send me a prompt [16 remaining prompts!]