"Come along," he tugged, "we're not here for what little sightseeing there is." He dragged her along behind him, her bare feet slapping the stone streets. She looked up at the stone buildings with holes cut out. Some had cloth, some wood and some. . . . nothing. There were sticks holding up tarps that covered people with items she had never seen before, calling them. They had originally started at a healthy brisk pace, but she became more and more dead weight the further into the city they got. She would get distracted by the crowds, the animals, stopped to look at the musicians' instruments.
"Do all women wear these things?" she asked. He turned to see her pointing to the dress.
"Aye, most."
"That was what the other woman meant then."
"About what?"
"When I asked about those?" she said, pointing to his pants.
"S'pose." he allowed.
"What are all the things on everyone's feet? I have seen them, but never knew they were so different." He stopped suddenly, looking down at her feet
"Bloody. . . . she never gave us any shoes. . . ." He looked down, frowning at her now filthy feet. He walked to the nearest horse-trough and told her to hold her dress up, holding his shoulders as he rinsed off her feet.
"It was just a little dirt."
"Which they cannot have if we take you to a Cobbler."
"Cobbler?"
"Shoemaker." She looked down at his feet, then a woman's passing by. His were tall, almost to his knees, but hers were not even to her ankle, his flat but hers lifted her up onto her toes.
"They do not look comfortable." He smiled, lifting her out of the water.
"Come, it is just there." He picked her up and stepped into the shop. The shop was a small wood made cottage that stank strongly of leather that hit her hard. Shoes and leather of all different shapes and colours hung wherever space could be found. Tools and metal shoe molds were scattered over a small table towards the back just to the side of a large stone fireplace where a woman sat on a stool eating. A man appeared from the back, all smiles as he wiped his oddly stained hands on his apron.
"Well Master Gin, is it really that time of year again."
"Nay, other business 'rought me round early." The Cobbler laughed heartily as he made his way over.
"Well, whoever it was I should thank them, eh?" He scratched at his grey thinning hair.
"You do that and he will puff like a peacock, and he does well enough as it is."
"So, what is it you come for, Master Gin." He had already eyed Cajsa lightly, grabbing an oddly shaped metal plack covered in marks.
"Cajsa needs some shoes." At hearing her name, he raised a brow, but smiled all the more. Ginger set her sown on a large silken Chaise.
"And broken in?"
"Aye." He grabbed ahold of her foot gently, putting her heel against the metal arch, his fingers following the line across from her toes.
"Well it just so happens I have not only one perfect pair for the little enchantress, but several." He began collecting three pairs of shoes from the walls. One pair was a soft blue that only just missed the dresses navy. She looked at the pointed toe and a thick lifted heel, wondering how it would fit. "Try them on." She watched as he set them on the floor in front of her, reluctantly slipping her feet it. The soft leather felt they were made for her, edging a smile onto her face.
��Try to stand in them," Ginger urged. She did and almost fell, surprised to find the different feel of her knees. She quickly adjusted, taking a step to see the shoes on her feet better.
"These should fit the same," he said, holding up a black laced pair with thin heals and a lower-heeled white pair.
"She'll need a sturdier work pair as well."
"Of course, Master Gin," he nodded, pulling down the fourth pair of shoes. They were a dark brown, tall boot that laid flat like Ginger's, but were a bit more slender at the bottom that blossomed into a large leather fold. She smiled, feeling the soft leather. He took the shoes and wrapped them, carefully placing them in boxes. "I'll have my boy run them to your ship so you can continue unhindered."
"Well, then I must give him a penny for a treat," Ginger laughed, paying the man.
"That would be most welcome Master Gin." The Captain smiled, lacing his fingers back into hers and lead her back into the streets.
"Oh, and have him tell Ackley to just get a large copper tub," he said. He gave him an odd look but nodded.
She walked slowly at first, trying to get a feel of the shoes, but started walking faster, watching the way her shoes rippled under her dress. When they stopped, she looked up at him shocked.