Open The Market From the Emerald Isles to Bully Harbor

[Marble]

From the Emerald Isles to Bully Harbor​

As the sun lazily drifted away from the horizon, casting its light over the land, another ship came into dock with the early morning rays casting shadows through her masts. It was nothing special, another of hundreds of trade ships that would frequent the harbor, bringing exotic cargo and interesting people from far off lands. Before mid morning she was nestled alongside the other ships with gangplanks down and cranes being moved in place to prepare for the larger cargo. The self loading cargo had already begun to make their way off the ship, happy to be on land after weeks of travel.

Miothiyle of Thermodon took her first steps onto the docks and the Vulpine Imperium. The young fox taking her time to admire the exquisite ships lined up along the docks and the sprawling city before her. It wasn't often that they made their way to the larger cities and this wasn't too different, except for the fact that the language was still very new to her and getting around was going to be a lot harder. Still she didn't let it weigh on her, stepping forth towards the market, figuring that would be the best place to go to get an idea for the land. Of course there was plenty for her to do in this new land, learning the laws, making connections, finding a place to stay, oh and she would have to find someone that would exchange for the local coinage. Lost in her thoughts as she darts through the crowd, holding her bow close as she slipped close to the people trying not to disrupt their movements as the locals went about their day.

She walked slowly among the stalls, looking at what people had on offer and wanting to get an idea of what was local. Going through she would notice a few goods she would recognize from home, of course priced far more expensively thousands of kilometers away from where they were made. There was no rush in her movements or any attention to looks she may have been getting with her strange fur and strange clothing.

 

[Minerva]

It was way too warm of a day for an arctic vixen. The sun, moisture and temperatures unseen in her native tundras weren't something she got used to yet. As such, because her duty was to patrol the market today, she diligently did walk through the crowds while complaining in her native speech. Her orders were also rather dull. She wasn't one of those fogeys, she was a soldier. That meant she had no right to punish other beasts. But in case of life endangerment or beasts with weapons? She was meant to step in.

And while she knew there were a lot of the latter, they had at least the idea of keeping their weapons hidden or sheathed or at least stowed in some way. Safe for one vixen that not only seemed as foreign as Minerva herself. Carrying a bow in her paws, the way she moved and observed their surroundings, Minerva just had a fantastic third person view on how she must've looked like when she came to the city.

And while her tail gave a slight wag at the idea of talking to, what she assumed was, a fellow huntress, guardian of her lands, she was at duty, one that had to be done. So she moved from her current patrol route and stepped in front of the other Vixen.

"Stop." She said, putting a paw in front of her, the other one holding her own bow. "You can't walk around holding a weapon. It is illegal." She added, not mentioning the reason why she was doing the one thing she said is illegal.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail had just gotten to work and immediately been handed the cart, the crates, and the stall number with a gruff, “Mind the till, sell what you can, an' don’t shame the forge.” The old weasel hadn’t even looked up from his work when he said it. So here he was, setting up on his own, laying out copper trinkets, door rings, nails, and whatever else gleamed enough to draw eyes. The heavier wares sat in neat rows on the wooden boards, while a case behind him guarded a short line of knives and daggers, behind a locked glass door.

The morning crowd swelled. Voices rose and tangled, until a sharper one cut across the market. Swifttail flinched. Just in front of his stall, a stern patrol vixen had stepped into the path of another fox, blocking her with a raised paw.

“You can’t walk around holding a weapon. It is illegal.”

Swifttail’s stomach tightened. Illegal? His gaze flicked back to the case behind him, to the gleam of steel under the glass. His master had told him to sell what was in the cart, but had he just been sent out to break the law? He shrank back on his stool, ears pressing flat, praying no one thought to look his way.

That was when it happened.

A kit burst loose from her mother’s paw and bolted straight for his stall, eyes locked on the bright copper wind chime hung front and center. She squealed with delight, arms outstretched, and barreled headlong into the display.

The crates lurched. Hinges clattered. Nails shifted in a threatening slide.

“Easy!!!” Swifttail yelped, diving forward to steady the stack. His paws clamped down just in time, stilling the wobble before the whole thing came tumbling down. The chime above jingled merrily at the commotion, mocking his hammering heartbeat.

For a frozen moment he stayed crouched there, breath caught, staring at the kit who giggled on the cobbles, pawing at the copper shine. He could already feel eyes turning his way.

The very last thing he’d wanted...

 

[Amnesty Greysoul]

It was entirely possible that Amnesty had chosen the wrong place to set up her stall. Between the potential altercation about to take place between a Guardsbeast and an obviously new arrival on one side and the tiny avatar of chaos in the form of a young kit on the other, the white fox could see a thousand ways the day would end in destruction. It would be bad enough for the poor todd with all the metal wares, but at least his wouldn't shatter on contact with the cobbles beneath their paws. She couldn't say the same for the small clay pots and glass jars filled with various useful herbs and fungi in her own stall.

She looked across at the todd, making brief eye contact with him before glancing at the Guardsbeast and the huntress. And then at the guardian of the chaos avatar. Then, without directing it at any beast in particular, she cleared her throat softly. "Anybeast need a paw?"

 

[Marble]

Marble wasn't paying as much attention as she should have, the crowd was busy and dense with bodies close together and at some point without even thinking she must have moved her bow off of her back to better protect it from damage, maybe after it snagged on someone despite her best efforts to keep it close to her back and tucked in. So when she looked up at the voice trying to grab her attention, another fox with a well kept white coat and what seemed to be the garb of a soldier. Looking down at the bow held low and close in front of her.
"Ah yes, no, my apologies sai (said like sigh)" She would quickly put it back over her back and stow it tight. "Crowd is thicker than densest brush and far too many things to catch. My deepest apologies" She would smile innocently and then look down to her side to ensure her quiver was also still covered and the dagger was safely secured.
Clearing her throat out of embarrassment and giving a short bow
"I am from the River Thermodon, my name is Miothiyle. As you can most likely tell I am-" her attention immediately snapped to the kit darting across the market, hitting the stall besides them hard and almost caused a chaotic crash of the goods in the stall. She would move over to assist.
"Easy child, you could have tripped and hurt yourself, and look at the havoc, It is dangerous to rush around like bore in rage" Being gentle but yet firm, looking to Amnesty
"I ummm believe we are all okay here, just an excited little one letting her heart go before her head." Then turning to Swifttail, "I trust everything is okay Sai, no harm or damage?" Chuckling slightly at the chaos and also glad that a distraction had been made from her slip up

Spoiler

@SwifttailTheFox @Amnesty Greysoul @Minerva

 

[Minerva]

Minerva nodded with approval, seeing as the weapon was stowed. She would've moved on were it not for the fact the other vixen spoke in terms that assured her of their shared trade. Both were real huntresses, that put a smile on her muzzle. "Indeed aqsarniit, predator among herds must be at ready." She said before the other vixen started introducing herself.

The moment was shattered with the loud noise, Minerva turned on the spot and readied her bow, putting an arrow onto it at the same time as she spun. Seeing however that it was caused by a kit running into the stall haphazardly. Minerva put her arrow back into the quiver, while letting out the breath. Seeing as her fellow huntress and the other vixen came to assist, at least she knew that she won't have to manage it alone.

She liked the words Miothiyle said, firm approach was needed for survival and she nodded approvingly at them. Seeing the cargo the todd was selling however she raised her brow. More because she considered how weird it was that one could trade for a weapon so easily but were not allowed to hold it. It could wit however, she had to manage the situation for now.

"Mister, let me help you gather your goods." She then turned to other vixens. "If you are offering a paw, help with gathering it. We cannot stop kits or beasts from running around, so the sooner we gather it, the less chance of injury." She explained before moving to start picking up the items. She did however remembered while doing so that she was to introduce herself to the other huntress. "Minerva Frosttail, from the lands of everlasting frost. A huntress, guardian of the winter. It is good to meet another huntress in this place." Something made her realise it would be offensive not to speak with the other two, even if she didn't particularly care usually, Minerva wanted to appear nice before someone that had a chance of understanding her.

"And who are you citizens?" She thus asked the todd and the other vixen, picking up a dagger and placing it into the weaponsmith's paws.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail stayed frozen a beat longer than he should have, paws still braced on the trembling stack of crates. His ears twitched at the soft offer of help from across the way, then at the gentle scolding tone directed toward the kit, and then, heart sinking, at the sight of the uniformed vixen stooping to pick up scattered wares.

The little one was quickly scooped into her mother’s arms and spirited back into the crowd, leaving only the lingering jingle of the copper chime and the eyes of three strangers on him.

He swallowed, ears tipping back as he forced himself to straighten.

“Aye, thank ye,” he murmured, voice quick and low, accepting the dagger Minerva pressed into his paw with a nervous nod. “All still in one piece, thanks to ye all.” His eyes flicked briefly toward Amnesty, then to Miothiyle, then back to Minerva.

Miothiyle’s name, spoken so formally, had him bowing his head in return, though his reply was simpler, almost sheepish.

“M'name is Swifttail,” he offered humbly.

Only then did his gaze linger a moment longer on Miothiyle’s bow. His own experience was nothing compared to hers, but instinct still recognized quality.

“That’s a fine bow ye carry,” he said, almost despite himself. “Built strong, sure as a huntress’ paw. Puts mine to shame.” He caught himself quickly, ears warming, and busied his paws settling the dagger back into its case, tail tip twitching behind him.

The weight of Minerva’s earlier words still pressed on his thoughts. Weapons illegal to carry, yet here he was with blades laid out for sale as plain as day.

Realizing silence might damn him more than words, he cleared his throat and spoke again, softer this time.

“I was told t’ set up ’n’ sell these by m’ master Smith. The ol’ weasel is still back at the forge. I don’t mean t’ break any law, only t’ do the work given me.”

His claws tapped against the edge of the case, careful not to meet the guard’s eyes too long.

 

[Marble]

Marble would have moved to put herself between the crowd and the hazard before beginning to pick up the dangerous impliments that had been spilt. Fortunatly no one was hurt and it wasn't that hard to clean up. Though she would watch Minerva wondering why they were so jumpy to draw and notch at the slightest disruption, though she would not say anything of it
"Thank you Swifttail, It is a bow I made myself from a very fine tree. " It wasn't massively tall like some of the bows she had seen, and was more built for quick shots and moving fast, rather than line loosing as the bulk of the military used. That said bows were almost phased out entirly in the military with only the huntressess and civilians really using them
"As long as your bow is suitible for your uses I do not see issue. Mine is to kill ultimatly be it beast or man" she would shrug and then look over the wares in front of her.

"And lovely to meet you too Minerva. I have heard of ever frost land not say I have been there but I have herd many story about your people." another polite bow then looking back at the third foxes panic.
"Have you done wrong. If law is 'I can not weild weapon' then you are selling not weilding, yes?" Trying to ease their panic and pointing out the loophole without even thinking about it that much
@SwifttailTheFox
@Minerva

 

[Minerva]

Minerva listened to the two beasts who spoke with one another about bows and who they were. When the two stopped, she shook her head sideways. Seeing where the err happened. One that Miothiyle was polite enough to notice and explain, but as a guardian of this place, she had to clarify as well.

"Thank you aqsarniit. Swifttail, you should not worry. You can sell the craft of yours. It is beasts that cannot carry their weapons at ready. Holstered or sheathed is fine." She explained as politely as her cold visage allowed. Still, she had some more things to add to the topic that had emerged before. She wasn't as great of a crafter as her mother was, but she knew the bows well. Especially as the composite longbow she carried used to be her mother's.

"Bows vary. Shame yours not nor your skills. . Mine is made to kill. Frostlands have no trees. In the land of everlasting winter, bows are made from sinew, horns and wood from tigauyait... Like trees, but very small. All is connected with animal glue. It makes for a strong bow. But any angusuktok knows arrows can only be made in the bright season. When Winter Spirit rests and the survivors flourish." She explained while showing her bow. Indeed it was a composite bow, one as long as she was tall. The parts of it made from horn were all carefully chiselled with numerous runes that spoke stories in Minerva's language. This one of a kind bow explained why Minerva was, despite having decently feminine look, more muscular than most smiths.

As the items were gathered and the stall restored to normalcy, Minerva struggled between returning to her duties and allowing herself to chat more with a fellow huntress and this todd who too apparently knew the bow. She had a strong sense of duty, but to meet a fellow huntress, even if from another land? That was a rare joy that she couldn't just not partake in. Swifttail too was nice to speak with, if a bit too meek for Minerva's taste.

"Swifttail. Were you too a hunter? A protector and provider guarding your land?" She asked now directly, curious if it would make for a situation she never before was at. Meeting of so many hunters in one place.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as the last few items were put back into place. The market stall was whole again, neat rows restored thanks to more paws than his own. He dipped his head gratefully toward each of them in turn.

His gaze lingered, though, on the bows now shown so openly. One slender and self-made, honed from the grain of a carefully selected tree. The other broad and rune-scored, a labor of seasons and sinew from the land of frost. His tail stilled, ears tilted forward in open awe.

He rubbed the fur on the back of his neck, muzzle tugging uncertainly.

“Well... in m’ old village, I sometimes joined in the hunting parties,” he admitted, eyes flicking between the two huntresses. “Seabirds, or fish in the shallows. But what ye’ speak of… how it is much more a life than a chore... I’d say nay. I’m not a hunter.”

After a pause, he reached under the stall and drew out his own bow. A plain, serviceable thing. Sturdy enough, but humble beside the weapons these vixens bore. He held it carefully across his paws.

“This is not the bow I held in those days,” he said, voice quieter now. “What I carry belonged to a beast I knew only briefly… though I shall never forget him.”

His eyes dropped, claws tracing lightly over the simple wood as memories of his past came flooding back in a rush.

@Minerva @Marble

 

[Marble]

"Not everyone can be a Hunter" She regarded Swifttail with kidness as he told them their story and how much the bow meant to them
"There is planety of need for those to stay home and keep the harth, those that have skills that keep our lives comfortable and our families happy. Keep that bow close and safe okay. Carries those memories of your friend close and live for them, yes?" It was a beautiful bow, yes it was not as well worn or as decorated as Minerva's or her own, but it was important, it held importance and reverence to it's owner and that was what mattered. The fox was a seemingly a little nervous and timid which she somewhat understandable given the startle of the cub running into the stall and the wares being tossed off, as well as missunderstanding Minerva's words.
The other Vixen was a curiosity to her, it was nice to meet another experienced huntress and their story was so foreign to her. Feeling the excitment of the prospect of getting to learn about another culture, the bow was so much different from her own in how it was made, the way she would hunt as well, there was a lot to learn from this woman and that naturally appealed to her.
She smiled at Swift
"Are you going to be okay from here friend?"

 

[Minerva]

Minerva took in Swifttail's words. He was not a hunter then, a shame. He was a tribesman, one who could use a bow. In her eyes, that was too a way to live. When she traded with beasts in coastal tribes she did learn that hey had usually more things to do than those related to survival. They built shrines, made those 'art' things and spent time with one another. Those were seen to Minerva as duties not allowed for a huntress, her own was to guard the homeland of Winter from all invaders. She did so dutifully... But it was lonely. That last part, spending time with other beasts? It was the reason she even came to tribes after her mother had died. She was not welcome however because those fools refuted her claims that she was a daugher of Winter. That is how she ended here in this city place and Vulpine Imperium.

"Miothiyle speaks right. You provide to the cause of the tribe. Protecting and aiding them. Those like us, we have our own duties, ones that often lead to loneliness." The arctic fox added sombrely.

She gave a long sigh and offered him a pat on his shoulder. "Don't feel worse. Each beast has their goal in life. Your bow, if taken, means only you picked up the duty when needed. A noble thing for any tribesbeast."

Her attention shifted to Marble who asked if the todd will be okay from now on, making her add. "I am here to help per law. Ask if you need to."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail kept the bow balanced across his paws, ears easing as the two vixens spoke kindly over him. The panic that had rattled his chest was gone now, replaced with something warmer, steadier.

“Aye, thankee kindly,” he answered Marble with a small smile. “No ’arm done, really! Jus’ glad t’ know I ain’t breakin’ a law accidentally.”

His claws traced lightly along the plain wood, and he dipped his head.
“I’ll keep it close, an’ honor the beast it belonged to. That much I can promise.”

Minerva’s words drew his eyes upward. He gave a slow nod, voice quiet but earnest.
“I know the cold of lonely roads, if only in smaller measure. It means a lot, meetin’ hunters like ye both. I’d welcome it again, if fate brings us near.”

Just then a stoat with a curious eye for hinges and latches drifted close to the stall, paw already hovering over the goods. Swifttail straightened, still holding the bow carefully at his side as he shifted back into the role of shopkeep.

He gave both huntresses a cheery grin, tail giving a flick.
“Looks like I’ve customers waitin’. Go well, friends.”

With a small wave of the paw not holding his bow, he turned toward the newcomer, voice lifting in polite greeting.

 

[Marble]

Marble would bow towards Swifttail and start to make space from the stall to allow customers to come and inspect the wares. She would gesture to Minerva for them to come over to them.
"Tell me, I I am curious where would be good to hunt. I know the rules of home about not crossing fences and into pastures but I did want to know the laws of the area and not end up poaching by mistake" She looked the other huntress over for no other reason then curiosity, looking to see if she had any trinkets of home adorning her armour or the like. Her words were nice and they seemed like a decent enough person, especially since she wasn't too harsh on Miothiyle with her earlier slip up.
"Perhaps you could even show me" Words coming out of her mouth before she fully processed the thought but not regretting giving the offer to the other