[Market Day] - Misplaced Shipments

[Cathy Mosley]

Batista Dyer left her fabric shop. First locking the door, and then activating the stun matrix embedded in the melt. This day the lovely, petite, black haired woman wore a long skirt, the color of mahogany, a form-fitting burgundy jacket, and her long hair was caught up in a silver mesh that glinted with pieces of jet. About her neck was the chain of office marking her as head of the Merchant's Guild. Deep emerald green eyes casually, but thoroughly, took in her surroundings before she began to stroll towards the market square.

A cry of "Rupert!" brought her attention briefly upwards, and a rare hint of a smile to her lips. ~Hello, Rupert,~ she 'Sent' her spirit ally.. She knew that the young Crow was fascinated with the name 'Rupert,' and have taken to calling the spirit bird that. Briefly the adolescent crow landed on a building ahead of her - gave another cry of "Rupert!" and flew off.

"So where are we off to today?" Corvin asked - stepping from one realm to hers.

She eyed the tall, black haired man. His face tanned and well shaped, with perpetual humor dancing in his ebony eyes.

"I'm guessing you are bored," she commented, "If you want to go looking at incoming shipments."

"Only marginally," he replied, "I remember you mentioning that there have been problems with the shipments into Montfort lately."

Now her gaze hardened, and she said, "Yes, and guild members are not happy. The shipments are coming from our regular suppliers. Mages have done truth checks on the caravan personnel, and they are telling the truth - nothing odd happens while in route."

"And yet?"

"And yet fabric, food stuffs, wines, have all been substituted for items of far lesser quality."

"Well, nothing like a good mystery to start the day," her companion said.