I jump. Startled awake as a loud thud echoes throughout the room. The sun has not even peeked over the mountains and the sky was as dark as the night before, with the slight arcs of light that touches the clouds above. It was early morning. Perhaps too early. Looking toward the source of the sound and it looked like Esshiek had kicked the door open before he started marching towards my bed, standing next to it as he leans down with a proud smile.
"Rise, young warrior. We have much to do."
With my senses still half-asleep and my body still feeling groggy from the late-night studies I had to do, I couldn't even reply nor react before the large Lizardman picked me up, still wrapped in the blanket and thrown over his shoulder like I weighed nothing, nor was I almost his size. He'd then proceed to march down the stairs, chanting a song in a dialect I couldn't even understand. It sounded more like hisses and chanting of a forgotten language, but I'd be quick to assume he was singing some sort of tune in his native tongue. It was one effective wake up call though.
In the market, still wrapped and practically using the blanket as a cloak at this point, I was walking behind Esshiek, stifling a long yawn along the oddly quiet streets of the city. Without even considering if I was behind nor if I was listening, Esshiek would start to speak.
"I'd like to introduce you to a tour of the city!" He speaks proudly.
"Can this wait until I am actually awake though?"
"No! For the city is best when it too is slowly waking from its slumber. Without the disturbance of the busy people of Coppergate. It also reduces the risk of getting lost, and I will not be bothered to search for you."
Reassuring words...
We would then roam the streets of Coppergate with relative ease, visiting store after store. Although some of them were closed during the time. However, a few seemed to be running at this current hour. Some might even say they never closed at all. One of these stores was obviously a clothing store. With all sorts of cloths and designs displayed out front for any passerby to enjoy or potentially attract. Esshiek seemed adamant to bring me here as a stop for our tour. Inside was even more extravagant than the outside with mannequins dressed in all sorts of formal clothing and cloaks, some folded neatly and tucked away in the shelves that lined the walls of the store. In between these shelves were tall standing spools of cloth. I had never seen such a collection of cloth and decor in one place before. I'd even go as far as to say that this very store was more eccentric than the Academy itself.
Sounds of scissors cutting against fabric could be faintly heard at the back of the store, as well as a voice humming a soft tune. Esshiek would knock against the empty counter before the snipping and humming stopped as a figure peeked out from behind the curtain that separates the store and the front. With a wide smile, the elven man would push out from the curtains and extend his arms wide. "Essie!!!" The man exclaimed as he slides flamboyantly to greet Esshiek by the counter, eyes fluttering almost flirtatiously as he looked up at the Lizardman. "What can I do for you this fine morning, my sweet emerald?" The man added.
"I needs a uniform. For this guy specifically" Essheik throws his thumb over his shoulder, vaguely pointing in my direction as I tilted my head to get a better look at the man Esshiek was talking to.
This man was an elf, blonde hair kept in a bun that seemed to be held together by a variety of long needles and thread. He was dressed in a frilly suit, fitting for the atmosphere that surrounded him, as well as the detail that it hugged tight against his lean and thin form. It was obvious from a simple glance that this man was ready and willing to show off everything he had. From skills to physique. A practice of zero shame. Quite respectable actually.
As I finished studying the man, I didn't even notice that he had snaked over the counter and had already approached me, leaning towards my person in an uncomfortable distance between us. He held his chin, humming to himself as he circled around me like a vulture stalking prey. This would go on for a handful of minutes before the elven man nods and claps his hands together as soft gusts of wind steals away some spools of cloth and a box of his own tools and threads. He, along with the tools and materials would disappear behind the curtain in a flash. Esshiek nods and soon turned to walk out.
"Are we- Are we just- So no paying?" I asked in confusion.
Esshiek huffs with pride. "We already did. When Lyon is inspired, he wishes not for monetary gain, but the chance to tackle the challenge."
"That sounds like it's bad for business..."
Esshiek laughs with his whole stomach as he nods. "Indeed, but there is certain guarantee that his skills are unmatched in the kingdom. He has clients all over the continent. Including our overly zealous Magician Friend."
Esshiek would soon pull me towards the marketplace. It wasn't as bustling as I would have expected, with only a humble scattering of people going about their day or heading to their stalls to prepare for the more busy hours of the day. In this quiet, it would be hard to imagine a more crowded atmosphere. I can see why Esshiek prefers the early morning now, as troublesome as it could be. We stopped by and bought some meat skewers, freshly grilled from the fire as a quick breakfast meal, as well as purchasing a box of sweets. Esshiek would soon explain that the box was for the Prince and Maryanne. He admitted that the two have a very strong sweet tooth and they preferred sweets while they worked.
Not long after, we had stopped by a more open store with the familiar scent of earthy smoke and the ear piercing sounds of a hammer hitting against metal. It looked like we had stopped by a forge, but we didn't go inside.
"If you need any repairs, weapons, or armor. This blacksmith is what I recommend. The woman inside sells you her work for a moderate price, however she does not seem friendly. So I will stay out here if you wish to visit the store for a quick peruse."
And so I did. Leaving Esshiek by the side of the street as I walked up to the store. The hammering seemed to echo within the building connected to the place where the furnace, grindstone, and anvil were set up. To feed my curiosity further, I decided to swing the door open and check inside. The store itself was humble, quite a contrast to the clothing tore Lyon owned. It was just as quiet but not as fancy. My heavy footsteps creaked against the wooden floorboards and dust could be seen floating along the daylight that seemed to have been pouring in through the window. Decorating the room were weapon shelves and barrels filled to the brim with what looked to be carelessly stored swords, clubs, and maces of different lengths and sizes. Along the walls and beside the weapon stocks were shelves and armor stands respectively. All equipped with all sorts of medium to heavy armor, from scale to plate, even to chainmail. However as I continued to look around the store, I noticed that despite the beautiful and masterful craftsmanship of all of these items on display, they all held a layer of dust against their form. It was as if the store was abandoned and no one sought to purchase items from this store.
As I continued to study the items in the shelves and cases, my eye soon darted over one specific weapon. A longsword. Its make wasn't too special nor was the design special in any way. It was a simple iron or steel longsword with a leather handle and brass pommel. However, what caught my eye on this intriguing weapon were the initials K.L on the foot of the blade. This specific signature was very familiar. Yet I couldn't pull out any information towards what it meant. All I knew is that Master Kithran owned a stamp that held the same symbol. Such a funny coincidence.
Choosing not to disturb the store owner, I turned to leave the store quietly, only to be stopped by a dwarven woman.
"Fuck yer want in my store ye big lug?" She spoke in a gruff and almost grumpy tone.
Wait a second, her store? But I still hear the hammering from the back of the building. Without even responding, I turned over to the back of the store, then back at her with an obvious display of confusion on my face.
"Surprising ain't it? Now since yer ain't runnin' away like the others by now. Welcome to my store." She extends her arms out, showing a sarcastic smile before throwing her hands down. "Jus' don't touch nothing. You look like you're going to cut yourself from looking at them alone." She added as she walked around the counter to jump up to a stool sat behind the wooden separation. Her arm perched on the desk as she stares with a furrowed brow in my direction. As if annoyed by my mere presence.
I turned to look back at the longsword and pointed at it. Before I could even speak, she flailed her arm and clicked her teeth.
"20 silver." She spoke out.
"No, I was about to ask about the initials on the end of the sword."
"Fuck it matters to you?" She replied angrily. Almost as if the mere mention of the signature pissed her off.
I gulped down my own sudden fears before I found the courage to continue.
"My master had the same symbol. I just thought it was funny that-" Before I could even continue my sentence, the dwarven woman jumped off her chair and ran over, jumping up to clutch my shirt by the collar. As I was about to react to this sudden burst of energy, she spoke.
"Is your master a grumpy old fart? Thick beard and real fuckin angry?" She asked. Her tone more worried and yearning than angry this time.
I was surprised at her question. How was she able to describe Master Kithran well? Unless-
"How do you know Master Kithran?"
"I'm his fuckin sister. Kylie Leinsdottir."