A Journey to the Marketplace
I slowly walked to the marketplace, taking in the breathtaking view. Zenia was a beautiful place, especially just around sunset. I could see the reddish glow of the sun merging with the only big hill in our town. The sky was a dazzling mixture of pink, blue, and purple. Ah, what a beautiful sight. Too bad it isn't like this all the time. I sighed. I hope the jewelry stand is still open. I quickened my pace and it was a good thing I did, because Matthew, the seller and also a customer at the bakery, was about to start closing.
"Matthew! Matthew, don't close yet," I shouted. He turned around and smiled. This made me smile, for he had a very nice smile indeed. Although Matthew wasn't all that handsome, if one did love him, he wasn't bad to look at.
"Ah, Lady Jasmine. Came here to get something for Miss Maria and Miss Crystal?" Matthew asked in his businesslike voice. I smiled at him. He always knows.
"Why, yes, that is exactly the reason why I've come here. I want to give them a present and I know they love your jewelry," I told him. He turned and walked to the other side of his stand. The stand wasn't very appealing, but his jewelry was known was being the best you can find in Zenia. The stand was really a carriage transformed into a stand, a convenience for Matthew, since he went home every night and came back the next morning.
"Well, you got lucky. I was just about to close," Matthew said, "I just received the most exotic necklaces from Luana. The jewelry-makers there are very talented and they make any Lady look even prettier when they wear them." He pointed to the right side of the table, which he used as a display board. The necklaces were very pretty and they had an almost ethereal glow to them. Maria and Crystal will love these. What color should I get them? Then I saw them. Oh, these are just beautiful!
"Matthew, I want these two," I pointed at the two necklaces I chose.
"Ah, these are beautiful," said Matthew, "I'm sure your sisters will love them." He picked them and placed them in two boxes which he got from his carriage. "This will be 14 gold coins." I took out my coin pouch and picked out 14 coins from it. I then handed the coins to Matthew.
"Here you are," I said. He took the coins and placed them in a wooden chest. He then took the boxes with the necklaces and handed them to me.
"Thank you, Matthew," I said with a smile. I placed the two boxes in my coin pouch. Matthew returned my smile.
"You're welcome, Lady Jasmine. Now you and I should better get home before it gets even darker," Matthew said as he started putting everything in his carriage. "Would you like a ride home?"
"Oh, no thank you, Matthew. I live close by and I'd rather walk since it was such a nice day today," I told him, "Maybe another time." He nodded his head.
"Yes, it was a nice day. Good night, Milady," Matthew said as he sat in the front of the carriage. I hadn't noticed his horses that were on the other side of the carriage.
"Good night, Matthew," I said with a nod.
As I started walking up to the trail that led to my house, I watched Matthew's carriage go the opposite way. He really is a nice guy. I then touched my pouch and felt the boxes. Oh, Maria and Crystal are going to love these! I can't wait to see the looks on their faces. I smiled. Today is such a great day.
I then heard a noise off to the side of the road. It was dark, so I really couldn't make out what was causing the noise. I walked closer to the noise and could make out a man shouting something. There was also another person on the ground and a horse next to him. I rushed over and heard what the man was saying.
"Hello?! Is anyone out there? I need help!" the man shouted. I ran over to him, making sure I didn't step on the person on the ground.
"Excuse me, sir," I said, "I heard you shouting. What is the concern?" Since it was dark, I couldn't make out his face, but by the way he was moving around, I could see he was anxious.
"Oh, thank goodness. My sister here is sick. She fell unconscious as we were riding to the market. I could have put her on the horse and gone to the market, but I'm not sure if she broke anything, and I don't want to make it any worse," the man said in one whole breath. His voice was deep and I could tell he was desperate. "I need to get her some medicine but when she fell, I dropped my coin pouch and I can't seem to find it in the dark. I would really appreciate it if you have any coins I can borrow. I promise I will return it once I get the chance." I quickly took the coins out of my pouch and handed them to him.
"All I have is 8 coins. You may have them and do not worry, you don't need to return them to me in a haste," I told him, "Would you like me to look over your sister while you go to the market?"
"Oh, yes, thank you very much. I'd really appreciate it," the man answered. And with that, he got on to his horse and rode towards the marketplace.
I knelt down next to the woman on the floor. As I got closer, I realized that she was probably around Crystal's age. She was just a young girl. I really could not see any facial features but I knew she was unconscious. I moved her hair out of her face and put my palm on her forehead to check if she had a fever. She didn't and that was a good thing.
I sat there for a few minutes next to the girl's body when I realized she was moving. I quickly helped her into a sitting position.
"Are you alright?" I asked her.
"I-I think so," she said, "Who are you? And where is my brother?" She looked around to see if he was nearby.
"He went to get some medicine for you. Don't worry, he should be back soon," I told her, "Are you sure you aren't hurt anywhere?"
"No, I don't think I'm hurt," she said as she put a hand to her forehead, "But I do have a major headache. I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"Oh, forgive me, I am Jasmine. I was just walking home when I heard your brother shouting and I came over. He told me what happened to you," I said.
Just then we heard horse hooves and in a minute, her brother was back. He jumped off the horse and rushed over to his sister.
"Julia," he exclaimed, "You're up! Are you alright? I was scared out of my mind. Did you break anything? Do you feel sick? You don't have a fever, do you?" Julia, his sister, started laughing, for which he gave a very confused look.
"Alexander!" she nearly shouted, "I'm alright. I have a small headache, but other than that, no broken bones. Jasmine here was also questioning me. I'm alright, brother." Alexander, the man, sighed.
"Oh, thank goodness you're okay. Father would have had my head chopped off if anything happened to you. I knew it was a bad idea to go on a ride after dark," Alexander said to Julia. His voice then softened, "Come, Julia, take this medicine and lets get home." He took out a small vial from his pocket and handed it to Julia. As Julia drank, Alexander turned to me.
"So your name is Jasmine, is it?" Alexander asked me. I nodded. "Thank you so much. I will repay you soon enough. Where do you live? I shall come to your house tomorrow." I pointed towards the trail.
"Up the path and to the right. But I'm usually working at the bakery from dawn to dusk. You should find me there," I explained to him.
"Alright then, I shall come to the bakery tomorrow. Thank you again, Milady," Alexander said and he bowed as I got up. He is such a gentleman and I can tell he is sincere.
"Good night, Julia," I said with a nod, "Alexander. I shall take my leave now." I started walking up towards the path. I saw Alexander's figure help Julia onto the horse and he climbed on behind her. What an adorable pair. I smiled and then I realized how late it was. Maria and Crystal must be waiting for me! I quickened my pace as I walked to my house.
A/N: Well this was that and it took me a while to figure out what kind of story I wanted... :P I believe that a story comes to the writer not vice versa and so we shall see where this goes.
Thanks dragonfangjade for your review :) I know I should make it more descriptive but I don't want to give all of my characters away just yet. I tried making this chapter long, and I'm still working on it, but I assure you, the chapters will get longer as I write along.
And please, anyone with any ideas, feel free to throw them at me ;)
