laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

William started down the gang plank when he heard Captain Burbek call out, "Arhus be with you."

William replied, "May Archantael see you home."

As he walked into the marketplace, a wave of anger washed over him. William realized that if he was to succeed in his mission he must control his emotions. William stopped, closed his eyes and said a short prayer to Arhus for strength. He then felt a familiar warm feeling come over him. As William continued through the market he noted that it was not dissimilar to the ones in Ruse and Carbost - merchants peddling their wares, the sounds, the smells. William recalled when he was last here he had heard Kuzin and Astaran spoken by some of the merchants.

Unnervingly, he became aware of being watched by many sets of eyes. Four sets of eyes belonged to a group of men he felt were city militia. The men were dressed in similar colors and styles. They were also armed with identical long swords which, if he remembered, were called scimitars. They were long and curved, designed for the slash rather than the pierce. Having had fought several of these types of men in his prior visit, he had only seen them wear heavy or quilted cloth rather than plate or chain. Fortunately, the men watched him for a few minutes and then moved on.

After an hour or so, he heard someone call out in Astaran, "Meat! Cheese! Fruit! Nuts!"

William turned to see a man in his sixties standing in the doorway of a shop. William walked toward the man, then stopped a few feet from him and demanded, "You there, you speak Astaran."

"Yes, Sahib, how may I serve you."

William retorted, "I need supplies for a journey. Can you handle that?"

The man replied, "I am sure I can. What and how much do you need." William gave him a list. The merchant answered, "Yes Sahib, I can get all of these things you need. Oh, the True One forgive me my manners. I am Ali." But William just looked at him as the merchant made a guesture with his hand and bowed slightly.

Impatiently, William asked, "How long and how much?"

The man thought for a moment, "Five gold, Sahib. This includes a beast of burden, unless you have one."

"Fine." William reached for his pouch.

But Ali interrupted him, "No Sahib. When you are satisfied, then you pay. I should have everything you need by the time the sun is high."

William assumed he meant noon so Willliam scanned the sky and believed it to be around 10 a.m. "Very well," he said rather gruffly.

"If I may suggest, Sahib, you may want to refresh yourself at the cafe across the street. Ask for Raja."

Without responding, William headed to the cafe.