Auden’s Blessing
“Stop talking. I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m going to get it back.” He completely ignored my protest and lifted me into his arms. “Come on, try being on top.”
…
I slapped my forehead hard and took a deep breath. “I went somewhere very far away. Ore needs to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, you know. The quality sold here definitely isn’t as good as what you find yourself. You’re an alchemist—you should understand that.”
Xia and Tis nodded as if they half understood. I smiled with satisfaction and turned to walk toward Ina’s workshop. But just as I crossed the street and stood in front of the workshop door, Xia’s loud voice traveled across the street and through the crowd: