There were merchants selling all types of goods Elyre had never seen in Wild Wood – hairpins, strange dresses and hats.
"It's nice to go out for some fresh air," she thought.
The atmosphere was peaceful. People sat at the cafés and played chess or talked and their voices were like the buzz of bees. Two children were walking in front of Elyre and their conversation was as calm as only the conversation of two people without any worries could be. There were some noisy birds in the trees but even their songs had a soothing effect rather than being disturbing.
~Life here is indeed peaceful,~ the firine thought. ~It's not just a myth... Life is not always full of adventures, but maybe that is where its beauty lies. There are so many things to learn in tranquility...~
Suddenly she felt a touch somewhere near her waist.
"Hey!" she exclaimed.
Somebody was trying to steal her pouch but she caught it in time! It was a girl her age who looked rather tomboyish. She and the girl both looked at each other for some time.
"Aren't you ashamed?!" Elyre shouted. She could tell from the girl's eyes she was ashamed. Indeed. She was beautiful and there was an air of intelligence about her. Yet, she seemed to be homeless. Elyre felt that perhaps it had been unfair of her to accuse the girl so quickly. Maybe she had had a hard life; she didn't know what her situation was. Elyre was just about to continue on her way, but something made her stay there…
"What is your name?" Elyre asked. She was a bit afraid but she was also curious about that girl.
The girl gave her a questioning look. It seemed she wasn't sure whether to answer, whether to tell the truth or lie... Her arms were crossed.
"Well, well. Let me think whether I know this!" The girl answered in confident tone. Her behavior seemed defensive and Elyre dared make a guess,
"Are you alone here in the city?"
Slowly, the girl's arms sank to her sides, a look of surprise on her face. She was silent for a moment but then she perked up,
"My lady, what is your motive?!" She coughed. She was slightly ill. Elyre would go away, but the girl jumped closer to her, "I have friends here..."
Her voice was somehow careful. She coughed again.
Then she smiled, "I'm Nymphica, pleased to meet you."
"I'm Elyre," the firine said and they held each other's hands in greeting.
Nymphica?! Like the Princess of the Wood-Nymphs Nymphica?!
"Do you speak with every person who tries to rob you?!" Nymphica blurted out.
Well, no. But they'd never tried to rob her before.
Nymphica coughed again.
"You should do something about your coughing. It doesn't sound good," Elyre said.
"Ah, my coughing is no problem. I've been coughing for as long as I can remember."
Elyre raised her eyebrows. The girl spoke well and seemed to be smart. Why would she be so careless about her sickness.
"Why don't you come with me to the library? There must be a good physician there," Elyre suggested.
"Oh, yeah, this is an option…" Nymphica thought for a while, "…but then you will pay for it and I will owe you money. No, t-h-a-n-k you."
"You were going to steal the money anyway..." Elyre added.
"Yes, but for food. I wouldn't waste it for a doctor."
They continued arguing about that, and finally Elyre convinced her that she could at least try to cure her with a remedy she knew from Phyllada. Nymphica agreed. Elyre secretly brought her to her room in the dormitory where Nymphica ate and got cleaned up.
Nymphica turned out to be rather talkative... She turned out to have been a famous bard from the continent. She told Elyre all about her past,
"…And I first worked for Lord Stameneley. Such a cute father he was. He had a little girl, allowed her to name his hounds all with sweet girly names. Wish I had a father who'd spoil me like that!"
She was usually giving more details than necessary. She talked a lot. This first patron of hers had unfortunately died. Then she had started working for another family, the Dellors. But her relationship with them had deteriorated and she had fallen from grace, although it hadn't been her fault.
Consequently, her life had become a nightmare, as she hadn't been able to earn money. Her ex-patrons were very influential and, it turned out, mean. Nobody wanted to hire her out of fear that their business may suffer if they supported an enemy of the Dellors.
So, she had struggled for some time. She had come to Vahara Arta a few months ago because she had heard of the scholars' convention and that there was a competition in rhetoric. It might be good for her career. Nymphica said,
"It is never good to be dependent on others. But I suppose I should be grateful that I am alive. I've heard of such rich people who are ready to kill anyone who doesn't comply with their wishes..."
Vahara Arta was far away and she had hoped she would be able to find a job. Unfortunately, many bards seemed to have thought the same and, as a result, she could not find any suitable working place. She was helping one woman in her shop, but the "salary" was not enough to make ends meet. She was despaired to win the contest.
Nymphica had been sick with a cold for long during the winter. Now, although she was supposed to be healthy, she kept coughing. Elyre told her about some special tea, and she prepared one cup with herbs from the library's kitchen, and a cure from Phyllada.
"Thank you, sister!" Nymphica saluted her, "If this helps me, I will praise you in a song!... But I can't stay here. This place is for rich people. Come, I'd like to show you something." After the tea, Nymphica dragged Elyre out of the library again.