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Chapter 6 Time Will Tell

-Ticca-

The market had already gotten back to full swing, people moving from vendor to vendor. The smells of dozens of foods mixed with horse and human sweat creating that unique smell only a busy market could have. A well-dressed sweetmeat vendor in a clean painted cart came into Ticca’s view. Just what I needed. Walking up to him, she saw some noble ladies moving away each holding a paper wrapped parcel and with a sweetmeat in hand. He had a fresh selection already out on the small counter. “Sweetmeat, m’lady?”

Pouting, she eyed the candy. “I’d love one, but I only have a cross left after all my purchases.” The warm breeze brushed the mouthwatering smell of fresh cakes over them. Ticca glanced in the direction the smell was coming from taking a deeper breath.

Reacting quickly the vendor lifted a sampling tray with brightly colored candies towards her. “Oh, that is no problem, m’lady. The price is only a pence, but I have sold enough to make change.”

A full pence. Oh, my. You are used to higher-class customers, aren’t you? Still, not arguing would make this faster. “Oh, wonderful.” She batted her eyes at him. Producing the cross for him to see, she added, “Can you give me all pence?”

His eyebrows jumped up for a split second, but his smile never wavered. “I can. More shopping in order, I presume?” He counted out the change with experienced hands and didn’t cheat. He handed her the sweetmeat she chose and gave her a cheerful farewell in the space of a few seconds.

Choosing a route that would not take her past where the attack had happened, she moved through the market. A few inquiries provided the leads she needed, and in only a couple of marks, she had reconstructed the old wizard’s day before he vanished. Standing where she was sure Magus Vestul had been, she scanned the area for what could’ve attracted him next. Okay, old man, you have spent the day pulling together essentially nothing important. It is still early evening, the sun would be slipping down, putting the street in shadows. You’re probably tired from carrying a sack over your shoulder. Where do you go next? You have a room at the Dolphin. Dinner will be soon, and you haven’t eaten since morning. And you have little to worry about, being a powerful wizard.

Turning in the direction of the Blue Dolphin, she walked, trying to imagine herself as the old wizard. In a short distance, a possible stop came up. She saw a corner arit and tobac shop with some tables in a little fenced-off area adjacent to the street. She walked over and sat down, and a short woman shaped like a hyly barrel came over.

“Ullo, ullo! Bid thee welcome. Arit? Tobac? Offer thee excellent cigar.”

Ticca smiled at the lady. “Arit and an excellent, but smooth cigar.” Showing a handful of pence, she added, “An excellent cigar.”

The lady grinned and rushed off. Moments later, she was back with a tray on which were three cigars, a thick walled cup that smelled wonderful, a cigar knife, and a miniature brazier. Ticca picked up the cigars, each in turn, examining them and smelling the tobac. Selecting one with a scent that reminded her of her uncle, she cut the tip, and the lady assisted her in lighting the cigar with the brazier. The lady left the cup on the table and took care of another customer, coming around, refilling and warming her cup of arit as needed. When her cigar was down to the final third, she came back and stood politely to one side, not blocking the view of the street.

“Lady, offer thee another?”

“Please wrap three of them up for me. I really like them.”

The lady left and came back with a small parcel wrapped in thick paper. “Lady, three pence each, if you please.”