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piosenniel · 09-24-2002, 11:53 AM

***** DALE-Jarl *****

It was early in the morning, too early to be this hot. Jarl stood at the window of his second story room, in hopes of a breeze, and fanned himself in a half-hearted manner with the set of trade agreements he was to present to King Herumir of Harad today. There had been no word yet from the King’s minister as to when the meeting would occur. Or if it would occur, for that matter. Time and priorities seemed to take on an altogether different meaning in this clime.

A passing vendor in the street below caught his eye. The shallow, woven basket, filled with a multitude of inviting fruits, balanced perfectly on his head. He called out the names of his wares and their prices in a sing-song manner as he walked down the street. Jarl hailed him. With a practiced movement, the vendor swept his basket to the ground and looked up to where the strange, pale skinned man stood.

They bargained in the age old way. Jarl pointed to the two fruits he wanted; the vendor held up a small coin and five fingers, indicating how much he expected. Jarl smiled and shook his head ‘no’., offering instead two fingers. The vendor looked insulted and held up five fingers, again. It went on like this for a number of minutes, until the bargain was struck to the satisfaction of both. Two pieces of fruit for three coins. Up came the fruit, one at a time, and down went the money. Jarl’s smile met that of the vendor’s, and they nodded to each other.

A knock at his door turned his attention from the window and its passing scenes.

‘Come!’ he said, biting into the sweet, orange flesh of one of the fruits. ‘It’s open!’

[ September 25, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

09-24-2002, 11:53 AM	#10
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,786	*** DALE-Jarl *** It was early in the morning, too early to be this hot. Jarl stood at the window of his second story room, in hopes of a breeze, and fanned himself in a half-hearted manner with the set of trade agreements he was to present to King Herumir of Harad today. There had been no word yet from the King’s minister as to when the meeting would occur. Or if it would occur, for that matter. Time and priorities seemed to take on an altogether different meaning in this clime. A passing vendor in the street below caught his eye. The shallow, woven basket, filled with a multitude of inviting fruits, balanced perfectly on his head. He called out the names of his wares and their prices in a sing-song manner as he walked down the street. Jarl hailed him. With a practiced movement, the vendor swept his basket to the ground and looked up to where the strange, pale skinned man stood. They bargained in the age old way. Jarl pointed to the two fruits he wanted; the vendor held up a small coin and five fingers, indicating how much he expected. Jarl smiled and shook his head ‘no’., offering instead two fingers. The vendor looked insulted and held up five fingers, again. It went on like this for a number of minutes, until the bargain was struck to the satisfaction of both. Two pieces of fruit for three coins. Up came the fruit, one at a time, and down went the money. Jarl’s smile met that of the vendor’s, and they nodded to each other. A knock at his door turned his attention from the window and its passing scenes. ‘Come!’ he said, biting into the sweet, orange flesh of one of the fruits. ‘It’s open!’ [ September 25, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.