The feline never returned. It could be argued that this was
a blessing, not to have such a beast in close company but for one the brute
force of such a creature would have been an asset, as well as secondly, staying
in favour with House Ethis. Presumably the Televaraen returned the package, or
carried its journey onwards and out of the city. Chloe could only now wonder
with the link to this powerful house was now in the court of the creature and how
this would affect the rest of their time here.
She chuckled slightly to herself, realising she was turning into a true Thaemic.
This sudden outburst drew to sullen room to her and the coin she was constantly
plating. Shroud had been studying her technique, the patterns she could
produce, the quantity and volume before she would show the slightest signs of
fatigue. There was perhaps a large
profit potential with her gift, even on any object. If only he could get her to
the upper merchant floors, even potentially setting up in Greyspire to catch
the wealthy. If this girl could be nurtured, taught the right lessons, given
the proper instruction, she could be very profitable.
Lord Shroud immediately withdrew another silver coin and
tossed it into air, with a few swift words it vanished before it could fall. He
had let loose a phrase, a promise, an eventuality, he was to be known as a
merchant lord and nothing more, nothing less. However this would take time, not
only for the words to spread and for them to be realised, but also for himself
to reach the levels above. There was no reason for anyone of a Merchant Lord
Status or higher to be below the upper levels or at the very least, the top
tiers of the merchant class. There was also the provisions and staffing needed.
These words were just words, although believable. He needed substance to this
for if he was questioned, and for that he needed to rise up and the Under-croft
Market was where they needed to go.
This place had been heavily maintained by the slight hand of
the Silver Palm. Their influence stopped building work above the market, kept
unsanctioned crimes low, and introduced public art and areas of relaxation in-between
the merchants and dealers in pleasures.
This place, with a squinted eye, could be mistaken for high above.
People are dressed fashionably, all be it ragged and torn, the objects for sale
are still useable, and perhaps valuable to some. Even the artwork, the sculptures
half broken and miles of greying billowing cloth, in patterns and colours that
change and change never to be seen again. It was the smell however, that was still
the same as everywhere else. It was rotten and musky, but here the mild scent
of spices and smoke gave the promise that this place was something more, if
only just a few fashions ago.
Chloe and Eryn had been convinced to come here, if yet
neither of them could remember why, as they found themselves at the market
after mere moments of leaving the Pale Spine. Chloe had was now enjoying the lack of gravity
in the area, or at least what she felt and was somersaulting with ease. Her
constant rotations made her aware of a woman following them, she looked just shy
of Chloe's sister's age of thirty. She didn't seem aggressive, or that
stealthy. The woman was just dirty, malnourished and shaking. As she approached,
Chloe grabbed Shroud's attention and he immediately swung around and stopped in
his tracks. She was beautiful, even under the layers of hardship and soot,
grime and poverty she was beautiful. Her eyes were tinged with flecks of
diamond on the dark ocean. Her hair although matted and soiled showed a promise
of flowing white-gold. He approached her
and she backed away. His intent moved a few more steps, she moved in equal
measure till she was further back than when she had been noticed. Chloe sighed,
her eyes glazing over in purple tones. She plated the bottom of her shoes, took
a few steps back, rushed forward and immediately jumped. the crystal beneath
her feet had shattered, its force propelling her over to the hiding woman.
Without hesitation Chloe grabbed her arm and threw questions at her, to which
the woman started to sob. Lord Shroud barged oved and pushed Chloe out the way.
He gently sat the woman down and scowled at Chloe and apologised to the woman
for the treatment she had just received and asked why she was following them.
She suddenly burst into tears again. This startled Lord Shroud. It became
apparent he had not done this sort of chivalric behaviour in a very long time
and he immediately held her at a distance, his head almost twisted off. She
slowly calmed down and became very boring in the eyes of Chloe. She had caught
her own reflection in a rusted silver tray and then looked at the woman.
Although she was older, she even prettier than herself. Chloe's family was
known for only three things, their transmutation ability, their connection to
the Beyond, and their grace, beauty and intelligence. This woman held a certain
grace to her, her beauty underpinning it. She was from down here, and Chloe
knew that those in the slums of Auspar could never read, never comprehend
anything more than what they can see and touch.
She wasn't a threat but regardless Shroud should be paying attention to
her, not this woman.
Her motions were in vein, Shroud dismissed Chloe and told
her to continue on with Eryn until he was done. Chloe's muscles stiffened, her
fists clenched. She breathed heavily and
slowly. Her feet were plated, her eyes changed and she jumped away, purposefully
kicking up dust and crystal shards in the direction of Shroud and the
woman. He again apologised for her
actions. The woman introduced herself as Neave, she had heard of his immanent
rise and wanted to join him, to better her standing and help her family. She
pleaded, she knew nothing else that she could do to get herself out of this
situation, and give herself the things she needed. Shroud smiled, this girl had
ambition and drive in her maze like eyes. He accepted without even consciously
moving his lips. Overjoyed she hugged him, again he held her at a distance and
she disappeared into the market place. He looked down for a few seconds, almost
trying to find the memory he just made. He couldn't put his finger on it but
she wasn't being truthful. Although she would meet him and his friends in the
morning, he didn't trust her motives till sunrise, so he snaked his way after
her.
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