(continued from here)
Dano and Ray’lel had been having an even better day. They’d made it through two cities without being recognised or hassled and they’d gotten a number of useful items, some of them legally.
The useful items included a map, bought from a surprisingly honest Gahdoesi merchant (At least, honest to their knowledge. The map had been correct so far, but with Gahdoesi, you never knew).
Ray'lel waved the map as she spoke. "So, are we not following this anymore? Because we're going the wrong way..."
"We'll follow it,." said Dano, "But first we're going through Sandford to pick up some provisions. I want to stay out of the big cities; we've been lucky so far but I don't want to push it."
"Fair enough."
They arrived at the Sandford market at midday. The streets were inexplicably empty, and there was a doleful silence hanging over the stalls.
They walked hesitantly, past a leatherworker reassuring his son.
"What's going on here?" whispered Ray'lel tentatively.
"No idea... small towns like these aren't usually this quiet... or this armed." Dano replied, eying a knight in full plate talking to a sad looking man in an ill fitting mail coat. "That's Sir Dennet there, but I don't know who he's speaking to... looks like some sort of militia. Maybe the town's been attacked recently?"
Ray'lel shrugged, and they continued on to the food stall in silence. Dano started haggling with the merchant.
"Three waycakes for ten crowns? These shouldn't go for any more than sevenpence."
"Well I won't give them to you for any less than nine."
"Eight."
"Eight and a half."
"I won't half anything... here's nine, and be happy with it."
The merchant grinned and took the money, then turned around to grab the waycakes. Ray'lel quickly stooped and grabbed a handful of fallen apples. The merchant turned back.
"Here's your bread. Have a fine day, sir." he cackled.
"You as well." spoke Dano, then whispered to Ray'lel as they walked away: "I will never understand how you can do that so quickly."
Ray'lel just grinned and pulled an apple from her pack.
(continued here)
