Caspian looked at the bag that Finn had left behind on the table. A simple thing, nothing obviously different about it. She'd called it 'wolf repellant'.
He made a mental note to ask her questions about it when he got back to her home. Every new thing he learned about her was another layer of mystery. Strange, for a seemingly simple and welcoming lady.
"Back to business," The Provider was saying when he returned his attention to the meeting. "How many more brides do the Cetoans need?"
Caspian blinked, as the question was directed at him.
"As of the time I left, I believe there were 60 Rhone brides yet unspoken for, and suitors number at least that many. Of course, currently there are well over a thousand men away on voyage, some married, some not. It is difficult to say how many brides are still desired." He hoped the answer was adequate, and the Provider nodded at him and made some notes.
"The number of volunteers is dwindling, I'm told," Duncan put in. "This next group may be the last for a while. There are more single women, and of course girls who are too young yet to marry. With time and positive reports of how their sisters are doing amongst the Cetoans, I believe future matches are likely."
"Some of the men have spoken of the possibility of going to live amongst the Rhone," Caspian did not like this talk, but it was understandable. "I'm sure if any do, they will be welcomed with the same kindness the Rhone brides have been shown."
"Of course," King Duncan and the Judge spoke at the same time.
As cautious as the three nations still were of one another, the intermixing of their peoples could only be good for the alliance against the Void, and for future trade as well. Even Caspian could see that.
"If desired, I can provide maps of unclaimed farmlands, should any Cetoan men like to try their hand at taming the wilderness," The Treasurer said, and the Commodore's son nodded.
The Judge looked at the sun's position out the window.
"I believe that is all the time we have this morning. It is nearly the hour for the public Council meeting."
"You are correct, as usual," The General smiled, and the men of the room stood.
Caspian stood as well, unsure about whether he was to follow them or not.
"Unless you're very curious, I would advise against it," Duncan put his hand on the younger's man's shoulder as he passed. "They're utterly boring. Go explore the city and try it another day. After the midday meal we'll send someone to Roland's house to take you on a proper tour."
"Really?" That seemed like shirking his duty.
"Of course. I'd go with you if I could, but sometimes there are disputes that involve the Rhone and my input is needed." The King shrugged.
Considering the older man's advice, Caspian nodded hesitantly. The man clapped him on the back and departed after the Council with a satisfied stride.
Left alone, save for the guards at the sides of the room, Caspian took a deep breath. He did not care for meetings whatsoever. It was a marvel that Klain had become as successful a city and nation as it had.
He left the building and headed back the way he'd come. He was wary of getting lost in the enormous city, though its streets were well kept and finely paved. His feet protested the presence of shoes, but the cold in the air as well as the fact that no other person he had seen went barefoot convinced him to keep them on.
He was also grateful for the coat Duncan had loaned him, though if he were going to stay here long, it would be prudent to buy his own. In that line of thought, he perused a few of the shops that lined the road. None so far off that he wouldn't find his way back, but Duncan had advised him to take in the city.
Their materials were much different here than were used along the coast. In Ceto, the most valuable items were pearls, rare shells, or the carved bones of otherworldly creatures. Here, it looked as if colored rocks were the treasured things.
A helpful shopkeeper explained that they were from within the mountains. Caspian looked thoughtfully over the items. The little mining that the Cetoans did was in pursuit of metal for knives, swords, and shipbuilding.
The cost was far above what he had brought with him, but the trinkets were interesting nonetheless. He leaned over to examine one more closely, admiring the intricate metalwork on a broach.
"What a fascinating necklace, sir. May I look at it?" The shopkeeper pointed around Caspian's neck.
"Oh, of course," He didn't want to be rude, and lifted it slightly for the man to see without removing it.
It brought him much closer to Caspian's face than he would have liked, but the slight invasion of personal space seemed preferable to removing it.
"Would you be interested in a trade? I've never seen a shell like that," The man took out glasses to see it closely.
"No, Sir. I thank you for the compliment," Caspian tried to pull away.
"Are you sure? It is a pity."
"The necklace is a symbol of marriage. My wife wears its twin. To part with it would be–"
"Unforgivable! Of course! I did not realize. My apologies." The shopkeeper drew back, restoring Caspian's space and ability to breathe freely.
"Not at all. You did not know." He smiled briefly. "Good day to you."
"Sir!" The shopkeeper called to him when he would leave. "I gather from your strange marriage custom that you are not of Klain?"
"I am Cetoan, visiting from the sea on a mission of diplomacy," Caspian saw no harm in telling the man this.
"Welcome, then! If I may, Sir, I would like to offer a small gift," He bustled behind the counter, and then reappeared after ducking beneath it. "This is my newest piece!"
"I thank you, but I cannot accept such a gift," The Commodore's son shied away from accepting things for free. He preferred to work for everything he received.
"Please! I insist." The man held out a silver bangle bracelet imbedded with a white stone that looked like it was on fire. As he turned it in the sunlight, different colors moved across its surface. "If you are worried for the value, be assured it cost me very little. In fact, it's a fascinating story. I was digging in my garden, the moles and groundhogs are so bad this time of year, you know, and getting rid of the creatures is simply–"
"What manner of stone is that?" Caspian was only half-listening as the man spoke.
"I have never seen it before, and do not know. As I was saying, I found it in my garden. I would be honored if your wife would wear it. As the wife of such a dignitary, she should have such lovely things. Of course, if she tells people the shop where it came from, I would be gratified–" He smiled hopefully.
"I believe she would like it very much…" Caspian mused, mesmerized by the strange jewel's coloring. "Are you sure I cannot pay you for it?"
The thought of Naomi's face upon receiving the trinket was weighing heavily in favor of him accepting it.
"I'm certain! Let me wrap it up so that you may present it to her in style," The shopkeeper delightedly folded the bracelet into delicate paper, then tied it with a little bow. "Thank you, Sir, and please remember to recommend Hamish's Jewelry Store for all of your friends!"
"I shall, thank you kindly." Caspian left the shop holding the small parcel. The unexpected act of kindness lightened his step, and he hurried home, now eager to present the bauble to his wife.
Slipping the package into his pocket, he took a deep breath of the chilly air. It smelled far different here in the city than near the ocean. He missed the saltiness of his home and the constancy of the sea wind.
Still, he had set his expectations lower, and so was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and orderliness of Klain. Especially given that the highest level of their government was wildly inefficient, in his view, it was remarkable that the branches seemed to function well enough within themselves to keep the city running.
When he walked through the door, a pleasant sight met his eyes. Naomi was on a blanket on the floor, tickling the babies. Delighted noises were coming from them, and her laughter in response was enchanting. Victoria and Quilina sat on either side of her, and she looked like a young, beautiful mother surrounded by a crowd of children.
It warmed his heart. He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.