The Innocence of Teacups

Night blue lanterns with silver stars painted on them hung on poles all the way down Midnight Street where merchants were stood behind tables full of trinkets, fancy ornaments, colourful pottery, dazzling headbands, and candles of all shapes and styles. Competition for customers was stiff seen as it was hard to stand out against all the variety on offer at the Midnight Market.

His gothic style jewellery wasn’t catching many peoples’ eyes. Black glass wasn’t very in with spring. Best to get some lighter coloured glass some yellows, oranges, and greens. Think spring meadows. Yeah he could do that and find some spare boards of wood and carve some spring themes onto them; sunsets and lambs. They might look good hung up in peoples’ homes. While he was daydreaming about carvings to create a cluster of potential customers came round his stall. He looked up and gave a welcoming smile to Zora and her friends who were browsing through his jewellery. Those girls were like vultures when it came to jewellery. Best to keep quiet about telling them those beads were glass. Trainee knights could probably afford to buy real gems.

“Did you make these? They’re different.” Zora held up a black bracelet with a dangling red jewel. “Archaic looking. I could wear this to a masquerade.”

“Is there one?”

“No but Lev’s having her spring party it’s running late because of the spirit situation. Do you need one of us to invite you as a plus one?”

“Actually I’ve already been invited by Lev herself.”

“Well she does have a thing for handsome young men. Step carefully she’s rumoured to pounce.”

Claude pushed forward to the front of his stall and placed a hand on Zora’s back. “Do you want me to buy you that bracelet?”

“I can buy it myself.”

“No I insist.” Claude flourished a money pouch out of his satchel. “How much merchant?”

“Ten silver.” He put up an effort not to smirk then fall into laughter as Claude pranced about trying to win Zora’s affections. Finding this situation amusing probably wasn’t appropriate on his part. If Zora liked him in a more than friends type way why didn’t she just tell him? Then Claude would be saved the bother of showing himself up. While Claude was counting out coins he took the bracelet Zora had picked out and gently fixed it to her wrist.

Nina and Dessa giggled away to themselves as they picked out a couple of necklaces. They paid for these, wished him luck getting some more sales, then moved on further down the street.

When the trainees left he rearranged his stall. Customers sure were messy. At least tidying up gave him something to do. He doubted selling much more. When done straightening out bracelets and untangling a majority of them he noticed a man in a beige uniform stood at his stall watching him. On making eye contact the man bowed.

“Are you Mister Pelevin?”

He nodded.

The man handed him a folded piece of parchment. “A telegram for merchant Alexander Pelevin.”

A telegram for him? Who did he know who sent telegrams? He was about to ask the Post Runner alas he’d already turned on his heel and left. Carefully he unfolded the parchment and read:

Alexander Pelevin stop stepping on my toes or else.

There was no questioning who sent him telegrams. The handwriting was definitely Freyr’s neat script. All quick and to the point as usual. Great he’d caught the sleaze’s attention which meant Freyr must have noticed he was targeting his customers. He ran a fingertip along the words written by Freyr’s very own hand. Still connected. A part of him wanted to shred the telegram and cast it to the wind. Instead he folded it up and placed Freyr’s words into the bottom of his coin tin.

No longer feeling like working he packed the remaining jewellery into his pack and joined the throng of people going up and down the street. There was only an hour of the Midnight Market left and seen as he probably wouldn’t make many more sales it would be more productive to return to barracks and write down a list of things he would need to create a new line of jewellery.

Off of Midnight Street the city was much quieter. Well it was late even by Zotican standards. On walking across the field leading to barracks he saw a small fire with a group of glum people mooching around it. They wouldn’t be there for much longer seen as Pavel was heading over to them with a serious look about him. He slowed down his walking out of curiosity. Most of the group hurried away from the fire while a handful stayed to test their luck.

“Move along please,” said Pavel.

“Where do you suggest?” asked a man who was cradling a lute.

“Far away from Lady Lev’s house. We cannot have people camping here. Knights train on this field.”

“We’re not hurting anyone. You don’t train at night.”

Pavel stamped out their fire. “No but you leave your fires behind which spoils the grass.”

“We can’t go on the streets because guards move us along. The only part of the city where we don’t get moved on is Scally Alley and us gentle folk wouldn’t last long in such squalor.”

“I am sorry to hear that. I will let Lady Lev know of this situation but for now I must insist you move on from this field.”

How sad to see these coinless people grumbling as they got up from the field and scuttle away under Pavel’s severe gaze. No wonder Sasha had let a group of vagabonds use his room before.

One of these people, a girl with black hair streaked with starlight lingered behind and gave Pavel one last try. “Please sir I really don’t know where I’d go. My troupe broke up today and I never got paid.

“I am sure you will think of something. Hurry along.”

“Thank you gallant sir knight,” she grumbled under her breath as she stalked away from Pavel.

As she went past him he extended his hand and tapped her on the shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear about your troupe, Sabina.” Would she remember him from auditions? If so then she would be thinking he was a weirdo for letting her know he was unable to speak. Might be best all round to let her simply walk away.

Sabina shrugged and carried on her way. He followed.

“I’m Eagle from that acrobat audition at The Blue Moon Theatre, in the summer.”

“Oh. I thought you couldn’t talk.”

“I couldn’t then. A sorcerer stole my voice. I found it.”

Sabina burst into laughter. “That’s a cool backstory. I bet Eagle’s a stage name too.”

“Most people call me Alexander.” Best to keep his life story at bay seen as this girl was practically a stranger.

“You did right staying with your master.”

“I ditched him in the end. Why did your troupe split up?”

“We were a fairly new troupe and didn’t get enough bookings so went under.”

That was really sad. “Sorry.”

“It’s the way things often work out.” Sabina took a glance behind her shoulder to make sure Pavel had left the vicinity then knelt on the ground.

He stood on the spot wondering wherever to stay or go. She didn’t seem mad at him for believing being Eagle was a persona. Then again people on the stage must be used to tall tales.

“What’re you stood swaying for?”

“Sorry I urr... like your trousers.” They were white knee length ones with stars sewn onto them.

“Thanks I sewed these on myself.” Sabina gave a golden star a flick then combed a hand through her hair. There was a long awkward silence. He must have sounded stupid complimenting her trousers. “You can sit with me if you like,” Sabina said eventually, and patted a patch of grass. “It’s always a pleasure to be in the company of a fellow acrobat.”

A fellow acrobat. As he sat down an idea to get himself recognised within Zoticas started forming. “Do you think an acrobat could work alongside a merchant?”

“How do you mean?”

“I was thinking of being a sort of showy merchant. I want to be well known you see so wondered if putting a show on while selling my products could work.”

“You don’t come across as showy.”

“I’m working on it.”

“So you’d like acrobats around you, bigging up your name when you enter towns and cities?”

“Yeah exactly. And perhaps a minstrel telling my story.”

“Something like: Alexander the Magnificent from a land far away has come to amaze you with his exotic fruits!”

“Dazzling jewellery.”

“Alright. Alexander the Magnificent has travelled from a distant land to dazzle you with jewellery worn by princesses and exotic dancers.” Sabina laughed.

Her laugh was infectious making him join in. They must have been laughing loud because Pavel came striding over to them looking non too pleased. “I thought I told you vagabonds to move along. This is your final warning.”

Sabina leapt to her feet. “Just leaving.”

“It’s alright she’s with me,” he said.

“Oh it’s you,” sighed Pavel. “What do you mean she’s with you? I saw her camping with the coinless.”

“Was, now we’ve decided we’re going to my room for a drink right?”

Sabina nodded and followed him past Pavel. They picked up their pace before any questions could be asked.

“You’re staying with Sapphire Knights?”

“Yes a friend of mine is a knight so they’re letting me stay at their barracks until I decide to move on.”

Sabina was nervy on going through barracks but brightened up when they reached his room. They sat together at the table where he poured them some water and rifled through a clutter of parchment in search of a quill. “I specialise in glass jewellery so some exotic dancers could wear it as a type of promotion.” There was a quill. He jotted down that idea. “Acrobats would be neat too. And of course music would be needed to set an exciting atmosphere.”

Sabina gawped at him with wide blue eyes. “You’re actually being serious aren’t you?”

“Sure. Everyone likes to be entertained right? So why not entertain people and flog them stuff too? Or do I sound ridiculous?”

“Are you a director?”

“No but if I got a troupe together we could direct ourselves.”

“And how many people would be in this troupe of yours?”

“A couple of dancers and acrobats, musicians, a minstrel, and me. About seven or eight.”

“You plan on paying these people how? Dancers certainly don’t work for cheap.”

“I haven’t thought about costs yet.”

“Troupes only listen to directors not merchants. You’d never be able to pay them so they wouldn’t turn up.”

Two major issues. There was always a way round these huge obstacles such as pay and obedience. All one needed were some mirrors and smoke. “I could offer them a place to stay until I am able to pay them.”

Sabina rolled her eyes round the barracks room. “Somehow I don’t think Lady Lev would allow you to move in a troupe.”

“Not here. Troupes of actors stay in tents when performing. I’d buy a tent and find somewhere to pitch it.”

“Okay. For how long?”

“I don’t know and it’s unconventional but better than dodging guards in the streets. There must be loads of coinless performers with nothing to lose who would agree to give me a try.”

There must be a way to get a troupe together. Travelling as a lone merchant as Freyr did would be morbid. He needed, wanted, friends round him. “Would you like to help me? I don’t think I could start up on my own because I have no contacts with performers.”

“Aren’t you a bit young to be starting up on your own anyway? You’ve not even made it to twenty yet.”

“Honestly I know what I’m doing on the merchant side of things. My master was a ruthless teacher.”

Sabina put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands, her deep blue eyes staring directly into his, searching for integrity. He gave a shy smile.

“You’re passionate I’ll give you that. I do have a few contacts and will talk to them for you in passing.”

“Are you onboard?” She wasn’t he could tell by the way she slouched back in her chair. “I’ll let you make posters.”

Sabina burst into her infectious laugh. “Could I be one of your acrobats?”

“Of course and I’d pay you as soon as possible.”

Those blue eyes gave him another look over as Sabina sat forward then she winked at him. “Pipe dreams are better than no dreams at all. The musicians from my old troupe might join up seen as they’re out of work so I’ll talk to them in the morning.”

Great one acrobat in his troupe; best to get as many contacts from her as possible. “Do you know any minstrels down on their luck?”

“We could forget having a minstrel to start with. To save on costs the acrobats could tell the story of Alexander the Magnificent although magnificent will have to go it sounds too clichéd don’t you think?”

“Yeah we’ll think of something else. I’ll try get my hands on a tent.” Tomorrow was going to be a busy day seen as he needed to make a start on his new line of jewellery too and before he did all that better check what funds he had. Keeping up to date with incomings and outgoings wasn’t as easy as Freyr made it look. At least he knew it was imperative to keep them in check.

While he wrote down what needed doing in order of importance, Sabina slipped off of her chair and sat in the middle of the room and did some complex looking stretches. Professional acrobats needed to keep flexible.

“Finding dancers without paying them up front is going to be difficult.”

“Are there any dancers in Scally Alley?”

“The only dancers you’ll find there are hookers. Sure they look exotic enough but they’d rob you blind.”

“I think I’ll check them out.”

“Alexander!” Sabina’s foot missed going round her neck and thumped onto the floor. “Hiring hookers will have people talking.”

“Exactly. Don’t worry I don’t want to exploit them. I think some girls would jump at the chance to get out of Scally Alley.”

Laughing all over again Sabina jumped up all spritely and made for the door. “Shall I rendezvous with you tomorrow afternoon about the musicians?”

“Stay here tonight if you like,” he said without looking up from his writing. “I don’t like the thought of my business partner dodging guards in the street. In the morning we could go to the crafts market so I can show you what types of products we’ll be selling then seek out these musician friends of yours if you want.”

“That’s really kind of you.”

“And you can have the bed I can make do on the floor or perhaps the wardrobe it’s rather snug in there with a few cushions,” he blurted out as an afterthought. Talking about hiring hookers and asking a young lady he barely knew to stay the night probably made him sound dodgy

“I don’t mind sharing we acrobats do it all the time.”

“You do?”

“Not in the way you’re thinking. When we’re performing joint routines we have to get up close and personal so sharing a bed isn’t exactly disreputable. I’ll put a pillow down the middle if you’re shy.”

“You’re very trusting.”

“Only because you seem nervous of me.”

“Sorry I’m not used to...”

“What girls? Your master must have been extremely strict.”

If only Sabina knew about his shady past as an assassin she wouldn’t be so trusting then. The past. Those two knives of his would only see light when crossing Spirit Land or travelling on roads with rough reputations, oh and combat practise seen as his knives were part of him wherever he liked them or not. Years of training should not be forgotten. Yes a merchant ought to be able to defend himself.

While he inspected what was inside his coin tin Sabina tested out the bed. Heck counting out coinage was bloody boring. One silver coin, two silver coins, three, four, five, six, seven, yawn. He put twenty coins to one side to buy some new beads and wire. Ten for scrap wood for carving. Eight for food which he ought to share with his business partner and the rest towards a tent.

“How much do you reckon a decent size tent would cost?”

“A couple of gold at least. Do you need to do a bit more selling?”

He stuck up a thumb. “I do.”

Sabina was beaming at him. “You’ve got a lot of gestures.”

He folded his arms hating how he kept speaking with his hands while talking “Ah yeah I... my voice was stolen.”

“I like them.”

“I find them annoying.” He pushed his coins into the tin, blew out the candles then went to sit on the edge of the bed probably looking nervous while Sabina lounged about. Trying to look more casual he lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. This was a world away from sleeping on the floor while Freyr doused in comfort.

Freyr must have been on his mind when he drifted off because he experienced one of those nightmares which usually came when a moon was full. A former version of himself lay on the stone altar with moonlight beaming down on him while Freyr’s voice told him he was nothing but a necessary scheme.

A tap tap tapping on the shoulder woke him up.

“You were twitching,” whispered Sabina.

“A nightmare,” he murmured.

“About what?”

“My ex-master. He did something which left me mentally scarred. That’s why I want to make a big name for myself to be a more successful merchant than him.” Some people were easy to talk too. Waking up some more he clammed up about Freyr. A prospective new friend didn’t need to hear about his messed up past.

Sabina sat up and tried tidying her hair up using her fingers. “I can’t imagine having a master rather than parents.”

“Then you’re blessed. Couldn’t you stay with your parents when you have a disaster like your troupe breaking up?”

“They don’t live in Azure and neither do they approve of me being an acrobat. They’re healers you see. I came to Azure to seek my fortune.”

“When we’re successful we could travel to your hometown and put on a show so your family can see how wealthy you got.”

Getting wealthy was going to take a lot of hard graft so they left barracks for the craft market even though it was only dawn. On the way he bought them some sweet pastries for breakfast from a street vendor. As they munched on these they spoke easily to each other as though they’d been friends for years. Sabina told him all about her experience as an acrobat and promised to teach him some new moves if he taught her to use a long knife in self defence.

Once at the market his business partner was eager to hear about what his plans were for the glass beads he bought and even wanted to help make the jewellery to speed along the process of getting it onto a market stall. With pouches full of beads and wires they returned to barracks to start on production. When chatting to Sabina and creating springtime jewellery all thoughts of Freyr were but a pinprick in the back of his mind. This must be what normal felt like and he embraced the start of his new life full of friends and independence.