Open [Seasonal Event] The Merchants Arrival

[Lenya Hiddencreek]

Season of Summer, Day 7, 515 AV

Lenya poked her head out of her tent when she heard the commotion. First there was the pounding of horses hooves, the creaking of wagons, followed closely by advertising of wares in the common tongue. Upon inspection, Lenya’s heart leaped. Traders! From somewhere far from Endrykas, no doubt. She quickly dressed, disturbing her cat Yuli, who had been comfortably curled and asleep on Lenya’s cloak.
“Would you like to come?” Lenya asked Yuli, practicing her rusty common tongue. Yuli let out a purring meow, that sounded an awful lot like she was making fun of Lenya. “Oh, hush you.” Lenya scolded teasingly, slipping comfortably into her native Pavi. She scooped up the purring golden tabby and draped it around her shoulders, the cats side warm against the back of her neck.
Lenya rushed out into the early summer heat, eager to greet their new visitors. Many of Endrykas would no doubt do the same, and Kelwyn knows Lenya could definitely do with some friends outside of her old pavilion.
The traders had positioned their wagons-turned-shops in a semi-circle, just outside of Endrykas, and already, many of the residents had gathered at their makeshift storefronts. They advertised a wide variety of things, from precious metals to seeds native to Sylaris. Sylaris! That must be where they were from! Lenya burned with the desire to ask any and all questions she possibly could about this city she had only heard vague stories of.
“Don’t kid yourself.” She scolded herself. “You can barely survive on your own, much less outside of Endrykas.” She shoved all thoughts of leaving away as Yuli leaped from her shoulders, dashing away. “Yuli!” Lenya called after her, and followed, laughing. “Just enjoy it while it lasts.”

[Naiya]

The sun shone brightly in the early morning, the rising temperature still far below what they would come to expect later in the season. Cotton textured clouds floated above their heads, sparse, but large stretched in thin lines across the sky.

"Banti!" She called softly to the cat, who looked up at her innocently, but Naiya could see the tail of the lizard she had caught this morning sticking out from beneath her paw. "What's that you've got there? Something for me?" she inquired, stopping along the path out away from the camp to reward the huntress for a job well done. There was no sense in letting the hunting pass unnoticed when in the best of circumstances the feline would be able to take down large prey of her own while her hunting partners did the same.

She examined the lizard, slightly worse for wear, his skin punctured in some places, and his tail dangling off in a failed defense mechanism. He was alive yet, and opened his mouth in warning to the Drykas as the cat sat back to let her partner examine the catch. If it had been a rabbit, the skin likely would have been quite ruined, certainly they would do nothing with the skin of this creature now, except perhaps feed it to the cat with the other offal.

She ignored the warning from the lizard, scooping it up with a grasp behind it's neck, patting the cat on the head in praise. Her hand didn't quite wrap all the way around the lizard, promising a fair bit of meat to be had from him. She moved back into the camp, the fire was low, but the embers still gave heat. Flat rocks circled the flames, and Naiya put one to use, holding the weakly struggling lizard against the stone while she pulled her dagger from her boot and pressed the tip of it into the lizard's neck, a little extra force along the length of the blade severed the creatures head, which she then tossed to the cat who followed closely behind her.

"Good hunt, Banti." She told her, reinforcing the reward from the action, the hunt. She split the lizard down the middle, opening his belly from neck to tail. With a small grimace, she put the knife aside and used her hand to remove the innards, it was easier than cutting them out, but the feeling never quite grew on her. Again her rock served her, as she placed the handful of red on the edge closest to the fire, allowing the transferred heat from the stone to cook the organ meats. She pushed the bits around until she found the heart, Khida might have an interest in that. She kept it separate so as to not feed it to her cat mistakenly.

She plucked at the holey skin, trying to find if she could get an edge off, she did manage, a small section, and she slipped the blade of her dagger beneath it to separate the skin from the flesh. She wasn't particularly good at skinning animals, so the occasional slip or gouge with her blade into the skin was not unexpected, it was actually preferable that she practice on a skin already worthless, so as to not waste good coin. She did eventually get the skin off the lizard, although it happened to be in three separate pieces when she finally finished, not her best work ever, but it had been bad before she started anyway.

She placed it aside, she would have to get the preserving kit out and salt the skin. She could likely still make it into a belt if she stitched up the holes, maybe even a band to tie back hair. Regardless, she had other tasks. She took the carcass to the rill they camped beside, washing it clean in the cool water. Banti was oh so carefully attempting to filch the organ meat from the stone when she returned, and she gave the large cat a gentle kick in the hindquarters, just enough to catch her attention and startle her away from the fire. Banti looked properly chided, resuming her seat beside Naiya to watch her work and hope for scraps.

She removed the flesh from the bones as best she could, which wasn't well at all, and sharpened a stick into a point so that she could skewer the meat over the hot coals.

Her dagger produced smooth slivers of wood with each slide down the second stick, leaving softly curling wood shavings in a pile at her feet. She placed more meat on this second skewer, letting it lay low over the coals.

A third stick took the rest of the meat she had procured from the lizard, and she placed it too over the heat. Next she collected the wood-shavings at her feet into a small tinder bag. They could use it to make fire at the next camp.

The blade in her hand scraped the organ meat away from the fire, leaving it to cool while she returned to the water to clean her blade and her hands. She returned, a sharp glance turning Banti off the meat once more, and she removed the preserving salt from the travois as well as a large ceramic cook pot. She grabbed a large log as well, placing it on the bed of coals on the far side of the rather large campfire. The log would catch slowly, allowing her time to do the rest of her work before it was a concern.

She laid the lizard skin flat, the three sections laying beside one another on the stone. She sprinkled salt over them, careful not to waste what she didn't have to. Closing the container of salt back up, she moved away from the fire, taking the pot with her to fill at the rill. She returned, placing it in the bed of coals to begin heating. The bones of the lizard went into the pot, the meat at the joints, and still clinging in thin strips to the bone would cook and flavor the water for stew later. For now the bone and meat would sit in the water while it heated, where it could stay until evening.

The salt on the skin had saturated, soaking up the excess moisture, she added more salt to the skins, and moved to the travois once more, pulling dried herbs from the stores there. She found thyme, and fireweed, first, which served plenty well. She added it to the pot, and turned back to salting the skins. She rubbed the rough grains into the skin, added another layer of the salt, and then left them to dry.

Her cat and partner in the hunt today danced backwards as Naiya turned to her, the feline was obviously excited, awaiting her prize. Eat Naiya told her, stepping away from the organ meat the cat was after, and the cat listened with wholehearted enthusiasm.

Excitement in the city caught her attention. It was the stamping of horses and the crying of wares that drew the Drykas woman, her own horses and zibri seemingly drawn to the noise as well. It was not a good time for the creatures to join the city, the crowds of foreigners that arrived in the caravans were indiscriminate in their treatment of what they considered beasts of burden, and she would not have her menagerie treated as only so much meat.

Peace, stay, she signed to them, and they in turn went back to their business, grazing or playing, watching the young, but with still an ear cocked, or an eye gazing out to the noise. She lifted a skewer from the edge of the fire, testing the cook of the meat. It was hot, and brown, that was enough for a fine breakfast. She left the other two for her husband and wife, they would enjoy the breakfast just as much. The rest would hold until her return.

The traders would stay for a few days, surely, but Naiya knew that today would be the day to find the best items, no matter what exactly one was looking for. Merchants were tired, worn out by the trip in the sea constantly on high alert. The protection even just of the merchant's quarter of the city, was still far safer than any previous resting place they may have found. Inside the gates they were safe, and their guard would fall, their eyes would droop, and their wits would falter. This was when the best shopping could be had.

She moved to join the city first, joining the growing crowd as the merchants circled their wagons and began setting up their shops. They gathered near the tents of the Drykas merchants, a wary peace between the two, there was trade amongst them to be had, as well as with the many people like herself who would come to see what they offered.

[Amunet]

Grandfather was already getting his best bargaining face on. The tents needed to be set up with their various tooled leather, carved stone, wood, bead work and other items that would find themselves to be sold. Bartering with other traders he seemed to live for. The old man was pretty good at it. The others were making plans to purchase items they will not get to obtain for another year, Amunet was also of similar mind. Herbs, fixatives, oils, other items that could be used to preserve food and herbs as well as make them into medicines. On another note looking for dye herbs and roots that could render down into thick stains, powders, pastes. Agar Agar which was often made from seaweed used to thicken dyes hopefully could be found. It shouldn't be too expensive.

Amunet wore her white robes with a red sash. The opalescent white ribbon that was braided into her hair seemed to stand out more today. Her little brother came bouncing in. "Amiiii.. i want to go."

"Drak not this time, when the bargaining is done then maybe. " The girl was firm but held in her voice a kindness.

"You never let me do anything. I am almost seven years old. " as if that was a huge accomplishment.

"oh. really. A whole seven years old?" Those arms crossed and Amunet looked more the mom than the eighteen year old girl. "All those years you have. You could run the pavilion." The girl said spreading one hand acrosss the pavilion.

"Ami. you know what i mean. " The kid put his little fists on his hips looking up at his big sister as she was mocking him. "why cant i goooooo." He drew out the 'o' sound something aweful.

The girl sighed and sat down moment "You know first day of the traders, grandfather has to be there first to see to the trading. They are going to be here for a few days. You will get to see them, just not right now." She could tell he was struggling with a difficult concept of the youth, patience."

"I always get left behind." He folded his arms and humphed right there.

Amunet laughed and he stomped his foot. This caused her to grab him and start tickling him till he laughed and wiggled out of her hold. "Now be good for aunt clara and the elders."

"You get to go?" He said with a rather pretty good impressive pout on his face. It would melt the snow with such cuteness.

"Don't try that on me Drak. I'm immune to your pouts. " The aunties might not but she was.

The boy stomped his foot as his plot foiled and then stomped into the pavilion. The red head made sure Shetanae was good. The mare was grazing and doing well enough before the girl turned on her heal to head towards the traders outside of the gates. She wasnt required to help with the trade tent fortunately she could go see if any trader at all would have what she was looking for.

[Lenya Hiddencreek]

Lenya weaved contentedly through the throng of people, happy enough to simply browse, Yuli at her heels. She reveled in the warm sun, well aware that this would be the coolest the grasslands would get this season.
"Young lady!" a merchant called to her as Yuli trotted up to his shop. "Is there anyway I could interest you in a gift for your pretty kitty?" he purred, as easily as a cat while dangling a thin leather strap with a silver token hanging off from his fingers. Oh dear. Lenya was rubbish with negotiation and haggling. But it was very pretty. "What is it?" Lenya tried translating the phrase into common mentally, before repeating it to the merchant, though she was sure it came out closer to "What it is?". "Tis but a simple collar, miss." He replied smoothly, ignoring whatever blunder Lenya had made with the phrasing of her question. "It's to identify your pretty kitty. Either that, or it's just a nice accessory."
"What do you think?" Lenya signed to Yuli as she swept her up into her arms to get a better look at the band. Yuli sniffed and considered it for a moment, before hissing angrily, whipping a paw out at it. Lenya laughed as the merchant recoiled violently from the cats primed claws. "I think that would be a no." She reiterated to the merchant, still giggling. The merchant shuffled as fast as he could back into his shop, muttering something about grassland savages. "Not even so much as a goodbye." Lenya pouted sarcastically as Yuli began to relax in her arms. "Come on now, " she soothed the cat., turning towards the market, walking forward with her eyes still on the cat. "Let's go see what else there is-" She hadn't quite finished her sentance as she collided with an unknown figure, the force throwing her to the ground.

[Naiya]

The man was unloading ceramic and glass, some decorative, others looking as though crafted with a very specific purpose in mind, although Naiya could not fathom what that purpose may be. It did not take long for the pale Syliran man to notice her, his light hair and pale eyes standing out more so than even Naiya did among the Drykas.

"How might I help you, madam? Were you looking for philtering tools?" His common was smooth, and fast, but she managed all but the one strange word. She shook her head, unsure about the answer to his inquiry.

"I'm sorry, my common is not very good, I am looking for simple jars, or pots with tight seals. I need them for storing food, do you have anything like that?" Her own common was careful, not quite so slow as it had been in the past, but certainly not the graceful speech of her native tongue.

The man's face fell, giving Naiya her answer before his words could confirm it, but he continued to answer her anyway, "No ma'am, we don't have have anything large enough to store food."

She thanked him and moved on, or began to, but a voice raised over the crowd caught her attention.

"I can help you, miss! You, the redheaded woman! Miss!" The call at first not one of note, but red hair was uncommon enough that she turned to look. Too quickly she turned, not having checked her surroundings, and she crashed right into the path of another Drykas, although only her clothing and her windmarks called her heritage, her hair as light as the merchant she had left behind.

Naiya stumbled back a step, dropping her weight to keep her balance, and even so only just kept her feet. The other woman was not so lucky, spilling into the dirt with the force of the collision, a cat leapt from her arms with an angry hiss at Naiya.

Apology carved it's shape into her body as she crouched to woman up, "I'm sorry, I didn't look where I was going, someone was calling for me, or I thought they were, and I turned too quickly." She explained, offering a hand up while her other sketched an inquiry as to whether or not she was hurt.

They had made a scene in the market, earning a fair share of both angry and amused looks from passerby. Naiya couldn't fight the flush of red to her cheeks as she waited for the girl's response.

[Amunet]

Amunet was enjoying the market as she went over her mental list and made a bee line towards the philtering stalls. She was incredibly low on small jars and bottles for oils and tinctures. The fall would be a time to stock up on these items with the summer’s bounty and strength. Her light blue eyes saw another red head that she thought she saw around Endrykas. Her attention was soon drawn right back to the stall as she started speaking to the owner who was pressing nice pretty small white jars on to her.

Her youth was often taken as a red flag that she was naïve and an easy mark. The little lady can admit she was inexperienced and naïve to some degree to some things, but she was not born yesterday. The jar was lifted to the sun to look at the quality and evenness of the ceramic. There were minor imperfections marking them as moderate quality jars. “for you pretty lady 7.5 silver Mizas each. It’s a steal and I don’t have many of these white jars left. They are hard to come by.” His voice was smooth as silk. Her father had told her to be wary of those who talk smooth. The smooth hid a rougher skin. Though she wasn’t entirely sure what that part meant exactly.

“Though white jars are not common, there are irregularities to the ceramic finish. They are nice but not worth 7.5 silver Mizas.” She said this in a low voice to not dissuade any other bargaining he may get. What I need is something a bit more utilitarian. Apprentice blown umber glass jars, small and bottles” These umber glass jars are usually thicker, sturdier and the dark color protected the volatile ingredients from sun exposure. “I will need plain glazed jars and pots as well. “ The girl looked rather enviously at a philtering kit. Maybe one day.

The quick light haired philtering trader caught her eye. “for that rare kit, 200 gold Mizas.” He pointed out as he eyed the young red head.

She smiled at the gentleman trader . The goal was set to get one though. “afraid that’s not going to be today. The jars, please. “

The philtering grumbled a little bit as he went to see what he had as he kept those jars and bottles not as visible as the pretty ones. The other red head, which was looking but appeared to be unsure of what was here, only to find out she needed household pots to hold food. Amunet was about to say something when she had turned towards someone calling out to get her attention it seemed. The blue eyed girl cringed when the other red head ran right into another girl. Amunet walked towards the two to see if anyone was hurt. “You two, alright?”

[Lenya Hiddencreek]

Embarrassment was pink on Lenya's cheeks. "I'm fine." she signed as she took the redheaded Drykas woman's hand, tailbone acheing as she was lifted to her feet. The woman was stronger than she looked. "You two alright?" asked another Dryka. woman. Still redheaded, but smaller. Younger. "Fine." Lenya signed again. "Thank you both for your concern. I wasn't paying enough attention, and my reflexes leave much to be desired..." she sighed bitterly. "I'm sorry, is what I'm trying to say." Yuli's angry hiss snapped her attention away. "Yuli! I'm fine, see?" she soothed. "I'm sorry about sher." She told the two women. "She's a very sweet cat." another hiss from Lenya's feet. "Eventually." she sighed again. Why couldn't she be more graceful in certain situations? "My name is Lenya." she introduced herself, suddenly remembering her manners. "I'm from the Hidddencreek pavilion, with the Emerald Clan. And you are?"

[Naiya]

Not necessary, shared blame the signs moved her hands before the thought was even fully in her mind, and she smiled to further soften the blow, both literally and figuratively, of the collision.

The hissing cat was of some concern, though, and despite the reassurances from the girl, she moved away from the creature. Perhaps she was nicer from a distance. It took her a few ticks more to realize that she knew the other woman, recognition lighting her eyes and the movement of her hands. She signed a slightly more familiar greeting to the other woman, before answering the inquiry of the other girl, Lenya.

"I am Naiya Dawnwhisper," She began, ready to continue on to the proclamation of her clan the sound of her words heralding the title, but instead she fell quiet, she hadn't a clan to claim, and it still caught her off guard sometimes. She would have covered her mistake by introducing the other redhead, if she could remember her name. Amoo something. Of the sparklyrock pavilion. She chuckled softly at her half-remembered name. She would recognize the correct version once it was spoken, but she hadn't a clue the proper name at the moment.

She brushed imagined dirt from her clothing, speaking once more after a pause that surely gave away her near mistake.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lenya. And also to meet you again," She spoke then to Amunet, although she still could not recall her name, "Although this ins't the ideal meeting place, surrounded by confused, and even angry traders." She laughed gently again, the situation quite unusual.

[Amunet]

The other red head’s face came to her sight. ‘Known’ came the graceful fingers. Those little fingers and hands danced the Pavi like a ballet. There was a smile that widened at the recognition. This was the very woman who had come to get her out of the sea of grass at the behest of her family. Her brow furrowed. “Naiya? Right? “ She asked freely as her sky blue eyes sparkled.

Her brother yelled out “Amunet!! We will be at the Sylrias leather workers, father is to bargain.” Along with ‘stay, safe, no trouble’ The girl gave a bit of a frown as she has to be reminded to not wander. The thing is she did wander and often. She made no promises though. The girl signed back ‘bargain well’

To Lenya she gave another pleasant and free smile. The warmth and heart in her eyes was free to a lot of people. Her family and the watch may think a little too freely as she was trusting. Her argument to that was usually a behest to Rak’keli for patience as she had to be open to any in need. Was that not the creed of the great Healer Goddess? “Hi Lenya, pleasure to meet you.”

To the hissing feline the young lady in white and red robes bent down gently and crooned ever so softly. Amunet showed no sign of caution as she knelt down. There was gentleness as well as a fire to this herbalist’s soul. The girl looked into the eyes of the cat entreating her to be soothed. The croon was a soft tune with a melodic voice. Usually she would be crooning this melody on her flute, but that was not with her.

“what brings such fine drykas women to the market this day?” The girl asked brightly to the two of them as she stood up.

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Hey guys! I am a new grader so PM me if I missed anything and I will look back over the thread with one of the more practiced graders to see where I missed it!

Lenya Hiddencreek-

I am sorry but until your seasonal expenses have been paid I am unable to award you any earned XP and Lore for this thread please update your ledger and I will fix this.

Naiya Dawnwhisper-

XP-
Logic: 2 XP
Observation: 3 XP
Animal Husbandry: 2 XP
Butchering: 1 XP
Cleaning: 1 XP
Wilderness Survival: 1 XP
Carving: 1 XP
Tanning: 1 XP
Cooking: 1 XP
Planning: 1 XP
Socialization: 2 XP
Acrobatics: 1 XP

Lores-

Lenya: new acquaintance
Banti: still learning to hunt
Skinning: lizards are hard to skin

Amunet-

XP-

Socialization: 3 XP
Negotiations: 1 XP
Observation: 2 XP
Animal Husbandry: 1 XP

Lore-

Drak: a practiced pouter
Naiya: A familiar face
Lenya: a new acquaintance

The Clan is Strength.
The Clan is Life.