The Kitten Fiasco (3/4): A Rich Customer

Writers: Estelle, Bree
Date Posted: 10th August 2005

Characters: Fielton, Lindria
Description: Lindria helps Fielton finally find a kitten... or two...
Location: Amber Hills Hold, Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 6 of Turn 3

Fielton

"Lady Lindria." Fielton gave Lindria a bow that was respectful and obviously heartfelt, if not exactly graceful. "I can't tell you how happy I am that you've agreed to help me with my search. I'm afraid I had no luck on my own.
I'm sorry if my note sounded a little desperate..."

"No apologies are necessary, Hallmaster!" Lindria replied cheerfully, returning his bow with a curtsey of her own. "It's a pleasure to assist you, particularly since the aim is to find a gift for my dear friend, Lady Badia.
Now, I've asked around, and I think I've found the name of the person you would be looking for."

"Excellent. You've already had more success than I have." Fielton hoped no one would ever hear of his misadventures with Daigoro and their search for kittens.

"Oh?" Lindria asked as they left the Ladies' Solar and headed for the entrance of the main Hold building. "Have you been looking already, Master Fielton?"

"Oh, well... I made a few inquiries..." Fielton said a little vaguely. Maybe bringing it up hadn't been the best idea. "They came to nothing, in any case, which is why I've enlisted your assistance."

"Well, you're in luck. One of our laundrywomen and her sister keep small felines in their cot. They mostly sell the kittens to farmholders to catch rodents in their barns and kitchens, but they also breed pretty ones for Ladies' pets. Mama lets the younger girls keep them - she says it teaches responsibility." They stepped out into the wintry sunshine, and Lindria hurriedly wrapped herself in her cloak, shivering. "Rethina told me she had a litter of four kittens for sale and she'd give you the first pick."

Fielton belatedly offered Lindria his arm, thinking Badia would be proud of him for remembering to be polite. It wasn't something he'd spent much time thinking of before, but things were different now that he had a wife who was friends with the Heir's wife. "I'm sure we'll find something that will be perfect for my wife."

The cot that Lindria brought him to was neat and well-kept, and the stone walls were newly painted with decorative bands of colour just under the eaves. On the wall by the door, sheltered by the porch, the owner had painted a brightly coloured image of a tabby feline in order to advertise her wares.

Lindria knocked at the door and it was almost immediately answered by a round, motherly-looking woman with curly grey hair and dimpled cheeks. "My lady - come on in!" She spotted the Hallmaster behind Lindria and bobbed a curtsey. "You must be Hallmaster Fielton. Lady Lindria told me you were looking for a kitten for your wife?"

Fielton nodded politely to the woman and smiled. "Yes, she expressed an interest in one, though I'm afraid I don't have much experience with this sort of thing."

"Please, come inside. I'm Rethina." The woman beckoned them indoors and bustled through the outer room into a little kitchen at the back. Here, in a large wicker basket lined with blankets, a white feline with bright blue eyes was curled around the four small scraps of fur that were her kittens.

"Nira's kittens are much sought after," Rethina explained proudly as she crouched down beside the basket. "They always grow up very pretty, and are of a friendly temperament - making them perfect companions for young ladies.
These will be ready to leave her in a little over a sevenday's time."

Kneeling down next to the basked, Fielton examined the four kittens. Three were pure white like their mother, but the fourth was just the opposite, a deep black. Of course it couldn't have been simple... now he'd have to make a _choice_ about which one Badia would like. He hadn't thought to ask if she prefered a certain color. "They seem very nice," he said in a rather unconvincing voice--he didn't know for sure what kittens were supposed to be like in any case. Certainly he hadn't imagined they'd be this small! He was likely to step on one of them if he wasn't careful.

Rethina glanced at Lindria, who merely smiled. "Milord has not cared for a pet before, perhaps? A kitten is not nearly so much trouble as a canine or a firelizard. They will not need to be oiled or brushed or taken for walks - all you need do is make sure they are fed. And paid much attention, of course. The more they are loved, the more love they will give back to you."

"I'm sure my wife will take good care of that..." Fielton glanced up at Lindria. "What do you think she'd like more? A black one or a white one?"

"Oh, I don't know - they're all beautiful!" Lindria had all but melted at the sight of the kittens and was not much help. "A white feline is very elegant...but that little black one is so adorable."

They certainly weren't inexpensive, but Fielton knew he had enough marks to buy the whole liter if he wanted. Which he _certainly_ did not. But maybe a white one and a black one... surely two kittens couldn't be that much harder to take care of than one! "I'll take the black one _and_ one of the white ones, then."

"An excellent choice, milord!" Rethina's grin showed that she was well pleased by having sold two at once. "Your lady will be delighted, I'm sure.
I'll bring them over to the Vintner Hall in about a sevenday's time." She glanced at Lindria. "And you, milady - perhaps you would like a kitten or two to bring up alongside those of your friend?"

Lindria shook her head, laughing. "What with Calrian and Rufri, I think I have babies enough to take care of. However, I will spread the word in the Ladies' Solar and I'm sure they'll find good homes in no time at all."

"Thank you, Lady Lindria." Rethina smiled. Having been brought to the attention of Master Fielton was good enough for her - she was well practiced in making a handsome profit out of wealthy and indulgent husbands. "Now, the kittens cost five marks each, but I also sell luxurious lined baskets for them to sleep in, and a selection of small toys. Kittens are playful creatures, and without toys of their own they may entertain themselves with whatever comes to hand..."

Fielton waved a hand, though inside he was wincing. He certainly hoped Badia _really_ wanted kittens! "Whatever you think I need, I'll take."

"Leave it up to me, Hallmaster," the woman replied happily. This new side to Master Fielton was almost too good to be true. She'd have to tell her cousin, who sold pretty trinkets and embroidery...it was worth sharing a rich customer, when the favour might one day be returned! "I'll see to it that your kittens have everything they require."

Lindria rolled her eyes behind Fielton's back. She'd better get him out of the cot before her friend made a beggar of him! "See, Master Fielton - a few inquiries in the right place can work wonders. And I'm sure Badia will be thrilled with her gift - but you'd best get back to your Hall before she suspects something's up."

"Yes, I'd hoped to surprise her." Fielton nodded politely to Rethina. "When you come to the Hall to bring them, have one of the apprentices bring you directly to my office. We can settle affairs for whatever items you deem necessary at that time."

"I'll do that, milord." She stroked the feline's head proudly, inwardly planning what treat she'd bring from the kitchens that evening for her pet.
Nira had certainly earned her keep today!

Last updated on the August 13th 2005

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The Kitten Fiasco (3/4): A Rich Customer