my friends.”
As the Hunter struck up conversation with the portly shopkeep, Serrtin turned to Aya. “Just give me the word and I’ll make sure they never find that guy.”
“Tempting, to be sure.” She responded, opening the door for the Yarcka, who barely fit out without turning sideways. “But more trouble than it’s probably worth.”
As they traveled through the Market, purchasing what foodstuffs they could that would last for their journey, Aya questioned the sellers. From the dried meats booth where she purchased some jerked beef, a bit of dried river quail and gave in to buying some smoked cressfin, the mage asked about the nearby mountains with a range of ten miles. The smooth-faced merchant thought about it, crossing his arms over his chest before answering. “I know of the area but I can’t remember the name. If you follow the Azure Ribbon on its southern side, it gets hilly before coming to the foot of the Krintal Mountains. There are a lot of small creeks and rivers throughout the area. Few around actually know this but those rivers don’t just stop at the mountain range- they actually go underground. The Dwarprihn who live all cooped up in the Mountains know it though I bet!
“You know, if you’re that interested you should speak to my brother. His wife owns the bakery by the smithshop on the outskirts of town. You probably saw it- the dolphin and shark hitchpost? Tell him I sent you and he’ll give you a good deal- uh, that is if you wished to buy, of course.” The merchant finished lamely. Embarrassed by his presumptuousness, he made a face before shrugging it off. He nodded to them congenially and moved to assist another customer.
At a nearby vegetable stand, a woman with two young children playing at her feet admitted to them that she had heard stories told by travelers about an eerie happenstance in the surrounding woodlands. Some parties recently had even been attacked. The woman knew of a few fishermen who flat refused to go in that area at all. Of course, those old fools were cowards, she blatantly exclaimed. Her opinion of the matter (one she gave most glibly) was that a pack of rock seders had been disengorged from the Krintal range by the inhabiting Dwarprihn and had moved into the hills looking for shelter. Nothing a band of mercs couldn’t take care of.
Aya had doubted thus but did not say so. She thanked the woman anyways and purchased enough produce to replenish their foodstores. Serrtin wrapped them into the canvas sack where they would remain until she had a chance to rearrange the duffel that had been left with Agemeer.
After being steered away from a jewelry stand where there were all sorts of lovely necklaces and bracelets to be bought, the Bren headed for the bakery. A little wistful of the fineries, for a Bren is still a Bren, she knew work came first.
The bakery was small, much too small for the amount of people inside. Serrtin opted to wait outside and while she was out there she’d make sure that the little shop did not become any more busy.
Aya purchased a loaf of stonewheat bread and a package of traveler’s rations- a yeastless flatbread about as tasty and appealing as an oil rag left out in the sun to dry. Pretending to be interested in the jars of homemade jams on the counter, Aya attempted to get some more info from the pale lass on the other side. As first, she was not in the least interested in conversation while her shop was so teeming with customers but once Aya mentioned the merchant she had spoken to, the lass warmed immediately. Ignoring the other patrons, she turned her full attention to the young Bren as if they were old friends who had met up after a lengthy period of no-see.
“Ah, you met my bother-in-law Jent! How kind of him to send you here- he’s such a good man. Let me get my husband Gevn. Please wait.” She hurried into the backroom and returned momentarily with an equally plain man with ruffled brown hair and flour on his clothes. His
As the Hunter struck up conversation with the portly shopkeep, Serrtin turned to Aya. “Just give me the word and I’ll make sure they never find that guy.”
“Tempting, to be sure.” She responded, opening the door for the Yarcka, who barely fit out without turning sideways. “But more trouble than it’s probably worth.”
As they traveled through the Market, purchasing what foodstuffs they could that would last for their journey, Aya questioned the sellers. From the dried meats booth where she purchased some jerked beef, a bit of dried river quail and gave in to buying some smoked cressfin, the mage asked about the nearby mountains with a range of ten miles. The smooth-faced merchant thought about it, crossing his arms over his chest before answering. “I know of the area but I can’t remember the name. If you follow the Azure Ribbon on its southern side, it gets hilly before coming to the foot of the Krintal Mountains. There are a lot of small creeks and rivers throughout the area. Few around actually know this but those rivers don’t just stop at the mountain range- they actually go underground. The Dwarprihn who live all cooped up in the Mountains know it though I bet!
“You know, if you’re that interested you should speak to my brother. His wife owns the bakery by the smithshop on the outskirts of town. You probably saw it- the dolphin and shark hitchpost? Tell him I sent you and he’ll give you a good deal- uh, that is if you wished to buy, of course.” The merchant finished lamely. Embarrassed by his presumptuousness, he made a face before shrugging it off. He nodded to them congenially and moved to assist another customer.
At a nearby vegetable stand, a woman with two young children playing at her feet admitted to them that she had heard stories told by travelers about an eerie happenstance in the surrounding woodlands. Some parties recently had even been attacked. The woman knew of a few fishermen who flat refused to go in that area at all. Of course, those old fools were cowards, she blatantly exclaimed. Her opinion of the matter (one she gave most glibly) was that a pack of rock seders had been disengorged from the Krintal range by the inhabiting Dwarprihn and had moved into the hills looking for shelter. Nothing a band of mercs couldn’t take care of.
Aya had doubted thus but did not say so. She thanked the woman anyways and purchased enough produce to replenish their foodstores. Serrtin wrapped them into the canvas sack where they would remain until she had a chance to rearrange the duffel that had been left with Agemeer.
After being steered away from a jewelry stand where there were all sorts of lovely necklaces and bracelets to be bought, the Bren headed for the bakery. A little wistful of the fineries, for a Bren is still a Bren, she knew work came first.
The bakery was small, much too small for the amount of people inside. Serrtin opted to wait outside and while she was out there she’d make sure that the little shop did not become any more busy.
Aya purchased a loaf of stonewheat bread and a package of traveler’s rations- a yeastless flatbread about as tasty and appealing as an oil rag left out in the sun to dry. Pretending to be interested in the jars of homemade jams on the counter, Aya attempted to get some more info from the pale lass on the other side. As first, she was not in the least interested in conversation while her shop was so teeming with customers but once Aya mentioned the merchant she had spoken to, the lass warmed immediately. Ignoring the other patrons, she turned her full attention to the young Bren as if they were old friends who had met up after a lengthy period of no-see.
“Ah, you met my bother-in-law Jent! How kind of him to send you here- he’s such a good man. Let me get my husband Gevn. Please wait.” She hurried into the backroom and returned momentarily with an equally plain man with ruffled brown hair and flour on his clothes. His
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