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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 11:47:51 GMT
A great chaotic mess of a market, where the vendors rotate in and out every few days and the deals and goods on display are exotic, rare, or snake oil. One can always find a good deal at the bazaar, especially if pretty and useless are your favorite adjectives to describe something.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 13:51:22 GMT
Melissa, accompanied by her constant (at least in public) shadow, Ser Damon Osgrey, headed to the market. Now they had finally arrived, Melissa had put off her hard-wearing riding attire for a more feminine outfit, a dark blue gown that hugged her curves. Her hair fell down her back in a long braid. She had also chosen to leave off her sword belt, but retained her dagger. seeking comfort in the weight of the sheathed blade at her hip. Melissa and Ser Damon took a leisurely walk around the bazaar. Melissa was curious about the local market, wondering whether there would be anything different to the markets at home.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 14:23:33 GMT
Things illegal in most polite markets flourish here; eastern fireworks, spices of unconscionable heat or seductive flavor, foods and wines she has never heard of, jewelry that changes color as one looks at it from orange to red to yellow and pink. Ser Damon looks at almost none of it, the older mansuspiciously glancing at everyone. A boy offers her a sweet smelling baked good for a copper. Melissa sees few nobles here sp far, but a few families of the Riverlands can be seen shopping as well, and a solitary woman in colors Melissa has never seen; crossed swords through a red heart on light yellow.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 15:45:05 GMT
Beckoning to Ser Damon, Melissa moved forward to see what stall the solitary woman was looking at. She had some coins in her purse and had it in mind to make a few purchases but first she wanted to more about the mystery woman.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 17:39:10 GMT
The woman is half shopping but is talking to the vendor more casually, she isn't close enough to hear what but the vendor is selling silk garments from what she claims to be Volantis. The woman in the cloak looks annoyed but nods and then sets off for another stall, thisnone selling arrows.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 21:02:14 GMT
Melissa followed, trying to get close enough to hear the woman's accent. She longered momentarily at the stall of a wine merchant.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 21:07:04 GMT
///////////////////////////////////
A day after his sister's visit, Perceon made his way down to the bazaar, flanked by a group of armed guardsmen. He had the same idea Melissa had had about finding out more about what life was like in the Riverlands. He scanned the merchant's tables for items of interest, and made note of what basic foodstuff were being sold for so he could compare with prices in the Reach. He also scanned the throngs of people for individuals he might talk to to learn more of what life was like here.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 21:46:10 GMT
Melissa followed, trying to get close enough to hear the woman's accent. She longered momentarily at the stall of a wine merchant. The woman is clearly Westerosi, and as she speaks Melissa and Daemon hear a woman speak from behind them. "She isn't that attractive," a somewhat friendly sounding woman noted, holding a crossbow but seeming casual, two women besides her, "so what ye looking at her for?" |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 21:47:20 GMT
/////////////////////////////////// A day after his sister's visit, Perceon made his way down to the bazaar, flanked by a group of armed guardsmen. He had the same idea Melissa had had about finding out more about what life was like in the Riverlands. He scanned the merchant's tables for items of interest, and made note of what basic foodstuff were being sold for so he could compare with prices in the Reach. He also scanned the throngs of people for individuals he might talk to to learn more of what life was like here. The prices in the Bazaar are set by supply and demand, and as such change from cheap during sober hours to exorbitant when the taverns close. His troupe of heavily armed foreign guards ensure few are in any way interested in speaking to him past discussing prices. |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 22:01:52 GMT
Melissa followed, trying to get close enough to hear the woman's accent. She longered momentarily at the stall of a wine merchant. The woman is clearly Westerosi, and as she speaks Melissa and Daemon hear a woman speak from behind them. "She isn't that attractive," a somewhat friendly sounding woman noted, holding a crossbow but seeming casual, two women besides her, "so what ye looking at her for?" She turned to face the women, feeling a prickle of alarm at the presence of the crossbow. Her fingers itched to find the hilt of her dagger yet she restrained herself, to avoid alarming the armed woman. "I'm curious, that's all. I don't know the lady's sigil, yet I thought my teachers had taught me all the banners of the great houses. It's rare to see a lady unaccompanied. At least, it is in the Reach." |
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 22:15:08 GMT
/////////////////////////////////// A day after his sister's visit, Perceon made his way down to the bazaar, flanked by a group of armed guardsmen. He had the same idea Melissa had had about finding out more about what life was like in the Riverlands. He scanned the merchant's tables for items of interest, and made note of what basic foodstuff were being sold for so he could compare with prices in the Reach. He also scanned the throngs of people for individuals he might talk to to learn more of what life was like here. The prices in the Bazaar are set by supply and demand, and as such change from cheap during sober hours to exorbitant when the taverns close. His troupe of heavily armed foreign guards ensure few are in any way interested in speaking to him past discussing prices. It did not take Perceon long to surmise he had uncovered all he could hope to, and shortly after arriving he retired back to his quarters. |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 22:18:38 GMT
The woman is clearly Westerosi, and as she speaks Melissa and Daemon hear a woman speak from behind them. "She isn't that attractive," a somewhat friendly sounding woman noted, holding a crossbow but seeming casual, two women besides her, "so what ye looking at her for?" She turned to face the women, feeling a prickle of alarm at the presence of the crossbow. Her fingers itched to find the hilt of her dagger yet she restrained herself, to avoid alarming the armed woman. "I'm curious, that's all. I don't know the lady's sigil, yet I thought my teachers had taught me all the banners of the great houses. It's rare to see a lady unaccompanied. At least, it is in the Reach." "That's because men rule the Reach," the woman said calmly, "and women should rule themselves. I don't think the qualification for a house being great is your ability to recognize it." Damon's hand tapped his sword hilt. "But that's sweet. A fifty year old man sent to defend a twenty year old woman. Your dagger is cute," she added. "If you find a particularly dangerous loaf of bread." |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 5, 2017 22:35:05 GMT
"That's because men rule the Reach," the woman said calmly, "and women should rule themselves. I don't think the qualification for a house being great is your ability to recognize it." Damon's hand tapped his sword hilt. "But that's sweet. A fifty year old man sent to defend a twenty year old woman. Your dagger is cute," she added. "If you find a particularly dangerous loaf of bread." Melissa smiled in spite of herself. This woman intrigued her. "I carry a sword, sometimes, but I hoped not to draw attention to myself by taking a blade to the market. For my Father's sake, mostly. I've the repuation of House Gardener to think of. Ser Damon has always protected me well, when the need arises." She guessed that the woman had recognised her accent, since she hadn't given her name. "I'm Melissa Gardener. Might I ask your name?" |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 5, 2017 22:44:52 GMT
(Damon wears the colors of Gardener)
The woman smirked. "Gillian," she said, "we don't often bother with surnames where I'm from. "No honor to be gained from knowing what your ancestors did." She looked at her in her dress. "So your father trained you at swords but is ashamed to let you carry one? Sounds about as sensible as air holes on a pair of water boots." A woman next to her interjected.
"She's a princess," she said. "Royalty gets to make their own rules. It lets them avoid hypocrisy." Gillian laughed.
"Guess so, but they do got the gold so why not give them their rules. We're members of the Steel Mermaids," she said. "Westeros' most disliked mercenary band. Her sigil is one she chose, ugly as it is."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 6, 2017 10:01:47 GMT
Melissa's eyes widened. She had dared to hope, but she had been trying to tell herself that it would never happen. And now her heart soared.
"I have never disliked the stories I've heard of the Steel Mermaids," she said. "You have always sounded like heroines to me. I always hoped..." She trailed off, flushing, embarrassed by the way the words poured out of her in an excited rush. And also by how foolish she felt. If only she could have met them in mail, with her sword at her side.
"My father is the king," she said, when she could speak more coherently. "It was good of him to let me learn the sword. He didn't have to, and I don't wish to cause a scandal so soon after our arrival. The people of the Riverlands might not be accustomed to seeing princesses with blades in hand. I count myself a warrior, but I'm a princess too. I cannot simply cast off one role for the other."
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 6, 2017 11:02:56 GMT
Ser Jaymes Reyne had ventured to the bazaar to look for a couple of keepsakes to give to his sisters and mother on his return to Castamere. He was accompanied by his own squire Alyn Tarbeck. Both were armed, but there was nothing to identify him as a Reyne of Castamere, apart from Jaymes wearing an ornate red lion sigil clasp on his cloak. After an hour of wandering, he chanced upon a woman in a dark blue dress, accompanied by a knight. A long braid of dark hair fell down her back. Struck by her good looks Jaymes paused, wondering where he had seen her before.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 7, 2017 0:37:09 GMT
Melissa's eyes widened. She had dared to hope, but she had been trying to tell herself that it would never happen. And now her heart soared. "I have never disliked the stories I've heard of the Steel Mermaids," she said. "You have always sounded like heroines to me. I always hoped..." She trailed off, flushing, embarrassed by the way the words poured out of her in an excited rush. And also by how foolish she felt. If only she could have met them in mail, with her sword at her side. "My father is the king," she said, when she could speak more coherently. "It was good of him to let me learn the sword. He didn't have to, and I don't wish to cause a scandal so soon after our arrival. The people of the Riverlands might not be accustomed to seeing princesses with blades in hand. I count myself a warrior, but I'm a princess too. I cannot simply cast off one role for the other." Gillian shrugged. "You'll have to cast off the Steel for a crown, one day," she said. "That is the way they want their world to work." Third third woman barked out a laugh. "First time we've been called heroines in a while. Last I heard we're princess takers," Gillian shook her head. "That rumor is far less dangerous when not speaking to a real princess, Anna. Keeping your mouth shut is important at times." The woman in the cloak who had sparked the whole ordeal finally walked over. "Making friends, Gillian?" She asked. She turned to Melissa. "I hope she's causing no problems. Gillian always wants to say exactly what she thinks. I'll beat it out of her one day," she said jokingly. "I'm Eleyna Estermont. A pleasure." |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 7, 2017 17:23:20 GMT
Gillian shrugged. "You'll have to cast off the Steel for a crown, one day," she said. "That is the way they want their world to work." Third third woman barked out a laugh. "First time we've been called heroines in a while. Last I heard we're princess takers," Gillian shook her head. "That rumor is far less dangerous when not speaking to a real princess, Anna. Keeping your mouth shut is important at times." The woman in the cloak who had sparked the whole ordeal finally walked over. "Making friends, Gillian?" She asked. She turned to Melissa. "I hope she's causing no problems. Gillian always wants to say exactly what she thinks. I'll beat it out of her one day," she said jokingly. "I'm Eleyna Estermont. A pleasure." "Melissa Gardener." Melissa smiled with genuine warmth, heart soaring with joy at the presence of her idol. "I'm honoured to meet you, Lady Eleyna, truly. Even in Highgarden we hear rumours of the Steel Mermaids. There is no, problem, truly. You intrigued me, and, well, matters developed from there. I would love to talk with you a while, if you are willing. Your friends too. You must have a thousand tales to tell me. I would provide the wine, of course." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 7, 2017 20:32:45 GMT
The woman seemed amused. "Well we aren't rumors," she said. "But if you're buying the wine my religious sensibilities tell me I must accept the offer." She looked to Damon with a hint of mutual distate. "I do not often get admiring fans among the nobility," she added. "Any place you prefer," she offered.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 7, 2017 20:40:20 GMT
"I'm not familiar with the local inns," Melissa admitted. "Do you know of a respectable place? I know Ser Damon will not allow me to go anywhere that does not have a sterling reputation, even under his protection." She smiled at her guardian.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 7, 2017 20:58:51 GMT
"Gillian, give the princess your second sword," she said, and the woman offered it hilt first without question. "Protect yourself," she advised. "Live by a man's sword...well, you know the rest of the saying." She turned and pointed. "But the Hallowed Heart is a decent place, I've heard, and well I think your price range." She turned to walk to it.
"I don't like her," Ser Damon grumbled. "No master and no loyalty."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 7, 2017 21:08:05 GMT
"She's her own master," Eleyna pointed out. "Same as my father. do you dislike him?"
She clutched the hilt of the sword, thrilled that she was holding a blade that belonged to one of her heroines. She would return it soon enough, but it felt good at the moment. Next time she met the Steel Mermaids, she'd bring her own blade. She was determined that there would be a next time.
"Come on, let's to to the inn. I'll buy you a drink too, Damon. Lighten up, they've offered us no harm, and I swear I won't run away with them. Not today, anyway." She teased.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 10, 2017 2:39:26 GMT
/////////////////////////
Ser Clayton Crane had not arrived with his fellows from the Reach, coming to Harrenhal a day later, riding only with his squire. After he set up camp near some other knights of the Reach he was familiar with, not giving a damn if they wanted him sleeping near them or not, he departed for the Bazaar wearing his dirty riding leathers and with only a sword strapped to his side, leaving his squire to watch over his things.
Clayton showed little interest in the nicer parts of the bazaar, looking for seedier merchants to speak with.
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