Preparations under way [Back post.Tags:Dace & Kevarre]

[I'm ammending this post for a different setting for more interesting interaction Enjoy]




The day prior to their being called to join the trader's caravan for an early departure, the five boys of the Blood Moon Squad were enjoying the sevendaysend gather together, being given a day of leisure. They had received orders a few days days before, regarding their new mission to escort the caravan safely to Igen Weyr, and given a briefing over what they might expect on their way. But the Blood Moon Squad had already had the delightful privilege of keeping watch over busy border outposts over the summer months, so Yeoun didn't think that the road on the way to Igen would be any worse than circumstances they'd been made to suffer there.

The experience would be new for them though, and Yeoun always welcomed the challenge of broadening the horizons of personal life experience, so regardless of the challenges ahead for them, Yeoun was decided on welcoming it. Of course,...there was always the latest complication to add to it all; his promise to Galedon to join the Chorong and fulfill the man's will. And Galedon had indeed sent word to him on his will. The rebel's General was quick to issue his next orders. Yeoun already knew what deceit he would have to go through with, next. The young man tried not to let thoughts of deceit occupy his thoughts though. At least not now, while in the company of his friends. And definitely not on a Gather day. Even if it there were no plans of any big events every single sevendaysend, it was still more exciting when thousands of folks came into the hold from farms and suburbs all around Southern Telgar Hold to trade and barter their wares and share all of the latest gossip. It became a change in pace for everyone.


The boys had stopped at a Tanner's stall for Yeoun to look a new leather belt and boots -his were getting to looking and feeling pretty worn out. It would be better to have the new shoes on the long trek they'd be taking with the caravan, even if he didn't have time to wear them in much in the mean time.

Picking up one black boot, Yeoun turned it over in his hands, flexing the sole on it and looking at the maker's mark on the inside of them. They were a Senior Journeyman's make, so might end up being too expensive for him to afford just yet, but it was a necessary expense. And it would be worth it to have good shoes. Before he asked about price though, he inspected the stitching on them and tested the quality of the leather.

Looking up at the vendor, not knowing if he were the maker or not, Yeoun inquired, "Sir, who is the maker of these shoes? A Senior Journeyman? What price are you asking?"


[ehhhh. that's all i got for now. Sorry it's not great lol. just wanted to get something rolling for Dace :)a little interaction between just the blood moon boys]

Kevarre walked next to Yeoun through the market. He wasn't particularly concerned about there being any sort of threat here but he was also not particularly good at pretending he wasn't distracted. While he did keep tabs on his brother and Yeoun there was only one other thing on his mind. He hated coming into larger Holds as he found himself nearly constantly searching. As if she would appear suddenly after being gone for so many Turns.

Often the young man didn't consciously try to look but he was scanning faces anyway. As long as he had Dace and Yeoun though he knew he had a family of sorts. They might not always get along,but it was oce to know they were there nonetheless. Both of the others seemed aware enough of his distraction of searching enough not to say a word to him about it.

While Yeoun looked over a pair of boots he wanted, Kevarre tried out a few himself. He didn't really need new boots but it was nice to get a feel for how the shoes felt on his feet. "They appear sturdy enough."He commented on the boots Yeoun picked out. Kevarre did not assume himself to be any great artist so he would leave the lying and deceitful part of all this to his friend's capable hands.
.
"I'd like to go further into the hold before nightfall..." He spoke, trying to rush his friend's purchase of the shoes. They had plenty to discuss about the mission that prying ears need not hear.

(hope thats ok)

Dace kept pace at his brother's side, both of them following Yeoun's lead. Like the other two, he constantly scanned their surroundings. By this time, the surveillance wasn't a totally conscious task, but a low, continual assessment of stance, expression, hand placement, and where the other person was directing their attention. Nothing sparked any warning of risk, so none of it rose into his full awareness.

Well, except for that face and smile, and...um... stance. Dace met the young woman's admiring stare with a charming smile and a wink, but further flirting was aborted when her male escort took her arm and followed her gaze with a definitely dark expression.

Not worth the trouble, he decided as he turned away. Though, waiting around while Yeoun haggled for boots made a brawl with a jealous escort sound far more enticing than it might otherwise.

"Fark, try the things on first. No need to start haggling if they don't fit," he grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning against the corner post of the booth. He rubbed an itch against the wood, feeling rather naked and vulnerable, without the near-constant weight of bow and quiver against his spine.

Yeoun was grinning lopsidedly when Dace barked at him to just try the things on.

He had time then to nod in response to his best friend's mention of making it further into the Hold before dusk just before the vendor was finally able to grant them his full attention.

"Ah, right you are. A Senior Journeyman from right here in Southern Telgar Hold. Been practicing his craft for nearly 25 turns. He makes a good pair of boots. Won't find any better from this neck o' tha woods, if ye were to ask my opinion. Quality's worth the price though; be askin' 5 an' a half mark's for those."

Yeoun's shoulders relaxed in a silent, disparing sigh. He didn't have 5 marks on him for boots like that. Maybe he'd find a way of affording them later. He did have an idea of how to get his hands on the pair, but it'd have to wait. So, nodding, Yeoun set the boot down, acknowledging that he'd have to wait on them or find a cheaper pair.

Looking back to the vendor, he inquired after his next needed purchase. "The boots will have to wait unless you have something similar, but a less expensive. I'm also looking for a belt, though. Do you happen to have one in black? It doesn't have to be decorative."

At just that time, there was a push from the crowd behind them. Ejected from the swelling throng, a woman, well dressed, black hair done up in a knotwork of thick braids, was shoved into Kevarre, and then tripped, and fell at the boys' feet, beside he and Dace. The basket which she had been carrying in her arms, had been overturned in the whole train of events, leaving her things scattered.

Disoriented for a moment, the girl looked up at Kevarre after a moment, to apologize as she started to pick herself up off the ground.


Knowing his friend's attitude toward women however, Yeoun was the first to turn and bend to offer a hand. Getting her set back on her feet, though, a moment of recognition flashed through his eyes, realizing that he knew her. Playing it off though, as though he had never seen her before, he asked, "Are you alright, Miss?"

Not bothering to hide a smirk upon hearing his brother's advice, he had to agree with him. This was boring. He really did want to go deeper into the Hold today. Maybe he would find something useful, some information that would help him to complete his family by finding the only female in his life whom he had let down rather than it being backward.

The other two were much more sportive when it came to women. Kevarre had trouble trusting them and found they were the cause of almost every horrible thing that ever happened to him. It would only be natural therefore, for a woman to be the one to crash into him. He may not have acted as quickly as Yeoun to come to her aid but that didn't mean he would not have helped her up. Chivalry might be dead to some people but he did have honor.

Women, he almost sighed and looked down at the girl as his friend came to her aid. "It couldn't be helped. At least not by you." He shrugged. And seemed to forget her presence once Yeoun had her full attention. Kevarre really wanted to know who had shoved her and give them a few...pointers, educate them how to treat women, no matter how silly and disagreeable they were.

As he thought about moving on, it never occurred to him to ask the girl what women were prominent in the hold. It was more likely a woman who knew where his sister was. Simple logic, but still he seemed to avoid asking women anything. Could he even trust what came out of their mouths? Better to leave the search carefully in his own hands.

With Yeoun acting the gallant rescuer, and Kevarre scanning the crowd for potential threats, Dace sighed and resigned himself to the role of errand-boy.

He gathered up the scattered contents of the woman's basket, a task that was enlivened by the capture of a thieving brat. Giving the youngster a solid shake via his grubby collar, Dace pried the piece of fruit out of the boy's hand.

"If you're that hungry, go by your own," he rumbled, slipping an eighth mark into the child's pocket just before shoving him away with more gentleness than might appear to casual bystanders.

The basket refilled with its original contents, if not as prettily arranged, Dace set it near the woman's feet and stepped back, arms going across his chest. A smile of vague amusement played across his lips, belying the close attention he paid his brother. Once again, he waited for Kevarre to ask a pertinent question. Any sort of pertinent question at all.

The smile faded to a slight scowl, as Kevarre asked no questions of her at all.

A rosy pink coloured Nayh's cheeks as she realized just who it was who'd come to her assistance. Seeing that flash of recognition in Yeoun's eyes made her happy, knowing that the Chorong's heir acknowledged her in his own mind, though they could not reveal their familiarity with one another in public. Still, it was natural for a young woman to blush at boys.

Inwardly despairing when Yeoun's hands left her, the answered him before brushing hands down the length of her bright purple dress to dust it off. It would be a shame if the fabric were ruined. It seemed though, that she should be able to get it clean, without stain or tear. "I'm fine, thank you."

Turning to Kevarre and his brother then, she was thanking them, also, hastily bending to take up her basket again. "Thank you for your help. I don't have many ways of repaying you, but if you'd like, I could serve you some free drinks and a meal, were you to visit me at Inamourata's Mask."  Perhaps that would also cover Yeoun's hide if he were to ever be seen going into the Mask. At least his friends would know he'd gone by invitation and be less likely to suspect anything questionable.



Quiet as usual, Yeoun seemed to have little to say to that, though he wasn't sure if Kevarre or Dace would take any interest in visiting an establishment like the Mask -especially in Kevarre's case, where it was full of women. Just the wrong thing to attract him. But Nayh's offer had been courteous.

Yeoun was looking to his friends then, waiting to see how they would respond to her generocity. The Mask was an up-scale establishment, and most men would consider it quite the opportunity to be offered to attend for an evening without owing the large debt it would later incur. Even if not for the women, the general entertainment, food and alcohol were fit for a Holder.

Kevarre never trusted people. It wouldn't come as a surprise then to the other two if he were to question everything. Was it really an accident that she bumped into them? Or was she working with someone, trying to garner information from them? Typical woman, trying to sneak and spy and get them to let their guard down. Well it wasn't going to work. Now she wanted to take them to a place where she could have anyone waiting for them. So his blue eyes narrowed a slight bit, his hand was instinctively touching the hilt at his side.

"While I'm sure we all appreciate your offer. We don't know you and we certainly don't trust you." And yes he was going to speak for the other two because it was perfectly clear that Dace was too trusting of women and that Yeoun would be only to happy to meet more young women like her. They had been rather deprived in the Mountains. "First off, who are you?"

He was almost treating her as a hostile, only he held no weapon, nor was he going to pull one on her unless she became violent. He would not treat her like the wilting flower the other two thought she might be. Oh no, she was just as dangerous, possibly more so than any man. So he treated her like he would a man who may have been shoved into his side and then offered to bring him somewhere. Except he was even more suspicious of her.

"And second, what sort of place is Inamourata's Mask?"