24 of Summer 519 AV - Zintia
The sun was breaking the horizon when Pluckett exited her small apartment. She made her way out, the humid morning air washing over her. She had big plans for today. She wove through the plaza, which already had a few others coming out from their dawn rest. It did take her a while to get used to Lhavit's bizarre sleep schedule, but over time she'd come to appreciate it. She stretched as she ran through the instructions to her first destination.
Hunting was a skill Pluckett never had the misfortune to require learning. In Syliras, the city and her father provided any food the family needed. Once she had left for the sea, the majority of her meals were preserved or fish, which the svefra typically took care of capturing in large nets tossed over the side of the ship. She did know that the ability to provide for one's self was required in most of Mizahar. It couldn't be that hard if so many others succeeded with it throughout history.
Some casual conversation with a hunter a few days ago had given her the directions to start. First, she needed a weapon of some sort to hunt with. The hunter also recommended trapping, but Pluckett felt that the thrill of actually pulling the shots was going to be more rewarding. A bow should work. She found the entrance to the Azure Market, merely a winding road leading away from the plaza lined with all sorts of shops. She made her way in.
The shops were all so diverse, but similarly constucted and in varying states of repair. Some looked like no soul had stepped in for ages; others showed clear signs of wear. The hunter said the shop she was looking for was in the upper parts, closer to the peak. The road led uphill. The slope ranged from a gentle climb to actual stairs. The market wasn't yet at its busiest. Nonetheless, occasionally another citizen would pass. There was a woman who seemed absolutely sure to her destination, pushing past Pluckett and not even glancing at the buildings to either side before dissapearing around the corner. A man sitting on a bench eyed Pluckett while she stopped to peer into a shop with faded windows and a particularly interesting odor. She could make out a variety of trinkets inside, which she eventually realized were a variety of smoking pipes, intricately formed by whatever artist was inside. A huff from the man reminded her to stop gawking. She stepped off and continued down the path.
"Hey, young lady!" The voice of an older woman rang in the morning air, causing Pluckett to pause and look over. The woman was wrinkled, and her smile was lined by a very bold lipstick. Her nails were long, and the dress she had on was layered and colorful. The woman didn't wait for Pluckett's response.
"Do you have any young men you're after? Any suitors? If you do, those rags you're in are not going to do the job. I've got some things that'll make you shine."
Pluckett considered this for a moment. She didn't have eyes for any particular person at the time, but a new outfit would be nice. Not today, though. She had a mission.
"Not today, I might be back sometime, though."
The woman frowned, familiar with those empty promises of return that every passerby gave. She waved Pluckett off and watched down the road.
Continuing on the road, Pluckett became aware of just how much closer to the peak she was. She paid close attention to the signs hanging from the walls and on the doors, until she came accross the name she was looking for.
Wullis Weapons, with the 'and son' crossed out. Sounded like a story there, but there was no time for gossip, as the sun was already visible in the sky. It was shabby, but the door was already propped open. She stepped inside.
The man who she presumed was the owner was not at the counter, but was over by a shelf. Daggers lined the shelf, each one quite different from the one before. Some were broader, some pointier, some had gems inlaid on the handle. The man became aware of her entry and turned. He gave a nod and a simple greeting.
"Anything I can help with today?"
Pluckett took a second to glance around the shop before stating, "I'm looking for a hunting bow."
"Long or short? Or are you interested in a crossbow?"
Pluckett had a vague understanding of these categories.
"I think a shortbow should do the trick."
He gestured over to a wall that held a variety of bows, mounted on nails. She stepped over.
"You are Wullis, I assume?" She asked. The bows were quite diverse. Most were simple wood constructs, many with leather wrapped around the center. The majority were worn from prior use.
"I am. Never seen you around this city, new?"
"I was born in Syliras, and I moved here last season. I'm Pluckett."
The man nodded, also carefully looking over the bows. He spoke up, "have you ever owned a bow before?"
"Nope. I've never really shot one, either, but I'm going to start learning today."
"So you'd want a bow that's forgiving and reliable..." His voice trailed out, speaking more for himself than with her, "and nothing too fancy, someone with no experience is bound to be too hard with their hands..."
Pluckett listened intently. She trusted his word. She wasn't quite sure how to determine bow quality or strength for herself.
He finally reached and pointed to an eye-level bow on the left side of the wall. "This one is hardy. It's old owner was a man who'd used it to train his children to hunt."
"That should work well," Pluckett agreed. A bow that had aleady proven its value. The man nodded his head at it, prompting her to gently take it from the wall. It was light, and the wood was smooth where hands have worked it much before. She stepped back and tugged the string, holding it up the way she knew archers did. It was springy and the string was not so different from the one on her gamba bow.
"Be careful with the string when you're not shooting. That wears it down. It'll be 30 kina, 1 kina for 20 arrows, assuming you need those as well."
She quickly lowered it, then stepped over to the counter, pulling out her coinbag while setting the bow in front of her. The man counted out 20 arrows and tied a string loosely around them.
Pluckett sat the kina on the counter. Wullis counted them to confirm, then gestured to the bows. "Pleasure doing business with you. Be careful with it."
She nodded and took her purchases, making her way out of the shop into the warm sun.
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