Upon arriving at the marketplace David and Alisa had to part ways. Why couldn't they go shoping together? "Don't be needy David." His mother said, "Why, you're not married to that girl are you?" She grinned as she teased him. David became bashful and didn't reply.
The reason they were at the marketplace today was to buy everything David would need for school. Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind was food. Just traveling to the school from the village would take 3 weeks on foot.
The marketplace was at the village square and extended out along the 4 main roads. On North Main were the blacksmith shops. Sellers of weapons, armors, and the like. They also had tailors for clothing and leather workers. South Main boasted the restaurants of the village as well as the various inns. The game trading hunters and butchers were farther down.
Its came as no surprise to David that they turned towards South Main first and bought quite a deal of dried meats, nuts, and other food stuff made for travel. What did surprise him was when they went to North Main. He had never been on this side of the village because the goods sold here were expensive. According to David's father, one Iron sword costed more then they had spent on David himself thus far. They walked farther up to a clothing store close the edge of the village.
"Greetings! Ah, Mindy! Welcome Welcome!" The old store clerk greeted David's mother at the door. Seeing him, David realize that he actually had been in the store before.
"Good morning Mr. John. It's been some time since I've come by. How are your grandchildren doing these days?" It seems that David's mother knew the man quite well.
"They have been doing wonderful! My grandson, Brandon, was just selected yesterday to be one of the children to become a Mage!" The man was practically glowing with pride. David thought his face would spilt in two if he smiled and wider.
"Oh that's fantastic!" Mindy replied, "Actually, my little David here was also selected. He will be leaving for the Mage's academy as well."
"Oh, I see, I see. You'll be needing traveling clothes then and daily clothes for him to wear once he's there. You've come to right place Mindy. I'll be sure to dress David up as well as any kingdom noble!"
Old John seemed to be fired up for the sale he was making today. He immediately brought them in and had David try on various shirts, pants, hats, and coats. They even got him new shoes!
"Mom, I don't want to do this anymore." "Oh just a few more David. You're going to need these once you're at school." His mother coaxed him to bare with it a little longer and it was soon over.
"It's quite a lot of clothes mom. Isn't it to much?" David asked. Would he really use five different sets of clothing while at school?
"Oh sweetie, this isn't even close to what I want you to have. If we had the money I would get you ten or twenty outfits. Sadly we don't have enough for that and we also need to buy other things for you." His mothers answer actually scared him a little.
Twenty sets of clothes? How would he carry all of that? When would he even use them? One set usually lasted him three to four days before he changed them.
They went down West Main next to buy even more things. West Main had a variety of shops and stores. The layout was actually quite chaotic with both random store placement as well as the different kinds of shops. They went to and fro, from shop to shop, buying various things. Tools, rope, a backpack and other things that no eight year old should need. Once everything was said and done they returned home by way of East Main.
East Main was the most familiar of all the roads to David. South Main was for the travelers but East Main was where the leaders and other important villagers lived. Some days he'd play around here with Alisa, admiring the large houses and fantasizing what it would be like to live in them. Elder Kim's house was actually fifth on the left from the square, just far enough that it was quiet and relaxing.
David's home was outside the village proper, among the fields and farms. David's family were shepherds and as such they had some money to spare. Sheep were quite useful to many in the village. Milk to drink, meat to eat, wool for clothing, and the ram horns can be made into so many different things; cups, ladles, canes, combs, and even various household decorations. So, while it couldn't be said that they were rich, they definitely weren't poor.
"Mindy, David! Welcome back." A tall man with slicked back hair greeted them at door of their home. Looking a great deal like his father, Uncle Joseph ushered them inside.
"Joseph, what brings you over to us today? Did you hear about David's test from yesterday?"
"I did indeed, that's actually why I'm here. Father sent for your family earlier today. James has already gone on ahead." Uncle Joseph explained while helping them settle the goods they bought earlier.
"Oh, then we'll go right away! Thank you so much for waiting here to tell us." "Of course Mindy! It's a great and joyous day after all!" With that, Uncle Joseph saw them out going towards the main house.
"There they are! Mindy, you have everything David needs?" David's father, James, stood as they entered the house. "Yes, we got everything and I didn't even have to spend all of the money" Mindy greeted both men and went to sit next to her husband.
"Oh, good good, which means we'll have that much more for the winter." David's father was in a great mood.
"Hmm, David, come here." David's grandfather was old, older than old John from the clothing store. White hair and a face full of wrinkles, at least he wasn't scary looking. David moved over to his side and greeted him. "Hello Grandpa. How are you today?"
"Oh I'm doing just fine little one." His grandfather smiled at him, "I heard the big news! Not long from now you'll be going to that fancy school next to the capital right?"
"Yeah, that's was mom and dad told me. What's the school like Grandpa? Have you been there?" David looked up, eager to know more.
"Oh I don't know little one. I've never been there before, none of us have. But you get to be the first! Make sure to tell us all about it when you come back, okay?" David was a little disappointed when he couldn't find out more about the school but he quickly agreed to his grandfather's request and saw himself as if going on a scouting mission, bringing back important intelligence for his family.