Samarkand was the great capital city of the kingdom of Dunaris. Its extensive markets and bazaars covered the streets, left and right, like colourful carpets that span along the paths from the port all the way up to the royal palace which rose high above. Towering above the city below and rising imposing towards the clear sunny sky. A testament to the city's power and luxury. Its golden domes shining a dazzling reflection which even ships that approached from the horizon were able to gaze at from a distance.
It was a city of mixed fortunes, some denizens living in extravagant unimaginable wealth, like the sultan and his family or the upper nobility of the lands, whilst others barely got by as was the case for the many enslaved captives that reached its shores.
While trade was definitely the main source of income for the kingdom, for some travellers the large ports meant home sweet home and for others like the shackled misfortunate captives about to be sold on to a life of slavery, it meant the start of a living nightmare of oppression, want and brokenness.
Nonetheless, despite the disparity of lifestyles, there was no denying the kingdom was enjoying ever growing prosperity and Samarkand an ever growing amount of wealth and political power. With that also came danger, for pirates and thieves would struck at any given chance to take for nothing what others toiled hard to acquire through lengthy hard honest work.
The sultan was raising armies and stronger naval fleets but with the ongoing wars in neighbouring kingdoms required allied support, a call for help that Samarkand was oath-bound to heed. Now, with naval defenses running more sparse, the capital depended mostly on the local, land-based defenses and paid mercenaries to protect itself from the occasional incoming pirate attacks
It was in this wondrous city of ancient beauty and culture, of dances and songs, of blood, sweat and tears that our story begins.
With the sun rising over the mountains, curfew would be soon called off and the markets would quickly start anew, offering many the opportunity to secure much needed sales. The slums would quickly become bustling with activity as the lesser folk hurried to bring over services to the better-off at the gated upper markets.
It was a city of mixed fortunes, some denizens living in extravagant unimaginable wealth, like the sultan and his family or the upper nobility of the lands, whilst others barely got by as was the case for the many enslaved captives that reached its shores.
While trade was definitely the main source of income for the kingdom, for some travellers the large ports meant home sweet home and for others like the shackled misfortunate captives about to be sold on to a life of slavery, it meant the start of a living nightmare of oppression, want and brokenness.
Nonetheless, despite the disparity of lifestyles, there was no denying the kingdom was enjoying ever growing prosperity and Samarkand an ever growing amount of wealth and political power. With that also came danger, for pirates and thieves would struck at any given chance to take for nothing what others toiled hard to acquire through lengthy hard honest work.
The sultan was raising armies and stronger naval fleets but with the ongoing wars in neighbouring kingdoms required allied support, a call for help that Samarkand was oath-bound to heed. Now, with naval defenses running more sparse, the capital depended mostly on the local, land-based defenses and paid mercenaries to protect itself from the occasional incoming pirate attacks
It was in this wondrous city of ancient beauty and culture, of dances and songs, of blood, sweat and tears that our story begins.
With the sun rising over the mountains, curfew would be soon called off and the markets would quickly start anew, offering many the opportunity to secure much needed sales. The slums would quickly become bustling with activity as the lesser folk hurried to bring over services to the better-off at the gated upper markets.
Zachary had grown old and weary, the good apothecary who once had walked among royalty, as the sultan's personal physician now stood living in the slums, the poorest of the poor, taking care of his granddaughter Aliyana, though, the crude reality was that she was the life and soul that kept the family fed, the food on the table, the house cleaned, the modest market stall and its business afloat. It was not easy to make ends meet, but with father and mother executed for treason against the crown, they now only had each other left.
Zack approached the modest cot where the youth was sound asleep, nudging her gently to rouse her to go to work.
"Good morning, my little puppet... it's time to wake up, early bird catches the fish, late one goes without" reminded Zack having prepared the girl a plate with a piece of bread and a portion of hard cheddar cheese for the journey to the docks. If she was swift, she could secure a good spot and perhaps get a decent catch in time for the noon markets
Zack approached the modest cot where the youth was sound asleep, nudging her gently to rouse her to go to work.
"Good morning, my little puppet... it's time to wake up, early bird catches the fish, late one goes without" reminded Zack having prepared the girl a plate with a piece of bread and a portion of hard cheddar cheese for the journey to the docks. If she was swift, she could secure a good spot and perhaps get a decent catch in time for the noon markets
The young woman laid asleep in her bed, as she clutched her pillow, and the book that she was working on reading. She would stay up late by candle light and would read long after her grandfather was asleep. Since her parents died, he was the only family that she had in this kingdom, and sometimes it seemed like it was more of her raising and taking care of him than him taking care of her. She remembered him telling her stories of how his life was when he would serve the king.
Now, he lives his life like this. She would come home and find him sorting through his things. She kept the two of them afloat with her hunting and selling the meat and her grandfather’s apothecary remedies.
She opened her eyes slowly and she looked up. “ is it market day,” she asked softly and she got up. She winced and she looked over to the window. Yep, it was day time. She sighed and she got up. “ I can atleast get a few rabbits and if I am lucky…a buck,” she said softly. She changed, and braided her long hair.
She saw the food on the table and she looked at her grandfather. “ you need it more than I do,” she said softly and she got her quiver and bow and her small knives. She pulled her hood over her head and she walked out towards the woods.
Now, he lives his life like this. She would come home and find him sorting through his things. She kept the two of them afloat with her hunting and selling the meat and her grandfather’s apothecary remedies.
She opened her eyes slowly and she looked up. “ is it market day,” she asked softly and she got up. She winced and she looked over to the window. Yep, it was day time. She sighed and she got up. “ I can atleast get a few rabbits and if I am lucky…a buck,” she said softly. She changed, and braided her long hair.
She saw the food on the table and she looked at her grandfather. “ you need it more than I do,” she said softly and she got her quiver and bow and her small knives. She pulled her hood over her head and she walked out towards the woods.
"Very well, puppet, may good fortune be on your side with a lucky shot" Nodded Zack coming out to watch her leave
He would stand by the door, until she was well out of sight before returning indoors to do some cleaning, cooking and preparing remedies, poultices, ointments, tinctures, all sorts.
He had written all the recipes, ingredients, quantities, uses and all the preparation steps for her to learn them overtime. Then, in all but a matter of moments his chest ached, he lost sight and balance and face planted to the ground, dropping dead in a matter of moments
Now more than ever she would depend on her own skills and the inherited rented market stall to survive and carry on.
He would stand by the door, until she was well out of sight before returning indoors to do some cleaning, cooking and preparing remedies, poultices, ointments, tinctures, all sorts.
He had written all the recipes, ingredients, quantities, uses and all the preparation steps for her to learn them overtime. Then, in all but a matter of moments his chest ached, he lost sight and balance and face planted to the ground, dropping dead in a matter of moments
Now more than ever she would depend on her own skills and the inherited rented market stall to survive and carry on.
Aliyana knew these woods well. Her father would take her from time to time to these woods and teach her all that he knew. How to track, what were the best spots, and how to blend in. She covered her mouth so that only her eyes were present. She looked around and she looked for signs of things that were a miss. A broken twig, tracks and disturbed foliage.
She looked to the trees and she scouted out the best tree to climb, but first she would set a few traps for some rabbits. She set up 4 to 5 traps, and then she went farther into the woods, and she climbed up a tree and she waited. She rested against the trunk of the tree and she looked around. “ father please let my aim be fast and accurate,” she whispered softly and she touch a little charm around her neck.
She looked to the trees and she scouted out the best tree to climb, but first she would set a few traps for some rabbits. She set up 4 to 5 traps, and then she went farther into the woods, and she climbed up a tree and she waited. She rested against the trunk of the tree and she looked around. “ father please let my aim be fast and accurate,” she whispered softly and she touch a little charm around her neck.
Far from the woes and burdens of the common classes, prince Aynor was lounging in his lavish chambers, yet another stunning, submissive and well trained maiden being brought to his presence to see if marriage might ensue this time, but these perfectly raised women of perfect exterior and impeccable compliant behavior was not in any way appealing to prince. They lacked fire, spirit, the challenge of the chase, a voice altogether.
They politely talked at length, as usual she was always in agreement to everything he said, they walked along the gardens, he watched her sing, play music and dance, a graceful display of polished perfection and then, after hours if days together, they amicably parted ways much to the sultan's displeasure.
Finally free from his father's presence and overbearing comments in the necessity for him to marry young and soon, he was sent back to his chambers under room arrest until he reconsidered his position.
He had bluntly declared he would never take a woman, have a wife and be burdened with the worries of sons and daughters when he simply wanted to fight and hunt.
That had been his mistake, taunting words his father did not miss in the least, immediately forbidding his son from further hunts and confining him to his rooms until he was ready to accept a betrothal and take his princely responsibilities seriously.
But the prince was a dark horse, he would not remained trapped between four fancy walls after enduring them for an entire week of courting. No sooner the guards locked the doors and stood guard outside, the prince extracted the hidden ropes, opened the balcony, took some wealth to bribe servants and lower paid guards with and sneaked to the royal stables to steal his own horse and go hunting with it all the same.
They politely talked at length, as usual she was always in agreement to everything he said, they walked along the gardens, he watched her sing, play music and dance, a graceful display of polished perfection and then, after hours if days together, they amicably parted ways much to the sultan's displeasure.
Finally free from his father's presence and overbearing comments in the necessity for him to marry young and soon, he was sent back to his chambers under room arrest until he reconsidered his position.
He had bluntly declared he would never take a woman, have a wife and be burdened with the worries of sons and daughters when he simply wanted to fight and hunt.
That had been his mistake, taunting words his father did not miss in the least, immediately forbidding his son from further hunts and confining him to his rooms until he was ready to accept a betrothal and take his princely responsibilities seriously.
But the prince was a dark horse, he would not remained trapped between four fancy walls after enduring them for an entire week of courting. No sooner the guards locked the doors and stood guard outside, the prince extracted the hidden ropes, opened the balcony, took some wealth to bribe servants and lower paid guards with and sneaked to the royal stables to steal his own horse and go hunting with it all the same.
In the forest, Aliyana stayed in the tree, and she waited. She kept an eye on the skies to make sure the weather was right, and that the wind did not blow too strong. She did not the deer to be frightened by the rustling of leaves that was not caused by her, or worse yet that they pick up her scent. She heard her stomach growl once, and she internally groaned. She really should have taken some of that bread and cheese that her grandfather had prepared for her, but she did not want him to worry for her. He needed his strength, and she could very much find something in the woods. Though now being in a tree that seemed to be a task easier said than done. She took a deep breath and listened more to her head and not the sound of her stomach threatening to make another sound.
After a while longer, success! She heard the crunch crunch and then silence. It was too sharp to sound like the footsteps of a human, and not fast enough to be the sound of a squirrel, or fox. It was calculated. She looked around and through the trees she spotted her first deer. It was a young buck. Not much height to his rack, but something his size could catch a pretty price. Aliyana carefully drew an arrow and she crouched on the large limb and she pulled her bow.
Aim. And wait.
She thought back to when her father would bring her on his hunting trips to gather food for the family. She begged him to go, and he carved her a bow on her 14th birthday. Her mother did not protest too much. It was better than having her only daughter sitting by and pester her that she was board.
Wait.
Aliyana took a breath and then she fired her arrow. Target hit. She watched the deer struggle and then collapse. She smiled to herself and she scanned the area before scaling down the tree. She slightly lowered her face covering and she walked to the deer. “ thank you father,” she said softly and she started to carve the deer and bag it.
On her way back she gathered the game that was caught in her traps and made her way to market. She arrived later to her stand, keeping an eye for other who had arrived, and she laid out her kill. She heard her stomach growl again and she searched her bag for an apple…or anything to suppress her hunger. Should have eaten that cheese.
After a while longer, success! She heard the crunch crunch and then silence. It was too sharp to sound like the footsteps of a human, and not fast enough to be the sound of a squirrel, or fox. It was calculated. She looked around and through the trees she spotted her first deer. It was a young buck. Not much height to his rack, but something his size could catch a pretty price. Aliyana carefully drew an arrow and she crouched on the large limb and she pulled her bow.
Aim. And wait.
She thought back to when her father would bring her on his hunting trips to gather food for the family. She begged him to go, and he carved her a bow on her 14th birthday. Her mother did not protest too much. It was better than having her only daughter sitting by and pester her that she was board.
Wait.
Aliyana took a breath and then she fired her arrow. Target hit. She watched the deer struggle and then collapse. She smiled to herself and she scanned the area before scaling down the tree. She slightly lowered her face covering and she walked to the deer. “ thank you father,” she said softly and she started to carve the deer and bag it.
On her way back she gathered the game that was caught in her traps and made her way to market. She arrived later to her stand, keeping an eye for other who had arrived, and she laid out her kill. She heard her stomach growl again and she searched her bag for an apple…or anything to suppress her hunger. Should have eaten that cheese.
Gwen made her way to the stall, it was modest in size but packed in goods. She looked at Aliyana, a broad smile breaking across her visage at seeing the once little lost girl become a mature grown-up woman, an proper merchant and reliable supplier
"How much for the meat, dearest? I have a tavern to run and few supplies left for the stews" Quizzed Gwen fond of the girl, and her grandfather more so, having been patiently waiting to open the stall
"Where's Zachary he promised herbal oils would be ready today but he didn't bring them out today as he normally does" Noted Gwendolyn
"How much for the meat, dearest? I have a tavern to run and few supplies left for the stews" Quizzed Gwen fond of the girl, and her grandfather more so, having been patiently waiting to open the stall
"Where's Zachary he promised herbal oils would be ready today but he didn't bring them out today as he normally does" Noted Gwendolyn
Aliyana took out her small knife that she kept at her side and she cut a piece of the apple and she ate it. Not too quickly, but she wanted to savor it. It was so sweet and it was the best thing she had eaten in a while. She took another bite, and then another. She looked at the half of the apple and she slowly put it back in her bag. She would save the rest for later.
She heard the sound of a familiar voice, and she glanced up and she saw Gwen. It was good to see a familiar face this morning. She took a deep breath. “ good morning Gwen. 5 coppers for each rabbit, and I can sell you part of the deer or the whole,” she said and she glanced around. Would anyone else come?
Aliyana frowned slightly, “ he couldn’t make it today, but he did send me with this for you,” said Aliyana. She stooped down and she reached into her bag and brought out two bottles of herbal oil. “ he’s staying home today if you have any other requests for remedies,” said Aliyana as she heard a commotion. Just the royal guards stirring up trouble.
She heard the sound of a familiar voice, and she glanced up and she saw Gwen. It was good to see a familiar face this morning. She took a deep breath. “ good morning Gwen. 5 coppers for each rabbit, and I can sell you part of the deer or the whole,” she said and she glanced around. Would anyone else come?
Aliyana frowned slightly, “ he couldn’t make it today, but he did send me with this for you,” said Aliyana. She stooped down and she reached into her bag and brought out two bottles of herbal oil. “ he’s staying home today if you have any other requests for remedies,” said Aliyana as she heard a commotion. Just the royal guards stirring up trouble.
"I will take all of the meat, it looks very fresh this morning" complimented the woman knowing it was her who had caught the prey, as she always did.
"I shall like some seasoning herbs, two batches worth, thyme, rosemary and mint, and the oils of course. How much will it all cost?" Asked Gwen smilingly warmly
Around them people came and went from stall to stall, merchants shouting offers over one another to beat the competition and lure more clientele over to them, but Gwendolyn knew Zack and Aliyana depended on the sales, she could afford a pricier tag than most so she continued to wait for the girl to do the sums and agree a final price.
"I shall like some seasoning herbs, two batches worth, thyme, rosemary and mint, and the oils of course. How much will it all cost?" Asked Gwen smilingly warmly
Around them people came and went from stall to stall, merchants shouting offers over one another to beat the competition and lure more clientele over to them, but Gwendolyn knew Zack and Aliyana depended on the sales, she could afford a pricier tag than most so she continued to wait for the girl to do the sums and agree a final price.
Aliyana looked at Gwen when she said she would take the lot and she stuttered. “ the..the lot,” she said softly and she looked at all that she had before her and back at Gwen. She smiled a little and did not protest. Gwen was one of her best clients. It was because of Gwen they could afford to get by.
Aliyana took a deep breath as she put her hands on the table. “ seven silvers for the lot,” said Aliyana and she bunched the dead hares together and she slid them towards Gwen. She put two pouches of seasoning with them, and she looked at Gwen. Half hopping she would barter, but she did want to be fair with Gwen.
Aliyana took a deep breath as she put her hands on the table. “ seven silvers for the lot,” said Aliyana and she bunched the dead hares together and she slid them towards Gwen. She put two pouches of seasoning with them, and she looked at Gwen. Half hopping she would barter, but she did want to be fair with Gwen.
"Here dear, you are pricing yourself too low again. These are quite fat and heavy rabbits you caught" smiled Gwen leaving ten silver pieces, waving Leslie, one of several of her tavern workers who had accompanied shopping for provisions today, to come and collect the heavy purchase and bring the stock over to the tavern kitchens. He was at the time resting on a boulder, after taking several kegs of beer to the tavern earlier that day.
He smiled at Aliyana and jumped to his feet, coming over to pick up the various packed meats and bunches of herbs, making sure to not drop any of them. "You seem a good huntress... that's a handsome kill indeed" complimented the youth slinging the rabbits over the shoulder, packed deer under the arm, the other hand having the herbs whilst the mistress took the herbal oils.
Gwen looked at Aliyana with a broad smile and turned to leave "Remember, if you ever want a hot stew and some bread... you know where to find me... dear. At the tavern, there's always leftovers" reminded Gwen not having missed the occasional stomach grumbles thought she didn't want to give it too much importance to not embarrass the girl
He smiled at Aliyana and jumped to his feet, coming over to pick up the various packed meats and bunches of herbs, making sure to not drop any of them. "You seem a good huntress... that's a handsome kill indeed" complimented the youth slinging the rabbits over the shoulder, packed deer under the arm, the other hand having the herbs whilst the mistress took the herbal oils.
Gwen looked at Aliyana with a broad smile and turned to leave "Remember, if you ever want a hot stew and some bread... you know where to find me... dear. At the tavern, there's always leftovers" reminded Gwen not having missed the occasional stomach grumbles thought she didn't want to give it too much importance to not embarrass the girl
Aliyana looked at Gwen and she smiled a little. She watched her place a small leather pouch right at her hand, and Aliyana placed her hand on the soft leather. The coins clanked in her hand as she picked it up and she was lost in the moment of the sale she just made. This would set them up nicely for a while and she could set some money aside so she could finally get her grandfather out of this city and into a country home where he could rest.
“ thank you Gwen…”she said softly and she noticed Leslie looking at her and she blushed slightly when he smiled at her. She was not shy around me, just not used to having a man look at her the way he did. His smile was gentle and did not seem to have any glint of mischief. When he complimented her on her hunt skills she looked at her bow, and then back at Leslie. “ thanks…I had a good teacher,” she said referring to her father.
She watched Leslie sling the game over his shoulder and walk away. Then she looked at Gwen as she made the comment to stop by for some food one of these days. It all sounded too good to be true, but she did not want charity. She did not want to lose her pride, and she wanted to work for it. She rested her hand on her stomach and she nodded. “ maybe, I will sometime,” she said softly and waved to Gwen.
She looked down at the coin purse in her hand and she clutched it and she quickly tucked it away for safe keeping. 10 whole silver coins! Grandfather would be so happy!
She stood back up and cleaned off the table and started to display some tonics and spice and remedies on her table.
“ thank you Gwen…”she said softly and she noticed Leslie looking at her and she blushed slightly when he smiled at her. She was not shy around me, just not used to having a man look at her the way he did. His smile was gentle and did not seem to have any glint of mischief. When he complimented her on her hunt skills she looked at her bow, and then back at Leslie. “ thanks…I had a good teacher,” she said referring to her father.
She watched Leslie sling the game over his shoulder and walk away. Then she looked at Gwen as she made the comment to stop by for some food one of these days. It all sounded too good to be true, but she did not want charity. She did not want to lose her pride, and she wanted to work for it. She rested her hand on her stomach and she nodded. “ maybe, I will sometime,” she said softly and waved to Gwen.
She looked down at the coin purse in her hand and she clutched it and she quickly tucked it away for safe keeping. 10 whole silver coins! Grandfather would be so happy!
She stood back up and cleaned off the table and started to display some tonics and spice and remedies on her table.
Leslie paused mid-step, looking back briefly at the young trader extending her a friendly if daring offer
"Perhaps we should try an archery competition together? It would be a jolly good time, whenever you have some free one to drop by the tavern. There's hay bales at the back... that's where I get to practice... from time to time" challenged Leslie twinkling the eye at her with a broad honest smile as he turned away to face the uphill effort loaded with all sorts of merchandise which, there was no denying, it kept him fighting fit, something good out of every not so good task.
He had a positive outlook in life, and liked to spread the positive feelings of hope and encouragement all around, he would light the room wherever he went for sure.
"Perhaps we should try an archery competition together? It would be a jolly good time, whenever you have some free one to drop by the tavern. There's hay bales at the back... that's where I get to practice... from time to time" challenged Leslie twinkling the eye at her with a broad honest smile as he turned away to face the uphill effort loaded with all sorts of merchandise which, there was no denying, it kept him fighting fit, something good out of every not so good task.
He had a positive outlook in life, and liked to spread the positive feelings of hope and encouragement all around, he would light the room wherever he went for sure.
Aliyana heard Leslie and she raised an eyebrow. “ are you any good, or are you just taunting me,” she asked as she laid out a few more bottles of tonic and spices. She pressed her lips together as she watched him leave and she chuckled as a few more people came to her booth.
Not everyone had good will down at the slums, however, when the clientele had bought and paid for the goods and it became more quiet, Bowen made his way over to the girl to demand the rent money for the stall and for the hovel she shared with her grandfather. The rent was already overdue by two weeks, on account of low sales, the Spring Flower Festival had just started but the sales were barely picking up pace yet.
"Well... lass... where's the rent money? You and that good-for-nothing Zachary owe me one hundred silver pieces and growing. If you don't pay, I'll put you in a brothel to make up the shortfall or just cut my losses and sell you off at the slave market for the full amount, hmm?" warned Bowen "Three days, wench, you have three days to find the silver or bid goodbye to your comfortable lifestyle and freedom." smirked the man in a grubby yellowish toothy grin
"... best you work harder or you know where I'll send you" threatened the man, one hand pressed against the wall, as he talked in close proximity to the young woman, turning around and walking away to go collect money from the many other dwellings, stores and stalls that he owned, a large empire scattered throughout the slums
"Well... lass... where's the rent money? You and that good-for-nothing Zachary owe me one hundred silver pieces and growing. If you don't pay, I'll put you in a brothel to make up the shortfall or just cut my losses and sell you off at the slave market for the full amount, hmm?" warned Bowen "Three days, wench, you have three days to find the silver or bid goodbye to your comfortable lifestyle and freedom." smirked the man in a grubby yellowish toothy grin
"... best you work harder or you know where I'll send you" threatened the man, one hand pressed against the wall, as he talked in close proximity to the young woman, turning around and walking away to go collect money from the many other dwellings, stores and stalls that he owned, a large empire scattered throughout the slums
Aliyana looked at Bowen, the grotesque, mountain of a man, and she bit her lip. She was partially afraid of him, but she would not let him see it. She listened to him as he taunted her and demanded the rent of 100 silver pieces. She barely had that on her, let alone at home. She had maybe 30 stashed away for safe keeping, but this was her life savings.
She certainly did not want the fate that he threatened her with. It would break her pride and degrade her so low that she would rather die than work in the slums of the brothel. She heard that young women there did not fair well, but it was that or starve to death in the gutters. Aliyana looked at Bowen and saw his grin. The god awful stench from his breath could kill the loveliest of roses. She pressed her hands to the table, “ you’ll get it, filth. Now run along…” she said.
When he walked off, she felt her stomach drop and she looked at the merchandise before her. She should have gotten more game this morning. She most certainly was not about to go and ask Gwen for more. She let out a shaking breath and she tucked back a loch of hair. “ fresh herbs, Tonics and remedies here!!”she called to the crowds.
She certainly did not want the fate that he threatened her with. It would break her pride and degrade her so low that she would rather die than work in the slums of the brothel. She heard that young women there did not fair well, but it was that or starve to death in the gutters. Aliyana looked at Bowen and saw his grin. The god awful stench from his breath could kill the loveliest of roses. She pressed her hands to the table, “ you’ll get it, filth. Now run along…” she said.
When he walked off, she felt her stomach drop and she looked at the merchandise before her. She should have gotten more game this morning. She most certainly was not about to go and ask Gwen for more. She let out a shaking breath and she tucked back a loch of hair. “ fresh herbs, Tonics and remedies here!!”she called to the crowds.
No sooner prince Aynor had been confined to his rooms, after yet another argument about the need to marry soon, he started hatching an escape plan and an escape route.
He grabbed ropes, servant's outfits and his two swords and descended the palace walls, down from his balcony.
He sneaked through most of the guards until reaching the stables, finally grabbing a horse to rush out.
When the royal guards came to warn the gate keepers of the commanded prince's room arrest, Aynor spurred the horse and left, the chase quickly spilling onto the streets.
With a bolted horse it was impossible to stop the beast from rushing downhill and crashing into Aliyana's stall, the horse breaking free and leaving behind a trail of destruction and its dismounted rider.
He looked up at the woman wide eyed, dusting himself and apologizing for the mess.
"I am so so sorry... " Excused Aynor looking wide eyed at the shattered vials and broken clay jars and pots, even the crushed herbs having been munched on by the horse
He grabbed ropes, servant's outfits and his two swords and descended the palace walls, down from his balcony.
He sneaked through most of the guards until reaching the stables, finally grabbing a horse to rush out.
When the royal guards came to warn the gate keepers of the commanded prince's room arrest, Aynor spurred the horse and left, the chase quickly spilling onto the streets.
With a bolted horse it was impossible to stop the beast from rushing downhill and crashing into Aliyana's stall, the horse breaking free and leaving behind a trail of destruction and its dismounted rider.
He looked up at the woman wide eyed, dusting himself and apologizing for the mess.
"I am so so sorry... " Excused Aynor looking wide eyed at the shattered vials and broken clay jars and pots, even the crushed herbs having been munched on by the horse
Aliyana was just wrapping up with a purchase when the chaos happened. Instead of saving her merchandice, she ran to grab a child who was in the path of the horse. She grabbed the screaming child, clutched it to her chest and she got out of the path.
When the horse was gone, it left a destruction path in its wake and a couple of booths were destroyed. Mainly hers. She put the child down and she slowly walked over and she knelt down and picked up the vials off of the ground. She heard a young man apologize and she looked at him. Both hurt and mad and she clutched the vials. “ what’s done is done, and…just go. Please,” she said and she walked away to clean up. She looked up and she saw Bowen coming out to see what the trouble was. Great, just what she needed.
Aliyana got up and snatched some Rosemary out of the horse’s mouth.
When the horse was gone, it left a destruction path in its wake and a couple of booths were destroyed. Mainly hers. She put the child down and she slowly walked over and she knelt down and picked up the vials off of the ground. She heard a young man apologize and she looked at him. Both hurt and mad and she clutched the vials. “ what’s done is done, and…just go. Please,” she said and she walked away to clean up. She looked up and she saw Bowen coming out to see what the trouble was. Great, just what she needed.
Aliyana got up and snatched some Rosemary out of the horse’s mouth.
"That is two thousand silver miss" Frowned Bowen coming over, watching Aynor and Aliyana scramble to salvage what stock they could save. Aynor refusing to leave her with all that mess to sort out by herself
Moderators: Tusitala Guardian_Girl Raider-jack29 The Hanged Man (played anonymously) Janella Silentread (played by JustaBitEvil) Catriona and Calum (played by Cherry_Red) Fulco (played by Reyn) Nettle (played anonymously)