[Market Day]

[Troshen]

[Sergeant Daythan]
The sun wasn't quite up when the husky, middle-aged warrior stepped onto Main Street. He gently closed the door behind him. No need to wake anybody at this early hour. Leaving the Guardhouse behind him, he strode purposefully towards the lower city's main square, boot heels striking the cobbles with each bold step. As if he owned the place. Above average height, thick, heavily built. Scarred on his hands, arms, and face, the evidence of a lifetime of hard fighting with swords. He wore a tunic with the emblem of The City of Montfort on the front, his rapier on a baldric over his shoulder. A shock of thick black hair, with just hints of gray over his ears. And a cocky smile on his face.

"That thief Renik better not show his face this week. I'll have him in irons for sure this time."

In fact, trying to beat Renik and catch the young thief in action had become a weekly thing. every market day for the last few months, Daythan had been trying to catch him.

This time for sure.


[Renik The Slip]
It had been ten years since Renik had taken over the orphans of Montfort. He was no longer the 8 to 12 year old boy. A full grown young man he was now. The shaggy locks of sandy hair were still there. As were the brown eyes. No longer in dirty old tunics and britches. He wore well white undershirt and a tan vest. Leather pants. And excellent boots. The first lesson of wear-the-best-shoes-possible still did him right every time.

His face showed excitement, as he urged the other young men and boys on down the alleyway.

"Listen up. Ol'-Double-Chin's gonna make us all wealthy today. So be on the lookout. Got it? Good, now get lost!." They scattered, down streets, up roofs, through doors. Renik strode towards the market, down the middle of the street. A smile as wide as the sea lit up his face.

[The Market]
With the sunrise came the merchants. The workmen. The hired hands It was too early to wake the Lower City quite yet. A few years back, so the rumor went, a rich nobleman had raised a fuss that the market noises disturbed his sleep. And ever since then the City had a law that the City Watch would fine anyone making noise before First Bell. So quietly they worked. The stalls went up. The roofs. The tables. Farmers pulled in their carts and wagons.

Market Day was coming together.

[Troshen]

[Vannar Tabulous III]

A heavyset rich man, Vannar hovered like a mother hen over his 5 stalls at the market. His workers were setting things up, getting ready for Market Day. His gut hung over his belt. His double-chin wagged like the ruff on a dog. And the rings on his fingers had enough gold to feed most families for a year.

"Watch that! Keep those thongs tight! Bah! Out of the way, I'll do it myself." The sun was just rising, and his stalls weren't open for business yet.

Finally they had all the merchandise laid out. Silks from Vanadan Isle. Intricate leathers from Greenhaven and the elves. Crystak goblets from Duggenheim and the dwarves. It was truly a beauty to see.

Vannar set his hands on his hips.

"Done!"

[Troshen]

[Renik / Vannar The Merchant / Sergeant Daythan]

The sun was fully up now, and the people were beginning to arrive. More and more of them. People from all walks of life, the poor to the rich filled the spaces between the stalls. The bakers were selling their wares too. Host crusty buns. Sausage rolls. Hand pies. The works.

Renik walked passed a bakery vendor, having a meat pie tucked in his hand. He waited until he was on the other side of the market to eat it as he surveyed the market. He could see 4 of his "boys" sweeping the place. They'd have a few pockets picked before long. He said little. Nothing in fact.

Vannar engaged the rich clients near his stalls, showing off his wares. He smiled at each transaction, his wares having come from great distances, and were very valuable.

Sergeant Daythan found Renik, and his eyes followed him. He watched him like a hawk, sure that he'd catch him in the act. He knew the pie MUST have been stolen. But so far didn't have any proof he could use.

The noise and the hub bub went on, and the snacks and candy sellers kept the children occupied as parents strolled together.