Among all that was strange and curious stood Are behind heaping helpings of the mundane. "Shoes, belts, bags, and furs!" he shouted for the umpteenth time that day. Truly a test of his mettle it was, not the kind the would-be warrior had hoped for, but one he had to endure would he want to eat in the coming weeks. Even in the shade of the awning the heat was almost unbearable. Still, with a head pounding from the previous day and a welcoming smile he peddled his wares to what little people filtered through. Not one of his customers wanted to talk about shoes though, far more important things was on peoples minds than exquisite stitches and soft leather. Not even the weather could hold a conversation up for more than a fleeting moment or two, always it steered towards the same thing, the Queen. Grumbles, mumbles, and murmurs he tried to ignore. Keeping one's head down seemed like the best way to have it stay on one's shoulders.
Other things required his attention, his full attention. Being drafted was not on that short list of things needing attention though, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he was to be pressed into duty, ready or not. Not that it bothered Are all too much, he was confident a combination of quick thinking and a display of excellent craftsmanship would make any draftsman see that his worth was far greater at the workbench than the battlefield. Still left a niggling worry in his gut though, previous experiences with royalty had left a sour taste in his mouth. Although the lack of religious differences kept him hopeful it wouldn't be as bad as before, and kept him from acting on the more brash of his ideas.
A right bother it was, still, but one better left for later. He had shoes to sell and soldiering to practice. Worst came to worst he knew he could make the best of what he had, and there was no use worrying about what-ifs. Focusing on what was, discipline, just what the captain ordered. "Heill! What can I do you for?"
Other things required his attention, his full attention. Being drafted was not on that short list of things needing attention though, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he was to be pressed into duty, ready or not. Not that it bothered Are all too much, he was confident a combination of quick thinking and a display of excellent craftsmanship would make any draftsman see that his worth was far greater at the workbench than the battlefield. Still left a niggling worry in his gut though, previous experiences with royalty had left a sour taste in his mouth. Although the lack of religious differences kept him hopeful it wouldn't be as bad as before, and kept him from acting on the more brash of his ideas.
A right bother it was, still, but one better left for later. He had shoes to sell and soldiering to practice. Worst came to worst he knew he could make the best of what he had, and there was no use worrying about what-ifs. Focusing on what was, discipline, just what the captain ordered. "Heill! What can I do you for?"
