Gather, part 1/2

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 14th May 2013

Characters: Corowal, Erassa
Description: Corowal runs into Erassa in the jewelsmith's stall
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 6
Notes: Notes: part 1/2
Notes2: These two posts also act as control post for the TE-TB Gather.
Mentioned: Felyna

The change of the Turn meant three days of feast and vacation for all the holders. The official program was opened by the Lord Holder's speech. Then the harpers gave their reports and announcements and the entertainment began. There would also be wedding-ceremonies, trials and the official Lord Holder's reception. Not to forget the Evening Feast and dances.

Trades and craft halls had set up their stalls to the Gather Square. The stage for performances were near the main entrance. Runner races would be held on the fields and near barracks were the rings for boxing- and wrestling matches as well as the archery contest range. The food stalls near the kitchen filled the air with their tantalizing smells.

Seemed like everyone had arrived. Dragons left their passangers and were forced to find a place to wait farther away from the Square. Runners and wagon beats seemed to be tethered every free spot around the stable. Trader wagons formed a small village where ovines normally grazed. The beasthold had been emptied for the Gather's duration. It served now as a base for Trader Caravans. Lots of gardens and flower benches got trambled down when people wandered outside of the Gather Square. Even the dark-side was present: for pick-pockets and thieves preyed on the unwary revelers. Guards were there to keep an order but with hunders of people gathered to one place, it was impossible to watch everything and everyone. After the night fall, there would probably be a brawl or two or even a murder...and sometimes even rapes. They were the down side of such events.
~*~

After giving his speech and greeting pretty much every one of his minor holders, Corowal gave them a slip. Felyna had taken the children for shopping at the stalls and for a moment the Lord Holder was all alone. Walking among the crowd, his knots hidden by a cloak, he stopped here and there, to listen people talk, to watch fire breather's performance and to see what the stalls offered. He planned to buy some presents while he was at it. Near Jeweler's stall, he spotted Erassa. She seemed to be looking at the wares. Perhaps if she liked something, he could get it for her. That in his mind, he walked closer.

Erassa had been looking over the many fine things that the jeweler had to offer. There had been a time when she had dreamed of beautiful stones and rich presents, same as any other girl. She could still appreciate their beauty, even if she did not expect to ever own any for herself. As she bent closer to see a fine pair of silver and malachite earrings, a shape in the mirror provided for the customers to try on the wares caught her eye. She turned her head with a smile, recognizing the Lord Holder at once, even as he tried to stay inconspicuous.

"Fine day, isn't it?" she asked, not addressing him with the formality that one normally would. After all, if Corowal wanted to go unnoticed, she would not blow his cover. In fact, she thought it rather fun.

"It is, a lovely one," Corowal replied the greeting and stopped to stand next to her. "Seeing anything interesting?"

"Anything looks interesting after standing through the Lord Holder's speech," she said with a rather wicked grin. "Shards how that man can drone on." Erassa was rather enjoying this little game.

"The man loves the sound of his own voice," Corowal said with straight face. He was enjoying this little game too and his eyes sparked.

"He didn't look to bad, though," she said, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying her skirts like she did when she was younger. "Of course, he is rather vain, so I would never tell him so."

"Men in his position tend to be," Corowal murmured with a grin. His attention went back to the jeweler's wares. "Do you think Corolia is old enough for jewelry?" He fingered a pretty bronze bracelet with flower pattern, it looked something like young girl might wear.

Erassa couldn't help the soft smile as she thought about the little lady in the making. "She loves playing dress-up. To have something _real_ of her own, that would make her really happy. Especially if it was from you. But, I don't think a bracelet. Her wrist will only grow in the next few Turns, and she'd be sad if she couldn't wear it." She hooked a finger around his to gently pull him further down the stall. "One of these necklaces might do. If it has a sturdy chain."

"Either that or have an adjustable size," Corowal said thoughtfully and examined the necklaces.

"Look at this. It's suitable for a girl of any age," she said, pointing to a small silver pendant shaped like a blooming flower. "It's pretty and tasteful, and wouldn't look out of place on a little girl."

"You and your lovely wife seeing something that pleases you?" The jewel smith stepped closer to serve them.

Corowal hid a smile at the mistake, where they really acting so much like old, married couple?
"That one," he pointed the necklace Erassa had pointed out.

She gave him a sidelong glance, both amused and unnerved by their mistaken relationship. If they looked like a couple to this man, what might they look like to other people if they were seen together in public? People who might actually recognize them. Erassa consciously took a few steps down the row, looking at other pieces and to put a bit of distance between her and Corowal.

Corowal concentrated to make a deal with the smith. He ended up buying few other things too.

Erassa turned away from the jewelry stall, and walked towards another with rows of used clothing hanging on racks. Many of them were little more than rags, but for the practical, they could be taken to pieces and remade, or cut into patches or quilt squares. It wasn't that she needed such things for the most part, living in the Lord's household and all, but rather it was quiet but still in sight of Corowal should he choose to follow her. They would be far less likely to be recognized here amongst the racks.

After the marks and wares had exchanged owners, Corowal did follow her. "You owe me dance tonight," he said and pressed the earrings she had been admiring to her hand. "Consider it as a Turn over bonus."

Before she could protest that it was too much, he was gone, back into the swirl of people. Turning over her hand, she looked that the beautiful silver set with green stones. It was the finest thing that she had ever been given, and while part of her protested that it was wrong to accept such a gift from a married man, her feminine pride swelled. She would wear these tonight. Corowal would like that.

Last updated on the June 1st 2013

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Gather, part 1/2