Are
The stand kept growing as Longheat had turned to Leafchange, slowly gaining in clutter and size as more and more tools where added to the makeshift workbench. With it grew the few bystanders content on just watching the cobbler make use of the time between actual customers. Never had he spoken to them, the small gathering of what he hoped was farmers wanting to learn, but he knew better. The niggling doubt kept making daggers gleam in the corner of his eyes, kept insisting the one farmer's boy on the left looked a tad pale, and was he even breathing?
No, boots, belts, and bags was why he was there, not to search the crowd for enemy agents just looking for a reason to flay him. They where probably just as keen on stocking up on warmer things as everyone else, ascended or otherwise. Even a few more naturals than usual had gone by, eying his wares and after a few trips around the marketplace they usually caved. Rabbit lined boots seemed to make a killing as everyone seemed more ready to put differences aside as the cold had started to make itself known again.
And with the cold came the rain. Tiny pitter-patter on the canopy slowly grew to a noise reminiscent of a river, one flowing through forbidden woods now suddenly open again perhaps. Mockery as served by the gods themselves, taunting the worm went writhing for a permission made obsolete just a short while later. Taunting a coward who'd still not even tried at the task given to him, a task given for him. A modicum of protection in a war to come, all for a little adventure and savvy bartering.
One of the two would at least have a greater chance at completion where he was holed up. Waiting out the rain and plowing through back orders a comfortable excuse to stay away from the unknown just a few more days. "Boots, belts, bags, and pelts!" he shouted absentmindedly, not looking up from the well worn boots in dire need of a new sole. "You break it, I fix it! Don't let your favorite pair move along, I can make them like new again!" Are kept his well rehearsed pitch going in hopes of attracting someone besides those sheltering from the rain.
No, boots, belts, and bags was why he was there, not to search the crowd for enemy agents just looking for a reason to flay him. They where probably just as keen on stocking up on warmer things as everyone else, ascended or otherwise. Even a few more naturals than usual had gone by, eying his wares and after a few trips around the marketplace they usually caved. Rabbit lined boots seemed to make a killing as everyone seemed more ready to put differences aside as the cold had started to make itself known again.
And with the cold came the rain. Tiny pitter-patter on the canopy slowly grew to a noise reminiscent of a river, one flowing through forbidden woods now suddenly open again perhaps. Mockery as served by the gods themselves, taunting the worm went writhing for a permission made obsolete just a short while later. Taunting a coward who'd still not even tried at the task given to him, a task given for him. A modicum of protection in a war to come, all for a little adventure and savvy bartering.
One of the two would at least have a greater chance at completion where he was holed up. Waiting out the rain and plowing through back orders a comfortable excuse to stay away from the unknown just a few more days. "Boots, belts, bags, and pelts!" he shouted absentmindedly, not looking up from the well worn boots in dire need of a new sole. "You break it, I fix it! Don't let your favorite pair move along, I can make them like new again!" Are kept his well rehearsed pitch going in hopes of attracting someone besides those sheltering from the rain.
