---Main market street just beyond the Dozy'Mare where the two guards made there commotion not long ago.---
The hustle and bustle of market life continued on, unperturbed by the bell's calls like any other day, people of all creeds wrapping up their wares and placing them into finely meshed bags, making sure they had everything before heading off to the announcement at the luring call of the bell.
It all ended at the coming sound that halted those further ahead, repeating itself once more.
*RYTHEM OF SABATONS HITTING OFF OF STONE AND THE SHIFTING OF ARMOUR.*
The shuffles of customers and merchants halted in the market street as they all absorbed the echoing rhythm of armour clattering against the sunken cobbles, slowly realising its significance as they muttered between themselves, copying the people from further up the street.
*MIXED CONVERSATIONS OF PEOPLE SEEING THE COMING GUARD.*
A young woman by a stall that was shimmering from the multitude of gems and stones spoke to the jeweller behind the deep stall, patiently waiting for something that would never come, holding the small coin purse in her hands to quickly pay for it and be on her way.
Female adventurer: I think it looks to be another announcement from the Lord or the church... maybe both (Looking at the Jeweller and leaning in.) 'Hushed.' That's three in two days, isn't it? (Slightly turning to the guards stamping close by.)
The mysterious figure behind the coloured stones smiled at the woman's interest, flicking from the customer and the coming group.
Female Adventurer: I wonder where they are going? Aren't they... (Looking at the chains dangling in the guards hands.) Oh my... 'Stunned worry.' Aren't they royal guild guards?
As she turned away from the passing of stamping feet, trying to hide her interest she showed just a second ago, not wanting to lock eyes with the imposing men and women from the guild she knew and worked for, the adventurer's soft, interested voice crackled, and a gloom overtook her, hearing the rattle of chains now directly behind her.
*SHUFFLES OF ARMOUR AND CHAINS.*
The jeweller spoke from behind the stall, seeing the uneasiness in the woman, her neck slathered in silver and gold chains and multi-coloured stones of all shapes and sizes that were nestled in between the crack of her firm breasts.
But one piece sat out of place; it was a lone rust-covered ring hiding under the vines of metal as the others caught the light of the morning sun.
Dwinnerva the Jeweller: Them? 'Uninterested.' That has nothing to do with me, my dear; I sell stones and silver, not knowledge of the royal guards comings and goings, that would cost you extra if you wanted something like that. 'Cheeky smile.'
The female adventurer shot a wondering look and realised it to be sarcasm that went over her head.
Dwinnerva: As for the bell... 'Pausing.' It's a rare occurrence, but it does happen. The Lord... (Seeing the guards move closer.)
*MUFFLED COUGHS.*
The air was filled with a sharp, forced cough, covered by a fist that moved back to the stall's top.
Dwinnerva: Our dear Lord loves to keep us "the people in his mind." 'Smiling.'
The royal guard at the rear glanced to their left, aiming for the stall of stones and back to their march, finding nothing of worth in the conversation unfolding or the stall itself.
Dwinnera: (Focusing on her customer.) It will take Kohl some time to get here with your order anyway, so it works into our favour. 'Winking.' Your husband will surely be pleased with it; the hands of fate do smile upon you, well, you both, when he sees you wearing it tonight. (Putting two fingers over her lips.) It will surely make him go wild... If not, then find someone else, is what I say.
The female adventurer blushed at the words, her eyes moving to her chest then down to her groin, imagining something on her body, lewd pleasure swirling in her head.
Dwinnerva: (Looking at the tower peaking over the warehouses in the distance.) When you get back from the charade, it will be waiting for you. (Playful hand gesture pushing the woman away.) You don't want to keep your husband and the coming Lord waiting in the square, do you? 'Happy.'
A gleeful smile shot back at Dwinnerva as the flustered woman pattered away, no longer holding onto the coin purse that moved out of sight. The female adventurer was now quickly joining the growing group ahead as they made their way to where the guards had come from, all of them aiming for the man square.
The silhouette of a man wrapping his arm around the female adventurer vanished into the sea of bodies.
A fleeting thought popped into the jeweller's head while watching the sight of the customer leaving her stall, her hand moving to the ring on her chest, thumbing the rust as nostalgia washed over her.
Dwinnerva: Ahh, young, fleeting love, enjoy it while your beauty lasts. (A thought popped into her head.)
The jeweller looked behind her, glancing over her wares.
Dwinnerva: "Kohl, just where are you?" 'Concerned mublings.' You are running late again.
*TAP, TAP OF A NAIL ON WOOD*
A varnished red nail of the jeweller tapped the stall top, chipping the old varnished wood as she turned to the see guards, slowing down in their march, hearing their feet no longer in rhythm to her left.
Four royal guards continued past the end of the stalls, keeping their pace from before, while the other six in the same armour as the ones in front, though not adorned with the copper trim, moved away and to the stalls, now standing to either side.
They began to guard the wares, glancing over at the slaves moving boxes around at their masters calls, ignoring the people moving away who were already knowing what to do at the bell's beckon without being told. Blank expressions were present on all of their faces, standing motionless, their spears digging into the ground, forming living statues of flesh and steel.
For those that were lost on what to do, the occasional call to head to the square was spoken up from the golems of steel.
Guard standing still: May all head to the square for a morning announcement!
Not wanting to be harassed by the guard, Dwinnerva moved around, preparing to get a move on.
Dwinnerva reached back into the stall and flung something over her shoulders; it was a purple cloak that was draped over a small empty wooden chair, casually whipping the hood up and past her long black hair, teasing it down her shoulders before setting off into the sun-filled world.
Before leaving to join the river of bodies in front of her, she swivelled back to the stall once more, where she saw a small figure struggling to move the large crate along the floor, lifting the weight from one end and dragging it against the cobbles.
The clacking of wood ran out.
*THUMP, THUMP, THUMP OF A BOX.*
A crass and sharp voice lashed out at the young girl pulling the box, making the little form stumble, almost tipping it over, the sweetness long gone from her past tone to the customer.
Dwinnerva: Just leave that for Kohl, you simpleton... 'Sighing.' You just can't do anything right, can you, Chu? (Shooing gesture.) Why I ever procured is a mystery in itself.
The little form stopped in what they were doing, immediately listening to her master's words.
Dwinnerva: Just return to your task of sorting those gems, and stay focused! (Pointing a finger at a small box.) If you want to eat, I want all of them done by this afternoon. Understood? 'Emotionless.'
A tiny head listened to her orders that were barked out by the woman, followed by a bobbing of a head moving up and then back down, the thick, ruffled orange fur flicking with the gesture.
Chu timidly slithered into the back of the stall, a small tail in tow, after slowly returning the box to its original location. The small girl sat on a broken box, the rough wood digging through the thin clothes she wore, and the tiny hands shifted through a large crate of chipped and broken gems, the blue and red mixing into shades of purple from the stray light making its way into the back of the stall and the cracks above in the shoddy roof.
Long-staring cat eyes peered deeply into the glittering stones as her master walked on, joining the growing group that moved further away, heading towards the tower now.
As the voluptuous woman slinked off, she turned, smiling at the guard who was watching the woman order her slave to its task.
Dwinnerva put her head down, the smile no longer present on her face, hiding from the sun as she walked towards the main square.