season has brought.’
As soon as they opened the door somewhere in the back of the shop, a bell rang softly. The room was not large, barely ten by ten paces. There were no ready-made outfits in sight, but along the walls were tall shelves filled with colourful bales of various fabrics. Opposite the entrance, a counter crossed the room, on which several sheets of fabric were spread out, and further behind it was a passageway leading deeper into the building.
‘Customers.’ The voice that came from the back room was difficult to describe. It sounded very rough, yet melodious at the same time. ‘I'm coming.’
Gizel stopped at the counter, casually looking at the fabrics on display. She looked up when the inner door opened. A short, humanoid creature, reaching perhaps to the dragon's shoulder, entered the shop, dressed in a dress made of a single long strip of heather fabric wrapped around her torso. Her exposed hands and head seemed to be made of charcoal, and instead of hair, she had amber spikes standing upright. The character's eyes, positioned vertically along the slits that served as a nose, had grey whites and honey-coloured irises. Her narrow lips formed a horizontal line and did not move when she spoke. Shehedes scanned Gizel with her gaze.
‘Your Royal Highness has honoured my humble abode with your presence.’ The woman made a slight bow. She did not seem particularly pleased with the unannounced visitor.
‘My dear Siti, you know that I will always find time to visit your shop.’ Gizel gave Shehdes a cold smile. ‘You are the only one in this city whose abilities I trust.’
‘What does Your Royal Highness require?’ The seamstress gestured towards the crowded shelves with a slight movement of her hand. Draco had no intention of trying to guess what had happened between the women, but he knew that it was not an ordinary relationship, and certainly not a simple one.
‘I need an evening gown for next week.’ The elf was engrossed in examining the contents of the shop. ‘And some accessories, but nothing
