The group rose with the sun and after a few berries that Katie mysteriously
knew where to find were off in search of the trail that had been seen the
day before but that they had been unable to locate. Around midday the path
was found, more of a road really but nobody was complaining. Well except
Casey, he never shut up; "My feet hurt, why do we have to walk so much?
Why can't any of you carry me?" matters were not helped any that he could
never stop leering at the girls for more than five seconds when he would
trip. Nick had to be held back by Jen whenever he looked at her. More
than once the whole group frowned when he 'accidentally' fell looking up
right behind her.
Eventually the group came upon a traveling salesman selling silk scarves and gaudy jewelry. Nicholas thought there seemed something strange about the items but couldn't put his finger on it so he let is go. The others however didn't seem to notice and set to looking at and trying on every piece they could get their hands on. The man was another matter altogether, he was just plain weird. With his hair all in disarray, one eye that seemed a little puffy and several fresh scars all over his arms he was defiantly one they all wanted to avoid as much as possible.
"Christoph's the name and pretty things for pretty ladies is the game. I assure you this is the finest jewelry around."
"Hmm," said Nick M. looking around. "Yes I can see it is, I'm looking for particularly sought after items, mainly some information for some travelers new to the area." He said producing a gold coin. "Perhaps you can help us, hmm?" Christoph snatched at the coin being held out, bit it to be sure it was real, then it disappeared beneath hid tattered robes.
"Perhaps, what is it you wish?"
"Information, of the state of the four lands and their people. Current events and anything less known too. Well within the price I gave you isn't it? I already know the lay of the land but am not up to date. Specifically I wish for you to talk of the federation, and what of Rimer Dall. And some of the druids if you have any."
"Rimer Dall?! Why he has been missing for nearly 40 years, missing but not missed mind you, most would rather forget about him. As for the federation they have recently began fighting the freeborn and neither side looks to be going anywhere for a while. The druids have been gone since any can remember, there is talk about one called Walker, he is rumored to have been seen around the time before Rimer Dall went missing but there has been no word of him since. Now have I earned my coin or not, it seems these young ladies would like to make a purchase."
"Very well, the coin is yours, the others however have no money."
"Not to worry the coin is worth enough to give each one object of their choosing." Christoph said waving his hand over the jewelry and scarves. The others almost fell over each other trying to get at what they thought was the best piece, even the men.
"Stop!" Nicks voice commanded. "We will buy nothing, for while your information has been most valuable, the things you try to sell are not." Christoph scowled and looked more closely at the cloaked man in front of him, wondering. As Nick waved his hand over the cart the very air seemed to shimmer and the silk scarves and gold jewelry was replaced by woolen strips and painted metal that was rusting under the peeling paint. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Hate me if you want but a good cliffhanger chapter is just what's needed here, and just to bug you the next chapter was actually part of this one but I decided to split it just because. I'm such a little bitch. I love it!! :)
Eventually the group came upon a traveling salesman selling silk scarves and gaudy jewelry. Nicholas thought there seemed something strange about the items but couldn't put his finger on it so he let is go. The others however didn't seem to notice and set to looking at and trying on every piece they could get their hands on. The man was another matter altogether, he was just plain weird. With his hair all in disarray, one eye that seemed a little puffy and several fresh scars all over his arms he was defiantly one they all wanted to avoid as much as possible.
"Christoph's the name and pretty things for pretty ladies is the game. I assure you this is the finest jewelry around."
"Hmm," said Nick M. looking around. "Yes I can see it is, I'm looking for particularly sought after items, mainly some information for some travelers new to the area." He said producing a gold coin. "Perhaps you can help us, hmm?" Christoph snatched at the coin being held out, bit it to be sure it was real, then it disappeared beneath hid tattered robes.
"Perhaps, what is it you wish?"
"Information, of the state of the four lands and their people. Current events and anything less known too. Well within the price I gave you isn't it? I already know the lay of the land but am not up to date. Specifically I wish for you to talk of the federation, and what of Rimer Dall. And some of the druids if you have any."
"Rimer Dall?! Why he has been missing for nearly 40 years, missing but not missed mind you, most would rather forget about him. As for the federation they have recently began fighting the freeborn and neither side looks to be going anywhere for a while. The druids have been gone since any can remember, there is talk about one called Walker, he is rumored to have been seen around the time before Rimer Dall went missing but there has been no word of him since. Now have I earned my coin or not, it seems these young ladies would like to make a purchase."
"Very well, the coin is yours, the others however have no money."
"Not to worry the coin is worth enough to give each one object of their choosing." Christoph said waving his hand over the jewelry and scarves. The others almost fell over each other trying to get at what they thought was the best piece, even the men.
"Stop!" Nicks voice commanded. "We will buy nothing, for while your information has been most valuable, the things you try to sell are not." Christoph scowled and looked more closely at the cloaked man in front of him, wondering. As Nick waved his hand over the cart the very air seemed to shimmer and the silk scarves and gold jewelry was replaced by woolen strips and painted metal that was rusting under the peeling paint. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Hate me if you want but a good cliffhanger chapter is just what's needed here, and just to bug you the next chapter was actually part of this one but I decided to split it just because. I'm such a little bitch. I love it!! :)
