Roleplay City
Oberon Castle => OBERON CASTLE: Drink Today, Die Tomorrow => The Markets => Topic started by: Kysis on November 06, 2007, 11:17:04 PM
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A shrill whistle attempted some semblance of a melody as Ryanna dusted off the last rack, putting a new mace at the top before turning back to the counter. It was still early, so there were a few minutes before she had to open, maybe more. Ryanna wished there was a clock in the shop… she would have to ask when her boss got back from his business trip. Sighing, Ryanna put her duster back behind the counter, straightening her overlarge purple tunic before walking to the front window, peering out. Some other shop owners were all ready for customers and open market.
Opening the door, Ryanna flipped the open sign over to welcome any possible customers in. After the exhibition, things had been good. There were quite a few sales, though it was mostly just people looking, or people asking where the Lord Liari was. Not here. That was always her answer, and she would never elaborate. Yes, it was the Liari Weapon’s Shop, full of sharp little goodies, and some blunt ones too, all of which she wished more people would buy.
Ryanna flopped onto her stool by the counter, tilting her head up to stare back behind her at the polished wooden display on the wall that stood empty. Kysis had taken the flail with him, sadly. It was still drawing some attraction, but duty was duty, she supposed. The main money bringer so far was that shipment sold to the guard. That had made the company well off for a good long while. Now if only there was proof the company could stay in Oberon.
So she waited out the early morning at the shop, hoping that at least someone would come in. That would be nice.
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Lips wound tightly into a fierce smile, Magnus appraised his luck at finally getting away from the Zirat. He had left them tenting outside of the city, with Espen keeping watch over them to make sure they didn\'t drift away. If they wanted to leave that badly, he would let them, but not in this country. If they turned to raiding, he didn\'t want to be around to be held responsable, and he had come here with the intention of keeping them from doing that very thing.
He still needed a break from mothering them from time to time. Even something as simple as this; walking down the street glancing into shop windows. The chance to unwind and just enjoy himself was too great to pass up.
Tossing back his hood, he tried not to wince as a gust of wind bit into him. Cold, but not as bad as back home. The thought made him wince again. Home, the estate he had left behind, and the fortune he hoped was begining to pile up. He trusted Lea to run the place while he was away, and Dag had his own loyal servants running his part of the now expanding network of properties. The gusts of wind did bother him though. Although weathered to hardly notice the cold, he was oddly aware of it now. He was in an unfamiliar country, and couldn\'t help but feel naked to the possibilities. That did little for the temperature.
Tightening his cloak around him, he paused in the street to check out the shop he was passing. Most people seemed to be indoors, and the shops were just opening. That made things easier for him, he didn\'t like crowds. He prefered being separate from them, judging them like a merchant or far away from them hunting. Which was why he was still puzzled by his choice to come here. Business was strong back home. It had something to do with his brother wanting to look for partnerships for the Gulbrand weapons\' business he had running, and needing support.
Curious, he glanced into the closest shop. He could see a rack with weapons, and a shopkeeper sitting at the counter. If his brother was here to look for some sort of partnership, than why was he lounging about in taverns instead of meeting with actual potential partners? The last time Magnus had seen Dag, he had been tossing a barkeep a few coins and drowning himself in a tall mug of one thing or another.
Shuffling into the shop, he let his cloak fall open and gave the rack with weapons a closer look. Fine work, now that he had an actual chance to appraise it. Glancing down at his own mace and axe, he smiled. He had little need for weapons himself, especially with the weight of his sword resting against his back. It wouldn\'t hurt to look though, and perhaps he would pick something up, if it caught his fancy. It never hurt to own too many weapons.
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Ryanna jumped and nearly fell off her stool when she heard the door open, quickly grabbing the rim of that seat and steadying herself, eying the one to come in with a crooked, kitten trying to play a panther glare. No matter how intimidating she tried to be, her height thwarted it, as did her thin, though toned, build. Oh well. She could still try.
"Alo sir! Merry good mornin\' here. You lookin\' for some\'in special?"
Standing, she straightened her tunic again out of habit, eying the weapons the man already had. It did not look like Liari steel, that was for sure, or Liari designs. In fact, he did not look local. Ryanna had lived in Oberon all her life, and knew her own when she saw them. This man, whoever the hell he was, was not one of them.
"You.. new \'round here? You know ye be needin\' a permit to carry those?" Ryanna motioned with a fencing-glove encased hand towards those weapons, a red brow arched. She hated to sound harsh, or to be a party pooper, but she had to bring up the requirement of a permit to carry weapons inside Oberon. Kysis would have her head on a platter if she did not, seeing as he was extra "friendly" with the captain of the guard.
"Just my job to tell ye."
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Magnus blinked. So it was a girl. He hadn\'t been sure at first, but there was no doubt now that he had a voice to put to the body. What she said made him blink again and take a swift glance at his mace and axe again. "A permit? Thank heavens I didn\'t pull the entire company into the bloody place armed to the teeth. Thank you for telling me darlin\'." He gave a stiff bow, eyebrows raised inquisitively.
"Where would I go to inquire into the attainment of such a prize?" His smile spread slowly across his face again, and he let his gaze wander a bit in the shop. A nice place, she was definitely too young to be running it on her own. A hired keep most likely. Turning his attention back to her, "Or would it be easier to leave my loves home?"
Frowning suddenly, he took a full step backwards and bowed again. "Foolish me, I\'ve gone and forgotten the greeting bit." Flashing her a grin, "I\'m Magnus Gulbrand, and a good morn\' to you too. Just browsing though, \'fraid it might take a special blade to catch the interest of a well armed fool like myself."
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"A special blade? Ye are new! This here is Liari steel, the best from here to Greece." Ryanna jumped down from her stool, mustering her fiercest glare, not bothering to introduce herself or answer the question now that he had incited her wrath. Just the thought of how angry that would make her boss had her blood boiling (even if Kysis would just go quiet and have cold, cruel, cutting remarks rather than displayed wrath). "The King even bought \'is boy a blade from us!"
Cheeks now flushed a darling pink, Ryanna gave one last glare, backtracking mentally to see if she missed anything.
OH! She had!
"Ye need to get yerself a permit at the Guardhouse. I can show ye on the map if ye will. Tell them Ryanna sent ye. They\'ll know what ye need."
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"Excuse my ignorance." Magnus gave yet another bow, trying to look sincere. "As you noted darlin\', I\'m new around here." He swept an arm out at the weapons displayed and grinned fiercely. "I reckon I can recognize quality when I see it, but I spoke without thinking."
Quality it was too. He didn\'t have to resort to flattery with that, but he did want to calm the girl down some. He obviously upset her with his ignorance. Brushing back his bangs, he spoke softly, "I might have to come around sometime with a bigger purse to settle the damage done by my ignorance. A new blade would be nice." What he had meant, was they he didn\'t want to give up his old blades, just because he saw something shiny. He needed something a little different, special.
No sense in trying to explain that though. He didn\'t want to make enemies on his first trip into the city, and he was already bound for trouble armed to the teeth. Next time he would have to send someone to talk to the guards and see what the laws required. Ignorance was a poor excuse, and he didn\'t want to find himself behind bars.
"I\'ll take my brother in too then. He has a weapon he might need a permit for." Scratching his rough chin, he rested his eyes on the girls\' for a moment. "Darlin\', you would best watch out for him. I\'m here to support him as a brother, no more. What business he does is his own, but that\'s what you\'d best watch. He sells Gulbrand weapons. Makes quite a business of it." Shrugging, "They aren\'t the finest weapons, or well known, but he\'s bloody persistant."
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"Ooooo. A warning to ye then. My boss jus\' happens to be really good in with the guard. Good luck tryin\' here, but this turf\'s already been claimed."
Ryanna shrugged with a smile, as sly as it might have looked. She meant more than just really good with the guard. Ever since Rico had come to Oberon, they\'d done a lot of talking. It quickly became apparent that Kysis was more than close with the Captain. Rumors were about the streets too, but those could hardly be trusted.
"Don\'t be carryin\' those weapons around \'til you get that permit. The guards will round ye up right fast."
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"I\'ll wrap them up in my cloak and bring them right in. Might as well pick my brother up while I\'m at it, I\'m sure he\'s off in a tavern nearby or something." Pausing again with a glower, he scratched his chin irritably. "Second thought, I\'ll skip that and just get myself my permit... permits, whichever."
Tossing the girl another smile, "I\'ll warn my brother \'bout the business though. I don\'t see why he wanted to move it, profit was wonderful back home. Something to do with looking for partners, but I know him better than that. Just watch out for \'ol Dag Gulbrand, alright?" Magnus gave another wave of his arm towards the displayed weapons, "You have a fine place here, and I\'m sure quality counts around here, but he\'s a sneaky git. Nothing illegal, but he\'ll keep the heat going."
Muttering to himself, he glanced back out the window to the street. "I just wish I knew what he was up to." It wasn\'t like his brother to walk away from profit, not unless he had something else lined up.
"So darlin\', do you have any suggestions for weapons that might interest me? I\'ve taken a liking to exotic swords, and I rather fancy the idea of getting myself a spear." He adjusted his baldric, letting more of the handle of his sword show. "Might even sell what I\'ve got on my back if something catches my fancy right."
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Watch out for Dag? What kind of name was Dag anyway? It was almost as bad as Lord Dagger... Forcing herself not to laugh at that, Ryanna ran a hand back over her head, thinking it over a little. She also took a look at all the man\'s weapons. How was that even functional? Lord Liari could have a stick on him and probably do more damage than a man so laden with unneeded gear. Oberon was a safe place, as long as one did not go about at night on the bad streets. That was just asking for it.
"Well, we have a shipment of scimitars coming in soon, designed after the weapons of the Sultan\'s guards in the Ottoman Empire. The Lord Liari is getting to study the blades up close right now, from the letter I got back. When he returns there will be a bladed flail with a four foot chain as well. It is a real beaut."
Ryanna was a little more relaxed now that he wasn\'t insulting the weaponry. Liari steel was damn fine, and the forges were amazing. In fact, up until just two months ago, the forges were run by the old Lord Liari himself. "But we only take money, no trades."
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"Scimitars? I haven\'t seen one of those in quite some time. Got to train with one once, they\'ve sharp little things." Twitching his bangs back again, he shrugged. "Can\'t say I\'d want one though. A little too light for me. If I were younger, or in better shape I might make good use of one, but I\'ve too many grey hairs now."
"I suppose which a city as safe as this, I hardly need to be carrying weapons around anyways. I\'ll bring most of this out to my men and just carry my loves." He put his hands on his axe and mace, and smiled. "Can\'t do to go without them. Too used to having them at hand."
Moving around a bit to stretch his back, he pulled off his baldric and cloak and tucked them under his arm. "It is a nice place you\'ve got here though, you\'ll have to give my compliments to the Lord Liari when he returns darlin\'."
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Ryanna kept a close watch on him, trying to stifle a yawn with the back of her hand, but failing for the most part. Today had been boring so far. She wanted to sell something. At least she could make a quick and sketchy map for him? She pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment from beneath the counter, stretching it out and getting her quill, removing the top of her ink. Looking at the map, she made a basic route to the guard house, labeling everything she could remember.
If she was Alia, she\'d be able to make a map like nothing, or even if she was Kysis for that matter. But her hand was a little shaky, not the best for drawing either. At least it would get him there.
"Here\'s a map for ye sir. It\'s a bit easy to get lost \'round here. \'Ave fun."
Loves? Now that sounded like how Kysis would refer to a weapon. Then again, Kysis did not have a favorite weapon. As far as Ryanna had seen, he was good with them all.
"There are some Greek spears comin\' up to, made like the famed Spartans would use. Ye should come back, right? Might be somethin\' for ye to look at?" Ryanna was always trying for a new customer, rival or no.
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Magnus took the map with a smile. "Thank you darlin\'. I\'ll take the fastest route there, so I don\'t cause any trouble." He winked, and shifted his sword and cloak under his arm. "I\'m going to need to get used to the change of laws and culture here. I don\'t suppose they have fights for sport?" He asked with a frown. He liked a good fight, and with little demand for his services, sport would be the next best thing.
"Ah, nevermind. I\'d best worry about permits and keeping my men out of trouble before I go worrying about a bit of fun."
Magnus\' smile returned when she mentioned spears, "I could most certainly do with a spear. I\'ll check in sometime. I\'ve a mind to return often if I can get myself a place to stay and sort my money out." Scratching his chin, he thumbed open his purse and picked out a silver coin. "Had my money exchanged, but I haven\'t the slightest clue how much anything costs around here. Doesn\'t help that there\'s little demand for mercenary work, so I need to find my company some new jobs."
Tucking the coin back into the purse, he smiled mischievously. "I haven\'t scouted out what I might make the most profit in, but rest assured, I\'ve never sold a blade. You\'ve no competition from me."
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"It\'s not me you should be worrin\' \'bout, Sir." Ryanna flashed her best smile as she thought of it, glad that this strange man was about to be gone. He could get his permits, and not get her in trouble. That was the plan. And then, hopefully, when these mercenaries heard of all the laws and troubles tied up with living in Oberon, they would leave. At least that was what she hoped for their sakes.
"It\'s my boss. He\'s the Lord Kysis Liari. I\'ve heard him nicknamed the very wrath of Greece itself. Keep that name in mind, ye hear." Ryanna kept her smile through all this speech. Kysis had not really been nicknamed the wrath of Greece, but she had seen him spar with Rico once, and that had down right frightened her to the core. Ryanna was glad she was allied with Kysis and not against him.
"Have a nice day now."
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"Thank you darlin\', and good luck to you on your sales." Magnus bowed, before tossing his cloak back over his shoulders. He took special care to keep his baldric tucked under his arm, with the handle in clear view so they would know he wasn\'t trying to hide it. Only thing worse than carrying around a dangerous weapon was having people think he had stolen it or was going to use it. So he carried it with his right arm, the traditional sword arm. Hopefully that would convey the rest of the point.
After frowning to himself a moment, he also unstrapped the second dagger from his leg and added that to the load under his arm. There was little he could do about his axe and mace without taking off his entire belt to keep them together, so he ignored them and hoped everyone else would too. After all, he had made it to the shop, why not out again and to the guardhouse for a permit? He must have enough coins with him, it looked like a small fortune to him.
Offering the shop one last glance, he smiled to Ryanna. "I\'ll check in again sometime." That said, he slipped out into the street and briskly headed down the path he had memorized from the map.