“I think I found some.” She said across the rack to Seth who smiled at her in return. “I’m afraid to look at the tag on it though. Could you look and see how much it is? If it’s too much I will find something cheaper.”
Seth just nodded to her and walked around the rack to where she was standing. Sara pointed at a set of clothes that hung from the rack, and turned around quickly to avoid seeing the price. Seth found the tag, and turning it over in his hand read the price. The clothing was priced at two silver. This seemed reasonable to Seth so he snatched the clothes off the rack, and carried them across the small shop to where he had seen a woman sitting behind a counter. Sara drifted along behind him, but she stayed far enough away from the counter as to not hear the price. Seth greeted the middle aged woman behind the counter and held the clothes out to her. Accepting the clothes the woman looked at Seth and then around the room. The clothes obviously not meant for Seth, must be meant for the woman he came with. The round woman behind the counter glanced around her store, spotting Sara glancing through another rack of clothes. Recognition dawned on the older woman’s face. She had seen this young girl before, bruised and battered. Always beaten by that no good, drunk, woman hating John, and always looking more like a homeless girl than anything else. She hefted the travel clothing onto the counter and pretended to notice something that Seth had missed.
“It’s your lucky day.” The shop owner told Seth. “This one here is on special. Half off it is. It’s been hanging on that rack for a while, time to be rid of it.” The woman smiled at Seth, happy the poor girl had found someone to take her out of this town, away from that wretch of a man.
Seth took out a silver coin from the small pouch at his waste and handed it to the woman.
“I’m glad you are an honest woman.” He told the lady behind the counter. “I hadn’t noticed the reduced price.”
The lady nodded at him and smiled. She had done her good deed for the day, as she tried to do each and every day.
“Would you like me to wrap it for you?” The woman then asked Seth, whose only response was a confused look. “So it doesn’t get dirty before she can change into it.” The woman clarified.
“Oh…um…I’m not sure, I’ll be right back.” Seth said as he walked between the racks of clothes to where Sara waited for him patiently.
“The lady wants to know if you want it wrapped so it doesn’t get dirty before you get to wear it.” Seth repeated the question.
“Can I change into it now?” Sara asked him.
“I don’t know.” Seth responded. “We can go ask.” He suggested. Sara nodded and again took his hand to follow him.
They wove back through the racks of clothes to the counter, but it was Sara not Seth to speak to the woman this time.
“Miss, could I change into the clothes here if you don’t mind?” Sara asked the woman a bit timidly.
“You sure can hun.” The woman replied. “Look, there in the back corner, there is a little booth you can change in.” The woman said smiling politely.
“Thank you.” Sara replied.
Taking the outfit off the counter, she skipped girlishly across the small shop to the booth in the corner, leaving Seth to trail behind her. Seth stood outside the small booth as if guarding it from some unseen enemy. Looking around the shop, Seth waited patiently for Sara to emerge.
“Seth?” “Are you there?” Sara asked. Her sweet voice carrying through the door as Seth did his best not to imagine her changing her clothes.
“yes.” He replied thinking the question a bit odd.
“Could you come help me?” Sara said with a tone Seth didn’t understand.
“Um… sure are you stuck or something?” Seth asked.
“Something like that.” Sara replied sounding a bit embarrassed.
Seth walked to the small booth, and slowly pulled the door open. Looking inside he saw Sara with her back to him, her arms clutching the shirt over her body, to cover herself. He then noticed that she was actually wearing the shirt, her arms through the sleeves, but the back remained open, a piece of leather strapping dangled from it.
“Can you lace me up please?” Sara asked him, her cheeks flushing a bit.
Seth then realized the leather strap was to pull the two halves of the shirt back together. Quickly, without responding to her question, Seth took up the two ends of the leather cord and wove it back and forth through the provided holes, all the way up her back. Feeling the shirt was securely in place Sara let go the front of it and pulled her hair over her shoulder to keep it out of Seth’s way. He laced the shirt all the way up to her neck, and then stopped unsure.
“Is it tight enough?” He asked her.
“A little tighter please.” Sara responded.
Starting at the bottom again Seth pulled the cord tighter and tighter working his way to the top, reaching her neck again he tied the cord in a bow, so that she would be able to remove it by herself when she needed to. Sara let her hair fall again down her back, as Seth stepped back out of the little booth. Sara turned around and Seth’s jaw hit the floor. He couldn’t believe his eyes. She wore black, skin tight, leather pants, a shapely woman’s tunic cut dangerously low in the front, also of black leather, barely contained her breasts. Around her waist, over the shirt a silver belt rested over her hips. The outfit left just enough to the imagination to send Seth daydreaming about taking it off.
“So? Sara asked. “Am I cute?”
“The outfit is…No, You ”…he emphasized the word. “Look astonishing.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She said while blushing again. “I picked it so we would match.”
Seth hadn’t noticed that indeed their clothes did match, and realizing this, he again smiled at Sara while his cheeks again burned with blood. Sara, happy he was pleased with her declaration returned his smile and strode forward, once again taking his hand. They left the store with a wave to the owner and again entered the street full of shops, Seth again leading, again looking for something particular.
“What are you looking for?” Sara asked as they made their way winding through the different stalls.
“Something to put on your feet.” He stated honestly.
This time she didn’t seem upset about him wanting to by her something, but she did however take the lead. Sara led Seth around a corner away from the jumble of shops. Down a side street they walked a short distance when Sara stopped in front of a small building and pointed to a sign above the door. Seth, seeing this was exactly where he wanted to take her, gave her hand a little squeeze and pulled the door open for her. Following Sara into the shop, she led him straight to a display on one of the walls, and picked up a pair of boots as if she knew exactly where they would be. A girl who likes shoes. Go figure.
“Been here before?” Seth asked Sara in a sarcastic tone.
“Yup.” She replied. “But I’ve never actually bought anything.”
Seth took her meaning, and took the boots from her. Sara turned her head as Seth read the small tag hanging from one of the boots. One silver, fifty copper. A bit steep, but they were what she wanted, and she had obviously visited them several times. This time Sara accompanied Seth to the counter. No one sat at the counter, but there was a bell, so Seth picked it up and rang it. A moment later a short white haired man appeared. The old man greeted his customers and picked up the boots off the counter. He read the tag on the boots and looked up again. Recognition registered on his face.
“Sara!” The old man said her name almost hysterically. “Why look at you, you look gorgeous.”
Sara blushed and smiled lowering her face to hide her embarrassment.
“You know.” The old man now speaking to Seth. “This girl has come in this store every day for three months, just to look at these boots.” The old man smiled first to Seth then to Sara. “You know young lady, if I could afford it, I would have given them to you.” The old man’s face lit up even more then, if it were possible. “You know what I can do though, I will sell
you one boot, and you can have the other one for free!”
Sara smiled so brightly at the old man; Seth feared the man might go blind. Seth gladly reached into his small pouch and drew out yet another silver coin. He handed it to the old man, telling him to keep the change, feeling it was the least he could do for the man making Sara so happy. Sara plopped herself down on the floor right there at the counter, peeling off her old ragged shoes she tossed them in a small pail of trash next to the counter, and pulled on her new boots smiling the whole time. The boots were also made from black leather, polished to shine. They fit her perfectly from the tips of her toes all the way up her calves. She laced them up tightly, and smiling at Seth stood and took a couple steps back for him to get a good look at her. Seth smiled his approval, and she returned to his side, again taking his hand. Sara was a bit taller now with the new boots. Noticing her new height, Seth looked at the heel on the boots. They must have made her three inches taller, but it was a wide heel, and so shouldn’t impair her walking. They both thanked the shopkeeper graciously and left the shop headed once again, hand in hand, back to the main market.
“You’re done buying me stuff right? Sara asked almost pleadingly.
“Almost.” Seth grinned at her. “I promise just two more things.”
“What else do I need? Sara questioned a bit embarrassed that she really didn’t know.
“Well.” Seth began to answer. “We need to find you a pack, and I would feel safer if we found you something for protection.”
“But I have you for protection.” Sara stated in earnest but giggled a little despite herself.
“Yes you do." Seth agreed. "But we got some news last night that makes me a little nervous and I would feel better if you had something to protect yourself with.” This he stated matter-of-factly leaving the subject pretty well un-open to discussion. “Do you know how to use any kind of weapon?” Seth asked her, almost certain she would say no.”
“Well, James at the inn showed me one time how to shoot a crossbow.” Sara said this with pride, finally not being completely oblivious.
“That’s good.” Seth stated thinking quietly that it was not so good. Cross bows were very easy to wield, but they weren’t cheap. So far they had done very well. Seth had only spent two silver for all of her clothes which left him thirteen for the rest of the trip. Seth knew he could teach her to use a bow, but also knew that if she could already shoot a crossbow, then it was the best choice. He would just have to make due.
“Do you know where they might sell a crossbow?” Seth asked Sara, knowing well if there was a shop with them she would be more likely to find it.
“I do know a place that used to have them, it where James got his, though I don’t know if they still sell them.” Sara answered his question, and then began dragging him once again through the tangle of shops and carts leading him to the shop he wanted to visit.
Sure enough in no time Sara was dragging him up to one of the biggest shops in the market. It was a large two story building built from the same stone as everything else. The only difference here was the door. All the other doors Seth had seen in Stone Haven were wood, this door was Iron. Expecting the door to be extremely heavy Seth braced his feet and yanked with all his might against the door so as to not look weak in front of Sara. The door swung open effortlessly with such force it nearly flung Seth into the wall of the building. Recovering from his shock, Seth looked at the door in wonder trying to imagine how they had built it to swing so freely with all the weight. Seth walked through the door and abruptly stopped. He had no choice there was a wall to wall counter not three feet inside the door, behind it stood a large burly man with a familiar face. Sara glided through the door as well, and stood quietly beside Seth.
“Hello young friend.” The large man greeted Seth. “It’s good to see you again.”
Seth smiled at the familiar face. A face that had been utterly destroyed the night before, and subsequently restored by Ashton.
“Hello.” Seth replied. “It's good to see you are doing better.” Seth added
The large man nodded in understanding, and smiled again.
“To what do I owe this visit?” The large man asked.
“Well actually I’m looking for a crossbow for Sara here, so nothing to big or heavy, and preferably nothing too pricey.” Seth simply stated the truth to the big man, and in response the man smiled at him ear to ear.
“I think I can handle that.” He said still smiling. “Let me see what I have.” With that, the large man left the counter, and walked to the back of the room behind a large set of shelves filled with daggers and arrows, and other small trinkets. A moment later he returned from behind the shelves carrying with him three crossbows. As he approached the counter he grabbed the tag on each of the weapons and giving them a swift tug, tore them free. He let the tags fall to the ground not giving them a second look. He placed the three crossbows on the counter for Seth to choose. Seth looked them over, they all looked very well crafted, and each of them had a decorative stock, and engraved bows. All of them looked expensive, too expensive.
“They all look great to me.” Seth stated honestly. “Which one is the cheapest?” He asked then, assuming not a single one of them would be within his budget.
“Well let’s see here.” The big man appeared to think for a moment then smiled. “They are all the same price.” He stated coolly.
“Ok.” Seth then continued his line of questioning, to the most important question. “How much are they then?”
“That depends.” The man behind the counter stated, more than a bit amused by this conversation.
“Depends on what?” Seth couldn’t help but ask, though he now felt the big man was just playing a game with him.
“Well it would depend on how much my face is worth to me, or my life for that matter.” The man stated this with an ever growing smile as he seen the realization registering on Seth’s face.
“You mean that….” Seth couldn’t finish the question.
“That’s right son, whichever one you want, it yours, consider it my thanks for last night.” The big man said proudly.
Seth attempted a reply but found himself unable. The large shop owner found this very amusing and just watched Seth fumble time and again with his words. Unable to create a sentence, Seth gestured for Sara to pick a crossbow, and stepped back allowing her a closer look.
It was as if it was the first time the large man had noticed Sara. He squinted his eyes at her trying to remember where he had seen her. Sara picked the middle crossbow, and the large man handed it to her, still trying to place her face. Sara accepted the weapon, and using the strap provided slung it over her shoulder, allowing it to rest on her back. Seth, finally regaining his composure, thanked the man whole heartedly, then remembering he would need something else asked the man about a quiver and some bolts for the crossbow. Again the man left the counter, this time walking to the large shelves that separated his shop, he pulled from it a black quiver, and stuffed it full of iron headed bolts. Returning to the counter, he placed the quiver in front of Sara. The man still searched her face, as Seth pulled out his coin purse. The large man gasped as realization knocked him back on his heels. He did know the girl; she belonged somehow to John, the man who had just last night tried to kill him. The Large, middle aged man, stood looking across the counter at Sara perplexed.
“What do I owe you for the quiver and arrows?” Seth was asking the man, who now stood frozen.
Shaking his head it took a moment for Seth’s words to register. He looked at Seth, then back at the girl. Something was going on here and he was gonna figure it out.
“That depends.” The large man replied for the second time, his eyes still on Sara.
“On?” Seth questioned, now familiar with the game.
“It depends on her.” The man stated jerking his head towards Sara.
“Ok.” Seth started. “What about her?”
The man now looked at Sara, sure of whom she w
as. “You’re that girl that lives with John right?”
Sara nodded unaware of the previous nights happenings. The man continued.
“But now you’re leaving with this guy huh?
Sara nodded again unsure where the line of questions was going.
“John was ok with that?”
This time Sara shook her head, she had tried to put the events of only a little more than an hour ago out of her head, but she felt the man wanted an explanation, so she gave it.
“No. He told me I couldn’t leave, and he hit me. He chased me into the street threatening to kill me. Then Seth and Garret threatened to chop him to bits if he didn’t leave me alone.” The last part she said looking at Seth pure adoration in her eyes and a wicked grin on her lips.”
The man thought over her words a moment, eyeing Seth’s sword. Then just as before the man grinned ear to ear and continued with his questions.
“That really pissed John off didn’t it?”
Once again Sara nodded in response. Her nod set the large man to laughing hysterically, and amidst his howls of glee, he handed the quiver with arrows to Sara and told her to take it, as a gift. Still laughing, the man then looked at Seth again and said something about making his day, and asked if Seth wanted another crossbow. To which Seth readily declined, feeling he had already taken advantage of the man. Both Seth and Sara bid the man farewell. In response the man just waved them out the door, laughing too hard to breathe, and as such, unable to speak.
They stepped back into the street, Sara remembering what else it was they needed, took Seth’s hand and they walked down the street together.
“What was that all about?” Sara asked as they walked.
Seth related the story beginning with their arrival to the inn, up to the point where they decided to eat on the porch of the inn, instead of inside. As he finished his short narration, Sara pulled him up to a merchant’s stall that sat outside covered by a canopy. The merchant sold a wide variety of leather goods, from gloves, to bags, from vests to packs. They quickly decided upon a black leather pack, a bit small, but it was cheap, and it fit Sara well. They walked then to the place they had left Garret and Ashton nearly two hours before, and waited for them to return. While they waited, Seth helped Sara adjust her pack, mount her quiver on her belt at her hip, and re strung the crossbow’s strap so that she could wear it over her shoulder, under her arm like a woman’s bag.
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