The maiden, which tended to the stall, raised her hand.
“I will.”, she announced and rummaged through her belt's pockets, producing a card, “I am cleared to referee Youth League Contests of Archers and Horsearchers by the Marcach Guild of Redruth. You might not be kids anymore, but I think, that I am still qualified.”
The card was an official document written in Selkie, which confirmed that claim and it was genuine.
“So... distance a hundred metres, five arrows each.”, she said, “Score from all of them are tallied up, winner is the one with the most points. Would that be agreeable?”
Now it was up to both contestants.
The old man nodded. “Indeed, it is.”
Raidri then turned to Jan, still smiling.
“Congratulations to you as well, lad.”, he said, “You are doing good by her by coming here... has he already met Nora?”
“Nope.”, Gwen replied, “That one is a meeting, which I... dread a bit.”
“Oh, why would you?”, Raidri replied, so obviously with black humour, that one could almost grab the black humour, “I'm sure, that she'll love you!”
Both Gwens looked a bit uncertain at that.
Lugh nodded, giving a small smile.
“Indeed, he can do that.”, he said with certainty, “And we already have the measurements of the old frame, so we can send everything to Treoraí Optics right now. The new glasses should be available for pickup by...” He thought for a moment. “...Friday, at the earliest, Monday, at the latest.”
His father nodded.
Leonard smiled as well. “That should be well before you depart for home again, right?”, he asked Haru.
Branwen nodded, turning even redder.
Elin smiled as well. Her plan was proceeding apace... “Wonderful!”, she said with a cheer, “I am very sure, that Branwen will give you a good feel.”
“Elin...”, Branwen protested at the teasing, which made the older sister titter with bemusement.
“Maybe.”, Darufa said with a nod, “In any case, yes, foxes. Guarding Foces to be precise.” She winked to Joey and Billy. “I could bore you with the details to make your biology teacher proud, but let's see them first!”
“Didn't one of them have a litter?”, Pina asked. Darufa nodded, which caused her to squeal in delight. “That's going to be so adorable!”
Darufa smiled and led them further into the petting zoo. “It is. Though be careful, girls! Guarding Foxes have a keen sense of protecting their young!” She smiled. “I doubt, that we'll have to worry about either of you, but better be safe then sorry.”
Pina nodded.
“No, no, it's us.”, Mara said with a sheepish smile, indicating to her sword's handle. “You see, by our manners, it's quite an insult to enter someone's house carrying a weapon openly. I was apologizing for that and was forgiven?”
The baker nodded. “Of course, Ma'am.”, he said, getting their order ready, “From my side, all's fine. I understand, why you do it... though I am a bit miffed...”
“My apologies, again.”, Mara said and bowed her head, “Can't let her...” She indicated to Rona. “...go into a baker shop unsupervised. Otherwise, she's going to clean out the store!”
The baker snorted in amusement, smiled at Rona, then tallied up. “The total would be a Gil and eight Umha.”, he said.
Mara paid for them all without hesitation.
Nia shrugged.
“Whenever you are ready.”, she said and rose, “None of the things, which I have planned, are time-critical, so whenever we can dally a bit, look around, see the things, which meet our eyes... in general, exploring in the wider sense of the word.” She smiled, then added: “I used to do that a lot.”
Asteria nodded and went to typing, but said: “Don't get your hopes up, by the sounds of it, Enya isn't too close to the lad.”, she announced, continued typing.
Her grandfather nodded. “Learning a language is one of the most worthwile endeavours one can get into.”, he told the foreign woman, “After all, it allows you to understand not only potential lovers, but also all sorts of people. And people come towards you in a wholly different fashion as well, when you put in the effort to try and learn at least a few scraps.” He smiled. “I'll never forget the face of the first Lutetiian Ambassador in the Free Lands, when I greeted him in accentuated, stumbling, but working Lutetiian!”
He exhaled.
“Those were the days... old Grey Wolves don't learn many tricks anymore, though.”, he said, Asteria putting the phone down as the message was sent and now it was time to wait for a reply.
Fiona saw the mentor-like aura Kathleen was looking at her with, almost sisterly – and as a middle-sister of an older brother and a younger sister, as well as the instructor for cubs, she... did not fight it, but she made an emotional step away.
It was no offense to Kathleen, but Fi had enough on her plate already.
“Yeah... I guess.”, she replied, “My Mam always says, that I am still in my experimental phase... and that my growth spurt will still be coming.”
She looked down at herself, particularly at her bust... or lack thereof.
“Actually about not getting lost in life.”, the Sergeant replied with a smirk, “It's short form is rather simple: Don't.”
The other militia-girls were listening in, not out of malicious intent, but because they felt, that this was advice for them as well.
“It's not as easy, though.”, the Sergeant added, “A lot of things make you get lost, turmoil in heart, mind and soul are only the most common thing. You can not avoid it and we've all been there.” She exhaled. “What I found as the best course of action was taking a step back and... you might call it 'meditating'. Even if it is only taking a deep breath, stepping back and calming heart and soul, maybe even pouring your heart out to someone, you need that at times.”
She let a beat pass.
“So... what's his name?”, she asked with a teasing smile.
When Alaina was gone, Liv exhaled deeply and with a shuddering breath.
“Gods...”, she said, looking at Kat and squeezed her hand, “That was one heck of a ride!” She then began to giggle. “But we survived!”
Liv accepted Kat leaning against her, wrapped an arm around the Mediaman.
“I am sure, that she is dialling up my own High Priestess to tell her about the encounter...”, she whispered to Kat, “...and I am sure, that she'll only say positive things!”
At the shop.
I giggled at Chris' comment, remembering the sleeping places of my various foxes in Dumhach. Indeed, they were wonderful guardians of what belonged to their partners – Dilly would protect Lise with his life, if necessary.
When Lise asked, if I really wanted to pay, I nodded. “Yes, I am sure.”, I said, “Financially, it's not a problem, you are right about that, but that's not the point. I want to give you a present, so unless you want me to introduce you to some nice lads for dances – and only dances, don't worry – I have no idea about what might be useful to you.”
Finnegan and my boss, meanwhile, rose from their seating, my boss tapping Chris on the shoulder. “How about we let the ladies talk amongst themselves?”, he offered to us... and ordered Chris.
Marcach Camp.
The search for another horse for Mia was surprisingly easy, which reinforced the notion, that it was less the rider and more the horse, which had been problematic. Alaina would have to check her later...
In any case, the next horse's name was Sodaire, a stallion, which was almost still a colt, a Móinteán. A draught and riding horse, which was from the moorlands. Not exactly the most noble breed, that was true, but both easy to ride and sturdy, as well as with stamina. That, and they were usually black, which proved popular amongst tourists.
Sodaire sniffed Mia's hand for a short time, then licked the hand.
“I think, that he's willing to let you ride him.”, Alaina ventured with a smile.
Stoc Inn.
Aurora smiled softly as Silvio replied: “I served under her father as a conscript and we stayed in touch.”, he said, “When he stayed at sea, I decided, that I would give his kid a shot at merchantry. I was not wrong.”
Aurora's smile widened slightly.
“Her mother is a good woman and a very strong one as well.”, he further complimented, “Good tendencies for her to draw upon.”
The receptionist shook his head.
“Nope. We will not play a little game. Finnegan?”, he said and nodded to the security man.
Said wardrobe put his hand back on Ethan's shoulder and led him off to the entrance, led him outside and then looked at him.
“Go to the Left Bastion.”, he recommended, “The gatehouse is now a restaurant and a very good one at that. Invite your girlfriend there.” He let a beat pass. “Good luck with her!”
And with that, the man turned around and went back inside on his post.
Laír Square.
Mhairin smiled lightly.
“Ask her, where she is right now and drop by there.”, she recommended, “She does have a phone, right?” She adjusted the hold on the girl on her arm, then continued. “Though I must leave you to it... I'm not from here. I have trouble finding my own inn, the Cluanaire.”
Or maybe it'll end in even more tears., Kiah thought for a moment, but she still smiled and nodded.
“Who knows, maybe you don't hit the jackpot with him, but with a friend of his?”, she also added to the pool of options as she poured new cups for either of them. “Who knows, indeed, but the Gods?”
She leaned back, blew over her cup, and took a sip.
The young man took the money and a minute later, the entire order was in Anne's hand.
He did not know about her question about the absence of paper money, but if he knew, he would simply have to shrug. The copper coins she had given him, each was worth not only one Umha by the value written on them but also by their material value, making them, much like the Gil and the Ór, currency money. That was all he knew.
He was an apprentice baker not a professor for economics.
“Well, then, Ma'am, have a nice day and enjoy your time in these parts!”, he said, then winked, “You already know, where to get the best baked goods!”
