Chapter Twenty Seven
Imoved through the market of Beshmel with curiosity, my mood sour as a certain Captain trailed behind. Kairen, Bran, and Rena had made their way to a stall selling some sort of shaved ice while I looked for a merchant with herbs and other various potion ingredients.
Gianni had insisted that we procure whatever we may need from the markets while he secured rooms at the little inn.
My horrid mood came from the fact that I hadn't been able to immediately bathe away the sweat and sand that clung to my skin, as the Inn did not in fact have baths.
Gianni instead informed us that there was a stone structure within the miniscule town that was something of a bathing house; he would have to buy a time slot for us to use one of the private, larger basins.
I itched all over as the white linen clung to the dips and curves of my figure, caked in a mixture of damp sweat and gritty desert sand that covered every inch of my skin, making me all the more miserable.
I hated the heat.
My eyes caught a stall selling various jeweled things and I couldn't help the momentary distraction as I started towards the merchant.
The man greeted me with a wide smile as I eyed the intricately made pieces, my gaze settling upon a glint of silver.
Thin braids of the metal were woven together, creating a replication of delicate vines with studs of emerald throughout the piece.
My fingers trailed over the bracelet and the man’s head dipped in approval. “A fine choice, Miss. I found that piece during my travels in Kezechani. They have some of the greatest metalworkers known to any kingdom."
I raised a brow as he spoke of the northern kingdom, separated from Tavari by rugged mountains. I didn't know much of our northern neighbors, but the piece sparked my interest.
I felt Roan approach behind, as he too took in the intricacy of the design.
"It even matches your husband's eyes," the merchant exclaimed gleefully. “It is fate that had it catching your eye."
"Oh we're not—he's not—”
I stumbled through the words, but Roan merely laid an arm over my shoulder, effectively hushing me as he gave the merchant a charming smile. “How much for the bracelet?"
I protested, but it was no use as he shooed me a few paces back. He set to haggling with the merchant over the price, their voices low so I could not hear how much it had cost. He eyed me over his shoulder, shifting to block my view of his coin purse as he handed over the amount they settled upon.
Stubborn man.
When he approached, the bracelet dangling from his fingers and a crooked grin lighting his face, my irritation began to melt away. He reached with his free hand and I allowed it, the corners of my lips curving as he slid it onto my wrist.
Running a finger along the little emeralds that sparkled in the sun, I glanced up at him. “Thank you, it's beautiful."
Shrugging lightly as we moved to continue our path through the small market he said, "You rarely wear jewelry, besides that necklace you keep hidden away. The bracelet suits you."
Stiffening slightly at the mention of my necklace, I glanced sidelong at him. Yet he didn't press me for more information or speak of it again as we fell into silence.
Towards the end of the market I finally spotted a simple stall laden with various dried plants and jars of preserved oddities. I quickened my pace and gave the merchant a few words of greeting before I began my perusal, sharp eyes scanning everything there was to offer.
The top of my list was dried sea star and licorice root to brew a potion for sea sickness for when it came time to head north once again. Rena would bury me in the desert if I failed to follow through on that promise.
Minutes later, satchel laden with carefully wrapped ingredients and my coin purse a few gold lighter, I was content with my haul.
"I told you to be careful, you big oaf." I heard Rena's shrill voice chastise and I turned, searching for our companions. Roan nudged my arm lightly, his head dipping to the left.
Kairen and Rena were both glaring at a bashful Bran who stared down at the sand, a little paper cone of shaved ice splattered at his feet. I raised a brow as I approached the three and Bran looked up with an apologetic smile.
"We bought you and Roan some, but," he hesitated, offering out the single paper cone left, voice rueful, "it's lemon flavored."
Roan let out a grunt as he grabbed it and passed it to me without hesitation. Taking a bite, I nearly moaned as the sweet lemony ice melted against my tongue. It was heavenly in this heat. I took another bite of it before I offered it back to Roan with a shrug. "It's alright Bran, we can share."
Rena's eyes narrowed on me, a knowing smile tugging at her lips as Roan leaned forward, and took a bite of the ice I still held out.
Brows furrowing as he pulled back, his tongue darted out across his lip before a satisfied smile settled on his face.
My shock was palpable—I'd expected him to grab the treat, not eat it from my hand.
His eyes met mine and he merely smirked, his voice muttering a simple, "Delicious."
Rena snorted, patting his shoulder, "I'm sure it was," before pointing across the way. "What's going on over there?"
We turned to where a crowd had gathered.
A small, colorful caravan was parked, something akin to a curtain hiding a small cutout.
Children and a few adults sat idly in the sand, clearly waiting for something to happen.
I watched curiously as we approached. Kairen squatted down next to a young boy with shaggy black hair and a toothy grin.
"Is there a performance happening?" He asked the child, his tone holding a mischievous note.
The boy glanced up at him and gave a slight nod. “It’s a group of travelling puppeteers. They pass through every few months with a tale."
"Do you know what the tale will be—”
"Shhh, it's starting."
Kairen's brows rose at the chastising of the boy and I had to bite back a laugh as he glanced at the group with disbelief. Yet he too settled himself in the sand and we all followed suit.
I took another bite of ice as the curtains pulled back, before I held it once more out to Roan. He again leaned forward to bite into the ice, not bothering to hold the paper cone himself. Shooting him an incredulous look he merely smiled, his eyes dancing with question.
What's wrong, little menace?
I could practically hear his teasing tone. With a huff I focused back on the show, squinting as I leaned forward.
"Long ago on the very land you sit upon, two Goddesses roamed our forests and deserts and made a home," a deep voice spoke, two puppets emerging from each side.
One depicted who I could only assume was Soli, with long black hair, ivory skin, and eyes of the finest gold. The other had to be Lua, her hair a halo of tight white curls, her skin dark as the night sky, and her eyes as silver as the stars that glittered across its expanse.
The puppeteers told the story of how the Goddesses wished to bridge the gap between the Nine Hells and their kingdom among the clouds.
Of how Calzar had been betrothed to the Goddess Soli, but had instead fallen for her sister, Lua.
Everyone in Tavari knew this story, had seen the tapestries and murals that depicted the blade of Soli plunging into the Demon Prince, the blazing embodiment of wrath and vengeance.
Yet it was the end that caught my attention, eyes widening the slightest bit, as eight puppets now took the stage.
"The remaining eight demon princes of the Nine Hells sought revenge over their fallen brother," that deep voice crooned as the puppets danced and jeered.
“They sought to ruin the sister Goddesses for the death of Calzar.
For they knew the Goddesses loved their people, so they plagued Tavari with an illness that could not be cured.They let it ravage through our lands, turning neighbor against neighbor until hatred festered so deeply into our very souls that it has carried on for generations since. "
Rena nudged me as the show ended and she stood, breaking me from my thoughts. I wanted to talk to whoever was in that caravan.
Wiping the sand from my pants, Rena and I started towards the back of it.
A girl with hair as grey as worn steel stared up at me with hostile brown eyes, yet she couldn't have been older than fifteen. She was Luanthian.
"Hello," I greeted her with a warm smile. “Are you the one who did the show?"
She frowned and raised a brow. “Do I look as if my voice is that deep?" She let out an exasperated sigh. “My Pa does the shows, I just help out where I'm needed."
"I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about the tale that was told? Or maybe I could talk with your father?"
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously before glancing behind me, her features twisting into disgust. I followed her gaze, landing on...Roan. The girl had been eyeing the golden tattoos that littered his neck and hands, before her gaze drifted to the ones that peeked over the collar of Rena's shirt.
"My Pa says I'm not to talk to the likes of you," she snapped, standing up as she hoisted the bag she'd been packing. “And he just left to get some things, so you're out of luck."
She stepped through the door of the caravan and before I could utter another word, slammed it with so much force that the whole thing shook.
"Well isn't she just a ray of sunshine," Rena muttered, sarcasm dripping through the words.
Sighing, I shrugged as we walked back to join the others. "The town isn’t that large and it’s too late to travel, I’m sure we’ll come across them again and I can try to get a word in with her father.”
"You want us all to," Kairen’s nose wrinkled as he gestured weakly to the pool of water that swirled before us, "bathe together?"