Chapter 4: Market

The two merged back into the crowded market, Alduin followed Silver as she weaved through the bustling crowd seamlessly, with Alduin barely able to keep from bumping into people. Silver eventually stopped in front of a stall that was decorated bombastically with bright colours and gaudy ribbons hanging from its beams. The clothes it displayed were equally garish. Silver was talking animatedly to the vendor, a tall intimidating lady with dark green skin and large tusks jutting from her lip who looked strong enough to snap Alduin like a twig.

Alduin remained a few feet from the two, frankly intimidated by the woman, who, despite her threatening appearance, was talking to silver with a friendly smile and big bombastic gestures. They continued until Silver paused and pointed at Alduin, beckoning her over with an encouraging smile.

“Alduin, I have someone for you to meet!” she said as soon as Alduin was in earshot. Before giving her time to react Silver gripped Alduin by her good shoulder and pressed her against herself, while gesturing toward the vendor. Alduin let out a squeak of surprise as she was pulled close and far outside of her comfort zone, she shrank and tried to shy away as the seamstress gazed upon her.

“This lovely wall of muscle is Tasha O‘Sullivan! Best seamstress in the Kulvinar, if I do say so myself! She designed my amazing outfit and now yours! Tasha meet Alduin, Alduin, meet Tasha.” 

Silver lightly pushed Alduin up to the stalls counter. Alduin started to harshly scratch at her scales as she stared up at the Orc before her, words caught in her throat as she couldn’t help but let out a quiet whimper as Tasha’s gaze bore down on her. Her friendly expression with Silver had turned solid and steely as she took in the nervous dragon before her.

After a few moments of silence, Tasha let out a sigh and her expression softened. She leaned down and put her hand out toward Alduin who remained stock still. “Don’t worry lass I won’t lay a finger on ye” Tasha’s accent was strong and hard to place, possibly from the north.

“By the gods Sil, Can’t you see the girl’s petrified? you should've let her come in her own time.” Alduin was still scared of the woman, but she felt it draining away slightly as she spoke and remained close without being crushed.

She scolded Silver, Alduin found herself slowly reaching out and taking her hand, her skin was leathery and her fingertips had calluses on them. Tasha’s grip was firm as she shook Alduin’s hand.

“See, she’s fine. Alduin’s made out of tougher stuff than that, aren’t you!” Silver fired back, her hands on  her hips and a grin on her face
“N-no..” 

The wind left Silver’s sails as she deflated a bit, her grin disappearing and her shoulders sagging. “Oh-. I uhh. Sorry Alduin..”

Tasha scoffed and released Alduin’s hand. She sat back on a stool and gestured for her to come behind the counter into her workspace “So, your lookin for some new clothes, right?”

“Mhm.” Alduin nodded and slid into her workspace. Equipment lay scattered about, fabric of all types, two mannequins, papers with measurements and sketched designs. The space was cramped but well organised. Silver decided to remain on the outside of the stall, quiet and seemingly deep in thought.

“Now, I’m just gonna take some measurements, you’ll tell me what you want and I’ll get to work on it for ya” She grabbed a tape measure and began taking measurements for Alduin’s body. Alduin stood there, stock still, her nerves still acting up around Tasha. 

“I-I think I’d like. s-something similar to w-what I’m wearing now and.. maybe something looser, N-not sure what to call.. it.. sorry..” She put her arms down once Tasha finished, before quickly removing her jacket and holding it out toward Tasha, partially hiding behind it. “C-can you fix this?.. It was my favourite..”

“Of course, Alduin. just a small.. patch… is that a bullet hole, why has the leather.. melted? Lass, are you alright?” She looked up at Alduin, concern and curiosity plastered on her face.

Alduin paused and shot a look to Silver, who gave her a nod “Go on, it’s fine”

“I-I got shot.. I only got here y-yesterday a-and the hunters got me” Her tail would lash as she recalled what happened. Tasha shifted her leg to avoid the jagged limbs path. A sympathetic grimace growing

“Ah, I see. Well, Lass, I’ll get your jacket patched up, free of charge. Call it a welcoming gift” Tasha gave her a smile, placing her jacket down and patting Alduin on her good shoulder before looking at Silver with a look that could kill.

“You keep this girl safe and away from your brother’s business or so help me...” Silver looked sharply up from her thoughts and nodded quickly.
“O-octaviuses.. Business? what’s wr-”

Tasha looked at Alduin, taking on a serious tone “trust me on this one...you don't wanna know.” She looked back up to Silver, her expression unchanging. “Silver... don't tell her. You shouldna told me! Butcha did... And now I'm telling you. You don't wanna know. It’s nothing good” 

Alduin turned her gaze down and nodded, the change in her tone was jarring and her fear trickled back in. She thought back to Octavius, She couldn’t imagine what he could do to have Tasha react to it like this. He did have a quick temper for what she had seen but he seemed to have control of it.  

She felt Tasha turning her around and giving her a pat on the back before lightly guiding her back to Silver. Silver rummaged in a pouch again and handed more of those blue crystals to Tasha, who tossed them in a sack on the floor. The sack made an audible clink, surely full with more of those crystals. “Come back in a few hours. Pay the rest then”