PART 10

The Southern Lands were lush and beautiful with so much humidity in the air and the port town reeked of fish, a smell Dresden always liked. He got to his feet, startling a shepherd boy, who gathered his sheep quickly with the help of his dog. They retreated back towards the city and Dresden followed after a few stretches, securing Kizjin Kol on his back. The sun was not yet high in the sky, providing little warmth, even though the summer day would turn hotter before noon. The wall around the city of Sveldin would protect the people from the breezes of the ocean, keeping the place dry and calm. Dresden even considered cozy as a possibility.
The Coastal gates were guarded by two sentries. They looked Dresden up and down yet said nothing to him as he passed by. They did however turn and follow him with their gaze as he made his way into the bustling world of people. He was much closer to the castle here, which he guessed had something to do with the attentiveness of the sentries. The people also regarded him suspiciously. When he walked with Lazarus to the coastline, they had skirted this part of the city, walking instead on the outlying road that bordered the high wall, so they could speak freely. The attitudes of the people here were salty compared with those in the northern town that was also protected by walls. A half day’s walk between the two led Dresden to the conclusion that this kingdom was huge for its youth. He wondered how a queen had amassed such a following, then remembered what the fisherman had told him in the pub the week before. It was the previous monarch that had attracted so much adoration. Her daughter, being stubborn, was losing the favor of her people. He wondered how much was rumor and how much held validity. As he wandered aimlessly, he took note of the apparel. Definitely a much more relaxed people lived in these parts, not as formal; perhaps this would be considered the “slums”, if one were to assess the place solely by the looks of its people. But that seemed like a contraction given that this large population was directly connected to the castle and formal affairs. Interesting indeed to note such a difference. Dresden filed this away in his mind; he knew it was relevant to understanding this place and its monarchy.
“Excuse me sir?” A man approached from his right side with some locally crafted articles in his hands. Cloth. Dresden assumed it was clothing. “You are not from here I see. Surely you would like some local attire? A tunic perhaps? Breeches? My wife makes the finest in the southern kingdom. You will be indistinguishable with such finery.”
Dresden inspected the man. No shoes on his feet, which was typical of this place, his breeches were in poor condition despite him referring to his wife as a seamstress, and his tunic was wrinkled. His hair had been combed flat and he had no headwear, even though the few men he had seen wore a band of some fashion or even a tightly fitting cap. His face was weathered considerably, though he appeared young enough to be spry still. Slightly past his prime, but a youth in Dragon terms. He considered the offer. The man patiently waited for Dresden to speak. A lowly servant perhaps, he had been accustomed to being looked down upon or even turned away. He could tell he had Dresden’s attention and Dresden could see the man trying not to beg with his eyes for a rich-looking customer to buy his wares.
“What is your name man? I have seen very few men in this place at all and I do not believe you have a wife who has sewn this finery, but that you have made these wares yourself.” The art of subtlety had never graced Dresden’s vocabulary and his words often came across as an accusation or an insult even, but Dragons are not accustomed to mincing words, even though he’d had plenty of time and experience to practice.
The merchant opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of horses’ hooves silenced him. Three horses with riders appeared through the crowd. Dresden hadn’t even noticed them approaching before they were right next to him and the lowly merchant. A fair haired maiden, in much finer attire than Dresden’s, dismounted and addressed the merchant directly, disregarding Dresden’s presence.
“Ballick, kind man. I have come to place an order for tunics from your wife.” The maiden sang in a clear and formal tone.
The man brightened, but dimmed at the mention of his wife, then brightened again, thanking the maiden for her generosity.
“I have cloth for you and measurements. I need them by the flag ceremony coming up quite soon. Can you manage this in that time?” She placed a hand on his shoulder kindly, while shoving some paper into his hand, her gaze never leaving his face. Dresden now felt like he was in the way of their exchange and wondered if the woman had even noticed him. Then the merchant motioned to Dresden unexpectedly, catching his attention.
“I have a customer, my lady, but yes, I can do what you ask of me in the time I am given. Thank you for your kindness.” He turned towards Dresden once again, the maiden did as well. This time she eyed him from head to toe meticulously, making no effort to hide her examination of him.
“Sir, would you like the tunic and breeches. I can offer you a very even fare for the pair of them.” He smiled up at the maiden with a humble grin.
“And you would do well to purchase such finery from this craftsman.” The maiden broke in cheerily. “I come to him for all my tidings, events and affairs. His wife is well known in these parts as a master seamstress. You would do well to pay the man.” She placed hands on hips and smiled boldly at Dresden. It was then he made note of the sword at her side and the two accompanying riders appeared armed as well. Was he being robbed?
He grinned subtly but the maiden noticed since he had shaved just several days prior, making it difficult to hide his expressions under the stubble. “This merchant, Ballick as I believe you referred to him, had not given me his name.” He addressed the maiden rather than the merchant, making sure to keep an eye on her and her men in case of any tomfoolery they might try to pull against him, as he continued. “We had not had the opportunity to discuss payment since we were interrupted in our exchange by you and yours. Had you the decency of a lady to allow men to conduct their business before your lavish interruption, I would have gladly paid the man for his wares.”
He took note of her expression as he addressed her. She seemed amused by him, nothing more.
“And you sir,” she added almost mockingly, “speaking of rudeness when you yourself have not given your name.” Her posture relaxed some with the statement, and she eyed him, waiting for a reply. The merchant remained quiet, taking in the power play between his two customers.
“Dresden.” He replied simply. “Dresden Pierce, my lady.” To Ballick, he just nodded. The introduction seemed sufficient. He need not reveal where he hailed from, since there was no need to tell these strangers of his whereabouts in the Northern lands or his affiliation with the royal court there. He decided that his attire spoke for itself.
“And your rudeness continues, Sir Dresden, as you have not addressed your lady, to ask her title as well. I await such respectful introductions.” The maiden now with hands on hips again, indignant over the dismissal, but only annoyance, and a playfulness in her gaze and posture.
Dresden studied her hard. This was no barmaid, no normal wench. Her air of authority and the men at her back were strikingly familiar and he grinned openly at the obviousness of the situation as he read signs he had missed on their immediate arrival.
“My lady, may I ask your name? Who has graced us with their presence and so rudely interrupted our business dealings. No woman would be so foolish to deter men from their dealings. Your name lass?” The last words came out harshly as a command rather than an inquiry and the maiden felt the sting but showed no sign of taking it on.
“You may address me properly as Your Royal Highness of the Kingdom of Sveldin, Lady Adeline Donan, begot of the late Ruby Donan, and Queen of these lands.”
Judging by the faces of the onlookers who had gathered around them, the woman was not speaking out of jest as they were vying for her attention. A proud smile graced her face.
“I am sure I will be seeing you again, Dresden Pierce. Wanderer of mystery and Master of rudeness.” The statement would seem derogatory except for the continued playful glimmer in her smile and the wink in her eye. Dresden and the merchant watched her mount her horse again and continue their ride through the city. The citizens petted her horse and called up to their Queen. They begged her to end the war and bring their men home, husbands, uncles and sons. A few dared to spit in her direction from a distance. The division of adoration and hatred polarized the marketplace, creating tension thick as syrup. Dresden completed the exchange with Ballick and made his way in the opposite direction with his wares. Further into the city, closer to the castle, he hoped to find a respectable inn that he could hole up in and think about how to proceed.