Se Riddermarket of Sweltering Summer - CLOSED

[Shivased]

Se Riddermarket of Sweltering Summer

The day dawns hot and humid. As the marketplace comes to life for the day it is clear, despite the early hour, that it is going to be a hot one. The streets are dusty and dry and the sun beats down on people as they go about their business. Even plants look hot, the gardens around the fountain and planters scattered through the marketplace looking dry and wilted. Horses sweat as they pull wagons along and vendors in stalls fan themselves and try to stay in the shade.

It is a typical, hot summer day in Rohan. Though this heat is normal, it isn't pleasant. Working in this heat won't be easy and even shopping will be unpleasant for many.

Welcome to the Riddermarket!

This is a free RP thread with the theme of a marketplace, so Come in, shop, socialize, wander. Feel free to check out shops, or PM the Riddermarket lædenmanger Shivased if you want to open your own shop.

Open Shops

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe ~NPC: Jacen (Shivased) ~ A shop selling animals and horses as well as animal supplies
Pen and Ink ~ Aethelu~ A shop selling pens, inks, parchment and other writing supplies
CweÞ Ciese ~ Thalionwen ~ Fresh cheeses and other fine dairy products as well as eggs
Awesnis gærwe nædleprica ~ Taethowen ~ Essence of Needlepoint, a seamstress and clothing shop
Apprentice: Starbreeze (Fairy) Assistant: Seleðryðe (Almarëa)
Glædmód Abiring ~ Daran (NPC of Shivased) ~ A shop for everything sweet. Candy, chocolate and treats galore.
Isengafæme Smithing ~ Rhys (NPC of Rowena)~ A blacksmith shop
Ffermgardd Adref ~ Audley (NPC of Rowena) ~ Gardening and farming supply store
Siltan Bur ~ Elarith ~ A butcher Shop selling a variety of meats
Leoht Min Fyr ~ Beda (NPC ofEléowyn) ~ Candles and related products
Second Skin Saddles and Tack ~ Gwai ~ Tack and horse supplies
Golde ge Eorcanstan ~ Aodh Hammerhelm ~ Purveyor of finely crafted jewellery
Holt Leod (Wooden Song) ~ Caddrick (Veowyn) ~ Wooden instruments and trinkets
Treowwyrhta ~ Æric (Windy) ~ Carpenter shop selling tables, chairs, benches and wood furniture, as well as offering repairs for houses, etc.
Se Hæland Æ ~ Sigrid (Windy) ~ Healing herbs, remedies and supplies
The Copper Kettle ~ Shivased ~ A Tea Shop. Selling a variety of tea leaves and mixtures, fine kettles, pots and other accessories.

Shops For Sale
Fela Tera ~ For Sale ~ Beadwork, Hair Ornaments and beaded strings for men and horses
Liðefot (The Soft Foot) ~ For Sale ~ A cobbler's Shop. Footwear, shoes and boots
Essence ~ For Sale ~ Essential oils and herbs
Né Fugol of Huntanð ~ For Sale ~ Birds of Prey and supplies for hawking and falconers
Crete Lið ~ For Sale ~ Fine wines
Æghwa ge Beþurfan ~ For Sale ~ A basic grocer selling fruits, vegetables and produce in season
Giong æt Heortes ~ For Sale ~ Toys of all sorts - stuffed fabric or knitted, wooden. Blocks, rocking horses, doll houses
Hafocung Shoppe ~ For Sale ~ Hawking supplies and even hawks themselves
Eldar cú ~ For Sale ~ Archery products - bows, arrows, quivers, and more


More shops will be added as they open or become available to buy.

To Open a Shop:
1. Shops must be realistic for Rohan. So no pizza shops, sorry.
2.NO libraries or book shops. The Rohirrim were a people of oral tradition, so would not have had things like that.
3. No repeat shops. If someone sells something already, think of another idea. We don't want overlap.
4.Tag Shivased, the lædenmanger, in the Golden Hall OOC thread for approval BEFORE opening a shop! PM must include shop name and description of what you plan to sell.

Thread Rules:
1. Remember, this is a marketplace so posts should reflect that. Shop, socialize, etc. as you would while at market.
2. Red BF0000 is reserved for the lædenmanger
3. Please post your location at the top of your post - Pen and Ink, Streets, etc. so others know where you are.
4. If a shop is listed as FOR SALE, feel free to RP there being a shopkeeper there, within reason. If a shop has an owner, please wait for them to acknowledge you, do not godmode them.
5. HAVE FUN!

[Lirimaer]

Laewyn, stablemistress and healer's apprentice

On the streets

Laewyn strode down the fairgrounds with barely a look right or left. She was on a mission, and no amount of enticingly delicious smells wafting ever closer and making her stomach grumble were going to dissuade her from it. She had stopped and asked directions from a teenage girl on the street though.

"You'll want @Aethelu's place," the girl pointed, clearly delighted to have been asked. "Pen and Ink, on the left about a hundred yards thataway!"

"Thank you kindly!" Laewyn gave her a smile, and followed her directions, eating the ground with her strides.

Pen and Ink

"Good day!" Laewyn called as she entered, looking around for the proprietor. The woman was not busy, so she went over directly.

"Hello, I wonder if you might help me?"

[Aethelu]

Aethelu - Pen and Ink

Aethelu nodded in agreement as Bereth looked over the vellum. "I have not had the chance to see it made, but it is a something to behold isn't it?" As she laid the vellum down, Aethelu began to look for the right way to package it up. First she found some ribbon, carefully rolling up the sheets and tying it gently. Now, she was sure she still had some of the canisters that the parchments had been sent to her in. It took her some time to find them, she needed to tidy up behind the counter at some point. At last she found one, and delicately slid the rolled vellum in. As she finished, she heard the announcement too and smiled at Bereth. "It's been a good day for customers, don't you worry about that. Thank you kindly for your custom." She gratefully took the coins and waved as she departed the shop.

Looking at the mess behind the counter, she wondered if she should start tidying up when she heard a voice from behind her. "Good day," she smiled as the woman (Laewyn) came towards her. "How can I help you today?"

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Allacan, human, she/her, visiting Awesnis gærwe nædleprica first thing in the morning, waiting to see if @Taethowen shows up

Allacan was up at the crack of dawn. She quickly brewed the strange drink she had obtained from a Thali; Ceurfey or some other such nonsense (probably from the Easterlings, at her uneducated guess) that apparently had the ability to wake the senses and stave off exhaustion. She was a little concerned at anything that claimed to innocently provide such perks, but having tested it herself the day before it seemed to have no untoward disadvantages in reasonable doses. It had a strong, smokey almost earthy flavour that she had sweetened with a little caramel to take away the bitterness from her perhaps a touch over-enthusiastic roasting, but it certainly wasn't poisonous, which was the important thing.

She took the sweet pastries she had baked herself the night before and the two mugs of Ceurfey - covered with a cloth so as to stay fresh - out into the Riddermarket streets even as the early light which lit the streets with gentle colour of a summer morning, promising another hot day. She wasn't concerned about her friend Taethowen, not yet. But she knew the woman had been burning the candle at both ends for a while and would probably appreciate a breakfast delivery. With all the recent festival events there had been so many commissions requested from her as owner of Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica that Allacan was worried Taeth had engaged in a few late nights of stitching and sewing to ensure the various outfits were done in time. Add to that the festival events themselves, and the apparent new romance with the handsome man Frost - yet another reason Taeth's sleeping habits might have been disturbed as of late - and it was already enough for one woman to manage. But Taeth was no ordinary woman, and Allacan had already heard via reliable sources of her promotion to Marshal of the Cavalry of the Mark. She had every faith this wonderful woman, possibly the most organised person she knew, would be able to juggle all these things and more. But still, Allacan wanted to let her friend know she was there to help, in any way she could.

So it was that even before the seamstress' shop had opened, Allacan was seated on the doorstep, sipping at her own brew and resisting the temptation to nibble on the pastries, waiting to see if Taethowen would be opening her shop today, or if she would opt to sleep in (perfectly understandable, especially if your bed is un-empty) or perhaps even head to the Dragon Room first. Allacan didn't mind waiting, and if anything almost hoped the new Marshal did not show, so that she could tease her friend about it later.

---

From a quick read-through; it appears that the below role-play stories were midway through being told when the last Riddermarket thread closed for the festival. I don't know if any of you wish to pick up where you left off or do some clever hand-wavey role-play about reminiscing on what happened last time, maybe coming to pick up the wares you intended on ordering or something.

Ffermgardd Adref - Audley with @Lealnemarr, who had yet to make her request (Rowena later leaving)

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica @Taethowen with @Bereth was commissioning a dress for the Summer Festival (resolved in Festival Fairgrounds), @Thalionwen Hunigfolm wanted something in black (also resolved in Festival Fairgrounds), and Taeth was likely later finishing @Elarith's commission for a new apron.

Leoht Min Fyr - Beda (@Eléowyn) has served Taedwyn (@Elarith) also Seemie Rheus (@Aodh Hammerhelm) and I presume they both left shortly thereafter.

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe - @Shivased was arresting Rhainnyn Volorwin II (Rowena) with the back-up of @Amadhrill , but was interrupted by @Rowena Ellenweorc and Rhys. Given Rowena made a recommendation only to let Rhiannyn go and said she would 'keep an eye on him' but said she was leaving for Gondor, I figure that after having found Rhiannwyn with poison on him and him practically admitting he is an agent for his father Cuthbert, Shiva will probably have respectfully disagreed with Rowena and tried to arrest him, but he got away. I cannot personally envision a situation where Shiva would have willingly let him go, even if Rowena had asked her to do so, especially when Shiva had already made the decision to arrest him without having all that to back it up. But I appreciate that it is your NPC Rowena so we'll say he isn't in a prison cell anywhere just yet, which gives you some authority over your own character.

@Rowena Ellenweorc (Also, in future I would advise against self-gratifying posts like your last one; they are a little god-modey because they haven't given Shiva or Amadhrill, who were already engaged in the story before Rowena turned up, a chance to play it out naturally with your other NPC. Playing three human characters in one scene, plus role-playing the wolf Drefan as well is a little over-board, don't you think? Cavalry rank or not, you found an excuse to bring two uninvolved characters into a scene without invitation and, despite them being new to the shop and not knowing the full story of what was happening, Rowena took over the whole scene and played it out your way, which didn't allow Shiva or Amadhrill a chance to engage or play it out naturally. Doing that can upset some people because you aren't letting them join in or influence things. If you want to play a scene out in a specific way then I would suggest speaking to people in OOC threads like Golden Hall ahead of time asking permission from them to play out a scene, or role-playing alone.)

From the looks of the Festival Fairgrounds thread it looks like that wrapped up much more neatly, with only @Taethowen and @Frostbite being interrupted eating at the Foodstalls, but I think we can all guess how that concluded (fade to black)

---

Also from the last Riddermarket thread:-

The Streets

Cal' had finally recovered from the bashing and bruising of the Tub race. He hadn't seen Léowine since the race ended but he hoped he'd meet his team mate again. It was a sunny day in Edoras and he guessed the best place to find about a town (and meet people) would be the market place. He walked along the streets looking at the shops. Maybe today he would buy something to take to his mother in Gondor, of maybe just something tasty too eat. Too many shops. Where to begin?

@Calimir I pulled this over here so you could pick up where you left off if you wished and didn't have to jump back and forth between threads.

[Lirimaer]

Laewyn

Pen and Ink

As Aethelu turned to her, Laewyn beamed. "Hi, I've just become an apprentice healer, and I need a journal for notes, essentially."

She glanced around the shop, noting some things.

"I also need some writing and drawing tools, with colour and without, if you have options. And I need the pictures not to smudge, ever. There's a lot of things to remember, and I'd be pretty terrible at it without writing it down," she added.

"Can you help me?"

[Taethowen]

Taethowen
human, she/her

Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica

The sun was barely up, but it was already so warm and humid that Taeth was wiping beads of sweat from her brow by the time she reached the Riddermarket after leaving her house in Edoras. It wasn't a long walk by any means, either.

The past few weeks had been an insane flurry of activity. Between returning to the Mark, re-opening her shop, the Summer Festival, Thalionwen threatening to leave Rohan for Mordor of all places--and honestly that still wasn't quite resolved--and then her own torrid, unexpected romance with a man she'd met six years ago during an insanely foolish venture into Umbar, Taeth was hardly certain what to to make of her life. And that wasn't even counting all the Cavalry stuff.

But Taeth had managed to drag herself out of bed today and to the Riddermarket, because she had her new apprentice and shop assistant starting soon. For all she knew, they might even show up that day, and it wouldn't do for the shop owner to not be there.

What she did not expect was to find Fyrefly--no, Allacan, she reminded herself--sitting on the front step when she arrived. With a covered tray that looked to contain food. She'd already had breakfast, althought it had been quite a while ago, but she wouldn't turn down a snack.

"Good morning!" Taeth smiled. "If there's food on that tray, you'll have to make sure Thalionwen doesn't notice you bringing it inside. She's the reason for the sign." Taeth pointed to the one which read NO FOOD OR DRINK. "She lost a wheel of cheese in my most expensive linen and ruined an entire bolt."

She slipped around Allacan to unlock the door, propping it open with a brick she kept just inside for expressly this purpose. It was simply too hot to leave the doors and windows closed all summer long.

"Are you here for textiles, clothing, or just to visit?" Taeth asked as they stepped inside. "I'm hoping my new apprentice and shop assistant will be in today, but otherwise I'm not terribly busy. At least at Awesnis."

---

The storylines with Thali's and Bereth's dresses has been essentially concluded in the Summer Festival Fairgrounds. During the Summer Festival Fairgrounds, Taeth hired Starbreeze (@Fairy Nuff) and Selðryðe (@Almarëa Mordollwen). Starbreeze has been helping to finish Elarith's apron, which is nearly done.

Starbreeze & Selðryðe - Feel free to RP your arrival to the shop whenever! I think we'll RP moving you both into Taeth's house in LitM later this week or next week, if you want to do so.

[Aethelu]

Pen and Ink

Aethelu smiled at the woman as she spoke. "An apprentice healer? Congratulations!" Her brow furrowed as she began to think, a look that had often been described as making her look mean. She was going to need to practice making her face look softer at some point or she was going to scare away the customers. That wasn't what she needed to think of right now though. What did she have that would work for this young woman.

"Let me see, let me see," she said softly, moving around to the front of the counter and looking over the shelves. I have some journals, parchment bound in leather that have a leather strap to fasten them closed. As to the writing and drawing..." Aethelu looked from one set of drawers to another. "I have ink in several colours for writing and colouring, the coloured inks tend to come in smaller bottles as they are mostly used for illustrations." She pulled out a drawer filled with small bottles of ink in all sorts of colours, red, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown, white. "They mix quite well if you need a more specific shade. I have pens and brushes as well."

Further down, her hands danced over a few different drawers before she found the next one she was looking for. "I found these are very popular for drawing," she said, pulling out a small black stick. "Sticks of charcoal are good for sketching out lines, you can sharpen them for finer lines or leave them blunt for something more broad. Now, to make sure it doesn't smudge. Where did I put it?" Once again she let her hands glide over the drawers, humming to herself as she did. "Aha!" she exclaimed as she pulled out a jar of powder. "This powder will help to dry the ink. Just sprinkle it on top, wait a few minutes, then pour the powder back into the jar." She grinned. "It's like magic."

Looking at the array of open drawers and scattered products, she looked to the woman with a sheepish grin. "I have shown you a lot of my wares, I hope I haven't caused any confusion. Does that help?"

[Lirimaer]

Laewyn

Pen and Ink, with Aethelu

"Thank you," Laewyn responded with a pleased half-smile, to the woman's pleasantry, and then applied herself to listening intently to the entire sales pitch. It was pretty good; the addition of magic powder was a key selling point!

Laewyn's eyes grew rounder and rounder with every new thing the woman showed her. Clearly, she'd come to the right place. The woman had only indicated the stacks of journals she had available, and that might be a task in itself just choosing one. She had a horrible feeling she was going to be fussy about the colour or something equally foolish, but her apprenticeship was important to her, and to have a quality product that she liked was going to make her more inclined to use it, even on those days when she would be tired.

Wondering faintly what the final price would be, she ploughed ahead with a question that had been growing in her mind since she'd seen the inks, pens and brushes.

"So, this all looks perfect," she said. "I want to take everything you've shown me, but I'll need something to carry it all in. Do you have such a thing for holding writing and drawing implements to keep them safe?"

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Allacan in Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica with @Taethowen

As Taeth pointed out the sign about no food or drink Allacan nodded in understanding. Now that she thought about it she realised that of course a clothing store would not want to risk contamination of its products with greasy foods and spilled drinks. She felt a bit embarrassed that she had gone to the effort of getting hold of the exotic drink and baking fresh pastries by hand, but she shrugged it off with a smile, grimacing a little at the news of Thali’s missing wheel of cheese. “If it’s a rule for one, it should be a rule for all. Especially if Thali is involved! I’ll stay in the doorway enjoying my breakfast, but maybe I should lurk at the back door rather than the front; I would hate to put off any of your customers.”

She headed round the side of the store, sipping at the Ceurfey appreciatively; it certainly did seem to be waking her up. Once Taeth had opened the rear door she positioned herself casually across its threshold, sat with her back against the frame and one foot up resting the toe against the opposite edge.

"I’m just here to share my breakfast, and so you can judge whether I’ve lost my skill in baking, and to find out all the gossip straight from the Mearas’ mouth” she gave a mischievous grin at Taeth, sipping at her drink as she offers the second one the friend. “So, now the dust has settled a little...” she said, waving away all the mischief, mayhem, madness and misdemeanours of the last few days, “...tell me about him. This blue-eyed, tall and handsome gentleman of yours. How did THAT happen?!”

[Pele Alarion]

Pele
On the streets

Pele felt that by a single foolish act she had managed to destroy much of her own character and reputation: and she could not even explain why on earth she had done such a thing, when she had always been able to be disciplined and calm even in the most challenging situations. And Arnyn was probably right, there was no other way to deal with it except for making amends and offering apology.

However, the Gondorian had not come prepared for a party, and mostly had just usual travel clothes and such, so she came to the Riddermarket in hopes of finding something more or less appropriate for the occasion. Even if she had brought her uniform and if it would have been suitable for a party, she would feel too embarrassed to wear it.

As it was, she even felt too embarrassed to walk along the street and enter the shops, as it was likely that the rumours had spread and she would have to provide explanations of one sort or another. But well... there was really no way around it. Seemingly at a leisurely pace she walked by the shops, looking for something that would be useful. Perhaps she could also look for some other useful items too, while at it. In an attempt to chase away the embarrassment she felt, Pele forced herself to lift her head up and straighten her back more.

In her mind, Pele began forming a list of necessary items: a dress or something similar; then maybe some sort of comfy tunic for everyday use, a new blade... could never get tired of it. And perhaps something delicious to lift the mood.

[Eléowyn]

OOC: [Carried over from Life in the Mark]

NPC Beda - Golde ge Eorcanstan

"Don't worry about the cleaning, or the breakfast, for now!" Beda cried. "We have to take care of getting you cleaned up and making sure you aren't burned!" She grabbed a cloth and started wiping Sheemie's feet to clean off any of the hot porridge that the water had not washed away. "You really should get out of those trousers as well, to make sure you are not burned on your legs." She thought she noticed a blush creep across his wide cheeks. "Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to take them off of you. I can run down to the baker's to get us a loaf to eat for breakfast. You have some butter and jam, don't you? You get yourself cleaned up while I do that. We can take care of the rest of the cleaning after we've had a bite to eat. It's still early, it will be fine."

As usual, she had prattled on with hardly a breath.

"Are you sure everything is all right?" she asked again. "You were speaking very strangely earlier, when the ground shook. By the way, whatever was that? It was certainly no muster of the cavalry!"

Golde ge Eorcanstan: NPC: Sheemie Rheus

“Yes,” Sheemie said to Beda. “Least ways, I think it is – all right, I means.” The lad’s forehead crinkled as he considered his response. It wasn’t exactly untrue, lawks no, but it was also a little south of truth. Fresh bread and jam sounded perfect, but the thought of Beda leaving him alone in the shop (even for a few seconds!) made him anxious.

“These trousers will do for now,” he said to his sweoster. “They’s a bit dirty but I’m not burned. Anyways I planned to go do some gardening, I always do first thing in the morning, so they’d have got dirty anyway. Wait here a minute!”

Sheemie hurried to his room and slipped on his gardening sandals. He took up his faded pink hat and peeked into his sock drawer. Michæl had finished his brêkfis and was fast asleep, curled up just so and cosy around the pair of woollen hose the kind m’lady had given Sheemie in the Riddermarket two days before. “Sleep tight, little freond,” Sheemie whispered as he left the room.

“Well now, Beda, Sheemie’s ready,” he tooted. “He’s got no jam or butter, so he’ll come with you to find stuff for breakfast.”

This was another untruth - a great big fib, actually! Sheemie could clearly picture the crock of strawberry jam and wooden dish containing a pat of butter on the shelf above the dining table, but he wasn’t going to tell Beda he DID have the makings, or part makings, of ontbyt to hand - not if it meant staying alone in the shop.

“Sheemie will come with you, Beda, to the bakers and to the market… We can get stuff for a picnic and eat it down by the river before I start gardening.”

NPC Beda -- Golde ge Eorcanstan

“Sheemie Rheus,” Beda replied, sounding exasperated, “you are acting very strange. Something is afoot here, and I am not going anywhere until you tell me what it is.” She had the luxury of not hearing her stomach churn at the delay in breakfast, as she had downed the fistful of bread on her way to Sheemie’s shop. She hoped the thought of going without breakfast would spur Sheemie to open up. On the other hand, she did have her own shop to open before the sun rose too high in the sky. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently to emphasize her determination.

@Aodh Hammerhelm

[Eldrith]

NPC post Aegwarth

streets of the riddermarket

*He was nervous. Not about the kill. He'd witnessed others. But about here. And now. It would need to be quick. He had been fortunate enough to find his target a while ago. But the right moment was what he was waiting on. The skirt felt awkward about his frame. And the others had laughed at it. Taedwyn had deemed it necessary though. His face covered with a light hood that cast enough of a shadow to hide his features. A cloak would be better but it would draw attention in the summer heat, the green linen hood however was appropriate, kept the sun out of his face and pulled forward enough that no one could see who he was, or in this case wasn't. If he'd known Taedwyn would have sent him out to do this he'd never have told the story. But it had been funny. He'd not counted on the man to get excited and decide it made for the perfect moment to act. Frustration about the badgers and the delay may have played a role in that. However an order was an order, and he'd been obeying them since he was a runt on the streets of Gondor.

Aegwarth taken care in leaving a nice distance between his quarry, looking up and down the streets till the moment was right. The months which they had spent doing nothing useful in his opinion now actually proved their use because he knew the streets, the shoppes.. and which ones were vacant and which ones not. As Pele paused a moment before Crete Lið, for sale, and no longer offering delicious wine, he rushed forward. Nerves now heightened. It felt different than expected. Now. It had to be now, no one right there on the street, a moment only. He moved fast until he was at the Gondorian's back, reached forward from behind to put a hand over the mouth, pulled his arm back and with a harsh thrust drove the knife into her back.

He didn't wait to see if he'd struck true. There was no time to loose. People could be rounding the corner any moment. But if they did.. they'd see at most the swift flapping of skirts as he rushed around.. two more corners, a small path that was used to push barrels towards the store's cellar. A slash of the knife and the skirts were abandoned as was the hood, which he'd used quickly to wipe up a spray of blood from his hands/ He was sweating like a pig but within seconds.. he was looking exactly like a young man strolling around the market, a different street.. and the determined but no longer hasty gate of a young man with places to be.

((OOC: with permission))

[Pele Alarion]

Pele
The streets of market

She was pretty much lost in thoughts and paid little attention to what was going on around her. At the least she noticed that not all shops were open and were still waiting for new owners, but then again she did not need all shops. Being in no hurry (well, somehow she did not want to hasten to appear in the party), Pele stopped now and again to look at the windows of the shops.

Yet, at one such time she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her, and a hand went over her mouth before she could turn properly. However, Pele had managed to turn enough to receive the knife more from the side than straight into the back. The pain shot through her body, and she fell to her knees when released from the hold. She took a couple deep breaths to master the pain and then looked over her shoulder - all she saw, however, was only a distant figure disappearing behind the corner.

Reaching over with her hand, Pele found that the knife was left in the wound. She knew that if she tried to remove it, she might cause even more damage to herself as the wound was in a hard to reach place. Sitting down to avoid collapsing, she supported herself with one hand, while trying to find in her pockets something to be used as a makeshift bandage.

Yet, she knew well enough that more likely than not she might bleed to death if she did not find any help. And yet the pain was strong enough for her not to be able to cry out to get someone's attention.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen
The Streets

It was fortunate that Thali had discovered a shortcut into the Riddermarket, through one of the back alleys that ran between disused shops. It would certainly prove useful now that she'd opened up the Infirmary at the city's outskirts, in addition to running CweÞ Ciese. Truth be told, she was stretched a bit thin, but as she'd always hated to feel idle or bored, there were worse twists of fate to be had.

Rounding a corner on her way to open up the cheese shop, Thalionwen blinked at the sight of someone slumped in the shadows before her. Drunk, perhaps--it had been a riotous summer in the Riddermark, and that was putting things mildly.

But then she saw blood, and the gleam of a knife's hilt, and the haelend in her took over.

Quicker than thought, Thali dropped down at the stranger (Pele's) side. As she spoke, she slipped off the heavy satchel she habitually carried and rummaged through it, coming up with a generous bundle of clean cotton gauze.

"I'm Thalionwen Hunigfolm, a Cavalry haelend and Lead Healer at the Infirmary outside Edoras," Thali said quickly. "We need to get that knife out of you, and get your bleeding stopped. Can you nod if you understand?"

[Pele Alarion]

Pele
On the streets

Pele had had enough practice in dealing with the pain, if it could be said so, and she tried to maintain proper breathing to keep herself from becoming light-headed too soon. For a while she entertained a thought of trying to move and find a healer, though she knew not where; however, even as she shifted slightly, she felt the knife tear at her flesh even more. She clenched her teeth and kept herself as still as possible, closing her eyes for a few moments.

It might have been hours, or maybe only a short while, the Gondorian could not say for sure, but hearing a voice right next to her, she opened her eyes to look at Thalionwen.

"I... understand..." she managed to say, followed by a slight nod.

What the healer said made complete sense to Pele, as she would have acted the same way - if only she had not ended up being the one in need of healer's hand.

Besides, she couldn't help but wonder of who had wanted to harm her; it could not have been for purposes of robbery, as the culprit had disappeared right away. Surely it could not have been because of her rash actions in Campian?

[Taethowen]

Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica (not yet open for the day)
with @Allafyrefleorhtlig, first thing in the morning

Taethowen
human, she/her

Taeth left the 'closed' sign up on the door as Allacan wandered around to the back. She could spare a few minutes to visit, and the Riddermarket wouldn't be bustling for a while yet. After opening the door, and watching with a smile as Allacan got settled across the threshold, she accepted the strange-smelling drink her friend offered.

"So, now the dust has settled a little, tell me about him," Alla asked with a mischievous grin. "This blue-eyed, tall and handsome gentleman of yours. How did THAT happen?!"

Taeth rolled her eyes. Of course that's what Fyr-Allacan, she thought. It's Allacan now.--was here for. Gossip. About Frost. Slowly, Taeth breathed in the hot steam rising from the cup she held. The smell was... bitter, with just a hint of buttery sweetness to it. Cautiously, both because of the heat and the scent, Taeth took a sip. It wasn't... terrible. But it definitely could use more sweet and maybe even a generous dollop of cream. It didn't stop her from taking another sip, though.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around the how," Taeth confessed. "I actually met him, the first time, about six years ago. In Umbar. Nothing happened between us there, though... but then he showed up at the M. Meduseld competition as a friend of Thalionwen's. It was... quite the shock, to say the least.

"Sometimes I wonder if I've gone insane, or am simply moving far too quickly... but I find myself inexplicably drawn to him, and I know it's the same for him with me. And it's... one of those things, where you know if you don't try, you'll regret it forever."

She had almost regretted it forever. Sneaking out of that inn in Umbar, when he'd gone to fetch a meal for her, had been one of the most difficult things she'd ever done, and at that point they hadn't even kissed. Now, after so much more, she didn't know how she would bear being apart when Frost would eventually have to leave Rohan.

A little bit of embarrassment overtook her then, and she bent down to retrieve one of Alla's pastries, taking a bite, and a hum of contentment escaped her. "These are delicious!"

[Calimir]

The Streets

Cal' kept moving along the streets. The day was still early and the market not yet busy, but it already felt very warm. He was hungry but couldn't seem to find a baker anywhere. There was a sweetshop, a butcher and a cheese place, but none of those shops tickled had fancy. Nice fresh bread and some fruit is what he felt like. And maybe out side of the town? Yes, that would be grand. It had been a few days since he had seen the Snowbourn river, and the last time he'd really been bumping along on top of it instead of relaxing. He saw a fountain and went over to it. There were steps in the shade so he sat there for a bit and waited to see if the smell of fresh bread would find his nostrils.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen
The Streets

"I'm going to pull this out," Thalionwen said gently to the strange woman (Pele) with the knife in her back. Bema, what was Edoras coming to? "It's going to hurt like--well, it's going to hurt a lot. Take this and put it between your teeth, and brace yourself."

Handing the woman a clean bite stick from in her satchel, Thali positioned the thick handful of gauze next to the wound, and took the knife hilt in her free hand, her touch feather-light.

"In three, two and one," she said, and on one, pulled the knife out in a single swift motion. Blood welled up immediately, but Thali put pressure on it with her bundle of gauze and rummaged through the ever-useful satchel with her free hand, coming up with a small leather bag. From it, she poured a fragrant mixture of powdered herbs onto the wound.

"This is dried yarrow and plantain," Thali explained, her voice soft and reassuring. "It'll stop your bleeding faster than anything else. I don't think you'll have to worry about anything being injured on the inside--not at the angle this blade went in. That's a mercy. If I help you, and keep pressure on this, do you think you can make it a few steps around the corner and into my shop? This needs stitching, but I want to clean it first, and to get you off the street. Is that alright?"

[Gwai]

Second Skin Saddles and Tack

Gwai had spent the last several hours working on the headstall Bereth had requested. She enjoyed the work, and the special requests were fun to do, albeit time consuming. She groaned as she straightened, making a mental note once again she needed to take more breaks, especially with her back the way it was. Silver was a popular addition to headstalls, and over the years Gwai had become fairly skilled in adding this as decoration. Bereth had requested intertwined silver knots, and she had finally finished it. She sat back, admiring her handiwork. The letter 'F', though, could be a challenge. It might be a good idea to seek expert consultation. The jewelry shop was the most likely spot, and may even have what she needed ready-made.

Golde ge Eorcanstan
Pushing open the door slowly, Gwai looked around curiously, not sure she had ever been in this particular store before. She had a feeling she could probably spend quite a bit of time in here, but she reminded herself sternly she was here for a reason, and on behalf of a customer. She looked about for the shopkeep, hoping they would be able to help.
@Aodh Hammerhelm

[Aethelu]

Pen and Ink

Aethelu couldn't help but feel relieved as the woman's (Laewyn) face lit up at the huge selection of items she'd placed before her. When she had returned to Edoras she hadn't been quite sure how people would take a shop selling nothing but writing materials. How had she not considered that people would want things to draw with? Perhaps she could start offering art classes or something. No, the shop was far too small for that. There had to be something she could do to maximise the appeal of her shop. Business had been so slow at first, the summer festival had gone someway to improve the business a bit, but there was always more to do.

Her mind was wandering, as it so often did. She snapped back to reality and smiled again at the woman. She needed to keep herself more focused while she worked. Her customer was carefully looking over the items, she seemed deep in concentration herself. When she finally said she would take it all, Aethelu thought she would fall over. So far she'd only managed to sell a few bits here and there, though at least some of it had been her most expensive stock. She tried to tally up in her head what the best price she could offer, but there was another question to answer first.

"Ah, of course, I do have something that could hold the brushes and pens." Crouching down, she began to root through the lower drawers below the pens and brushes. She needed to start labelling them so she could remember exactly where she'd put everything. It didn't take her too long to find what she had been looking for though. It was a leather pouch, rolled up and fastened with a long strip of thin leather. Standing up, she laid it down on the counter. Loosening the know, she unrolled the pouch to reveal several small, thin pockets set into the inside of the pouch. "You just slot your pens and brushes in the pockets," she began, picking up a few of the items she'd already set out. "Then put this flap over the top to keep them protected, before you roll it up and fasten it." She carefully rolled the pouch back up, tied it neatly, turning it this way and that to demonstrate nothing would escape from the pouch once it was fastened correctly. "As for the inks, I have some wooden boxes with compartments to fit the ink bottles in. They were used to deliver the items to me, so they keep things nice and safe, trust me." Glancing over all the items set out, she laughed. "In fact, as they came at no extra cost to me and you're willing to buy so many products today, the ink boxes are on the house." She smiled at the woman again. "How does all that sound?"

[Aodh Hammerhelm]

Golde ge Eorcanstan: NPC: Sheemie Rheus

Sheemie knew his sweoster’s tapping foot and hand on hip posture all too well. The chance of brêkfis without telling Beda what she wanted to know was next to nought. The lad’s tum rumbled hungrily as he mused over the strange dream that had woken him. Just as he was about to make an answer he heard footsteps in the shop front.

“Oh, Lawksey!” he cried, eyeing Beda wildly. “Somebody’s in the shop. I thought you said it was too early for customers? You doesn’t think that maybe it’s the… Brack Man?!”

Sheemie peeped through the door and saw a tall m’lady (Gwai) standing near the counter.

“Hi,” he whispered to Beda. “There’s a lady in the shop, she looks like she maybe wants to buy something. Sheemie can’t go out there looking like a… yokel. Laws, no! She’ll fleece him good and proper...”

--
@Eléowyn @Gwai

[Eléowyn]

NPC Beda -- Golde ge Eorcanstan

"Brack Man?" Beda replied. "Whatever are you going on about?" She went to the door and peeped out, her head appearing just below Sheemie's in the doorway.

"Oh, that's one of the new marshals." Beda whispered. "Never mind about it being early. I think we spent more time cooking and cleaning than we realized." She gave Sheemie a look up and down. "Hmmm. I will go out and greet her while you get cleaned up. Breakfast will just have to wait."

Beda ran a hand down her skirt to smooth it out, did the same with her hair, then stepped into the main shop area.

"Hello," she greeted @Gwai. "I am Beda. Sheemie, who runs the shop, is, um, indisposed at the moment." She hoped she had used that word correctly. She had heard Mam use it often enough. "He should be out in a moment. Is there anything I can show you while you wait?"

Beda knew nothing about jewelry, but she knew how to show merchandise. "Here are some lovely gold bracelets!"

@ Aodh Hammerhelm

[Gwai]

Golde ge Eorcanstan

Gwai was enjoying looking around the shop, wondering if she should be buying for herself as well, when a woman soon came out to greet her, introducing herself as Beda.

"Good morning, Beda!" Gwai answered cheerfully, as the woman mentioned the shopkeeper was indisposed, but offered to show her items anyway.

"I appreciate the offer of looking at bracelets, but I do have something specific in mind!" she said with a smile, trying not to get distracted by the lovely jewelry. "My name is Gwai, I own the tack shop right down the road, and one of my customers, Bereth, requested silver work on their new headstall. I was able to accommodate this myself, but they also requested a silver letter 'F' for the headstall, and I'm afraid this may be beyond my ability to create," she said, shaking her head ruefully. "Do you have, by any chance, the letter 'F' done in silver, for a necklace perhaps, that I can then use for the headstall?" she asked hopefully.

@Eléowyn

[Winddancer]

Edda and Æric, Treowwyrhta - Carpenter

"Papa! Papaaa! LOOK!!" The excited words were followed by a shrilling squeal that only young toddlers seemed able to produce. Grabbing the rag from his back pocket, Æric wiped away the sweat from his face and stepped over so he could see what had made his daughter so excited. Tall and broad, he filled the doorway to the store. He had taken his shirt off because of the heat and to avoid getting his shirt dirty already, skin tanned and accentuating his muscled body. "What is it, Edda?" he asked with a patient smile.

"Looook!" The small girl was frozen still, amazement and wonder lighting her pretty face as she stared at the table in front of her. "Loook, Papa! It's just sitting there!" Smiling still Æric stepped a bit further in, though mindful to be careful as he peered over at the table, at first not seeing what it was that had caught his daughter's attention. Finally his eyes fell on the butterfly that had landed on the far corner. "Oh.. oh wow, that is.. beautiful, darling! Aren't you lucky!? They usually stay away from us and fly around the flowers." He hadn't noticed any flowers back here at the far end of the market, just dirt and dry grass. "Hmm maybe it is thirsty.." Seeing his little girl's face light up as she thought to give it something to drink, he offered "Maybe it would like some of your apple juice? Here, pour a little into this.." He offered her a shallow bowl and watched as she carefully poured some of the juice into it, spilling half on the table as she did so. But he did not chastise her, instead encouraging her on. "That's it, now don't get too close so you scare it off.."

With both hands the young girl pushed the bowl closer to the butterfly and stopped just before touching it. It seemed like ages before the butterfly flapped it's wings and flew to the bowl, eliciting yet another squeal from the girl. "Look Papa!! It's drinking!" Æric chuckled and mussed her fiery red curls, his daughter being one of the few that could bring a smile to his serious face. "Well done, darling, see it was thirsty afterall. But we do not want ants as well in here, so here, grab this rag and dry the table, ok?"

He watched her for a moment, the smile still playing on his lips, before he stepped back out to continue his work. Grabbing the hammer and some nails, he finished hanging up his sign:

Treowwyrhta
No job too big or too small
OPEN

[Pele Alarion]

Pele Alarion
Streets

The knife had to come out either way, so Pele took the bite stick without objections and prepared herself for the procedure as best as she could. But then again, such things were very difficult to prepare for. As Thalionwen pulled out the knife, the pain seared through Pele as if her back was being torn to pieces; she bit down hard on the stick to keep herself from screaming, and beads of cold perspiration appeared on her forehead.

She waited for a few moments while the healer administered some herbs and pressure to the wound and while the worst of the pain subsided before she dared to take the stick out of her mouth. In other circumstances, Pele would be rather interested to compare her own practice with that of the healers here in the Riddermark, but for the time being she had other concerns.

It was apparent to Pele that someone had particularly selected her as a target, and the stab was meant to take her life. However, she could not think of any reasons why. She could not believe that her bread attack would have offended someone that much; and if a heartfelt apology would not have been sufficient, she could not imagine anything worse than a heated match of sparring. Or could it be that the influence of the Umbarians reached this far, and somehow they had followed her here? It seemed that she could not feel safe anywhere these days.

"I can try... walking," Pele responded to Thalionwen's suggestion to get out of the street. She knew that the pain would get worse with movement, but any sort of premises would be better than here. "Should take that... knife with us?" she asked, wondering whether it would be worthwhile trying to investigate the attack; yet she had not really seen the person well enough to provide any useful clues to go by.

@Thalionwen Hunigfolm

[Lirimaer]

Laewyn

Pen and Ink, with Aethelu

"Oh a little scroll of pens and brushes!" Laewyn laughed, watching Aethelu demonstrate the extremely handy kit. "Very nice, my Mama has something like this for her sewing needles. It keeps them safe and is extremely portable too." She got a little handsy with the leather as she spoke, but it was quality and would do the job well for many years if she looked after it.

The woman seemed to be going out of her way to be helpful, which was very nice. "Those boxes should keep them from tossing every which way as I get them back home, thank you. I can just see me leaving them upside down by accident and coming back to a giant inky mess!" she smiled. "I do appreciate your thoughtfulness!"

"I don't mind paying for good quality," she said seriously. "I'm writing a medical journal that's going to be with me until I fall off the twig, so I'd rather have equipment which will last, and know a good seller for replacements when necessary!" She smiled again, "So we should talk about the journal now," she began. "I want a large one. Properly, I'd like it to be too large to comfortably carry around, so that people don't wander off with it. It also needs to be fairly thick - as I have a feeling that healing is going to be a short subject. But to begin with, what colour leathers do you have for binding?"

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica (not yet open for the day) with @Taethowen, first thing in the morning

Allacan grinned with appreciation at her friend’s compliments, allowing the topic of conversation to be temporarily changed. “Thank you freond! I added a little nutmeg to the mix before baking, I think it gives it an extra something. They’re dryer than I would have liked; I never claimed to be a master baker, but it’s a relief to know I haven’t lost all my skills”

She sipped on her own drink to simultaneously wash down the pastry and attempt to hide her amused grin; she was unsuccessful at the latter. She recognised the bright joy that seemed to permeate Taeth ’s every action and couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh look at you, you love-struck fool, you’re practically dancing! You remind me of me and my first love. Branomir he was called, a comrade in the Sceaduwigend Corthor when I was fresh to the cavalry. We fell in love so fast and so passionately, it swept us both off our feet. But for us the timing was worse; it happened on campaign, when we should have been focussed on our duties and not each other. We were so impassioned of each other that we tried valiantly on the field of battle to do each other proud, so much so that it was almost like we were trying to outdo each other, subconsciously putting ourselves in danger for the other one to rescue, so ready to thrust ourselves on the spears of the enemy just to prove our love! Honestly, looking back now it is nautiating and embarrassing! Thank Bema that Marshal Malorn pulled us both up on it before it got out of hand; if there is one thing I learned for certain back then, it’s that romance and the passion of love do not belong on a cavalry campaign, least of all in the midst of a charge into enemy lines.” she laughed at her own youthful foolishness and waved away any attempt to defend her reputation.

“But you, freond min; you are safe and at home among friends, why shouldn’t you let the passion overcome you now and then? The heart wants what it wants, and as long as you are both happy and no-one else is suffering for it, then why not? You are absolutely right to grasp this opportunity with both hands, and embrace it. I know I would if I were so lucky!” She concluded, with just a hint of melancholy.

[Veowyn]

Caddrick Halwende
Treowwyrhta

Today was the day! The teen was beaming. He had his late father's tools with him, though he was still confused about where his own had gotten off to. He had gotten a bit of flack for "misplacing" them, but he was not even sure he really had, but he didn't know what else could have happened so he could not argue. He was not going to let it ruin this though! His blue green eyes were twinkling and he had a skip in his step. He had his shoulder length blonde hair, half pulled back. He had his working pants freshly patched and cleaned up, and his teal shirt was clean too. He had asked his Ma if she wanted his help before starting on his own reasons for being in the Riddermarket today, but she shooed him on ahead, when they got to the entrance. She had different errands, but she did send him with an over flowing lunch basket. He knew it was not all for him, by the nod toward the carpentry shop she gave him. This was her way of thanking Æric for taking him on as an apprentice. At 16 he was older than most apprentices usually started out at, but he also had some self taught knowledge. Enough to make repairs at all the Ellenweorc lodgings, including the Inn his parents ran. Also enough to make instruments, toys, and other trinkets , and OPEN HIS OWN SHOP (which is the biggest reason he was so excited!).

First, however, he wanted to check in with the Carpenter, and bring him this lunch. As he approached, he saw that the Treowwyrhta and Holt Leod were not far from his Pa's Isengafæme. Jakie, his Ma, would appreciate that. Although, it would make it easier for his sister to come pester them all later. For now, Ma had asked Ailura to stay with her, thankfully. He then saw that Æric was right out side, hanging up the new sign. Caddrick was still working on his own, it was set in the top of his tool box currently. Not much more than a plank of wood, yet. "Ah, Mr.Æric! Westu hal!" He approached and held out the basket of "meat pockets" (biscuits stuffed with meat, potatoes and other veggies, and a savory sauce but mostly meat), wrapped in a cream colored linen. "These are from my Ma. She says the ribbon is for your daughter, too." Laying across the top of the linen was a bright turquoise ribbon.

He suddenly was at a loss for something to say. That's new. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "You are just getting started. I don't suppose you have anything for me yet, do ya? If not, I can be on my way to my place next door..."


Jakie and Ailura Ellenweorc
Headed to Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica

Today was the day! The day she let her baby boy take flight! He was opening his first shop, and (finally) starting an apprenticeship! She wanted to cry and cheer at the same time. She had promised her son, and her husband, that she would not mettle. She just wanted him to prosper in this! Him sharing in one of his late father's passions was important to her. She could not deny that the fact he had taken to the carpentry, instead of Cav, made her heart relived. When his best friend had joined, recently, she truly had thought he would change his mind and join up after all. However, when he told her that he had reached out to Shivased himself, to open the Holt Leod, AND had gotten a part time apprenticeship with another carpenter, her heart leapt with joy. And now, she just wanted to make sure things went well. That is why she had done some digging about this Æric, from which she learned he had a young daughter. She had not learned much else, but that was enough to know to send the ribbon along with her famous 'meat pockets'.

She really did have an errand or two in the market to do. So, following her own daughter, Ailura, with her bouncing red curls, she made her way to the Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica. The first errand, was to deliver this order of dyed green linen. She had briefly met the proprietress of the shop, during the events of the Summer Festival. However, Jakie had not been to the store front in some time. Usually, she had an inn to run.

When they stopped in front of the shop, Jakie looked about it. "It's closed! I told you we did not need to leave as early as all the boys, Ma!" "Hush now. I am sure that, Ms. @Taethowen will be along to open things, shortly." She reassured her impatient child. "Why can't I go with Caddrick?" "You do not need to bugging your brother, while he gets settled on his first day." "He is going to give all his stuff away for free without me!" The woman laughed, but Ailura had a point. The boy was a charmer, but he had such a soft heart; while this girl was such a business woman already! She almost considered sending her to visit her sister Vandani, in Gondor. That would be a formidable pair! It was enough that Ailura LOOKED more like her aunt than her own mother. Jakie chuckled at that thought too.

Before her mother could stop her, Ailura knocked on the door, like she was an expected house guest.

[Winddancer]

Æric and Edda
Treowwyrhta

Æric stepped back and looked at the sign he had just hung up. It was a simple one, merely a plank of wood with the words carved into it and then painted. Satisfied that it was hanging straight, he gave himself a nod and turned to head back into the shop just as he heard his name being called out. Seeking out the owner of the voice he realised it was the young Caddrick, the eager young Caddrick. A sad smile rose to his lips as he recalled he had been just as eager as this young man once. Letting out a deep breath he gave the boy a nod in greeting, not a man of many words.

"Oh.. she shouldn't have. Uh.. but thank you. Edda will be delighted." He almost mumbled the thanks, though he was truly grateful that the youngsters mother had gone to the trouble of making them some lunch. The ribbon was really a sweet touch and very kind. He would have to make sure to thank her in person when he met her.

"No Papa! I don't want to be delighted, I want to be a Queen, just like Queen Lothíriel!" Came the small voice from behind.

Æric couldn't hold back the chuckle and turned to his daughter and scooped her into his free arm. "Of course, Your Majesty. May I present to you a gift, from the fine Lord Caddrick there.." Smiling still he nodded towards the young man, the three scars on his face looking less severe when his eyes wrinkled with mirth. Lifting up the basket, he showed the girl the ribbon and she let out a shrilling squeal that was sure to wake the dead. "What do we say to the "Lord"?" He urged her.

"Thank you my Lord!" she giggled and squirmed her way out of her fathers grasp and darted back into the shop.

Shaking his head he turned back to Caddrick. "You go ahead and set up your shop, when you are done, meet me back here and we will go through how to read plans and then maybe have you start with building your first chair. Sound ok?"

[Aodh Hammerhelm]

Golde ge Eorcanstan: NPC: Sheemie Rheus

Sheemie breathed a sigh of relief as Beda squeezed by him and began attending to the shopping m’lady (Gwai). His sweoster was sharp, sharp as a knife, and he couldn’t help grinning as she jumped right into her trading patter.

He grabbed a cloth, gave his trousers a quick wipe and combed his hair with his podgy fingers. It would be good if Beda sold a gold bracelet (or two!), that would give them a bit of money for an extra nice brêkfis. He marched toward the door eager to watch Beda in action, and learn a few tips he could use until Arthur and Will returned.

Letters! His brow furrowed and his face took on an anxious look. F!

Sheemie was terrible at letters, anybody knowed it, lawks yes! Especially Old Lady Sæmple from the village school, and that rotten boy, the one what pretended to be Sheemie’s friend but wasn’t. Grima was his name, and he was a real spiteful meanie.

Grima was very clever, cunningly so, and he had no friends. He would always say he’d help Sheemie with his letters and writing, that he would be Sheemie’s friend. Actually what he was doing, the horrid sneak, was making mischief and trouble for Sheemie.

F! Yes, that was one letter Sheemie DID know - and the six others that followed after. Grima had showed Sheemie how to write that word (it had taken two weeks!) and how to write it big and strong. “Show Ol’ Lady Sæmple,” Grima smiled when Sheemie had at last managed the word. “She’ll give you a reward.”

The gangling lad held up his hands and rubbed his ears. Oh, it was a reward alright – one he never forgot. Ol’ Lady Sæmple had bawled like a cow what was calving, then boxed his ears and sent him home. Sheemie had never showed his face at the school again.

“I’m not sure if we got letters made in silver,” he said to Gwai and his sweoster. “We got lots of bracelets and jewels though in those drawers over there, Beda. Maybe there’s something like what the m’lday wants in them?”


--
@Eléowyn & @Gwai

[Taethowen]

Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica (now open for the day!)
with @Allafyrefleorhtlig and @Veowyn

Taethowen
human, she/her

Taeth's face flushed with warmth as Alla laughed and called her a love-struck fool. Her friend certainly wasn't wrong, but Taeth had always taken a bit of pride in her stoicism and these days it felt like she could hardly control anything she felt, nor contain her jealousy when it came to Frost.

She sipped at her drink as Alla spoke of her own first love, and the story seemed very familiar to her... though oddly distant as well. Taeth would wager that she'd been present for much of it, and that it was yet another set of memories she was discovering that Bema-damned illness had stolen. But still, she smiled fondly. There wasn't anything quite like first love, after all.

"But you, freond min; you are safe and happy at home among friends," Alla finished, encouraging Taeth to take advantage of the opportunity.

After another sip of the bitter drink, Taeth smiled. "He is certainly not my first love, or even my second... but I think he might be my most reckless, and it terrifies me. Especially how quickly I'm finding myself falling." She hesitated there for a moment, not quite sure how to say what she wanted to ask. In all honesty, this was the type of thing she would have once asked of Thalionwen or Culfinwen, but both seemed to be busy with other things in life now, and Alla was the one who sought her out to check on her.

"When Frost has to leave... because he will--I may be in Rohan, but the rest of his life is not--will you help keep me from wallowing?"

Before Alla could answer, though, there was a quick rap at the front door of the shop. Taeth felt a small amount of irritation--the sign did say it was closed still, after all, and she would dearly like to finish this conversation with her new-found (old?) friend--but the business side of her took over, recognizing that the Riddermarket was starting to bustle, and it would be foolish to linger and chat for too long.

"Excuse me," Taeth said, tucking her cup back on Alla's tray. "Let me see who's at the door."

She crossed to the front of the shop, and unlocked the door, flipping the sign to 'open' as she did so. Out on the stoop, she found Jakie and Ailura, relieved that she recognized both of them, despite having only met them each separately and briefly. "Westu hal!" Taeth smiled. "How can I help you ladies today?"

[Eléowyn]

NPC Beda (12 years old) -- Golde ge Eorcanstan

Beda was relieved to see Sheemie not only join them in the shoproom, but also that he was looking at least presentable. She could see no traces of the spilled porridge at a quick glance, though she suspected a closer inspection might yield a different result. But she was dismayed when he said he had no letter such as the lady desired.

Not to be daunted by such a trifling affair as not having what the customer asked for, Beda went to the chest that Sheemie had pointed out and pulled open a drawer. Inside she saw a dazzling array of gemstones, some loose, others set into rings or brooches or bracelets, but nothing in silver. She opened a second drawer and found there many pieces of solid gold, but again no silver. Not fazed by her lack of success thus far, she pulled open a third drawer, and there she saw what she sought.

"Ah, here we go," she said brightly to Gwai. "Now as Sheemie said, I do not see anything shaped into the letter 'F' but there are some fine pieces of silver filigree. Silver is very soft and can be easily shaped. I bet Sheemie could have this lovely piece right here shaped up in no time. Right, Sheemie?"

Beda had no idea if Sheemie had ever done such a thing, but she was not about to let a sale slip through her fingers, even if it was not her shop. If Sheemie could not do it, then she would find a way. Besides the silver piece she now held in her hand was quite beautiful and, though she could never dream of owning such a piece, it would be a shame for it to not belong to someone.

@Gwai @Aodh Hammerhelm

[Lail]

The Streets

Lailyn woke unusually early that day and found herself feeling quite refreshed. With her head swimming with plans for her fresh start in Edoras, she made her way to the Riddermarket to take advantage of her early start. She wore a simple dress in pale grey, her comfortable old pair of lace-up boots and her golden hair was plaited in coils around her head ready to stave off the afternoon heat. With a small satchel slung over her shoulder, she swept up the streets feeling quite energised and ready to start making the ideas in her head a reality. Today she was on a mission.

The market was still quiet this early, some shop doors still shuttered for the night, so as Lailyn walked along somewhere near Crete Lið, a pair of women caught her attention. One of them was familiar to her (@Thalionwen Hunigfolm), but the other a stranger (@Pele Alarion). She intended to pass them by, intent on getting to the carpenter’s shop until she saw what one of them was holding.

A bloody knife! Lailyn let out an involuntary shriek. It wasn’t a blood-curdling or piercing scream of fear or terror one might hear in the night, but more a high-pitched little yelp. Getting over the initial shock, she hastily covered her mouth with her hand and rushed over to them.

Of course, having fought in her fair share of battles (one too many if you asked her), Lailyn was no stranger to blood. She just wasn’t prepared to see a bloodied knife and her friend helping someone who was clearly the source of all the blood...

“What’s happened here?!” she exclaimed with wide eyes. “Do you need help?”

It was deeply unsettling to witness a scene on a quiet morning in the Riddermarket and she gave the stranger (Pele) a concerned look. Lail may not be an expert healer, but it was impossible to accidentally stab yourself in the back. And that only meant one thing: this was not an accident.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen
The Streets

With Pele and Lail

Nodding her agreement with Pele regarding the knife, Thalionwen picked it up and tucked it into her spacious satchel. A moment later, she nearly melted with relief as Lail appeared. It would have been a job getting the injured stranger before her around the corner and into her shop without help, all while trying to keep pressure on the knife wound.

"Oh Lail!" Thali said gratefully. "Thank Bema you happened upon us. Could you help me get this unfortunate soul on her feet, and into my shop? It's only a few steps away, but I need a spare hand to hold the gauze to her wound. Let's get her up between us on three, and inside as quick as we can. If you're not busy, perhaps I could convince you to stay a few minutes and assist while I stitch her up? It won't take long--from what I saw of things, it's a clean cut and shouldn't have hit any organs."

Turning her attention to Pele, Thali smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry Edoras is showing you such poor hospitality. You're Gondorian, aren't you, judging by your clothes? Why don't you tell me your name, and then Lail and I will get you up and inside, where it's safer and where I can stitch you back together."

[Aethelu]

Pen and Ink, with Laewyn

Aethelu grinned as Laewyn recognised the leather pouch for the pens and brushes, for a slightly different purpose though. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a sewer so I haven't seen one for something like that, but it makes sense." She watched as she handled the leather, examining it carefully. She had never been much of a craftswoman, she had been relying on those she purchased her items from to be honest about their quality. So far no one had complained so she took that to mean they had been honest.

"Just make sure the cork is in tight on the ink," she said with a wink as she mentioned the inks spilling if the box was upside down. "That should see you right."

It was clearly important to Laewyn that everything lasted a long time. "Yes, yes," she nodded. "I can see why you'd want things to last for a long time. A smart idea to keep the journal for as long as possible. I only hope nothing happens that means I need the services of a healer anytime soon." She paused a moment to think. "I would say you're more likely to meet my brother, but the cavalry will have its own healers I suppose." Her mind was wandering again, but she snapped back when Laewyn asked about the journals.

She looked at the journals already made up, each drawer holding a different size starting at tiny pocket journals and moving up to something the size of a small child. She had anticipated the medium size journals being the most popular, so she had more of them. "Hmm," she pondered as she looked in the drawers. "For that size your describing, I'm afraid I don't have many colours. I have dark brown, tan, black, red, and green." She pulled each one out to show Laewyn the size and colour to see if they were to her liking. "If these are no good, either colour or number of pages, I can see if I can make a special order with the gentleman who makes them. It might take a few weeks to get here though."

[Pele Alarion]

Pele w/ THali & Lail
Streets

She felt somewhat lightheaded from the loss of blood, and both this and the pain movement caused made Pele think that getting to the shop might not be as easy as it sounded, a couple steps or no. It would only cause the helpful healer more trouble if the patient ended up fainting in the middle of the street, almost at the destination. So, when another woman joined them, Pele felt a bit of relief that she won't be that much of a burden perhaps.

"Strange that someone would target me," she said quietly, not wanting to share all her doubts and guesses as to the reasons. "Yes, I am from Gondor; name's Pele. Pele Alarion," she answered the questions as shortly as possible. If they wanted to know more, they would ask, she assumed.

Pele closed her eyes for a moment and took a couple deep breaths. "All right. Ready to move," she asserted her willingness, looking at Thali and Lail. Now, if she could find a proper footing and push herself up so that the two Rohirrim didn't need to lift her without her adding any effort in...

[Aodh Hammerhelm]

Golde ge Eorcanstan: NPC: Sheemie Rheus

As his sweoster began examining the contents of the chest of drawers, Sheemie tugged nervously at his lower lip. What if there were no letters like the m’lady customer (Gwai) wanted? He saw a flash of silver in Beda’s hand, closed his eyes and wished with all his might that it was letter shaped. But of course it weren’t. Maybe if he’d had a star to wish on it might have been?

His mouth dropped open at his sweoster’s outrageous suggestion - I bet Sheemie could have this lovely piece right here shaped up in no time. Had she gone mad? Was it because she’d had no brêkfis that she was saying such things?

“Erm, m’lady,” Sheemie said, playing for time as he’d seen Arthur do when dealing with tricksey customers. “What type of letter F does you be wanting? There’s lots of types we can make for you, you know?

Do you want the decrayshun to be flat or chunky? Do you want a loop on it for hanging, or a pin like on a brooch?

Most important, I guess, is the type of letter you be wanting. Do you want the letter in Rohan fashion, or maybe like the Common Speech, or very posh like the Lord Strider’s special letters? Do you want normal letters or roonz?”

--
@Eléowyn & @Gwai

[Calimir]

The Streets & Golde ge Eorcanstan @Aodh Hammerhelm @Eléowyn @Gwai

Cal' sat for a good long time by the fountain. It was a pleasant spot but he never did get to smell fresh bread. Well, it looked like he was going to have to use his feet and eyes to find something to eat. That was a pity. It was a lovely morning for sitting and lazing. Of course it would be better down by the river. Maybe a swim after something to eat? He walked along the street which was quiet busy now, but had no luck finding a baker. Fresh bread was all he wanted, really. It was driving him mad!

He saw now that his feet had taken him to the end of the main street. There were two shops on either side of the road, a candle shop and what looked like a jewel store. The veranda of the candle shop was in full sunlight. The jeweller's verandah had a nice patch of shade under its roof.

Cal' climbed the steps and sat down on a bench next to the shop door. He could hear conversation. Something about making jewellry in the shape of letters. What was that all about? He leaned over and peered through the door. He saw three people in the shop. A tall lady (Gwai), an even taller lad (Sheemie) and a girl whos head just peeped over a wooden counter (Beda).

Cal frowned. Where did he know the last two from?

[Lirimaer]

Laewyn

Pen and Ink, with Aethelu

Laewyn waited patiently as the woman checked her stock and brought out the examples she kept on hand. There weren't a great deal of colours, to be honest, but what was there was more than fine for her purposes.

"Oh, no need to do a special order," she waved off the suggestion. "I'm more than happy with these and in any case I cannot wait weeks - I'll have forgotten everything I've learned already!"

Her hands stroked the leather covetously. "I just love books," she admitted. "The temptation to take one in every colour is quite strong ... I won't though," she added, watching the gleam in the woman's eye and laughing. "But I will take two, or maybe three. I think I'll have one for animal ailments, and another for plant medicaments and remedies. No - definitely two. If I go into people healing, I'll come back here for another! I'll take the tan and the green please!"

With that sorted, she beamed delightedly at Aethelu. "Well, I think I am all shopped out! What's the damage?"

[Gwai]

Golde ge Eorcanstan

Momentarily disappointed as young Beda was unable to find exactly what Gwai was looking for, she nonetheless felt a surge of hope when Beda speculated Sheemie likely could fashion the request letter from silver they had already in the shop. Beda held a lovely silver filigree, and Gwai nodded. "If you could fashion the letter from that, I believe that may work perfectly for what I have been working on!" she said, suddenly much more cheerful. She had been worried she would not be able to find what she was looking for and have to special order from Gondor or some other place, which would not only be time consuming, but likely quite expensive.

Sheemie soon began questioning exactly what type Gwai was looking for, increasing her confidence level that he could fashion the letter. "An 'F" in the Common Speech, I believe the lady was requesting," Gwai answered slowly, not having actually thought about it, which would have been an important thing to ask. As they had been speaking in the Common Speech and not in Rohirric when the headstall was ordered, she believed this would make more sense, however. "If you could make it somewhat flat, and a small loop on top and the bottom of the back side," she used her hands to help describe, "as I need to attach it to a headstall, and it wouldn't do for it to bounce while the horse moves." She hesitated a moment. "Do you have a quill? I could demonstrate what I was thinking and the approximate size," she suggested. Not all Rohir kept writing implements, but she was hopeful a shop would have one for accounts. If not, she likely could trust Sheemie to create based on her description.

The head appeared in the doorway, and Gwai looked back, seeing a face she didn't believe she recognized (Cal). Another customer, perhaps?

@Eléowyn @Aodh Hammerhelm @Calimir

[Calimir]

Golde ge Eorcanstan @Aodh Hammerhelm @Eléowyn @Gwai

Cal' tried not to hear too much of the conversation coming from the jeweler shop. His mother had always told him how rude it was to earwig on people. But that was pretty hard to do when your ears where aimed directly into a shop.

He pretty much doubted the young girl (Beda) and big lad (Sheemie) would have writing supplies in the shop, or even if they could write. The people of Rohan were known for songs not books after all, and that is why he was an errand rider. To carry written messages back and forth from the kingdoms. Sometimes ones from Rohan had to be translated to make sense.

Cal' smiled as the customer (Gwai) looked at him. He knew her definitely. She'd taken part in the Tub race, her tub had sunk after the last waterfall. What was the name of the tub..? Tiddler? Sprat? Tadpole? Something like that.

Cal' tapped the leather bag hung over his shoulder, his dispatch satchel. All errand riders carried one in case they had to write a quick message.

[Lail]

The Streets with Pele and Thali

"Of course I can help!" Lail agreed and held out her arm to support Pele. "Just tell me what you need me to do."

She barely overhead the Gondorian mutter something about being a target. It was really none of her business, but all the same, it was concerning.

"Let's get you inside, Pele," she summoned a calm tone despite the unease she felt at Thali's mention of organs and helping with stitches. Inflicting wounds was quite different from tending them and Lail always scrunched up her eyes whenever she had needed sewing up. But she would have to just bite the arrow and get on with it. "You're in good hands with Thali here."

"One, two, three..." She counted off for her and Thali to help Pele up and into CweÞ Ciese.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen
The Streets and CweÞ Ciese

With Lail and Pele

With a little effort and deft maneuvering, Thali and Lail managed to get Pele around the corner and in through the door of CweÞ Ciese. Thalionwen breathed a sigh of relief as the familiar sights and smells of the shop surrounded them--the sharp scent of aging dairy, the warmer aroma of old, sun-warmed wood, and the neat rows of wrapped cheeses.

Nodding in the direction of the wide store counter, Thalionwen led Lail and Pele around it, where they were finally able to settle the Gondorian down upon the floor. Kneeling beside Pele, Thali gave her a small, concerned smile. "If you're alright, and you're ready for it, I'm going to clean your wound properly. I've got spirits in my satchel here. Once it's clean, I can stitch it and bandage you up. If you need something to focus on, Lail can talk to you as I go. Shall we start?"

[Gwai]

Golde ge Eorcanstan

The face in the doorway materialized into a full person, and Gwai now recognized one of the fellow Tub Racers. "Hello there!" she said, motioning him inside. "I don't mean to take all the time here in the shop, if you needed to place an order!" she said cheerfully. "Or deliver a message," she added, spying his messenger bag.

Cal' tapped his bag when she mentioned drawing what she was looking for, and Gwai gratefully accepted his offer. "If you have a charcoal pencil and small piece of parchment, I would be most grateful!" she said with a smile. "And would be happy to recompense you for your supplies, of course," she added conscientiously.

@Calimir @Aodh Hammerhelm @Eléowyn

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Awesnis Gærwe Nædleprica with @Taethowen, leaving abruptly

Allacan shook opened her mouth to respond to Taeth’s plea, to promise emphatically that she would do anything her friend and comrade asked of her, when the woman was interrupted and left the room for a moment. She remained seated on the back step as the seamstress went to answer the door, pondering the exact words to re-assure her friend that it was perfectly fine to wallow in such a situation; Allacan had done her fair share of love-lorn wallowing in her time and she hoped her future would give her plenty more chances to do so. But whatever wonderfully constructed reply she had devised would have to wait. From the back of the shop she heard a distant, high-pitched yelp echoing down the back-alley behind the shops.

She might not have shown it, but the ex-First Marshal has been on a razor’s edge ever since the Campian event had finished. She leapt to her feet at the sound, a knife appearing in her hand as if from nowhere, swiftly glancing around like a hunted beast searching for would-be attackers and threats. Her mug tinkered lightly as it was knocked over by her swift movement, and by the time it had ceased rolling about, Allacan was nowhere to be seen.

When Taeth returned she would discover Allacan gone, her mug of Ceurfey knocked over and the liquid running down the back-step and into the dirt, a single pastry dropped on the floor with only a couple of bites taken from it, and the rest of the small bag of pastries lying untouched where Allacan had placed them only a short time earlier. There was not a shred of evidence to tell where the woman had gone; no sign of a struggle, no message, not even a footprint.

The back-streets and market street leading to CweÞ Ciese

It took a few moments for Allacan’s heart to stop racing after she had slipped into the relative shelter of the alleyway. Deciding that this was clearly not the anticipated attack she had worried about, she nevertheless knew she needed to investigate what that cry was, just in case. She was likely being paranoid, but in her particular line of work, paranoia kept you alive.

She headed down the backstreets and cursed the build up of abandoned boxes and detritus that had been abandoned there; a dangerous fire hazard and an easy place for criminals to lurk - clearly things had gotten slack since the cavalry had stopped regular patrols. She made a mental note to mention it to the new Marshal team when she got the chance.

But mostly she was cursing the build up of dumped waste as it slowed her ability to move silently and stealthily through the back-alleys and close in on the location where the cry had come from. By the time she emerged onto Riddermarket the person who had uttered the cry had clearly gone, but she did not relax for a moment and continued to carry a knife in her hand defensively. Her keen eyes spotted the red colour of fresh blood among the stone and straw of the street and her worst suspicions were confirmed. She inspected them with an expert eye as she followed the tracks carefully; someone had fallen here and the someone else... no, two someones, had helped them to their feet and carried them... towards...

Allacan followed the trail from the middle of the road, watching warily in all directions in readiness for a trap, and approached the door of the cheese shop from a distance away so she could get a good look inside before risking her safety and entering.

The street outside CweÞ Ciese

Allacan immediately recognised Thali helping to manoeuvre the injured victim within the confines of the shop, and she thought she might also recognise the other Rohir woman as Lailyn, someone she had met recently at the local stables and one of the audience members at M Meduseld when she herself had publicly appeared in minion guise. It must have been her that screamed; Thali was too solid and experienced to balk at the sight of blood, and it looked like the victim had been stabbed in the back, and she knew from first hand experience that people do not scream when they get stabbed in the back. Allacan was now openly showing her dyed-black hair but once again her face was powdered to hide the orcen-Celtic tattoo, and she was today dressed in obvious Rohir garb that contrasted greatly to the skin-right black leathers she had in the M Meduseld tent. It was possible that Lail had not yet connected the two people, despite the events that had transpired in the After Party tent, but it was not worth the risk. She was slowly moving away again, when her eyes fell on the face of the victim even as they rounded the counter of the shop and were laid down out of sight.

Her eyes widened in shock, and without another moment’s hesitation she sheathed her blade back into its hidden forearm-sheath under her sleeve and strode across the street and into the shop, reaching up to pin the HCMA insignia back on her shirt as she did so.

CweÞ Ciese with @Thalionwen Hunigfolm @Pele Alarion and @Lailorn

“Thali, it’s me, Allacan” she declared loudly as she entered the store so as to not surprise the residents who would - understandably - be quite shaken. “What happened?” she asked the room at large as she moved around the counter to get a clearer look at their patient.

“Pele.” it was a gentle sigh, pursing her lips. Not a question, more a sad exclamation. She shook her head, disappointed at something, but it did not seem directed at anyone in the room.

A long time ago - a lifetime ago it felt - Allacan had been a Healand herself; but those skills were rusty now. Nowadays her expertise lay elsewhere. So it was that she stayed out of Thali’s way, but despite her wishes not to disturb the scene or take over what was happening, urgency was pressing against her. She spoke from her aside position, clearly implied her purpose and asked the questions she needed swift answers to with a softness that all the same had an air of authority about them that expected a swift reply.

“Pele, it’s Allacan, the Campwisa of Campian. Your attacker may not have gotten far, and if we act quickly, I may be able to track them down. Tell me, what did you see of the person who did this to you, Pele? Did you notice anything distinctive about them?”

She already dreaded the answer, because she suspected exactly what had happened here. Just as she already suspected the nature of the weapon. If things were as she believed they were, it would intentionally have been left behind. She added a question to the two Rohir with a cold voice that dripped with solemnity. “Thali, Lail, did you find the weapon? And if so, what was it?”

It was clever, something she might have considered herself were she an enemy of the Mark, except that it was a reckless mistake. If Allacan’s suspicions were correct, then someone had been watching the recent Campian bout and had decided to try and turn recent events to their advantage, and this attack had been specifically manufactured to shift blame onto another. However if they had done so, then they had dangerously underestimated two trained assassins currently residing in Edoras, and that was a mistake that Allacan intended to make them pay for.

OOC: (Thank you to @Lailorn for manufacturing an easy way for me to engage in the chase. Apologies to @Taethowen for the abrupt exit; Taeth will likely receive a message from Allacan shortly)

[Eléowyn]

Golde ge Eorcanstan--NPC Beda

Beda was awfully glad Sheemie took over the planning with the nice lady @Gwai. Beda knew gold from silver and a bracelet from a brooch, but when Sheemie started asking all sorts of questions about how the letter was to be shaped, Beda realized she would never have known to ask the questions. An "F" was an "F," and she was just proud she had even known what that was!

She waited until Gwai was talking to the newcomer to the shop (@Calimir), then said to Sheemie: "The sun is rising higher and I must go open my shop now. I will come back at closing time and help you finish cleaning up here. If Mam brings me a lunch, I will come share it with you."

"Goodbye," she then called to Gwai and the young man (Calimir). "Sheemie will take good care of your needs! But if you need any candles or soaps, come stop by my shop when you are finished here! Ta-la-la-la," she sang as she skipped out the door.

[Calimir]

Golde ge Eorcanstan @Aodh Hammerhelm @Gwai

Cal' waited for the young girl <BEDA> to leave the shop. He watched her go and thought again. Where do I know you from? Then he stepped into the shop. "Hullo, or how do you say? Westu," he said to the lady customer <GWAI>. "I'm Calimir, Cal' for short, by the way and I'm very happy to help a Tub veteran."

Cal' opened his satchel and took out a piece of parchment and a wooden box that held a pot of ink and quills, and also several pencils. He put the parchment and the writing box onto the counter and gave the tall lad <Sheemie> a smile. "Do you mind if I stay and watch? I've always been interested in letters and jewelery."

[Aethelu]

Pen and Ink

Aethelu had been worried that the colours wouldn't be ideal, but thankfully Laewyn seemed very happy by the choices for her. She stroked the books, proclaiming her love for them. "I know what you mean," she said with a smile. "Over the past few years I have fallen terribly in love with books, both to read and write in. Hence setting up the shop."

As Laewyn chose the two she wanted, Aethelu gathered all her items together. "Ah, you are to be a healer of animals? You'll certainly be in demand in the land of horses. I imagine there's a lot of farm dogs and cats wandering around as well." She took stock of all the items laid out before her, the inks in their boxes, the brushes and pens in their pouch, and the notebooks. Maths wasn't always her strong point, so she took a moment to figure out the figures.

"In total, it will be 25 silver coins please." This was going to be the largest purchase anyone had made so far in her little shop, she was so relieved. She'd spent too long worrying that no one would come to buy things, but now? Now she was far less concerned. She was even going to be able to treat herself today, maybe she could buy something extra nice for her dinner.

[The Good Hunter]

Walpurga
On the Streets

Her second day in Edoras dawned with a bright golden pink sun. Sunbeams streaked into her room at the inn, catching motes of dust and setting them on fire with color and vibrance. She rubbed her eyes blearily, stretched her sore muscles, and stared at the patterns of wood in the ceiling above her. With sudden cognizance, Walpurga realized she was late! Very nearly falling out of bed, she hurriedly dressed, brushed her raven black hair and tumbled out of the inn. She was not late for any particular event, thankfully (something like that would reflect very poorly on her on her second day in the city), but she was late for according to the itinerary she had set for herself. The bed had been too blasted comfortable and the food and drink the night before had been too good.

She rushed out of the inn in such a hurry that she forgot to grab something from the kitchen to eat and now, half way to the Riddermarket, she was getting hungry. There would be food there that she could buy, she told herself. She pulled the coin purse out from the pack she kept slung around her shoulder and counted the few coins she had. It wasn’t much, not after springing for a room at the inn instead of sleeping in the stables with her pony, but she thought she could manage a decent enough breakfast and still find something to buy while wondering the marketplace.

It was still early morning, most of the shops hadn’t opened yet as she wandered through them, meandering aimlessly. She had yet to find a place that called out to her to explore when she heard a commotion a few blocks away. Her first instinct was to rush toward the sound to see what was the matter but she heard, vaguely over the sudden din, the mention of stabbing and the perpetrator disappearing. A cold knot formed in her gut and travelled up to her lungs. This was exactly the sort of thing her mother had warned might happen. They had argued over that point for more than was necessary when Walpurga finally announced she was ready to leave and try to join the Cavalry. Her mother’s words of warning echoed in her head. She touched the small knife on her hip, belted neatly at her waist, and felt a semblance of reassurance.

At a much less leisurely pace and a more vigilant mindset, Walpurga began walking through the streets again. Occasionally, she spooked herself when a stray cat would bound across her path. “Get it together girl,” she mumbled under her breath. “They’ve probably already caught who did it and your perfectly safe. Stop worrying or you’ll turn into ma.”

Finally, she found a shop that looked promising. Holt Leod. Makers of fine wooden instruments and trinkets. Maybe she could buy a flute or a toy soldier she could send to her mother. She took the coins out and counted them again. It would be close, but surely she could splurge a little? Her stomach growled. She really needed to find somewhere to eat soon too.

@Veowyn

[Pele Alarion]

Pele with Thalionwen, Lailyn and Allacan
CweÞ Ciese

The calm approach Lail and Thali had to this all convinced Pele that everything might end up well; after all she had been injured worse than that and had survived. She could at least tell that the knife had not punctured her lungs as her breathing was not disturbed, only as much as it became more shallow when she exerted effort and fought through the resulting pain.

Pele did her best to support herself and walk so that the two helpers would not need to carry her, yet her efforts were not all that she had wanted to. Luckily, the shop really was close at hand, and the Gondorian was thankful to be able to lay down behind the counter. It provided a very nice sense of privacy, as the medical procedures would require that her back is available for treatment. She was loath to reveal her back as it was criss-crossed with scars and faint marks of burns, but that could not be avoided.

She folded her arms in front of her to rest her head on them, and said: "Not sure there is such a thing as ready... in these matters." She had found this to be true, as no matter how many injuries were cleaned and stitched, the initial pain always came as a shock to the whole body. "But still, please proceed."

Just as Pele had more or less prepared herself for the cleaning and all the following procedures, Allacan arrived, apparently looking to catch the culprit.

"Someone followed me, probably meaning to kill," she explained the circumstances as best as she could. "The attacker put a hand over my mouth, it felt rather small... the grip was not strong enough, and I could turn a bit, which must've saved my life. Didn't see much else... a figure in a distance - either in a long cloak or skirt - something flowing. Thalionwen has the knife..."

Pele paused for a bit and then added: "I'm very sorry for the mess I caused in Campian, though. Honestly. Didn't get a chance to apologise properly..." She was not sure how things would turn after this, so she found it necessary to settle at least this matter as soon as possible.