We had a quick and early lunch as it was almost fourth bell or midday. We planned to take a carriage to the town's edge and walk from there. We were also bringing two guards, in addition to Fazio and Selahe. We would be leaving behind the remaining two guards at the villa, though the barrier would do most of the work. I had gotten to know the guards a little over my three years. Mona would also be staying behind to limit any potential dead weight in a dangerous situation.
The ones that were coming with us were named Savino and Urgamal. Savino is from the five duchies; has dark hair with brown eyes and a short trimmed beard. Urgamal is apparently from a place in the Loresian Replublic where nomadic people called the Ulus. He had weathered skin, dark eyes, black hair in a braid, and a thick, bushy moustache. The last two that we left behind where sisters Ingebjørg and Torill Juhl. They both had fair hair and blue eyes.
We climbed into the carriage and set off for town. Savino was driving the carriage and Urgamal was walking behind. I felt safer with Selahe and them here. However, because the mayor was so loyal and that this island had only one port of entry this was probably the only place we could walk around like normal.
Selahe said, "Fletcher has increased security and done multiple sweeps of the city since we moved here." My mother nodded.
I couldn't help but ask, "Who's Fletcher?" Glad I could, as a couple years ago I wouldn't have been able to participate in the conversation.
"Fletcher Dean is the mayor of the city. He's soul bound to your father like Fazio and Mona are." She explained, "Before we moved you here, Fletcher hadn't been as strict with security. We didn't need to expend the resources anymore. Now that we need to, it took a couple years before you could enter the city." I nodded in response. It made sense that if they thought they wouldn't need the villa anymore than increased security would be an unnecessary expense.
Selahe added, "Now that the city is more secure. We'll be taking regular trips here to socialize and expose you to the world. But it's incredibly important you stick to me, understand?"
I nodded and said, "I understand."
We reached the edge of town and exited the carriage. It would wait for us to return when we were done. We planned to be in the city for several hours until sixth bell, or sunset. The streets weren't extremely busy as it was still the outskirts of the town. However, those that did see us bowed their head respectively. Our status was unmistakable to the locals. It was going to be awkward interacting with the people who lived here if they knew our status. Mona and Fazio were very close to me so it was easy to get them to relax. I assumed this was another reason why we were going to make regular trips so we can learn what was acceptable and what was not.
We made our way towards the market near the center of town. The port, and by extension the coast, was located on the city's east side. The villa was on the north of the city on the cliffs. If I looked carefully, I could see a thinning in the trees where the villa should be. We navigated through the larger streets until we came to the market. I surveyed the options visible. Which were varied and plentiful. I smelled spice vendors and bakers. I saw exotic meat stalls and dazzling jewelers. I heard the banging of a smith somewhere in the cacophony of voices. It was sensory overload. However, I relished it. This was my first time doing something new in a long time. I was also excited that they said we would be making regular trips to the city. I couldn't help but have a huge smile plastered on my face. I felt my mother's grip on my hand tighten reassuringly.
"I know it's a lot and you're excited but remember your promise to stay near us." She admonished with a smile. I nodded back to her.
"Where are we going first?" I asked, unsure of the overall purpose of the trip.
"This shopping trip is mainly for you. There's things we must buy for your tutoring." Selahe answered. I turned around to look at the goatman and he smiled back. He added, "We're also going to get dinner in town." We made our way through the crowd, not overtly announcing our presence. Those that did notice us, bowed respectfully or moved out of the way. Those we navigated around looked shocked that they were in our way and apologized with their eyes downcast. My mother would smile and nod as we passed. People were mostly focused on me, however. I could see their eyes track me through the crowd. I suppose since I had been officially adopted, there was no avoiding the curious stares. It did make me uncomfortable and I involuntarily tried to shrink behind my mother.
She wasn't having any of that however and said, "Come now, Dam. We must project confidence and grace. We're their de facto ruler since the King is too distant for commoners to care about." I tried to focus on walking alongside her and not looking at anything in particular.
In an attempt to take my mind off the stares, "You didn't answer my question. Where are we going first?"
"The smith." She answered with a smile. I noticed that the rhythmic banging of metal on metal had grown louder as we walked. After a few more minutes of walking we reached a medium size building with an open storefront. All manner of tools were strewn about the workshop. A group of men were taking turns working on a piece of hot metal. I was giddy as these were things I understood and could potentially improve with practice. We entered the store and stood by the edge, waiting. From what Selahe taught me, a commoner could be punished for offending a noble by ignoring them. However, I noticed the Duchess Calo was cleverly conversing non-stop with Selahe about nothing of consequence. This meant that it would be rude to interrupt her, allowing the workers to continue about their business until they were ready.
As they talked I looked around the room. Unsure of the use of most of the tools. My prior confidence that I knew what would be in here was shot. I may know the physics and a lot of material science. However, I knew no specifics of the ancient techniques of metal shaping. And with none of my high-tech scanner and analysis tools, all the metal looked like...metal. It was here that I realized that I needed some kind of Inspect skill. Knowing how skills were made with repeated action, I knew that to create one I would have to examine everything I came across. I began immediately. I knew that if I just took tools off the walls to look at I would get in trouble so I stealthily bent down and began things on the floor. Taking care not to get myself dirty.
It was a several minutes before the workers stopped, it was at that time the Duchess stopped her conversation as well, allowing the workers to interrupt her.
"Your ladyship! It's been too long. What brings you to our neck of the woods?" A portly man asked.