A Brisk Sale

Having changed her look a lot of late, Huian managed to find a merchant that sold her one of those rare items. An item that she immediately took to show her wizard friend Aelmeh. It is essentially an armored tee-shirt. Okay, it's Mithral chainmail made into the shape of a shirt to cover the torso, shoulders, and the upper arms. But so comfortable that it can be worn beneath normal clothing. No more need for leather reinforced and metal studded pieces all over the outfit.

With enthusiasm, she asked Aelmeh to accompany her as she went out searching for someone who could add enchantments to her armor and buckler. Why drag the Half-Sil along? Well, to get her out of the bookbinding shop for a couple hours, and to have a wizard handy. You know, someone who actually knows about magic. Huian knows magic is useful and that it exists. That is about the extent of her knowledge.

So the two of them are wandering the marketplace, with Huian quite literally asking aloud of various merchant stalls, "Do you know anyone who can enchant armor?" And by fingers pointed, and some verbal directions... the two of them are being guided towards Dirk's stall in the end.

It's a beautiful spring day, with the promise of summer just around the corner. The market is bustling in the late afternoon, with various food carts getting set up and their owners starting to hawk their wares amidst the other various and sundry vendors. Old Dirk Stormgrip's cart is one of those various and sundry sorts.

The cart solidly built, as any dwarf's cart should be, with a folding shelf attached to the side by sturdy chains. The shelf currently lowered, with an array of rolled pelts, tanned leathers, and various furs set out on display. In front of that, there's a folding table set up with a number of jars. Little notes are attached to each one, with names like 'Cocoa Mint', 'Vanilla Honey', or 'Cherry Cavendish'. There's also a stand set up displaying a number of beautifully hand-carved pipes. Also appropriate wares for a dwarf.

And seated in a folding chair next to the table is the dwarf himself. Dirk rests easily, his own pipe tucked in the side of his mouth as he busily whittles away at a block of wood. His expression is friendly and cheerful, ready with a warm smile and a tip of his tricorne to passers-by. When Huian and Aelmeh approach, his smile brightens. He hops to his feet, brushing wood shavings off his chest, before reaching up to take ahold of his pipe. "Hello, lasses!" he booms. "What brings ye by my humble cart? Can I interest ye in some furs or leathers? Got some good deer hide here, fresh off the tannin' rack!"

The first beautiful days of the year have brought out townspeople looking for sundries in droves. Among them a half-elven woman who disappears among the taller humans though she is considered tall for her kind. There is a spring to her step brought on by the sunny weather and going cloakless for the first time in months.

To celebrate the warmth, she has braided flowers into the intricate plait of blonde hair that swings down the middle of her back. Her gown is a light weight silk - the overgown in Eluna's blue, the undergown a silvery white.

The wizard is the silent partner; the one judging the people giving directions. The wizard pays close attention to the name given; the magic community is large but still close-knit enough for reputations to be known city-wide.

Her friend, Huian, found an exceedingly rare item which could make her the center of unwanted attention from the city's Guild of Thieves - professional footpads, cut purses and cat burglars. The unscrupulous might trade her name to the Guild.

It is a very good thing that the rare shirt Huian has is usually worn so it doesn't seem as conducive to being stolen. Today however, it's rolled up in a pouch that is tucked under some other items. She was about to greet Dirk when a food vendor cart rolled between them and the smell wafted to her nostrils. Her petite nose flares with the smell, and her head turns to follow it for a moment before she shakes her head and refocuses on Dirk.

"Are you Stormgrip? Galwytch down the way said he thinks that you add enchantments to armor and the like." As she speaks, she is unlimbering the tiny little buckler shield she carries tied to her belt most days. It is finely crafted of course. "Oh, and I am Cai Huian. This is my friend Aelmeh Runescriber, a talented Wizard in her own right." she adds, gesturing to Aelmeh.

Dirk's big dwarven nose gets turned by the food cart rolling by as well. His hefty middle gives an angry-sounding rumble. "Ohh, beards o' me fathers, that does smell good, dunnit?" he says. He turns his attention back to Huian and Aelmeh. The introduction has him smiling brightly, and he nods his head, giving his tricorne a jaunty tip as he bows at the waist. "Aye, ye've found me! Dirk Stormgrip, at yer service, an' yer family's!" he says. "Great tae meet ye, ladies!"

He leans in closer to Huian, studying her buckler with a critical eye. "Hrm... aye, this is good work. Dinnae look like dwarf-make, but it should still take an enchantment easy 'nough." He turns his eyes back up with a smile. "What sort o' magick are we thinkin'?" he inquires. "Are ye wantin' just basic enhancement? Or are ye after summat a bit more specialized?"

Aelmeh smiles at her eternally hungry friend and removes a coin from the purse hanging from her belt. While Huian addresses the crafter, she buys three crescent shaped hot pies. The yellow pastries redolent with spices are almost too hot to hold. Wrapped in stiff paper to protect her hands, she'll offer one to Huian once she has shown the crafter her sword.

With a bow of her head, "Did I catch your name right? Dirk? The ranger?" She holds out the third pie to him. "Please. It's always best to talk business without a care for stomach rumbling and such."

Aelmeh elbows Huian softly after she hands over the pie. A pre-arranged signal between them indicating she is with someone reputable.

Smiling, Huian regards Dirk for a long moment. "Just the basics for now. More later, but I am not rich." she states. And then as the pie is handed to her, she gives Aelmeh a grateful smile and a bow of her head, "You are a lifesaver my friend."

And then the elbow strikes her and she grins with an acknowledging nod. "Thank you again." she states before she reaches for her pouch and opens it to reveal the links of mithril within to Dirk, "I would like the same basic enchantment done to this as well if you have time."

"Aelmeh Runescriber, at your service. If you'll excuse me, good sir, I know I am leaving my friend in good hands. May all your enchantments be strong and true," she wishes him before turning to her friend.

"I have that appointment at the Temple I told you about. Dirk is well known in the community and will serve you well. I'll see you later."

Dirk perks up a shaggy white brow as Huian opens that pouch. Once he has a good look at what's inside, both brows arch like astonished caterpillars. "Ohh, now that's some fine lookin' armor, that is!" he says. He reaches in to run his fingertips over the finely woven links. He nods his head, smiling brightly. "Always a pleasure tae work on this lovely metal, nay?" He chortles, patting the sleek breastplate he wears, composed of the same rare metal. "Aye, I think I can handle a basic augmentation, nae problem!"

He looks about to add to the statement, when suddenly there's a delicious pasty being offered to him. He lights up like a Yuletide tree, and he accepts it eagerly. "Ohh, marry me, goddess!" he booms happily. "Bless yer kindness!" He doesn't even hesitate. Half the pasty gets consigned to his bearded maw in one go. "ROMF!" He chompfs and chews, rumbling happily as he savors the delicious morsel. "Mmh! Chompf! Mrnch! Gllp! Aye, that's what we were wantin', I'll warrant! Thanks verra kindly!"

He turns his attention back to Huian. "Fer a basic augment, I'll just need a couple days tae inlay the filigree an' let it soak up some sunlight out in the woods. Give Dana an' Gilead plenty o' time tae hallow the inscriptions. Once that's done, ye should be all set!"

Nodding her head, Huian pulls the full mithril shirt out of the pouch. "And I understand there will be a substantial cost in materials, and compensation for your time." suggests Huian. "I do hope that we can come to an arrangement that benefits the both of us."

That said, she hands over the valuable chainmail as well as the buckler. Her sword, the one tucked through her crimson silk sash is already magical. Ancestral to be specific, if such can be discerned.

Dirk chompfs down the rest of his pasty, monching and mrnching as he licks the last of the crumbs from his fingers. He hurriedly wipes his fingers clean on the seat of his trousers and reaches out to take the shirt. He nods his head as he turns it over in his hands. "Aye, these're both perfect. Give us a couple days, an' I'll have ye all sorted! Meet me back here in two days' time, an' ye'll be all set tae go!"

Lifting both arms, Huian places her right fist to her left palm and then bows her head, "You honor me. I look forward to many visits with you in the future." she adds with a bit of a smirk.