17th of Searing, 120th of Steel
Patrick and Connor were both busy at the Manor today and if Leliana was being completely honest, it was regarding portions of the business that the halfling had absolutely no interest in. Closing. Generally, she was intrigued by the inner workings of their ongoing dealings and trade agreements, but today it seemed to be a lot of paperwork and signatures. Therefore it seemed as good a time as any to head to the market and see what this town had to offer for the return trip to Álfsós.
The town itself was quaint and quiet. The mountains the rose up to the east were like the scaly backs of slumbering beasts, stretching into the distance and protecting the town on one side. It might even be a relaxing sort of place to be if Leliana was capable of putting herself in that kind of mindset. Either way, Lady Milana had a lovely home, and she'd been an excellent hostess. Lily couldn't say she hadn't enjoyed her stay. The market was no exception to the overall organized and pleasant flow of the whole town.
There were a few tiny shops, some stalls, and several wagons set up belonging to traveling pedalers. Her initial interest was in the town's blacksmith. They had a nice assortment of swords, axes, knives, hammers, and all manner of farming tools on display. Leliana picked a horseshoe and turned it over in her fingers, examining the pins sticking out of the bottom of it. It had one each heel and the toe.
"They give the horse lots of traction on slippy and tough ground. It can make it harder for them to walk on paved roads though."
"Easier for them to trip on a slick surface?"
"Yeah. If you ride a lot on cobbles or smooth stone you can use something like this." The smith disappeared momentarily into their shop and returned with another shoe. Leliana swapped it for the heel-toe and examined it closely. It was similar... but different. It had what looked like three round jagged metal pieces attached to the bottom, again one at each heel and the toe
"They're sharp and have lots of grip so they catch the surface of the road well. Knights use them a lot when they're riding their horses in parades, or staying in the cities for a while." Leliana handed the shoe back to the smith and nodded.
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."
"You some kind of mercenary or something?"
"What? No--no I'm not."
"That's a fine sword you have." They motioned to the blade on her back and she instinctively grabbed the hilt sticking up over her shoulder.
"How can you tell?"
"It's something you pick up over the years." She couldn't help the smile that tugged the corner of her mouth. If only they knew.
"Thank you."
"Aye. Let me know if there's anything else you want to look at."
Patrick and Connor were both busy at the Manor today and if Leliana was being completely honest, it was regarding portions of the business that the halfling had absolutely no interest in. Closing. Generally, she was intrigued by the inner workings of their ongoing dealings and trade agreements, but today it seemed to be a lot of paperwork and signatures. Therefore it seemed as good a time as any to head to the market and see what this town had to offer for the return trip to Álfsós.
The town itself was quaint and quiet. The mountains the rose up to the east were like the scaly backs of slumbering beasts, stretching into the distance and protecting the town on one side. It might even be a relaxing sort of place to be if Leliana was capable of putting herself in that kind of mindset. Either way, Lady Milana had a lovely home, and she'd been an excellent hostess. Lily couldn't say she hadn't enjoyed her stay. The market was no exception to the overall organized and pleasant flow of the whole town.
There were a few tiny shops, some stalls, and several wagons set up belonging to traveling pedalers. Her initial interest was in the town's blacksmith. They had a nice assortment of swords, axes, knives, hammers, and all manner of farming tools on display. Leliana picked a horseshoe and turned it over in her fingers, examining the pins sticking out of the bottom of it. It had one each heel and the toe.
"They give the horse lots of traction on slippy and tough ground. It can make it harder for them to walk on paved roads though."
"Easier for them to trip on a slick surface?"
"Yeah. If you ride a lot on cobbles or smooth stone you can use something like this." The smith disappeared momentarily into their shop and returned with another shoe. Leliana swapped it for the heel-toe and examined it closely. It was similar... but different. It had what looked like three round jagged metal pieces attached to the bottom, again one at each heel and the toe
"They're sharp and have lots of grip so they catch the surface of the road well. Knights use them a lot when they're riding their horses in parades, or staying in the cities for a while." Leliana handed the shoe back to the smith and nodded.
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."
"You some kind of mercenary or something?"
"What? No--no I'm not."
"That's a fine sword you have." They motioned to the blade on her back and she instinctively grabbed the hilt sticking up over her shoulder.
"How can you tell?"
"It's something you pick up over the years." She couldn't help the smile that tugged the corner of her mouth. If only they knew.
"Thank you."
"Aye. Let me know if there's anything else you want to look at."