To Market, To Market To Buy A...

Writers: Emma, AL
Date Posted: 29th September 2005

Characters: I'lan, Xuxha
Description: I'lan goes with Xuxha to a market in a Northern Hold.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 28 of Turn 3

With the day dawning early, I'lan was ready for his trip to the market.
He waited beside Naath, for Xuxha, who had promised to accompany him.

A shadow crossed him and his dragon as a green flew over them, circled around, and then came to land a bit away. The dragon flicked her tail, then turned and gingerly approached the dragon and his rider. "Hullo!"
Xuxha called, waving from atop her lifemate. "Are you ready to head out?"

"Whenever you are," replied the bronzerider. "I think Naath's looking forward to this as much as I am," he said. The bronze in question moved so that his rider could take his customary place. "Just let me strap in," he said, "Then we're both ready."

Xuxha nodded and watched as I'lan mounted his dragon and secured himself with his straps. She smiled when he looked to her to indicate that he was ready. Then, she urged Iliath into the sky. Xuxha waited until I'lan and his dragon were aloft, then gave her dragon the mental picture of where they were going. The two blinked /between/ and came out just a few seconds later over the market. They would not, of course, be able to land right there, so she urged her green to the west to a large, cleared area.

/Between/ was always a slight shock, no matter how prepared you were for the cold, thought I'lan as Naath followed Iliath. It was summer in the northern market they'd chosen, and the warmth felt a real contrast on his face. **Follow the green,** he told Naath, as the pair headed to the clearing.

Iliath landed, always careful in her movements. The green swung her head towards the bronze and watched him land while he rider unstrapped herself and dismounted. Xuxha patted her lifemate and then waited for I'lan to dismount before approaching him. "It's been a while since I've been up here."

"It's certainly a nice looking place. I'll have to trust your judgement though, I've never been this far North before."

"I've only come with others." Xuxha kicked the toe of her boot against the ground. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"I could do with a new shirt or two, particularly for gathers and dances."

"I need a new pair of boots." Xuxha clicked her heels together.
"Actually, I could do with two. Of course, then there's the food. For some reason, I always find the food at these taste so much better than what I get at home."

"Well we'll just have to wait and see," he said. "Maybe they'll even have Benden (tm) wine, I've never tried any before."

"I had some once, though it was a long time ago." Xuxha motioned for I'lan to start walking. "Only one way to find out, though."

He grinned. "Of course there is. You better show me then."

Xuxha clicked her tongue and led the way. Before long, they passed through to the hold proper and almost immediately fell into a crowd of people making their way up and down rows of others trying to sell their wares. Xuxha paused before one who was selling some knives, admiring the craftmanship of those that were displayed.

"Nice," said I'lan. He looked at a wicked looking blade that no doubt would serve him well if he ever got to spend time in the kitchens.
Although he had precious little time for that now.

"I like that one." Xuxha pointed out a knife that looked as if it had been created just for show. The handle and sheath were both black and silver and both had intricate designs and a similar design was etched into the blade itself, twisting about halfway. "I like attractiveness as well as function."

"I see your point."

Xuxha groaned and playfully punched I'lan. "Perhaps you should leave the jokes to others who can actually make funny ones."

He grinned, "I couldn't resist."

"So I see." Xuxha smiled despite the horrid joke and then tugged at I'lans shirt. "Oh, I smell something good and my stomach is complaining because I didn't have breakfast." She leaned towards him and confided, "I didn't eat because I was saving room for the food here."

"What have you got in mind?" Then he sniffed himself, "Something really does smell good."

"Meat on a stick." Xuxha chuckled. "What a creative name, eh? Well the name's not the greatest, but it certainly tastes great!"

"Maybe with some flatbreads as well," suggested the bronzerider. The bakercrafter in him never far behind.

"Oh, we'll be sure to find that, as well as some bubbly pies." Xuxha sniffed and then evidently decided to follow her nose for she turned down a different row. "My stomach's being impatient."

"And you aren't?" But the smell truly was enticing.

"Of course not?" Xuxha laughed, then continued to tug him until they stopped before a merchant. She asked for two meats, paid, and handed one to I'lan. "Here, try it."

He took the food, feeling the warmth and the wonderful smell drifting upwards to tempt him. "Mmmm...." He took a mouthful, "This is good."

"Yes it is and I can't understand why they can't make this at the weyr." Xuxha took a rather large bite of hers and munched on it. "I don't know what they do to it, but it sure tastes good." She stated, her mouth still full. "Let's check out who's offering what."

"Well perhaps I'll just have to take the recipe back with me."

"Oh, don't bother, they won't give it to you. I've already tried"
Xuxha sighed and tore another chunk of meat, then pointed to a merchant who was punching holes through some leather which would allow laces to go through once he was finished shaping the boot. "Mummf frm."
Xuxha's mouth was still full of meat and didn't bother to try and make her words distinguishable. Instead, she just turned and headed towards the man to whom she had pointed.

"Boots? You need to see the cobbler?" asked I'lan in between bites.

"Yes, remember I said I needed to get at least one pair." Xuxha gently and playfully slapped him on the head. "Someone wasn't listening. You should always listen when a woman speaks."

"Oww.." he groaned in mock outrage. "You shouldn't do that to a bronzerider."

"It's my privelege as your former weyrlingmaster third." Xuxha nodded with mock semblance of authority.

I'lan laughed, "I'll remember that if I ever end up as a Weyrleader."

"If you ever end up as weyrleader," Xuxha teased, "I might just have to beg for a transfer."

That nearly caused the bronzerider to have hysterics. Once calmer, the lad looked at the greenrider. "That may be many turns in the future."

"Let's hope so!"

Last updated on the September 30th 2005

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