Chapter 26: The Eastern Markets

Vincent and Colin leave the tavern after paying to decide what to do next. After deciding on heading to the market they start off down the road in the opposite direction of the inn.

"Are you really going to teach them how to pray?", Colin asks after a while.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?",Vincent responds.

"Mmm, it's just… What good will that do?", Colin asks carefully causing Vincent to chuckle.

"It's not so much about teaching them to pray as it is making those whose soul is being used against them more knowledgeable. That way they are at least not being held against their will. I also want to encourage those who can to talk to their families and have faith that their families will help them.", Vincent explains.

"Hmm, I get it. I think.", Colin responds. "So did you ever wish you had family to go to?", he asks after a moment. Vincent doesn't answer and Colin fears he has said something wrong. He is about to apologize when Vincent finally speaks.

"Yes actually. There were days when I longed for a family.", Vincent says. He looks Colin in the eyes. "That's why I'm determined to save yours.", he tells him. Causing a smile on the boy's face.

"Save what?", the question results in Vincent and Colin abruptly stopping. They look in front of them to see Amelia. "Good morning.", she says to them with an amused smile.

"Good morning, Amelia.", they both reply. Though Colin is a little more excited. She giggles at their words.

"So, save what?", she asks again.

"The time we lost because of my curiosity.", Vincent tells her.

"Well aren't we in a rush.", she comments. "What are you up to for now then?"

"We're heading to the market. Our supplies are running low and we need to stock up.", Vincent says to her. Amelia makes a concerned face at his answer.

"Well it's a good thing you ran into me then. You're going to need someone to guide you.", she tells them.

"What do you mean?", Vincent asks, not understanding.

"Come with me. The market is just around this corner.", she says pointing in the direction behind her..

Vincent and Colin walk along with her and after rounding the corner are faced with a street that leads to the side of an enormous building with four, large, square entryways on each side. The sidewalks in fact leading right up to the entryway in front of them. The building itself is made up of blocks of red stone. It's roof is flat and lined with granite. Vincent stands awestruck by the mere scale as it takes up more land than the church.

"I told you his face would be priceless.", Amelia says to Colin.

"What is this?", Vincent says ignoring the two of them.

"It's the marketplace.", Amelia answers as she continues to walk. "You see Sir Vincent unlike the west which is more Regec-Astranian in culture the east is much more Regec-Respian in culture. Which means market business is done within amishers."

'Amishers.', Vincent repeats the word in his head as they walk on towards the building. "I'm not familiar with the term.", he admits. Amelia nods her head understanding.

"And that is why you need me. In these parts the language you will hear most is regec just like the rest of the kingdom, however, the dialect is different as there is a Respian influence. One that remained even after the Astranian conquest, and business is done in it.", Amelia explains.

"Hmm, so what you're saying is there are words or phrases we wouldn't know?", Vincent guesses.

"Correct.", Amilia answers as they enter the amisher.

Vincent's eyes widen as he is met with an open room filled with rows of green columns. The floor is smooth stone engraved with a family's crest until it reaches the outer row of columns. He gazes up to the ceiling. It's flat and made up of lighter brown stones that stood out against the deep green and gold rings of the columns.

"You haven't seen anything yet Sir Vincent.", Amelia says bringing back his attention. "The real experience is beyond the columns.", she continues leading the way.

"Who's responsible for building this?", Vincent asks as they make they're way through the forest columns.

"Well the building is actually older in some places than others. It was built a long time ago by the Respians and used ever since, but more recently expanded and restored by the former lord of the region Lord Philip. Well his father Philip the first. That's whose family crest is engraved on the floor when you first walk in.", she explains.

"I see."

Amelia stops abruptly and turns to Vincent and Colin with a serious expression. "Now then stay close and let me do the talking. When we get what you both need you can come spend some time with me and my brother at our marquish. I don't want you two to end up losing all your money for nothing.", she instructs them.

Vincent looks and notices they are near the end of the forest of columns. In the distance he hears shatter and people bargaining. There's also a smell of fragrances and food.

"Try not to look like it's your first time here.", Amelia sighs before walking on.

Amelia leads them through the allies of stalls or marquish. While some are set up for food or pottery others are covered completely in fine, decorative fabrics of cotton or wool. The people at them would call out deals or offers to them as they passed by. Thanks to Amelia though even when they would approach they wouldn't linger long.

After gathering all they needed Vincent and Colin accompany Amelia to her and her brother's stall.

"Well that was eventful. I never knew shopping could be so tiring.", Vincent breathes out as they approach.

"There was so much to see though! Most of it I never seen before!", Colin says excitedly.

"Yes, and almost all the vendors noticed.", Amelia chuckles. "A sure way to draw in someone is to catch their kids attention.", she comments to Vincent resulting in a smile from him. "Ah, here we are. This is where my brother and I had set up our marquish.", she informs Vincent as they come to a halt.

Vincent looks into the open area decorated with musical instruments and jewelry against a carpeted wall and floor.

"Quit the aesthetic.", Vincent compliments.

"Thank you. I thought of it myself.", Amelia replies proudly.

"Is that so?", the response comes from further inside the marquish. Nearly immediately after a gentleman with grey eyes and dark brown hair appears from behind the curtains separating the rest of the stall.

"Ah, this is my brother, Luke. I guess he did come up with some good ideas too.", Amelia says gesturing to her brother. "Luke, this is Sir Vincent and of course you remember Colin from yesterday.", she goes on as Luke stops by her side.

"Nice to meet you.", Vincent greets him.

"And you Sir Vincent. I've heard a lot about you from my sister and Colin. It's good to put a face to the compliments now.", Luke replies.

"Wow, you two actually look alike.", Colin comments shifting his gaze between Vincent and Luke. Vincent looks at Luke for a moment thoughtfully.

"Hmm, I guess you could say that.", Vincent eventually speaks.

"Well, I'm a bit more good looking. No offense." Luke chuckles.

"Ugh you. Don't you have hearts to go mislead then break or something?", Amelia speaks.

"Oh come on. You make me sound worse then I really am. All I do is play music that girls really like and their hearts just fall for me. It's not my fault, and besides it's not like they remember.", Luke objects to his sister. An exasperated expression on her face.

"You're a musician?", Vincent asks Luke.

"That's right!", he replies proudly. Amelia scoffs.

"Our grandfather taught him. He also makes instruments.", Amelia tells Vincent.

"Flutes, harpes, and my favorite; pasalteries.", Luke lists the instruments he offers.

"Very impressive. I actually favor the harp myself.", Vincent shares.

"Good taste. You know, I may have one you may like. I'll show it to you.", Luke replies with a bright smile.

"Ugh!, not another one.", Amelia complains.

"Stop it. Come on we have to open back up now. It's your turn to watch the shop.", Luke says, turning to her before facing Vincent again. "Don't let her fool you. She's the most manipulative one here. She uses the girls to advertise her jewelry. Lucky for them they get it for free.", he whispers quickly.

"Well I had to get something out of these trips with you! If not, the headaches you give me would be for nothing!", Amelia retorts.

"That dang rabbit hearing.", Luke mumbles. "Come on, so you two can rest.", he speaks louder to Vincent and Colin.

"Right. Thank you.", Vincent responds amused. Vincent and Colin follow Luke behind the curtain. The room is lit by a candle on a low table in its center surrounded by cushions to seat on. Blankets cover the floor and walls. Along the walls are boxes most likely with even more merchandise to set out front.

"Uh, by the way Colin was a great help yesterday. He's a pretty strong boy for his age.", Luke says as they sit down. Vincent smiles proudly.

"I'm glad to hear it.", he says catching Colin's grin beside him.

"Would you like a drink?", Luke offers.

"Please. Thank you.", Vincent responds. As Luke fetches the drinks Vincent thinks for a while. "You know. I have never seen a marketplace like this. It's just more…extravagant? I should say. Definitely comfortable.", he shares.

"Hm, that's understandable. You're from the western part of the kingdom, right? Here in the east, definitely in the river lands, there's a different, older cultural influence paired with the overall Regece culture.", Luke replies as he settles back on his cushion.

"Yes. Amelia told me. It's respian right?"

"You are, but everything that glitters isn't gold. It's thanks to the reforms by the crown that such growth became possible, but it resulted in many taking out loans to buy land to farm. Eventually falling prices for food resulted in even more not being able to pay those loans they took out.", Luke begins to explain.

"I'm aware of that. I saw and heard it happen myself. The crown had to put rules in place for the banks to follow when it came to giving loans. Since people were taking more money than giving.", Vincent tells him.

Luke nods in agreement as he takes a drink from his cup. "That's right, and I bring that up because the next jobs people went to after farming were trading or business. The same thing happened as far as those who could survive stayed and those who couldn't had to move on. Which means those families and individuals out there made it. Honestly, if you pay attention you'll see that most merchants come from the river lands.", he explains.

"Including you and Amelia's family, on both accounts.", Vincent responds.

"Mostly true. We've had our struggles, but we believe in passing down our talents to the next generation and that's what we have always used. As for being from the river lands that is a yes, but we actually lived further north and a bit more east.", Luke admits.

"That explains the blue eyes.", Vincent replies.

Luke nods in agreement as he places his empty cup on the table. "Back to the point I was making though. Yes, trade is a bit more extravagant and luxurious here, but more people have lost everything pursuing then those who have succeeded.

Vincent doesn't say anything. He remembers the sudden influx of recruits. It was only a year ago. Luke's words settle in his head and he thinks of Angela and others like her who may have fallen on hard times pursuing their dreams. Dreams they could now have because of Winston's reforms, but at the cost of risk.