Chapter 61 - The Auction of Tallmire [2]

As time went by the stall was steadily building up with fresh cherries, the most luscious of the bunches, being set on display at the forefront while the rest were neatly stacked into tilted and leaning crates. Anything that couldn't fit atop the stall being nestled behind them beneath the tarp equivalent of a blanket. The only place so as remotely clear was the centre of the stall where one of them would be able to peer out towards any potential customers and haggle the price to whatever seemed apt.

A concern Noah had raised was the threat of thieves. Caina was swift to deny the issue by stating that there were guards on patrol all around the market place all throughout the days and nights. Apparently these were some of the safest days as the thieves were less than inclined to go spelunking for free goods fearing their capture and subsequent imprisonment. Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click #%5B2%5D_52557324312692103 for visiting.

Looking over the table, Noah found it lacking something. That something he was quick to discover after thinking back to his own experiences in markets and fresh food shops on earth. He skirted around the table, dug beneath it, and pulled out a razor sharp knife Caina had been sure to stock with the wording of 'for anyone who get grabby.' Which he supposed was better then a metal serving tray like she'd used when they first met.

Taking the knife he grabbed a cherry from beneath the tarp as well as the flattest piece of wood he could find and neatly quartered the cherry, quartering the pieces down once more into much smaller bit sized tasters which he then still halved. Frowning as he realized that only brought sixteen minute pieces excluding the robust pit inside. Can cut another one later if I need to.

Sighing Noah sunk onto a crate he'd scrounged up, he leaned forth and rested his cheek on his palm. Liora just as Caina and Jaafa had, had left him to his lonesome. The girls off saying they were going to explore and see if they could find anything tasty to eat before the market truly started come the next bell toll. He'd been hoping they'd bring him something. Doubtful he'd be that pleased surviving off of these cherries, no matter how tasty they were.

"Excuse me." A voice drew his gaze, that of a mans, it was low, almost harmonic. Noah's eyes rose onto the white haired elder, his eyes barely slits and back hunched over.

Noah immediately straightened his back and rose up, "how can I help you?" he asked as the man inquisitively inspected the fruits.

"Oh yes. Just curious. But as I was passing by I couldn't help but notice these odd fruits you have here. These are cherries no?" he asked. "They seem much larger than what I remember from my trips to Zesune." He rolled a finger through his pointed white beard causing a small bell to jangle at the tip.

"They are." Noah responded with a smile, "the soil back homes quite special, or so I've been told. Our tree hadn't fruited in a while so I'm thinking it was just storing up all the nutrients before letting these beauties grown." Inside his head replacing 'nutrients' with 'my seed.'

The man rose his brow and looked to the sliced assortment of fervent red flesh. "Nutrients? That is some odd word you use. Anyways, is this for tasting?" he questioned not reaching for the berry slices.

"Yessir," Noah replied enthusiastically. "Feel free to have some. And if you really like them, I've got plenty on sale." He said putting on his best mercantile smile.

While the market may not have officially started, Noah had heard passing chattering and bargains being made. Likely they were all the home brews just coming out for a walk while the workers were prepping to come out and start the purchasing.

"If you say so." The man doubtfully to a piece with swaying wrinkled fingers and brought it to his mouth. Even with weak teeth he pierced through what little hide there was. His eyes shot opened revealing dark black irises that only proved to widen the more he chewed. "Delicious!" exclaiming so as the small piece was downed. "I don't think I've tasted a cherry like this in quite some time. Ohhh, it's bringing back memories… ahhh, did you know I ran into a grove of dryads once?" her curled his beard around his index, head inclined just as the bell tolled and crowds left their houses as if startled awake by the noise. "Mmm, delectable bunch those. Drained me dry for a week. Had the softest, most loving touch I'd ever felt though. Had I stayed I would have happily become their husband. But lo, a wife had awaited me back here in Tallmire. Now I'm trapped with the immortal old bag." Sighing he straightened his beard and casted a sharp eyed look Noah's way. Behind him a few leaning heads curious about what his stall was selling.

"Anyways, anyways. How much are these? Can't imagine you're going to be that merciful to my pocket. Though I hope not too cruel as well, I still need plenty to get tonight groceries."

Noah shrunk back, having not thought about how to properly price them. Looking around he sought idea's but quickly returned to the man after thinking over his talks with Liora and Caina about their selling of these drupes. "Say… fifty for two? Given their size that should be reasonable." At least he hoped so.

The man jostled in his boots for a moment and looked back down to the fruits and to the plate of cherry bits. "That, that is quite a bit much more than I was hoping. Then again, you are right in saying they are quite large. May I taste one more before committing?" Noah nodded, giving the man permission and so he took another, relishing his taste with a youthful vigour to his eyes, that vigour morphing to surprise as he felt something else rise. Something that hadn't for a long time. His lips coiled upwards, mouth parting slightly as he dug deep a hand into his pocket and tore free a single bronze aspis with emerald like gem at its core. "I'll take four!" he slapped down the buckle and excitedly took two bunches before skipping into the distance, in the direct opposite direction he was heading.

Noah was left stock still, staring at the mans back and the coin in hand. Though he could not think for long as a woman passing by having noticed the grandpa's excitement drew near and curiously inspected the stall. A few more women, some with children also coming by for a breath or two before being dragged away by the children's disinterest.

That was until one of the kiddies, a little wisp of a girl of four, maybe five years, reached up her hand, snaking it towards the plate of cherry bits in an attempt to steal one for herself. A light slap from her mother sent the sneaking appendage back with the girl whining displeased. "Don't be so rude Bea." The woman, he hair a bright shade of cinnamon looked to Noah with an apologetic look, "I apologise for her, she has sticky little fingers."

"No need," Noah waved her concerns away, "they're there for you to taste so go ahead and have one." Winking at the girl he chuckled, "maybe two for the little princess." In a second her eyes sparkled and a faint flush took her cheeks.

The mother chuckled softly, "are you sure? I don't have to pay, do I?"

"No ma'am. Not for these small pieces. The full fruits though…" he left the latter unsaid as she nodded and plucked two pieces from the board and held them to her daughter, though hesitating still from the thought of getting them for free.

The little wisp took the pieces from her mothers hand and in nary a second was bounding with glee as they melted in her mouth, looking to be practically melting in a childish ecstasy. Both laughed softly as the mother tasted one herself gaining even more of a pleased feeling. "Mmm, these are amazing." She exclaimed, hand before her mouth hiding her munching. "What are these? They're softer than apples and even more richer then strawberries." Noah nodded and explained, "that's," her face immediatly paled, "these must be quite costly then." Her coinpurse jingling as she looked down across the various types of buckle within.

Noah leaned onto the table and said, "how about forty for a pair? Its a bit less than the usual price but think of it as my little gift to the princess."

She fumbled slightly at the price but quickly changed her mind as she looked between the fruits and her daughter. Sighing she dug from her coin purse a bronze kite shield and dug a bit more before pulling out two more bronze target shields. All together counting to a round forty buckles.

'I'm so happy the almanac talked about money.'

Noah cast her his thanks and she took a pair in one hand setting it into a small wicker basket before taking her daughter and dragging her away. The little one turning back to stare at Noah with wonder. 'Is calling her a princess a little much?' Noah thought, unable to hold the thought for very long as another crowd of three appeared inspecting the fruits with intrigue, commenting about their size and one even who had tasted them before explaining where they were from and their usual price.

Many who were more cautious tasted a piece and lit up, a few of the more perceptive noticing a strange tightness in their lower halfs. Something that Noah was glad to hear only started occurring once they reached maturity. Most of the customers ended up being women or elderly of both genders. As the minutes turned to an hour he was noting a drastic increase in the elderly crowding around, both men and women practically slamming their buckles down after hearing rumours from an elderly man who'd finally 'renewed his vows' or as they put it, 'stuck it in the pigsty.' Not the most apt of phrases, that much Noah agreed but there was little he could complain to when the women were the ones to say something like that.

By another bellstoll Noah was drenched in sweat chattering between the customers apologizing for the price and explaining the fruits to new ones. And all he could think of in that moment was one thing. 'Where the hell are you two!?'