The Mage's Daughter: Book One: Discovery by LeRoy Clary

Author:LeRoy Clary [Clary, LeRoy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-09-08T03:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Hannah listened to the ebb and flow of a hundred conversations in the marketplace. Music filtered from four or five locations, all playing different songs on different instruments. At least two women sang, as did a man with a deep voice in another part of the market. But far more than sound captivated her. Directly ahead a woman in layers of colorful skirts danced, twirling around while trailing a gown of green the color of spring grass, copper bracelets jangled on her wrists.

Food fried, baked, boiled, and roasted, all twisting and turning Hannah’s hungry stomach. The vendors called out to strolling shoppers, describing the wonderful items for sale. She heard them describe meat pies, bread, tent poles, knives, hats, and sewing material fit for Queens. She heard a man that would sharpen any blade, another who worked the finest leather, and a woman who claimed to serve the best soup in the kingdom. A boy shouted praises about a goat he had for sale. Another boy sold apples, the best tasting of all, if they believed his calls.

The sights, sounds, smells, and excitement assaulted her like nothing she’d ever experienced. Sir James pulled the wagon to where all other wagons and beasts of burden were standing at the side of the market, gathered in the one location for the day.

A boy about her age ran up to Sir James. “Sir, for a small copper I’ll water your mule and watch over him.”

The Knight stood in the wagon and stretched before climbing down. “You live here, son?”

The boy nodded eagerly and pointed at a man replacing the sole of a shoe for a customer, “That’s my father.”

“Then walk with me,” he said to the boy.

He glanced at where Hannah was, missing her location by three steps because she’d already climbed down, but the knight still couldn’t see her any better than anyone else. She enjoyed the game of being invisible and saw him looking at the dirt where her footprints appeared, then he smirked. He was on to her.

Once they arrived at the cobbler, Sir James stood and waited his turn. When the old man, nails held between his lips, looked up, Sir James lifted his hat. “Do you recognize me, sir?”

“Yes, sir,” the cobbler said without losing a nail, but looking at his son in an accusing way, as if to ask, “What has he done now?”

But the Knight just smiled and pointed. “See that broken down wagon and mule? It has served me well, but I have no more use for it. I would consider it a personal favor if your son saw to the care of the animal until you can find a buyer for both.”

“How much should I ask for the pair?”

“Whatever you wish to pocket, my good man. Any profit is yours. And your son’s.” Sir James spun and managed to find Hannah’s arm with his hand. He grabbed and held on, almost dragging her across the courtyard. She noticed people looking at Sir James, now, his name on many lips.

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