Browsing the Marketplace|Haven | Ilyamen

[hisdivineshadow]

Clad in an unadorned grey tunic and cloak, Shen Aynaryn picked his way through the markets of Ilyamen, doing his best to avoid bumping into anyone, though it was difficult on the busy street. He would've liked to just ignore everyone else and simply go about his business, but he found that total strangers had an unsettling habit of colliding with him if he wasn't careful to move defensively.

All things considered, the healer was glad he only had to make these trips occasionally. Most of the herbs he needed, as well as some of the vegetables that went into preparing his own food, he was able to grow in his own backyard garden. But lately his supplies had been running low, due to an increased number of customers and a spate of bad weather that hindered his growing.

So far, he'd purchased quantities of peppermint and rosemary, as well as several large onions, all of which were riding in a basket under his left elbow. Coming to another grower's stall, he stopped to inspect the radishes, bypassing any that seemed too soft.

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It was so, so very good to be AWAY from that idiot. Once his temper over the time wasted settled, Ansrax found himself quite relaxed and looking forward to being in the desert again. This assignment had not been very long, but the Fires of Damien's clan were not nearly as annoying as Elias, and he would be glad to return to routine with his capable student, Ann.

The bounty hunter was currently restocking in Illyamen, using his well-earned coin to good effect. Belaria was laden with many packages, but being a draft horse, she was bearing up well.

Just some other vegetables now, then I believe I shall be able to move on, Ansrax thought, and stopped by a stall that boasted radishes, parsnips, very long carrots, potatoes and corn.

[hisdivineshadow]

After selecting a half dozen small, firm radishes and paying for them, Shen turned to proceed to the next stall, only to find his way blocked by a tall man and his heavy-laden pack horse. The healer felt a sinking feeling in his gut as he recognized the man's face. His immediate reaction was to want to turn and leave, hoping Ansrax failed to recognize him. But he needed corn and potatoes, and the bounty hunter was standing right in his way. So, he waited, and tried his best to look as nondescript as possible, in hopes the man wouldn't look too closely at him.

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Ansrax stopped just in time; if the man in front of him had been moving any faster, they would have sqaushed the smaller man's shopping basket between them, damaging valuable goods.

"Pardon me," the bounty hunter said automatically, and made to step aside, only to blink slowly as he recognized Shen. "Oh, it's you," he stated. "You appear to be much better now." A nod, and now Ansrax moved aside to let the healer pass.

[hisdivineshadow]

Shen's mood abruptly altered at the comment. Where moments before he had been timidly shying away, now he bristled at what he perceived as condescension on the bounty hunter's part. Snarling slightly, he demanded, "And what would you know of it? My affliction is none of your concern, so kindly do not bring it up again."

Ansrax's courtesy in stepping aside only seemed to aggravate Shen more. Fuming, he stomped up to the merchant's table and quickly grabbed the vegetables he needed. He reached for his coinpurse, then hesitated and looked back at the bounty hunter. "What do you need?" he demanded harshly, gesturing at the table.

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Ansrax blinked again, slower this time, not even mildly offended by the prickly healer. "I know not a thing," he said simply, turning his attention to the vegetables. "I apologize if my courtesies offended you. As for what I need, it is not your services." Now he addressed the vendor. "How much for two bunches of radishes, three dozen potatoes, and three bunches of carrots?"

The vendor gulped a bit. "Uh...." He ran through his options, not wanting to offend the dangerous-seeming man by charging too much. "Sixteen coppers, sir."

"Reasonable." Ansrax reached into one of his saddlebags.

[hisdivineshadow]

Without a word, Shen tossed his own payment on the table, along with the sixteen coppers owed by the bounty hunter. "Don't think I've forgotten," he muttered bitterly to Ansrax as he turned to go.

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Ansrax put a hand on Shen's shoulder; the healer could have shaken him off easily, but just by touching Shen, Ansrax made himself hard to ignore. "Forgotten what?" he inquired.

[hisdivineshadow]

The healer froze, tensing visibly. "I owed you," he hissed quietly. "Now I don't. Or did you think I wouldn't notice the coins you left after I treated you?" Shen's expression was growing increasingly grim, while the anger in his tone slowly drained away, leaving him sounding more weary than upset.

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"You gave a service. I paid for it. It would be unseemly to let your pride get in the way of a fair business transaction," Ansrax said coolly. "You may take back your money; there is no debt between us."

He reached into his own belt pouch for the currency needed. If Shen refused to retrieve his coins, then the vegetable dealer would just come out ahead. It was no skin off Ansrax's back, really: His argument had been perfectly reasonable.

[hisdivineshadow]

Shen stood gritting his teeth for a moment, then snatched the coins back. After returning them to his wallet and fastening it, he turned a bitter scowl toward Ansrax. "You call it pride, I call it conscience." He shook his head. "You helped me out as much as I did you. There was no need for payment."

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Ansrax again blinked slowly, processing that. "Would you relax if I told you it was a matter of personal honor?" he asked, very dry, almost sarcastic, but not quite edgy enough for that.

[hisdivineshadow]

Shen glared bitterly for a few moments, then looked away with a sigh that seemed to deflate him even further. "Fine. But I won't forget. If you ever need treatment again, you won't pay." The last was said with a clear note of finality. Hoisting the bags of vegetables he had purchased, the healer tried to slip away through the crowd before Ansrax could steal the last word.

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"You're awfully moody for a Water," Ansrax mentioned. "Maybe you should try some licorice root. It makes a nice tea and stabilizes emotions."

Belaria snorted, as if laughing, and the bounty hunter claimed his own produce. "Thank you," he told the merchant.

[hisdivineshadow]

Shen called over his shoulder dryly, "And what would a killer know of healing herbs?"