6th day of the 3rd month 650th year of the 8th era

A soft knock on the door woke Araki from his slumber. He was alone in the room. When he opened the door, Aquillia stood there, dressed in her boots, her hair tied back behind her head.

She smiled at him. “Hungry?”

Araki nodded and stepped into his boots. In the hallway, he handed Aquillia a bracelet and attached one to his own wrist, placing the small key on the end. Aquillia took it, attached it to her wrist, and slipped on her key. When they arrived downstairs, the clerk smiled up at them as they walked past and entered the tavern. They sat at a polished wooden table and a waitress came to their table. She was lean and young, her hair tied back, and she smiled coquettishly at Araki.

“What would you like?”

“What is the regular breakfast?” Aquillia asked.

“There is a hot and cold breakfast. The hot is eggs, sausage, and grilled tubers. The cold is a fruit salad with yogurt.”

“Two of those,” Araki decided.

The waitress nodded and walked off.

“How do you know that is what I wanted?”

Araki shrugged. “It just sounded so nice.”

Aquillia nodded. “Today we need to know how much time we have before a barge goes upriver.”

“We need to ensure it’s the right river.”

“The River Ashford.”

The waitress returned with their food still sizzling and popping. She placed the plates in front of them and walked off.

“We didn’t pay her,” Araki commented.

“She must think you’re cute,” Aquillia teased as Araki coloured. “We can settle accounts with the clerk when we check out.”

Araki nodded as he shovelled food into his mouth.

“It’s delicious,” he said around a large mouthful.

Aquillia laughed and agreed with him. After eating they left the tavern and walked outside to the plaza where people moved around talking and chatting in the morning sun.

“Do you remember the way to the docks?” Aquillia asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Araki nodded and began to weave his way through the crowd. They passed people all in boots and gloves. A small crowd of girls giggled at a cluster of boys. Two older men talked animatedly, waving their hands in emphasis. Passing through, they entered the market and the air cooled. The market vendors offered jewellery and food; a few offered gloves and sturdy boots.

“I don’t see anyone offering clothing,” Araki said.

“I don’t think there is a market for it,” Aquillia said.

“Not even for us foreigners?” Araki said.

“I guess we bring our own clothes or conform to local customs,” Aquillia said.

The guards didn’t give them a second glance as they walked through the gates. The air warmed as they entered the dock yards. The strolled down by the pier, looking at the different barges sitting at dock.

A light-skinned woman sat on a deckchair with a parasol in her hand. She smiled as Araki and Aquillia looked at the barge behind her. When she stood, her lean frame rippled with muscles as she walked over to them.

“You look like people who are going places,” she drawled, twirling the paper parasol.

“What makes you think that?” Aquillia asked, looking down at her.

She stood short against Araki, only reaching his shoulders.

“You have walked past several boats and haven’t even once spoken to the captain,” the short lady said.

“We are looking for someone that is going to be putting off soon,” Araki said. “I was looking for a barge that is taking on cargo.”

“Clever.” She smiled up at Araki. “You want to know which barge is the next to leave. I do happen to know that many barges head up the rivers with little or no cargo.”

“That doesn’t make sense. I assume the captains make money from how much cargo they haul,” Araki said.

“That is right,” she smiled at Araki. She took his arm and walked back to her deckchair. “I am Lia Palau; The Aline Celice is the ship you want.”

“How do you figure that?” Aquillia asked, following behind Araki.

“You are not locals and this ship is not run by the locals and is able to go all the way to the end of the river.”

“The local ships can’t go to Ashford?” Araki asked.

“That’s right. They all dock in at Cro’Carac and change crews before heading on. We can go straight on to Ashford. So, what do the two of you want to do in Ashford?”

“We are on a diplomatic mission,” Araki said.

“Then you want to sign on with us,” the lady said, a huge grin on her face, as she swirled her parasol.

“How much is passage?” Aquillia asked.

“Is it just the two of you?” the Lia asked.

“Us and our baggage,” Aquillia confirmed.

“Then it will be two silver pieces, and we can get you to Ashford when you are ready,” she offered.

“Is there anything else we want to see, before we head to Ashford?” Araki asked, turning to Aquillia.

“We haven’t really seen anything of the city,” Aquillia said.

“If you want to go to Ashford, I suggest that you have appropriate clothes. As promised, we won’t stop,” Lia instructed.

“The people of Ashford have different dress to the people of Ishtaree?” Aquillia asked.

“Very different,” Lia said.

“I will have to find some extra clothes then,” Aquillia muttered to Araki.

Araki nodded.

“I only have one skirt. I might need a top or something.”

“What is the dress code for Ashford?” Araki asked, turning back to the woman.

“It’s long flowing robes for both the men and woman. There is a seller inside the wall, just a block inside the gates if you turn right. It looks a little rundown, but it serves well. She will know what to do if you mention that you are headed to Ashford.”

Aquillia nodded.

“Thank you,” Araki said. “We will be back tomorrow morning.”

“Pleasure doing business. See you soon.” Lia smiled and returned to her deckchair with a flourish.

Araki and Aquillia walked quickly back to the main gate, passing through unchallenged. The air cooled and they turned right. They walked past cobblers and several blacksmiths and even a wheelwright. They came to a small shop fit to bursting with coloured fabrics. As they entered the shop, the owner, a petite young lady, looked up with hope in her eyes. She wore the same gloves and boots preferred by the locals. She also had a robe that was draped over one shoulder, covering her left breast and affixed at the hip with a small gold pin. Her brown hair was cropped close to her chin and her grey eyes made her look sad, even as she smiled up at them.

“We are looking for a dress that is suitable for Ashford,” Araki said, as the door swung closed behind Aquillia.

She smiled and beckoned them to follow her. She led them through a small path to the back of the room. A small platform was situated in front of three mirrors arrayed around it.

“Take off your boots please,” she instructed.

Araki stepped out of his boots and stepped on to the small platform.

The merchant took out a small knotted rope and pressed it against his arms, chest, legs and back.

“Now you,” she instructed, pointing at Aquillia.

Araki stepped off the platform and back into his boots. Aquillia slipped off her boots and mounted the platform. The merchant repeated the process, adding an extra measurement of Aquillia’s small breasts.

“When do you need them by?” the lady asked.

“We are leaving at dawn tomorrow,” Aquillia said.

She nodded. “Three silvers please.” She extended her hand.

“We don’t have any money on us,” Araki said.

“We will go and bring you the money.”

“He stays,” she demanded, pointing at Araki. “I have had several youngsters with no money come and be measured up for clothes, which I made, and they neglected to pay.”

Aquillia nodded and stepped out the door, letting it bang shut behind her as she dashed out into the street.

“Come to the back with me,” she demanded, grabbing his hand and pushing open a door behind the mirrors. They came into another room furnished with two large tables, one covered in plates and crockery, the other clear of everything except one large bolt of white cloth and a pair of scissors. Sitting at the cluttered table was a young woman with long, brown hair that ran down her pale back in a thick braid.

“This is my daughter. She is sixteen. She is old enough to be apprenticed to a master.”

Araki nodded.

“Since there is not a lot of demand for dressmakers in Ishtaree, and I am not rich enough to pay a master to apprentice her.”

“Mother, who is this?” the young woman asked.

“A customer.”

“Please don’t tell our troubles to him. It’s embarrassing.”

“Stella, I don’t want you to have to live like I do.” A tear formed in the merchant’s eyes and she wiped it away.

“It isn’t that bad, mother,” Stella soothed and walked round the table and gathered her mother in her hands.

“It is worse than you know,” she sniffed. “I have to wait tables in a tavern to make ends meet.”

Stella’s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open. “When do you do this?”

“After you go to bed. Why do you think I still insist on your early bedtime? You are sixteen; you need to be out and falling in love. Not trying to learn a dead business.”

“Mother, I don’t think that dress making is a dead business,” Stella protested.

“If you went with him. He could give you a new life,” her mother insisted.

“I will need to check with my friend,” Araki said.

“Thank you,” Stella’s mother said wiping away a tear as it formed.

The front door crashed against the frame, announcing Aquillia’s return.

The merchant went back into her stall, leaving Stella and Araki behind.

“What do you do?” Stella asked.

“I am on a diplomatic mission,” Araki said sticking out his chest.

Stella smiled. “Sounds exciting.”

Araki chuckled. “It has been interesting so far. Come, you will need to meet my friend.”

Araki led Stella out of the room and into the main shop.

Aquillia had a small coin pouch in her hand and was counting out silver.

“Aquillia, we will have a guest travel with us,” Araki said. “Do you think the barge lady will have an issue?”

“I was gone for only a second and you have already found a companion?”

“I will pay you back for what she costs us.”

“I will make her a garment suitable for Ashford. For no charge,” the shopkeeper said.

“That is fair,” agreed Araki. “We will talk to the barge lady.”

“Where should I deliver the garments?” Stella asked.

“We are staying at The Golden Honey Pot,” Araki said.

“I will come around by dinner time,” Stella informed. “I will help Mother make the garments.

After Aquillia and Araki left the shop, they walked back to the gates in silence. As they walked into the dry warm air, Aquillia pulled Araki to a stop.

“Okay, explain what happened while I was away.”

“The merchant walked me to the back and asked me to take Stella to Ashford.”

“Are you certain you were thinking with your head and not your manhood?” Aquillia accused.

“What do you mean?” Araki asked, a look of confusion flashing across his face.

“Did you accept because you thought you could sleep with her?” Aquillia demanded, stepping up close to Araki.

“The thought never crossed my mind!” Araki shouted, standing nose to nose with Aquillia. “You’re just jealous I could have her.”

“I was right.” Aquillia threw her hands in the air and stepped away from Araki.

Araki pinched his nose and hung his head. He didn’t understand what was going on. Sometimes Aquillia seemed to be willing to let him interact with the locals and other times she was as jealous as a wife would be.

“If I wasn’t right then why did you accept?” Aquillia asked, pacing in front of Araki.

“I accepted because she asked me,” Araki said. “Her mother is working a second job just to put food on the table. Her business doesn’t make a lot of money, it seems.”

Aquillia stopped. “That actually makes a lot of sense.”

“Then why the big display?”

“When we have left Ishtaree behind I will explain it to you. Come, let us go and talk to the barge lady.”

Aquillia walked off so quickly that Araki had to run to catch up.

They arrived at the Aline Celice.

“Ahoy,” Lia called from atop the barge. “We set off at dawn like you asked.”

“We need to change the terms of the agreement,” Araki called out.

Lia’s brow furrowed as she descended the gangplank, resting her hand on her rapier.

“We are so sorry about this, but we need to add an extra passenger,” Araki began.

“We have already taken on the crew and their rooms have already been allocated,” the lady said

“How many rooms have you allocated for us?” Aquillia asked.

“I didn’t want to presume intimacy, so two rooms. Is that going to be a problem?”

“The extra passenger can stay in my room,” Aquillia said. “Can you put an extra bed into the room?”

“I can arrange for an extra hammock to be added to your room,” she said. “Of course, you will have to pay extra for the extra person.”

“How much extra?” Araki asked.

“Since two of you are sharing a room only an extra silver.”

Araki nodded. Aquillia gave him a dirty look. Aquillia opened her pouch and counted out four silver pieces. The lady took them with a smile.

“We leave at dawn.”

Araki and Aquillia nodded and walked away from the ship. Aquillia led Araki back to the gates and into the cool air of the market. She didn’t stop until they had reached The Golden Honey Pot. Araki ascended the stairs and dashed down the corridor and unlocked his room with the key on his bracelet. He dug out his pouch and handed Aquillia six silver pieces.

“I hope she is worth it,” Aquillia said.

“She can stay in my room. She is my responsibility,” Araki said.

“Let’s see what … Stella, was it?”

Araki nodded. “Let’s see what Stella wants.”

Aquillia turned on Araki and pressed a finger to his sternum. “You will be paying me back for her passage.”

***

At dusk Stella arrived at The Golden Honey Pot with two garments for each of them, one in white and one in beige. She also carried a bag on her back. She found Aquillia and Araki sitting at a table in the tavern, drinking.

“Please try them on and make sure they fit,” Stella asked them. She handed a blue and white garment to each of them.

Araki and Aquillia took the garments, left the tavern, and went back up to their rooms.

Araki slipped the white garment over his head and pulled his arms through. The garment was a tunic that came to his knees, the sleeves stopping at his elbows.

“That is the undergarment,” Stella explained. “The people of Ashford have a different dress codes for inside their tents to outside. The white one is to be worn until it is known what is expected.” Aquillia came out of her room, wearing the white garment. “Fits you fine,” Stella smiled.

“It’s a little tight around my breasts,” complained Aquillia.

“It’s an undergarment. That is fine,” Stella placated.

“I think it’s also the first time she has worn a top,” Araki joked.

“That is true,” agreed Aquillia.

“Let me check to see if it is too tight.”

Stella approached Aquillia and pulled on the neckline of the garment. She ran a finger across the inside of the tunic.

“It’s a fine fit,” Stella announced. “I think your unfamiliarity with this type of garment is what makes it uncomfortable. Put on the other garment over the top of this one.”

Aquillia returned to her room and Araki stepped into the back of the garment, his feet going into a pair of trousers and then he pulled his arms through and fastened the side of the garment. It was baggy and flowing around him.

“A perfect fit,” Stella smiled.

Aquillia returned. Her garment didn’t have legs but was a long dress that ran to her ankles, and the sleeves came to her wrists.

“I think it fits fine,” Aquillia commented.

“Do you have garments?” Araki asked.

Stella dropped her bag on to his bed and unfastened it, exposing a neatly folded beige garment inside.

“I brought my things, so that I don’t miss you guys leaving tomorrow.”

“You can sleep with me tonight,” Aquillia offered.

“If it’s all the same to you, I would prefer to sleep with him,” Stella countered, pointing at Araki. “What are your names? I think that will be important.”

“You agreed to go with two people leaving your mother and your people and you didn’t ask about our names?”

Stella shrugged. “Apprenticeship is much like this.”

“I am Araki Rosethorn and she is—”

“Aquillia Fidelis.”

“It’s nice to meet you both. Araki told me you were on a diplomatic mission.”

“Yes, Araki is going back to his ancestral homeland to help solve a succession crisis.”

“Then how come you didn’t have suitable clothing?”

“I didn’t bother to ask my grandmother.”

Stella nodded. “What do you know about the people of Ashford?”

Araki looked at Aquillia. “Not much it would seem.”