Door Hunting
Jarrid made his way down the makeshift pathway to town. It was makeshift because it was just slightly worn down from Jarrid traveling it for the past few weeks. He traveled along quickly enough, but also slow enough that he could subconsciously take in the sounds and smells of the forest. If something was wrong, he'd likely feel it without knowing why.
He'd already done the hard work earlier in the week of loading up all of the major supplies. As he neared the stores, he fingered the bag of gold he'd brought along. He was one of very few that most storekeepers would trust with a credit account. He seldom went longer than a few days without paying, he just preferred to not be carrying sums of money at the same time he would be carrying lots of supplies, so he isolated the trips. This time, he didn't have a choice so he tried to bring just enough gold for the lumber.
As he walked into town, he saw two men it took him a moment to recognize. They were the two bystanders from the previous night. They were both of slightly above average height... but the one on the right had about 120 pounds on his counterpart. They were probably brothers. Jarrid nodded to them on his way by, but they didn't acknowledge him. Customers lost... damn.
He went from store to store and spoke briefly with the store keepers and a few of the patrons. They all laughed with him for a few minutes and excused him because he said he had business to attend to. They knew he was more than your standard merchant, but they loved being on his good side. He was the type of 'non standard merchant' that could really help them out in a pinch... if they could find him. Still, they kept a close eye on him out of curiosity... but he had told the truth and really was just there to pick up some lumber.
As he walked up to the store, he saw a pile of lumber out front. It seemed just about perfect. He walked in and asked the store manager how much for the same pile out front. When he was told that particular pile was already paid for, he inquired about any other lumber.
The store manager smiled. "You don't understand, Jarrid. It was bought for you. Your lady friend, it seemed? Anyway... she just came in here and said to get a pile of lumber. As I started to turn to look at my stores, she said you would be by to pick it up... and possibly something additional. She tossed me a gold back to cover twice what's out front. Interesting lady. Didn't smile much. Anyway... take what you like... you have a bit extra credit now."
Jarrid stood there for just a moment. "She's not my 'Lady Friend, good man."
As he walked out the door, he mumbled more to himself... "I'm not sure what she is."
He'd already done the hard work earlier in the week of loading up all of the major supplies. As he neared the stores, he fingered the bag of gold he'd brought along. He was one of very few that most storekeepers would trust with a credit account. He seldom went longer than a few days without paying, he just preferred to not be carrying sums of money at the same time he would be carrying lots of supplies, so he isolated the trips. This time, he didn't have a choice so he tried to bring just enough gold for the lumber.
As he walked into town, he saw two men it took him a moment to recognize. They were the two bystanders from the previous night. They were both of slightly above average height... but the one on the right had about 120 pounds on his counterpart. They were probably brothers. Jarrid nodded to them on his way by, but they didn't acknowledge him. Customers lost... damn.
He went from store to store and spoke briefly with the store keepers and a few of the patrons. They all laughed with him for a few minutes and excused him because he said he had business to attend to. They knew he was more than your standard merchant, but they loved being on his good side. He was the type of 'non standard merchant' that could really help them out in a pinch... if they could find him. Still, they kept a close eye on him out of curiosity... but he had told the truth and really was just there to pick up some lumber.
As he walked up to the store, he saw a pile of lumber out front. It seemed just about perfect. He walked in and asked the store manager how much for the same pile out front. When he was told that particular pile was already paid for, he inquired about any other lumber.
The store manager smiled. "You don't understand, Jarrid. It was bought for you. Your lady friend, it seemed? Anyway... she just came in here and said to get a pile of lumber. As I started to turn to look at my stores, she said you would be by to pick it up... and possibly something additional. She tossed me a gold back to cover twice what's out front. Interesting lady. Didn't smile much. Anyway... take what you like... you have a bit extra credit now."
Jarrid stood there for just a moment. "She's not my 'Lady Friend, good man."
As he walked out the door, he mumbled more to himself... "I'm not sure what she is."
posted by Erik at 8:32 PM
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