The market was busy, despite the wintry weather. Since they had gone in the carriage, an escort, including the men, surrounded the carriage. Ikalla, ever vigilant, supported Kora out of the carriage, and braced her as she walked. Shadow cleared the space around them, just by being there. Citizens looked at him in fear. After seeing that the abnormally large dog was just walking with his master, they relaxed a little. They made their way down through the stalls, into the larger part of the merchant district where shops lined the streets. Ben bought a small bracelet at a vendor, and hooked it around Kora's wrist, kissing her tenderly. Smiling up at him, she glowed, and Ikalla did not miss it. Again, she was so grateful her dear friend had finally found the truth. Love. She had never trusted Drew, and even as children there had been a loneliness about Kora. They continued until Stella pointed out a shop that sold women's clothing and Ikalla sighed. It was time to suffer for stabbing Kora. She would make her buy everything in the shop, she knew it. Supporting her inside, they were met with a large flurry of bows and bluster from the assistants, before the shop's owner appeared.
"Hello Ethel, it's so nice to see you again!" Stella hugged the seamstress, the same one who made the women's dresses last season. She was thin and willowy, an elegant blonde with silver eyes. As short as Stella, she had a fierce aura around her. She shooed the assistants away, telling them to be useful and making tea. She smiled warmly at her guests. Looking Kora up and down, she started to frown.
"You look like manure, your grace." Ikalla soured, how dare she talk to Koraline that way! She was a princess in these lands! Kora smiled and embraced the woman.
"It's temporary, I swear." Kora said, and Ehtel pulled a chair up for her. Helping Kora to sit, she looked them over.
"I would have come to you if you had sent word. Are you here for this season's dresses? What about the wedding dresses?" Ethel immediately began bustling around, as Ikalla stood awkwardly behind Kora, and Stella settled into a chair. A bell rang, and Ludis entered the shop as well, calling greetings to Ethel, as she joined the other women. Ethel was pulling cloth samples down, stacking them on a table in front of the women, and an assistant approached with a tray of tea, cakes, and dried fruit.
"While we do need to start planning all of those - we are here for our friend. She has no clothes and far too much money." Stella winked at Ikalla, who shifted on her feet. Ethel dropped another stack of cloth on the table and looked Ikalla up and down.
"You're tall. I can measure and fit you with no worries, but I do not think I have women's clothing in stock in your size. Since you are esteemed guests, I can have them ready in a week, no charge. What are you needing?" Ethel walked over and began to take Ikalla's measurements, much to her embarrassment. Being such a large woman had made Ikalla uncomfortable, as a female. She hated clothes shopping just for this and preferred to just make do with soldiers' clothing she found in the stockroom of the barracks. Kora had different ideas. She smiled sympathetically at her friend and spoke for her.
"She needs everything Ethel. She mostly enjoys breeches and shirts, colors that would flatter her skin and hair. She needs a lot of casual wear for every day, and long bouts of riding. Range of movement. She tends to fight people a lot." Ethel, navigating the blades on Ikallas back, frowned.
"Yes, I can see that, take this off so I can accurately measure please. The scariest thing in this shop is me, and I will not bite you." She called for an assistant, who began to take down the numbers. She requested several rolls of fabrics made from cotton and other more comfortable fabrics in an array of colors.
"I will get her undergarments and things as well. As far as more formal attire, I have a few ideas. Your sketches from last year have given me a lot to think about. Your dress designs have made me quite a bit of money, Kora. I am excited to see what designs you have planned." Ikalla was told her order would be delivered to the castle within the week, and she sighed in relief. No trying things in front of everyone. Kora pulled out a small stack of parchment, and Ikalla saw that she had been sketching dress designs. She must have been working on these when she was bedridden. She remembered her having parchment all over the bed. Ethel seemed genuinely excited over the ideas. Pointing, she indicated one dress.
"This one's for Ludis no doubt, and this one Stella, where is yours?" Kora pulled out one last piece of parchment, and Ethal looked at all three and sighed in wonder. The other woman stood and looked as well, gasping at the designs.
"Kora these are wondrous." Ludis breathed, looking over the design Kora had made for her wedding gown. Ethel agreed, and Stella was speechless. Ethal pulled a stack of fabric, and the women began to delve into the specifics of the dresses. Ikalla wandered to the window, looking out at the city. Seeing a weapons store across the way, she slipped out silently and made her way across the street. Stepping inside, a small bell rang here too, and a man came around the corner. He stopped, surprised by Ikallas size, then grinned.
"Welcome, you look like you could use some help!" The man walked forward and shook hands with Ikalla.
"My name is Andrew; how can I help you?"
"I am needing armor, and in the market for new weapons as well. I used to have quite a collection, and I am in need." Ikalla motioned to the store. The man agreed and called for an attendant. Andrew began to take her measurements for the armor, as the assistant began to bring chests forward, with different knives and swords, bows. The shop was huge, much bigger inside than out. Andrew explained his process for the making of armor and asked her about her comforts and what she needed. He had a smithy behind the shop where he made the armor himself. Ikalla started to relax, this was familiar territory for her. She made her orders, and when she mentioned where she was staying at the castle, Andrew whistled.
"I will have it delivered in 2 weeks, on my honor. No charge, for the bodyguard of our princess. She saved my home village from starvation." Ikalla thanked him, and they began to talk about knives and swords. She picked a large broad broadsword, and double headed ax. After careful deliberation, she chose a few throwing knives for her person, and a large hunting knife. She picked out cuirasses and leg guards, gloves, and chain mail. After being fitted for different pieces of leather to wear under the armor, Ikalla felt semi-normal for a bit. She paid Andrew and thanked him again.
"No worries, mistress Ikalla. I will have all the pieces that are ready now delivered by this evening. The armor, I will send a message when they are ready for final fitting." She walked out of the store, just as the women were leaving Ethel's shop. Kora and Stella waved, and Ludis grinned.
"You really don't like clothes shopping, do you?" Ludis asked as they began to make their way down Market Street. Kora and Stella laughed. Ikalla shrugged, resuming her spot supporting Kora.
"Kora always did my clothes shopping because I hated it so. I trust her to know what I will be comfortable in" She shrugged and looked down at her friend. She was a little pale, and despite the cold, was sweating. Ikalla's caramel eyes looked over to Ludis, who had also noticed. Ludis casually placed a hand on Kora's arm, under her cloak. She began a small healing spell, to give Kora energy. Stella, not missing anything, lent Ludis her strength. Kora's color returned and she stood straighter.
"Thank you." She whispered, ashamed that she was tired so quickly. The men were making their way towards them through the busy street. Bens looks of concern faded when he saw how well Kora looked.
"Seems you are handling your outing well, My love." Ben kissed her forehead, and Kora winked at her friends.
"I have good help." Royce walked over to Stella, kissing her slowly and presenting her with a small box. A golden necklace, with a delicate chain, held a rose shaped sapphire pendant. Stella gasped at the beautiful piece and Royce helped her put it on. Malik too had one for Ludis, in a deep purple amethyst. Ben had gotten one in emerald for Kora, and Ian approached Ikalla.
"It did not really seem fair that all the other ladies got something when you did not. But I did not think that a necklace was your style." He handed Ikalla a box, and inside was a golden bracelet, set with citrine roses. Ikalla was speechless at the gift. No one had ever given her jewelry before. She looked up into Ian's light brown eyes, confused. He shrugged, and Ikalla whispered her thanks, taking the bracelet out and putting it on. It gleamed against her skin. Her sleeve covered it when she put her arm down, but she could feel its warmth against her skin.
"I really appreciate it Ian, you didn't need to do that." Ikalla was humbled. Ian shrugged again and a bit of a blush crept along his cheeks.
"Every woman deserves a trinket now and again. Even the toughest ones." He turned and the group headed towards the largest inn, lunch there was supposed to be excellent.