Four people walked together at the busy walkways of Meury’s main market. The first two, were holding hands, and walk very close to each other, most people would consider them lovers or newlyweds, they talked in a low voice to one another, and from time to time talked with their other two companions. The other two walked separated, they talked from time to time, with the awkwardness of new acquaintances.
Two days of conference had passed since the joust. Meury had a jovial air, the presence of the Fey Danan delegation at the city had passed from nervousness to celebration since the announcement of the alliance. There would be no conference today as Loire council needed to approve many of the propositions and agreements that had been discussed.
Frey had become an important member of the Fey Danan delegation by now. After Frey and lord Finean had started working with the rest of the delegation, they overhauled their possibilities, so much that Loire had needed to ask for a day, to consult with the rest of the council their options. Lord Finean had surprised Frey, as he had taken into consideration everyone of her ideas, and he either corrected or expanded them, she had been ecstatic about it, Aedrik had said his campaign into the warring lands had been met with interest, and many more nobles were up for it, that he had anticipated.
Since they had the day off, Frey invited Aedrik to a walk around the city, as both did not have to responsibilities for the day. They were going to have diner at the Lunebleau estate again, but they wanted to spend whatever time they could alone. Tonight’s diner was important, since Percy would leave to meet his father, and prepared the forces of house Beaumont.
They had almost managed to escape the estate alone, but somehow Danielle had stick with them. In a moment of inspiration Aedrik invited Pan, to serve as Danielle companion, allowing him and Frey a little more space.
Frey and Aedrik were chatting happily, behind them Danielle and Pan, seemed to be like oil and water, they bickered about everything. As the group walked around the main market, every one of the merchants, eyed the curious group with interest. The joust had been open to the commoners, most people in the city could recognize Aedrik and Frey, from the joust.
Pan drew attention wherever he went, with his impossibly handsome features, and Danielle always dressed to drew attention. The merchants were quickly arranging their stalls and stores. A newly engaged couple, a foreign prince and a high noble lady, they could almost hear the coins they were carrying around.
Aedrik had told Frey he wanted to purchase something for his sisters, and Frey was delighted with the idea of helping him, so had Danielle, hence why she tagged along. Meury’s main market had the best products in all of Loire, it was in a way the heart of the kingdom.
The fountain district where the Lunebleau estate was, had the best and most exclusive boutiques. Danielle loved to wander around them, but Frey had always preferred the main market, it had a different air, it felt alive.
The market was a better picture of what Loire had, they had more choices, and there were also very exclusive stores as well. She wanted to take him to a stall that traded the cloths and textiles her dukedom made; they were competing against the best.
"How do you manage to not get lost in this market? Stalls are everywhere, with little order or sense to them" Behind them, Pan was arguing with Danielle.
"How can you say there is no order. You have similar products together, or from the same region" Danielle snapped back
"Yeah, but placing them together does not bring order, see, those are fruit sellers, and next to them are dye sellers, I don't see someone coming for fruits and dyes, you should have food together at least”
Frey had already noticed; many merchants and traders were attentive to what they did or say. Pan and Danielle were a fine-looking pair, many women turned to look at the fey man as they walked along. Danielle was known across Meury as an avid buyer, but she seldom visited the market, this was a chance for many. Still, she knew most eyes were set on her and Aedrik, but he had little attention for anything else, that was not her, or what she was showing him.
“There are a lot of petitions to organize the market in a different manner. The problem is that many of the merchants and traders own their stores and stalls, and many are also backed by nobles, I have heard my father saying that in a way is better for the noble council to keep fighting over the market, instead of themselves. Luka told me that the royal duke was going to take over the subject, and try to reach a consensus, after the results of the alliance” Her father had given Luka his vote in that regard, that is why she had heard about it.
“So, in a way, the market represents the conflict between the nobles, it makes sense why some of the products are different, but they probably come from the same region. Does your dukedom, has a place in the market?” Aedrik wondered happily
“We help with a space for our clothiers and farmers. Our cloths and fabrics doing exceptionally well” Frey said proudly.
“Is there one from the Beaumont dukedom?” Pan wondered
“We have a small store, at the other entrance of the market, the dukedom specializes in dairy products, the store sells cheese, our other products go straight to our buyers” Danielle answered succinctly.
“I am not that fond of cheese”
“I am not surprised”
Frey smiled awkwardly at the two people exchange behind her, they both bickered but seemed to be well prepared for the other. Aedrik on the other hand, looked with curiosity at everything, when he was not sneaking glances at his companion.
"I want to take you to our stall; you truly need to see our cloths and textiles" Frey said proudly and Aedrik nodded “I think they might even surprise you Pan”
"If the dress you wore to the ball, was made with these fabrics, I like them already" Aedrik's eyes were too honest, Frey was slowly getting used to them, she blushed but just barely. She had been surprised the people were given them enough room to walk by, they clearly knew who they were, perhaps Aedrik display at the joust make everyone consider their space, he carried a short sword near his back. She had also noted Siv and another northerner moving around them. They gave them much more space than most of the man-at-arms from house Lunebleau would.
"I think you could also get something for you sisters, what kind of things would they like? How do they dress?” Frey was very curious about, Aedrik's sisters, the 3 princesses of the Fey Danan Empire, her future sisters in law.
"I am not sure, you will have to help me there" Aedrik was pensive "Vania and Lucylle, tend to jump around a lot, but they do were dresses from time to time, I was considering in getting them dress materials. My youngest sister Lune, loves dresses, if we could I would like to have one made for her, she likes to wear traditional ones from wherever she visits"
"Wait, then why don't we choose something different for Vania and Lucylle" Frey wanted to gift them something they remember.
"Vania is weird, she likes expensive food, chess, and daggers, sharp and magical” Frey rose her eyebrow, that was not what she expected from a princess, but it made sense considering what she heard about Vania” Lucylle on the other hand likes bows, painting and theatre dramas” Princess Lucylle had also curious affinities.
“You forget, she loves scaring people, playing pranks on anyone and hunting” Pan added with disdain.
“Yeah, you are right…” Frey had a sudden realization, her sisters in law were going to be interesting to say the least.
“I almost forgot, Luna wanted me to ask you, if there was a color theme for the wedding, or one you have chosen for them?”
“A what?” Danielle answered interested
“It’s a Ran Crete tradition, the trend is being adopted quickly by the empire” Pan added
“The bride and groom choose among a color for their closest friends and family, they all dress in that color to the wedding. The groom chooses only males and are called his men of honor, the bride chooses only female, and they are her maids of honor. They are meant to help the couple prepare for the day of the wedding and at the party” Aedrik explained happily.
“I like the idea, makes no difference in case of nobility but the closeness and importance to the couple” Frey was marveled at the idea.
“I think is a fine idea, as long as the dresses are not the same, that would waste a good opportunity to dazzle a possible suitor”
“How come, I also share the same idea, are we wrong?” Pan was pensive at Danielle’s response.
"I understand, the brides, organizes a visit to the tailor accompanied with her maids of honor, and they spent a day or several, helping her choose the colors and fabric. I have assisted few weddings like these, but in my brother Levi, wedding, I liked it" Aedrik explained.
"Well, Levi had the incredible sense of choosing a deep blue color, for us man of honor" Pan said full of himself "But I have to admit, it was a grand spectacle" the eldest prince of the Empire wedding, had been a grand event. He married a Zel princess, and their union signaled peace between both nations. A blood-soaked wedding were the words by which many called the wedding.
"I think, I like the idea, for the second ceremony, I would like to have a day like that" Frey answered. The idea of looking at dresses and fabrics with 3 princesses, Danielle, Noelle, Lea, Cecile, Ide and Anne, was something she could somehow imagine "Perhaps when they come for the first ceremony, we could do it" Frey was excited about the idea.
"Dress shopping with three princesses, well, I am looking forward to that" Danielle also said excited
"Do not expect much from Lucylle her sense of fashion is nonexistent, Vania has surprisingly impeccable taste, but she likes dressing in black, just don’t let her choose the color and it will be fine" Pan added, and Frey wondered how Aedrik’s sisters were. Vania the oldest, was the only one whom Frey had heard things about. The silent beauty, the cold death. That is how she was referred after her involvement with the death of Faerun royal family.
"I have no objections, with what you may choose, Frey, but please don't choose something that would make me look like a clown" Pan pointed as his mauve hair and smiled.
"That would be a feat in itself" Aedrik snorted at Danielle's comment and Pan just smiled clearly bothered by her response.
“I was a bit overwhelmed by the idea of two weddings, but we could have different things, you are right Aedrik” Frey admitted
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“That’s why Luna said I should ask with you, and we could get the cloths for their dresses, she also hoped a seamstress could work her and my other sister’s dresses, she is aware of how good Loire’s seamstress are. But I would also try to gift them something they like, you think you could help me?” Aedrik admitted a bit embarrassed, his younger sister had sent him on an errant, Frey smiled at the idea.
“That’s Luna for you” Pan added
"I think we can get everything; we just have to take a few stops along the way. We could get Vania, Loirian sweet wine and checked on some weapon stalls” Frey said pensive “For Lucylle, I know a fletcher who Luka always buys from, and we could get some dyes and paints as well since she likes painting” Aedrik nodded happily “And for Luna…”
“A dress” Aedrik and Pan said at the same time
“Truly?” Frey wondered
“She really likes them”
Frey was uneasy of meeting the youngest princess. The most sheltered of the imperial family, no one questioned why. Princess Luna had been with the Empress when she was killed. A trap, set by Faerun royal crown, and executed by Zel. The empire sent an army led by princess Vania to march on the culprits behind the trap.
Frey felt very ashamed now of how she had questioned Aedrik about how the Empire had treated Faerun. Luka and her father both had seen the evidence the empire brought on the subject. The message and letters, exchanged by Faerun crown, and the high king of Zel.
The trap they prepared costed the life of the Empress but also that of the high king of Zel and left the crown prince of Zel wounded. In the end, this let to the fall of Faerun, and Zel as it once was.
Even more alarming, were the evidence of what had happened in Lemus. The imperial army had been framed of the massacre that befell the city, but it had been carried out by order of the royal family of Faerun. They were hoping to rally the kingdom against the Empire, their allies who had agreed to working with Zel faltered after what had happened. The order was filtered, and even though the royal crown carried with their plan, it was known who had been responsible.
The imperial army marched uninterrupted to the capital of Faerun, where princess Vania ended the royal family. The king and prince of Faerun were responsible for the death of the empress and the massacre of Lemus.
Frey had been meaning to talk to Aedrik about it but she did not know how. She would have to, and soon. The youngest princess had been kept close to the emperor since then. Frey wanted to truly make her feel welcome, her coming to their wedding was going to be one of the first trips the princess was allowed since her mother death.
Frey felt her father and lord Lunebleau, were sometimes different people. Aedrik, was in a way more aligned with his title, from what she had seen. What she have heard of princess Vania, made no sense on how Pan talked about her liking black clothing. People were too complex, that was for sure.
“A dress it is then” Frey said after a moment of expectation.
"We better get going, I do have some responsibilities to take care" Pan said, and every laughed, he frowned and went behind them.
“I hope she likes them”
“She will be delighted, Frey, thank you” They bought bright colored paints and some curious dyes, which merchants said they were exclusive to Loire. It had been a bad idea to move near the weapons stalls, as hall the merchants jumped at the sight of the Aedrik.
Aedrik and Frey were overwhelmed by eager merchants, they could not look for a dagger for Vania, even Siv and two more from their escort, had to intervene to let them out of the weapon stores.
In the end it took Frey pushing towards the fletcher who Luka knew for the other merchants to finally settled down. The man was young, he had inherited his father's stall and thanks to Luka, he was very sought after.
Even Pan had been impressed by his work, he and Aedrik bought several arrows and a quiver from him. They were not enchanted but they were beautifully crafted. Frey was happy, and the young fletcher was booming, he knew his business had just received a great patron all other fletchers were looking at him with jealously. He even gave them a discount, which to Frey surprise, Pan refused, he told the man he should treasure and value his work. Danielle who had not been interested on anything Pan had said, was impressed by him.
They left the paints and dyes stall and were heading for the clothiers and couturiers. The entire market was focused on them, every one of the merchants new about lady Lunebleau and the Fe Danan prince wedding, never mind the alliance, trade deals or the orc situation, all of Meury talked about the coming wedding. Whoever managed to sell the couple could boast about it and most certainly bring in new costumers hoping to buy were the soon the be married couple had done as well.
None of the merchants had friends, they were all competitors, but among them all, there was an old man with a smug face, near the end of the alley. He was the merchant from Lunebleau territory, he sold only fabrics, bolt of cloths and weaves, but his business was good, and he had always boasted of knowing the ladies of house Lunebleau. He was the enemy of every other clothier.
On every stall and store were placed the finest pieces of merchandise available. They knew they had only a small chance of grabbing the couple attention, some tried to make discounts and engage in dialogue, but the young lady had a destination, and the prince would not stop for anything but her. Some were trying to grab the couple behind them, but they were trying to keep on their way, only the fey man, was looking all around. It was clear for every merchant that their destination was the stall with the old man grinning from ear to ear.
Suddenly Aedrik stopped, surprising Frey and startling Danielle and Pan behind them. He turned and was looking at an old woman, teaching a very young girl how the use the spinning wheel. She would have not seen the stall if not for Aedrik stopping, it was placed to a wall, and partly covered by the rest, but Aedrik took her hand firmly and had them walk to them.
"Good afternoon, old one" Aedrik made a complicated salute, Frey was at a lost, and Pan made the same salute Aedrik had done “my name is Aedrik, my I inquire yours?” He had was holding her hand tightly, the old woman stopped the spinning wheel as she turned to face them.
She was dressed in a brown tunic, her hair was long and white, her eyes olive green, she was smiling at Aedrik, a beautiful but cold smile, and Frey noticed she was looking straight at Aedrik’s eyes.
"I know who you are, I can see much of your mother in you, young le Fay" the old lady responded, her voice was thin, it alarmed Frey "Could you tell your companion to calm down, it is you who sought me out” Aedrik turned and saw Pan standing, covering Danielle from the old lady.
"Pan stop, you are being rude" Pan calmed down a little, but he seemed to be on edge. Who was this old lady? Frey and Danielle were at a lost.
"My name is Clotho, young... prince, yes, that you are" Frey was worried, she wanted to go, but Aedrik steady and warm hand, held her closely, calmly.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, old lady Clotho, pardon my rudeness, let me introduce to you, my fiancée, lady Frey" Aedrik, nodded at the old lady, and Frey, gave the old lady a bow. The old lady, smiled back at Frey, but with a gentler and more genuine smile.
"You are lucky, to find such an interesting young lady, prince, and let me congratulate you both" the old lady bowed, and Frey answered with another as she noticed Aedrik had done the same "My, I wonder what, can I do for you, young le fay?"
"I am sorry, for interrupting you, old lady, I was surprised when I saw you, and I wondered, if there is something I can do for you? seeing as how you are too far from home" Aedrik told the old lady with a gentle tone.
"But you are as well, young prince, and this place is as good as any other home" The old lady snorted.
"I differ, old lady, home is where the heart is" and as Aedrik said that he turned towards Frey, and she blushed.
"Do you presume, to know where my heart lies, young prince?" the old lady replied. her smile had faded, and Frey felt a chill.
"I do not, old lady, but I can see too much sadness in your thread, a longing I have only seen on someone when they miss their home" Aedrik replied with his gentle tone still, the old lady was surprised about his answer, and looked again at Aedrik's eyes, but Frey felt the chill she had felt fading.
"A cursed prince, it’s who you have decided to marry young lady, or were you not aware of it?" the old lady had turned for Frey. She looked and Aedrik and he just nodded.
"I am... old lady" Frey answered copying how Aedrik addressed the strange woman, she laughed.
"Call me, Clotho, young lady, you have nothing to worry about, I can see from your hair, you are a Lunebleau, and my ears still work well enough to have heard every of my peers, talking about your wedding" Frey was surprised about how much the old lady face expressed "I confess, I bought my wool from your sheep, and can see you care for threads and weaves, why pray tell, would you decide to marry a cursed man?"
"He does not see it as a curse, lady Clotho, why should I?" Frey replied honestly, she felt the old lady looking at straight at her, deeper, inquiring.
"There is no magic stronger that what holds your fiancée, young lady, may I ask in place of a mother now gone, if your intentions are sincere" Frey turned towards Aedrik, who seemed to be very calm.
"You don’t have to answer Frey if you don’t want to, it is a question out curiosity and old friendship, she means no disrespect” Aedrik tone did not change, but Frey felt his grip tighter on her hand. The old lady sighed and nodded.
"Pardon me young lady, the young le Fay is right, I do not wish to bother you, and he has shown nothing but respect, he is cursed, with an old an ancient ailment of our people, but though his eyes show him much, he does not guide by them, I was curious, and as he says I am missing home, his eyes reminded me of days past, I wondered as he said, for an old friend " the old lady sighed.
"My intentions are sincere, lady Clotho, look at my eyes, and see that for yourself" the old lady turned and looked at her with curiosity and surprise “I thank you if you asked because you cared, because I care for him" The old lady smiled and nodded.
"Fair enough, young lady Lunebleau, and thank you for your honest response”
“I ask again, old lady, is there anything I may help you with?" Aedrik asked again.
"Is the prince asking? or a young man?" Aedrik laughed with the old lady.
"I intend to be truth to myself, as much as I can, old lady, but this time, I assure you, both hands are offered"
"If that is the case, is there something you expect out of this?" the old lady asked with her curious cold tone, Frey frowned, she was certain this old woman, was fey and perhaps a powerful mage, noticing how Pan had acted, but Aedrik had been nothing but respectful towards her.
"There is not, old lady, I only approach to you, because I saw your sadness" Aedrik replied in his gentle tone, the old lady kept inspecting him
"You know about me?" the old lady asked
"I can presume I do, old lady, but my mother spoke of lady Clotho, her words is what I know" the old lady, eyebrows raised, and then frowned.
"There is one thing I could use from you prince, and I may even offer you something in return" the old lady smile crooked with her words.
"Aedrik, do not listen to her" Pan suddenly said and the old lady turned towards him with a murderous gaze.
"Do not my mind cousin, old lady, don’t you held any contempt on him, my fiancée or her cousin, they only came because of me" the old lady once more, looked at Aedrik "I offered my help, old lady, and I still do. I do not care for a trade, I did not sought you out, lady Clotho, I offer my help, I do so because I want to" Aedrik replied smiling.
"So, you say, young le Fay, but I can offer many things young prince, why would you not hear any of it?" Frey was once more nervous with the way the old lady spoke, it felt like she was...
"I am cursed old lady, and old and wise as you may be, I have been cursed from the day I was born. I care not for a deal, I cannot change my curse, but I am free to do as I will, hurt that as it may, I know what you would offer, I ask you now to look into my eyes, and listen to me. I love her, and that is all there is to it" the old lady eyes were set on Aedrik's "What can I do for you, old lady?" Aedrik asked once more with a gentle tone.
"This little girl, I found alone. She was lost like me, I gave her a place to stay, but I cannot offer her a home, and she deserves one" the young girl who had been quietly listening a she sat next to the old lady, clung to her tunic, Frey guessed she was around 6 or 7. Frey frowned at the old lady’s words.
Aedrik, took Frey's hand with both of his, and he gave her a calming look. He kneeled at the level of the young girl, and the little girl who was clinging to the old lady, suddenly was lost looking at Aedrik's eyes.
"What is your name little one?" Aedrik asked, the old lady stroke the young girl hair gently.
"Straw"
"Is it true what old lady Clotho says?" the old lady, was frowning at Aedrik but said nothing. The young girl was still looking only at Aedrik and then her eyes were troubled, but no answer came.
"I understand, little Straw" Aedrik nodded at the young girl, and gift her, with a charming and soothing smile "I was wrong, old lady, lost is what you are old lady" Aedrik said as he stood up.
"This little girl, already has a home, broken as it maybe, it is home for her, and for someone as lost as you, there is something I can do for you" Aedrik, extended his hands, palms facing up "Place each one of you, a hand on mine” The little girl Straw, turned to look at the old lady, who was frowning still but nodded at the young girl. The little girl hand looked extremely small on Aedrik's massive hand, and after a moment, the old lady place hers.
"Few things are sadder, than those who cannot, let their heats show how they feel" as Aedrik voice went, it had taken a melodic tone, and Frey felt as if magic was gathering there, the old lady eyes opened wide but she did not move "I will take what hinders you, so that you may look, inside the other one’s heart, for a moment" as he said that a faint glow appeared on his hands and the old and lady and the little girl, both turned to look at each other surprised, their eyes opened wide, they stood there for a few seconds and then the glow disappeared, the little girl hugged the old lady with abandon, tears were covering both their faces.
Aedrik sighed, stood up slowly, and grabbed Frey’s hand once more, it was incredibly warm. The old lady, was hugging the little girl, stroking her hair gently, lovingly, calming her, and turned towards Aedrik.
"How did you do that, young le Fay?" the old lady asked, but Frey noticed she was now being respectful towards Aedrik.
"My fiancée already told you, I do not think, I am cursed, old lady” Aedrik replied smiling.