Completed [The Market] The Morning Market

[Marrin]

1st Day of Autumn, 513 AV The Market was bustling, as it often was on Market Days, but moreso than usual due to the fact that it was the first Market Day of the season. Many of the vendors displayed a number of season-exclusive wares, which would sell quickly due to their unique features. To his left, handmade falconry gloves with a brass standing post made to look like a maple branch. To his right, elegant dresses in flaming oranges and reds, embroidered to look like the leaves of the new season. However, Marrin already had his goal in mind. He’d gotten up earlier than usual, smiling brightly and greeting those he met on the street, making a point of arriving at the Market before the crowds. It seemed, however, that the crowds had the same idea. All Marrin wanted was a book, a journal to log all his hunts and to write for himself and others should someone want to read his story one day. Wincing and grunting short “E‘scuse me”s as he shoved his way through the mob to the book stall, The Written Word.

[Marrin]

Warden looked up from one of his many tomes, this one of large, sandy colored leather with an iron latch binding, smiling his grandfather’s smile at the young Avora who approached his table. Many of those that would visit his stall had yet to arrive, be they apprentices looking to purchase assigned reading or laborers looking for an escape, most were either in bed or had other duties to attend to. In fact, he was surprised his booth had been approached so early at all! Most people did not wake up at the crack of dawn with a passion for book shopping. None the less, he was grateful for the company and the possible income. ”Good morning, young one! How is it that I can help you today? Come to look for tales of adventure, mystery and intrigue, or are you more interested in the histories and other more informational tomes?” Marrin let his eyes wander the table covered in books, with even more lining the bookshelves behind the elderly gent. He wasn’t a big fan of book learning, his master had made it seem so monotonous, and he didn’t truly have time to read for pleasure. Still, he couldn’t help but smile when the old man spoke. There was something about Warden that made anyone who met him want to spend hours sitting with his and listening to stories. It was an oddly attractive trait, a sort of emotional magnetic pull that could not be denied. ”Actually, I’m looking for a blank book and writing materials,” he said, chuckling as the old man’s eyes widened along with his smile, until Warden was nearly giddy with glee. It was an odd emotion to see on one’s elders, but none the less added to his adorability. He clapped twice, rising from his seat. “Looking to make some of your own stories rather than reading others? Splendid, simply splendid. I believe I have just the thing for you.” The old man nearly hopped, skipped and jumped to his bookshelves, crouching low and pulling from among them a book with a stained an hardened woodbark cover, sturdy cast-iron hinge bindings and pages as brilliant a white as fresh snow. ”Picked up this beauty from a few traders in Summer that said they got it from a woman in the Spires. Can’t say I know what the outer bark is, but it’s strong. The binding technique is simply brilliant, you can tell by the craftsmanship that whoever made this knew right well what they were doing.” He set the medium-sized blank record in the center of his display table, opening to the first few pages. ”As you can see, the paper is specially treated birch bark paper, taken from the finest Talderan birch trees. It should be fairly easy to write on with the right quill…” he trailed off, motioning to Marrin as if to pass judgement on to him. Marrin was, simply put, stunned. This had been exactly the sort of thing he was looking for, and at such fine quality and craftsmanship. He allowed his jaw to drop, a newfound interest in the construction of books and the art of bookbinding having arisen in him. The book was sturdy, made of natural materials and looked simply magnificent, something to brag about, surely. ”It’s…beautiful,” was all he managed to utter before shaking his head and coming to his senses. ”I’ll take it, and whatever you deem to be a quill and ink worthy of the craftsmanship. What should that cost me?” he asked, tensing up as if bracing for an impact whilst pulling his coin from their place on his person. Warden was simply giddy with glee, pulling a finely made quill and an ounce of black ink from under the table and placing them before his customer. “Let’s see. 5 Pinions for the book, 1 for the ink and I’ll throw this fine quill in it for free if you buy the lot all at once.” He grinned and looked to his customer, waiting for a response. Marrin was once again surprised by the man’s generosity, allowing such a work of art to go for such a low price, as well as throwing in a well-made quill simply for buying the rest? Now he simply couldn’t resist. Smiling, he counted out the pinions he owed the man before dropping them in the waiting palm. When he looked up, his eyes met the kindest smile he’d ever seen. “Thank you, m’boy. Please, don’t hesitate to return should you need anything else. You’re a hunter, right? I have a number of books that might help in your next hunt!” Marrin laughed “Perhaps when I have more to spend on them,” he promised, gathering up his new items and putting them in his backpack, careful not to break the quill or corked ink well as he put the two fragile items in his rucksack. With that he waved a quick goodbye before making his way away from the stall. He’d found what he came for…but it would be a shame not to browse a little on the first Market Day of the season! And he still had a number of bells before he had to meet his Endal ferry out to make his hunting trip. It wasn’t long before the next thing caught his eye.

[Marrin]

Lexi’s Leathers was one of the finest shops in the Marketplace, and one of the few that made him so uncomfortable he often wanted to leave before buying anything. Lexi herself, while attractive, was far too old for Marrin’s liking, and whenever he visited the shop she flirted with him until his face was red as a cherry. None the less, her wares were of fine quality, and one it particular caught his eye. It was a weapon harness, meant to strap over the shoulder and attach to a belt, a locking wrap allowing for a two dagger sheaths to be placed in the center of the chest, their pommels pointed to the right shoulder and within easy reach. Though Marrin had only one dagger that needed sheathing, he still could not deny that the knotted leather cord and the decoratively embossed leather wrap was exquisite. And, should trouble arise and he need his dagger, having it at his hip could mean he was slow on the draw. If it was on his chest he could grab it quickly, ready to strike. He approached the booth without a word, snatched the harness from the table and began fastening it to himself. Lexi stuttered, surprised at his audacity and unsure whether or not he was stealing the piece, yet not wishing to be impolite were he actually a customer. ”Er, s-sir? You’re going to have to pay for that if you want to buy it.” Marrin payed little attention to her as she tried to get him to look at her, stonewalling her as best he could to keep from making himself an embarrassment. It fit snugly, though it was not too tight, and had the ability to be tightened or loosened depending on his situation. The leather was soft and didn’t chafe, and as he slipped the sheath of his dagger into the harness wrapping, he couldn’t help but smile as it fit perfectly. ”How much for this fine piece, then?” he asked, trying to make this transaction as quick as possible. He’d discovered he didn’t care much for flirty women, instead choosing to go after the ones that seemed to have no interest in him. He was a hunter in occupation and in nature, no matter his quarry. She frowned, now quite confused, though oddly pleased that he was intending to buy the piece rather than simply take it and run. ”5 Pinions for the harness.” Before she could finish her final word, the money was on the table and he was walking away. He had an eagle to catch and a quarry to hunt. FIN

[Harrier]

Skills	Amount
Observation	5
Negotiation	1

Lore

Getting writing supplies from Warden

Talderan Birch: good for paper

Lexi is a Flirt

A hunter by profession and romance

Bonus: Talderan birch-paper journal; mysterious wood used for binding, inkpot, quill. 1 leather chest harness (for daggers) -11 pinions (be sure to deduct from your ledger!)

Additional Comments: Wonderfully short and sweet, Marrin, great job describing the NPC's attitudes, too and how the character interacted with them.

(c) abstract