by Xira Hezmek on December 13th, 2013, 4:53 am
Winter 1, 513 AV
Generally speaking, visitors were the ones that tended to go to live in Traveler's row. It was a decent place, well maintained and protected, for those visitors to stay for sporadic periods of time. So it was unusual for a resident of Syliras to enter into the office seeking rent. In all honesty, Xira felt somewhat uncomfortable. It was as if he was leaving the familiar castle hallways and heavy structures for the wall. Not that he had ever heard a complaint about the 'Row.
Yet, He was free. Finally going through with what he had promised himself. Namely, that he would follow in his mentor's footsteps and become a courier. A strange profession to dream to be. Most his age sought to become knights, but not him. He would help bring civilization to the world in a different way. Or so he liked to fancy.
With all his worldly possessions on his person, he entered into the office to take the second step towards his dream.
As luck would have it, the owner was sitting behind her neatly furnished desk and immediately looked up from whatever it was she had in her lap at his entrance. Xira immediately flushed with embarrassment. The konti woman was beautiful. All konti were, and so she was as well; he couldn't even determine her age. Which is why the encompassing gaze and upturning of the corner of her lips made him feel like he had done something wrong. He stammered, "H-hi, I would like to rent a room?"
The woman's lips spread in a full smile, "Naturally. The rates are one silver Miza for a day for a single room, three for a suite with a living space. Which would you like and how long will you be staying at the traveler's row?"
Apparently it was easy to catch the young man off guard. For if he ever were off his guard, it was now. He shifted on his feet, the heavy saddlebags weighing him down. It never occurred to him to set them down. "How long will I be staying?" Xira repeated, " Oh, um... I don't know how long. I suppose as long as work keeps me here..." He trailed off under the scrutiny of the woman, who was probably merely amused by the flustered man. "Oh! I would like a single room, if you don't mind."
Matilda nodded politely, "Okay. Since you don't seem to have any plans to leave, I can give you give you a fourth off your price. For long term residents like yourself I collect on the first of every season for the previous season. Make sure you stick around to pay up or else" She winked playfully at the young man who flushed a deeper red.
"In any case, you will only need to pay..." She paused for a moment while she did some mental calculations and began tallying with her pale hands, " 6 Golden Mizas, 8 Silver, and ... 25 Copper, but only at the end of month." The konti woman suddenly got up after she was sure Xira understood and nodded. "All right. Follow me, I will take you to your room."
At some point during her transition from sitting down to standing upright Matilda had produced a key and was on her way out the front door. A bit dumbfounded, Xira got a hold of himself and hurried after the pale beauty.
"So this is yours." The woman said with a smile, "And here is your key. If you have any problems, I am only a few doors down."
With the key in hand and Matilda gliding away, Xira realized he never go her name, nor offered his. "Excuse me, what was your name?" He called after her, "My name is Xira."
She was at the door and gave a sly look before calling back, "Matilda." And she was gone.
Dear Graders: I collect location lore!