The Dragon's Key

Chapter 6: What is Needed

Reemerging from the inn. Gwen was again buffeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of the medieval city. Tristan led the way, seeming to know his way around New Roanoke while Maximus and Gwen followed closely behind. The city streets were like a maze, nothing like the rows and columns of streets in New York City.

The trio finally stopped in front of a building with a sign with a shirt on it. Tristan opened the door and beckoned for Gwen to follow. Once in the store Gwen was ambushed by the smell of leather and cloth.

"How can I assist you today?" the burly man asked the group from behind the counter. The man had coarse black hair and stubble on his neck.

"We would like to purchase a gambeson tunic for this lady here," Tristan replied. "Something durable, but not too heavy."

"Oh, you are in luck, I believe that I have something that will fit her nicely," the tailor said turning and heading into the back of the shop through an opening behind the counter.

The man returned about a minute after heading into the back.

"Here miss try this on."

Gwen pulled the gambeson tunic over her head. The tunic was an off-white color. It was heavier than she expected but not unbearably so. Her chief complaint was that the fabric was uncomfortable. The layers of linen sewn together hung from her body in a similar fashion to a puffer jacket. The fabric itself was not smooth either, it caught on her clothes and was going to be itchy on her bare arms.

"Hmm, it is a tad big, do you have anything else?" Gwen asked.

"Not now, but if you are willing to wait, I could make you a custom one," the tailor offered.

"How long would that take? I am in a bit of a hurry."

"Well miss, it would take about ten days," the tailor responded shaking his head.

Ten days?! Gwen thought in shock. She had thought that she had understood that everything in this world would take longer, but that statement had still left her shocked.

"I think I will take this one then," Gwen sighed, understanding that she would have to settle for this piece of armor.

"That will be forty silver pieces," the tailor stated. "Who will be paying?"

At this Maximus spoke, "I'll be paying. Do you take gold coins?"

"Yes, I do," the tailor responded.

Maximus handed the man two gold coins. The man looked at the money a little perplexed.

"This currency is a little dated," he said.

"Is that a problem?" Maximus asked.

"No, no problem, gold is gold," the tailor responded.

The strange interaction left Gwen wondering how old the money was that Max was carrying. When was the last time he had left his tower and used money to purchase something? She quickly shook the thought out of her head as she was not prepared for what the answer might be.

The trio left the store and went down another street. They came to a store with the picture of a sword on its placard. Gwen knew immediately what this store was going to be.

"I'm not trained with any weapons, you know," Gwen said to the two boys and the invisible fairy before the group had even entered the armory.

"We just want you to have a dagger in case something happens. Hopefully, you don't have to use it," Tristan explained.

The trio and invisible fairy went into the weapons shop. A muscular woman with an eyepatch greeted them.

"What can I do for ye?" the weapons dealer asked.