Since the early morning, the Emfer Fortress was bustling with life. The gate was wide open and a colorful crowd of local villagers flowed freely inside. Today there was a market in Emfer. Setia left the order in the care of Tendred's guards, as she had an appointment with the prince himself at noon. Now she decided to take advantage of the opportunity and buy an appropriate outfit. The stalls were placed all over the central square. One big vibrant town. However, it was not chaotic, each guild stuck together and one could clearly see the division between all sorts of craftsmen and farmers. The noise of conversation was mixed with aromatic smells of food and less aromatic ones, such as pig dung, the stench of urine and sweaty, dirty people - and there was no shortage of those on the market square.
Vendors were extolling their wares, farmhands were jostling as they ran to stalls selling thin wine, and young girls were giggling at the sight of trinkets and ribbons. Setia slowly walked past the clothes stands, there were many materials, but only in a few places she saw ready-made clothes. She wanted to buy a dress, she didn't want to admit it to herself, but after losing her eye, she wanted to give herself a substitute for the femininity that she lost with the appearance of the ugly scar. She especially liked the red and red dress with black trim. There were laces on both sides of the corset, so she could adjust it. She was touching the fabric and considering buying it when the voice of a withered old saleswoman interrupted her thoughts.
"It's an expensive dress, but I also have undyed linen." She handed her a brown, rough material. Setia didn't blame her, clad in a short dress, worn out shoes covered with mud from the market, an old threadbare coat and an eye patch, she looked miserable, not even like a servant in some merchant's house.
"How much does this dress cost?" Setia asked, ignoring the previous comment.
"Three arens," The skinny saleswoman said haughtily.
Setia did not haggle, took the desired amount from her purse and gave it to the surprised saleswoman.
"I also have other dresses, equally wonderful, perfect for such a beautiful lady." The saleswoman immediately regained her composure, her hands quickly found two other patterns in the pile of clothes.
"They will suit the lady perfectly, I will also add matching ribbons."
"Show me." Setia was in the mood for shopping. She hadn't worn dresses for a long time, always wearing military clothes, which combined with an eye patch would only draw unnecessary attention, although that red dress didn't seem to blend in with the crowd either. She was looking through the goods being served when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"What a wonderful dress, the prince will be delighted." There was a hint of mockery in his voice.
"Atnar." The girl recognized the musician by his voice without even turning around.
"Shouldn't you be earning money? The market is a great opportunity for a musician." She said with a smirk.
"I'll take the blue one." Setia pointed at the next dress.
"Yes, Miss." The trader gushed with satisfaction over the sudden profit.
When Setia turned around, Atnar was gone. She set off briskly to conquer other stalls. Shoes, she needed shoes and a few other little things.
"Fish, fish! Fresh fish!" Encouraged the young boy
"Only here, nice heads of cabbage…"
"Fragrant rolls, croissants, cookies…"
Setia couldn't resist this scent, it had been a while since she ate anything sweet. The pastry was so delicious that she even licked her fingers after the honey cookie with satisfaction. She heard loud singing coming from behind the stall with beads and ribbons. She went this way.
Surrounded by a group of admirers of his musical talent, Atnar stood on an upturned barrel and, accompanying himself on a small guitar, sang a sad song with rather weak rhymes.
Drowning in a sea of green
far away on the plains of Nemor
the black tower shimmers in the sun
lonely among the fallow grass.
Great silence surrounds it
no bird is wailing there
Haleon himself has a hand in this
without a change for years.
A powerful force of magic
it blew away the men from years ago
they greedy dreamed of power
to take over this world
There is a purpose for the tower to remain
making old memory is still alive
the daredevil Azachid has a cunning plan
and his heart lacks no courage
He will go deep into Hosard tangle
He wants to conquer the maze
the power of delusion pushes him there
believe in how to gain power.
An enormous power hidden there
with great treasures await the brave
however, the power of magic is cursed
and desires bring only suffering.
Setia listened carefully to this strange song, full of sorrow and anxiety. For a moment, to her surprise, she felt like crying for something beautiful, unknown and lost. However, she quickly recovered from this state. She will have to find out if Atnar knows anything about Korfid. She took two reses from her purse and threw it to him into the hat next to her. Atnar bowed courtly. And he continued the performance, this time singing a raunchy song about an unfaithful baker's wife.
Returning to the inn proved difficult, she had made so many purchases that she had to pay a little boy to help her carry it all to her room. She ordered a bath and then put on a red dress, new leather shoes and sat in front of a piece of real mirror, which the hostess brought her with great pride. She hasn't looked at herself in a long time. She didn't feel like it. She combed her long dark brown hair that reached halfway down her back. The right side of her face was pretty, Setia liked her dark, almost black eyes, her even, nicely arched eyebrows. Men often complimented her full lips. She covered the left side of her face with her hair...
After a while she heard a knock on the door.