The 4th of Ash, 121 Steel
One day, one day before he left on a more than likely perilous journey. Having trained as much as he'd been able too Myles had decided to allow the fourth to be a day of relaxation. He felt like there was a multitude of thing's he'd want to be bringing with him if he was going to be traveling deep bellow the ground he was used too. Still seemed more appealing to him than fighting in the air or something else devious the airmen could think of. He had a secondary goal in mind as well, something to help ease the earliest pains of the journey if possible. With all that in mind his destination for the day would be the east end and the myriad of shops that functioned their within. Dressing in his inky black officers uniform for the day Myles set out.
Heavy boots clicked the cobblestone as the soldier made his way to the marked, smiling and nodding to citizenry he passed on his way. For the most part the Zaichaeri were kind to him and he in turn tried to lavish what affection he could on the deserving. The extra couple steps of pausing to help an elder, or hold the door for another patron at a store. While these things aught to be the norm for everyone it was doubly so for anyone wearing a uniform in Myles's eyes. Upon arriving to the market Myles produced from his pocket a small list of things he intended to bring along on the journey, the first of those things was books, he was hoping to find any knowledgeable guides that might aid him in keeping his allies and himself alive in the coming days. The only place that came to mind was Cobbleplot's curiosities. The man was an eccentric and he stocked similarly eccentric things, books among them. Unable to take the library with him Myles decided to peruse the man's collection in hopes of striking gold and finding something specific to his needs.
Stepping into the musty shop Myles winced at the bright chime of the entry bell next to his head. The old man at the counter looked up grimaced and went back to reading whatever scroll it was he was holding. Shrugging and assuming that meant he was free to look around he did so. The books he had were disorganized and stocked with all manner of baubles trinkets and other odds and ends. Frankly Myles would have considered the place a trash heap if not for the quality of the things the man had piled so haphazardly. Scrolling past all manner of old romanticist histories of old Zaichaeri and old tools he wondered if he was wasting his time. As he perused a glint of silver caught his eyes and he caught himself eyeing something silver. Picking up the object he smiled thinly eyeing the flask. He'd be buying this if nothing else he decided already thinking of what he'd do with the engraved container. One prize in hand he searched onward through the shop. Finally spotting a stack of how to books on generally hobbyist things Myles Picked up a book on sewing and noting that it had a chapter dedicating to patching clothing he decided he'd take it.
Chewing his bottom lip as he searched and thought of any way he could use the things before him his benefit the soldier actually did find himself relaxing during his off duty tasks. The old man running the shop harrumphed at the counter. Whether at what he was reading or at Myles, he was unsure. Continuing his eyes alighted onto a book claiming to be a wilderness cookbook. Thumbing through the book it had pictures of most of the ingredients and descriptions of where to find them, seeing the images of several mushrooms among them Myles hoped the book would prove useful but also hoped it would not have to. The next thing his eyes alighted one was the glint of a dagger being used as a bookmark. Opening the book Myles blinked as he was greeted by what he quickly assumed to be lewd imagery. Looking about and confirming he and the old man were still the only two in the shop despite having never heard the bell he sighed relaxing. Looking back to the book with the knife bookmarking it he peered back into the book and realized he was looking at a book describing anatomy and ways to massage it. Flipping through the book he tried to convince himself that he was buying it purely for an interest in the potential medicinal uses of massage therapy that the cover enforced. As for the dagger that had been marking the book, it's handle was made from horn, and the blade a nicely honed steel, looking for a sheath and finding none he shrugged, accepting that he would have to acquire one somewhere else on his trip.
Realizing he'd fully circled the shop at this point Myles paused amused. Finally making his way to the counter Myles placed the three books, silver flask, and knife on the counter. Cobblepot, or so Myles assumed the old curmudgeon to be named finally put down whatever it was he'd been reading at looked over the small pile in front of him. “Took you long enough lad” Then mumbling to himself for a long minute before he came back with “one hundred gold, not a coin less.” Myles knew he was making a hefty purchase, but there was no way he was being hustled that easily by a bored shop keep. Letting his fingers wrap against the top of the counter heavily. “Come now, with none of these goods priced or marked how can I accept such a weighty easy number so easily.” Stiffening to his full height the shop keeps countenance darkened as Myles spoke, nevertheless he continued. “Books are indeed expensive, but I can hardly believe the knife and flask, no matter how ornate are worth that much.”
Watching the elder man grind his teeth as he thought he wondered if he was picking a poor fight with the merchant. “Fine, the books are twenty five gold a piece. The flask, is another five, that knife i'll have you know, is older than you are and if it still had a sheath I'd run you twenty gold for that blade. As it is, I'll sell it to you for ten more gold. That totals ninety five, feel better now lad?” The man's countenance had shifted from gloomy to mocking nearly, but five gold saved was five gold saved Myles thought as he counted out the money for the merchant. Bundling his things Myles left the shop marveling that the sun had risen as far as it had already during his time within the shop.
With the oddities he had wanted found however, he headed to the market the rest of his list much simpler in nature. The east ends vendor's row would likely have the rest of what he needed. One reel of rope measuring out to fifty feet was an easy enough find, purchased from a greasy older fellow who remarked on how odd it was to see an officer buying rope instead of a stooge at least three times during the transaction. A leather sheathe for the dagger he'd bought, procured from a pair of twins who couldn't have been out of their thirteenth years. Finding a stall specializing in hunting and traveling Myles again splurged and bough himself both a nice tent, but the elve's nicest bedroll as well. He expected that he'd be making back what he spent in the near enough future so these investments to him were worth it. Along with that he purchased tablets that could make questionable water far safer to drink. With all those things purchased he made for one last stop. The booths that sold fresh produce and cooked foods all lingered towards the mouth of the alley, their smells tempting all would be shoppers in the area. With the hour of lunch rolling around the man couldn't help himself and pursued said smells. Stopping at several booths Myles first sated his hunger on grilled meat served on flatbread, the chef a heavily tattooed man who looked to be only a few years younger than Myles but had already nearly covered his body in tattoos of Zaichaeri symbols and art. While certain he'd never do that to himself he couldn't help but admire the man's dedication.
His stomach full Myles made his last stop, at another stall specializing in candies and confections. Honey baked dried fruits, glazed breads, and what he'd been looking for, caramel chews. Buying bags of the candies at a pound each, Myles also purchased a sack of sugary cream filberts. Counting out the last of the money he planned to spend that day he smiled contentedly. Popping a caramel into his mouth he began the return trip to the barracks to begin preparations for the morning.
