The World of Rhune

Sharely had been shaken up by the temple visit, and since the date of her 'sacrifice' was to be in less than two weeks plus the visit from the royal siblings of Cancri, he decided going to the Sacii islands was a bust and not worth it, he'd have Fritz go when he had to leave for Ralea for the royal wedding there. He thought of how pretty Isabella would be, and smiled. He liked her, though only as a friend. The few times he'd visited her had been nice, though it was complicated since the culture of their countries were so different in women's standards, but he'd treated the girl nice enough, and she was even nicer back, even though she was two years older. Sharely smiled to himself, and crawled under the wall and decided to sprint as far as he could. He had already excused himself for the day and night, going on a night's hunt alone which always worked with his father. "Ofcourse, Charlemagnue!" he had replied to Sharely's request in a proud voice; his youngest, and through his eyes wimpiest son, wanted to take up the manly sport. "Go at once, the more the better!" he'd had doubted though whether his father had wanted him to leave earlier though for more game or just to be out of the palace. His breathing turned ragged after a minute and he slowed to a slow run. Sharley breathed heavily and wondered whether he'd find anyone at home. He was thankful it was late, as comfortable as his matress was, it would never be as homey as his grass mat and blanket. He ran for another thirty minutes before he came up to the market, knowing that he'd find atleast one of his group here, most likely Fritz and Dove looking for a cheap collar for her. He patted his pocket and heard the familiar jingle of coins in his pocket. Maybe he'd join them and get Raven one. He thought of the last time she'd been caught up with a gang of boys, and he could feel his fists curl. He forced himself to breathe through his jelously and agrivation and started to run again, the market a hundred meters infront of him.

Sharely's eyes darted without detection across the people swarming the market, looking for a familiar face. He noticed a blondish haired girl with oddly high boots walking with reassurance like she wasnt susceptible to anything, and wondered where she'd gotten the self confidence. He looked over her for a second before flicking his eyes to other people, one person wasnt worth his time. He scanned the crowd again with his hands in his pocket lest a theif try to pick it, and caught sight of a vender with collars. His eyes locked quickly on a simple velvet collar with small black feathers in it, typical style since most girls had bird names. He walked up to it, and knew Raven would prefer it to tricked out or glittery collars. He was thankful, too, that it was simple, somthing not over priced that could give his roots away. The shrivled old lady noticed him and came up with an alluring smile, which was missing two teeth. "How much?" he asked, and brushed his finger delicately across one of the feathers. "Fifteen shillings, I'll make you that bargain," she picked up the collar so it was more in the afternoon light, the black glossy in the sun. Sharely smiled, "That's no bargain, merely you're asking price, yet you make it seem like a bargian." The old women shook her head, "I dont get many of you around here, so I'll lower it to ten, now that's a bargain," Sharley kept up his smile, and looking into the faded blue eyes before him. "You're right, that is a bargain, and I'll take it," he fished in his pocket for the amount and dropped the handful of coins in the women's hands. She flashed her teeth at him again, and nodded. "Is that it? I do run a two for one special, eighteen shilings for two, so if you want your little lady to have an option, then there's a bargain right before you, young sir," Sharely wondered whether he should get Amber one, since Kat had brought her mother's collar with her. He sighed, knowing the response he'd get as a leader if Raven recieved a collar and Amber was the only one left. Dove was a different story, that was Fritz place to buy her one. His eyes went to a light blue collar with white flowers embroidered, though the quality made it cheap. The women looked at the collar he was looking at and showed her toothy smile. "That'll be eight more, young sir" She handed him the black collar and prepared to give him the blue. Sharely sighed and fished in his pocket for the eight shillings, glad he'd brought more than enough to buy eight collars. The women thanked him gleefully as the coins landed in her hand and handed over the collar, fingering her own. The nasty thought of someone trying to get her brought a wave of nausea, but it passed quickly. He delicately laid the collars in his other pocket and decided he'd have Murphy give the blue one to Amber, let the stud get his chance at her. He put his hands back in his pockets and continued on his way. He noticed a rowdy bunch of boys with their eyes to an alley and a small flash of blonde hair turn around an alley. Sharely started towards the scene without a thought, instinctively going to make sure it wasnt Dove. The boys were the right age to harass her, and he didnt know where she was. He watched the boys cut into the alley and heard some bitter responses, though as tuned in as he was to Dove, he couldnt tell if it was her voice. He stepped around the corner and came to their backs all turned to him. He looked at the blonde and her her shouting at the boys to stay away. Not Dove, this girl was a foriegner, and the one he'd noticed earlier. He watched though, facinated as she hissed back at them until they finally drew blades and clashed. He watched as she actually fought them off, and knocked two of them out. He drew around the corner, not fearing the girl even if she was a good swordsmen. He watched in facination as she took their blades carefully, and he leaned against the brick of the alley. "You do know that was utmostly against the law, every single action you just commited," he watched as her eyes shot to him, and he grinned casually as he leaned against the brick, his sword heavy in it's sheath as it weighed upon his thigh.