Having finally made a decision about how to post her letter, Krel moved away from the stone tables. It didn’t really matter when Ashley got her post, just that she got it. Besides, if she sent the letter in the least expensive manner, perhaps she’d be able to swing the purchase of a new owl. If she remembered an ad correctly, there should be a new Parliament of owls had just arrived at the store.

A gentleman with an armload of boxes walked past. Krel paused to let him go and then followed behind him. “Mighty load of boxes you have there,” she said with just the hint of a German accent. It wasn’t meant to be judgmental, but rather a simple comment to encourage small talk with a stranger.