Heirs of Hyarch

Myronel looked up at the sign again, just to confirm it was what he thought. They had known there would be a few tailors around the city, offering their services to those who lacked the time or desire to weave their own clothes. Hallowscroft had one such store, even though they had never had reason to use it.

The street the store was on looked to be one of the poorer parts of Melyn, going by the buildings. Still it was the first tailor they'd found out about, and it hadn't taken them all that long. They may as well take what they were given, instead of continuing to test their luck by hunting for another store. As long as they got decent clean clothing out of this, it would do well enough.

He looked to Edeline, waiting for her to go in. They'd decided that she ought to take the lead while they were out on the streets. With the royal knights around, it was quite possible one of them might recognize Myronel's voice or manners. While it would have little effect on anyone who seriously thought Myron Hallowscroft dead, it was better to be careful.

Edeline gave him a nod. She had taken her own measures, brushing her hair down to cover both her ears. It only hid it so much - anyone who got close enough with a sharp eye would note the one ear that bore the pointed end that marked the Elefae. But even if they did, it would be less likely they would think to check the other ear and see that Edeline had not undergone the First Ascension rite.

As the two entered the shop, Myronel could immediately see it was kept tidy. A few dresses and tunics that were already made held up on hooks along the walls. Under and among them were three tables stacked with assorted cloth and thread. A set of chairs with worn cushions sat near the front. A single hanging lantern, positioned right over the loom in the back corner, added its light to that streaming in through the front windows.

That lantern also was the only proof that someone was still working here, because otherwise the shop was empty of anyone. No one running the store, and no one else here looking to buy. It would be their bitter luck if there was yet another abandoned child lurking about the place.

Edeline sighed in irritation. "Is anyone here?" she called out.

A long moment passed, with Myronel choosing to take a seat. Finally, footsteps echoed from the back. "Of course someone comes in when I go to relieve myself," a thin Elefae woman said as she entered the room. "Why should I expect anything else?"

"It could happen to any of us," Edeline quickly said, "As long as you're open and willing to take us, it's fine. I am Edyla."

Myronel blinked a moment, not having expected her to use any assumed name, let alone one that was so clearly Elefae. Given what she had been forced the suffer, he would've thought his sister would rather remain nameless here. Then again, give that the woman in front of them was also an Elefae, it might be the wisest decision. Regardless, if that was what she wanted, though, he may as well go along with it.

"Myronel," he added, seeing no reason to hide his name.

"My name's Dantyla," the woman said, "Welcome to my mother's...shit, I keep saying that. Took over running the place from her half a year ago, and I still can't see it as anything but hers."

"Been in the family a while?" Myronel asked.

"Longer than any of us have been alive. My mother's mother's father bought the store from his master, and we've been weaving and sewing in Melyn since. Of course, we had to rebuild the store that one time that fire burned down the whole street. I was just a little girl then, about...uh, four hex harvests ago? A long time, is what I'm saying."

"Then I guess we came to the right place," Myronel said, "Our tunics and such didn't hold up well to the road. We're looking to get new ones."

"Travelers, huh?" Dantyla looked them over cautiously. "You picked a bad time to come to Melyn. Honestly, it's surprising you even got inside the city."

"We're a little surprised ourselves," Myronel said, "Those knights at the gates looked like trouble."

"They are trouble," the woman spat, moving over to one of the tables. "I've had barely any business the last month or so. A lot of people here don't want to be out on the streets. At least it's good for you, because I've got some half-finished dresses and tunics left over I can trim down to fit you. Just need...there it is."

Dantyla lifted up a link of thick rope, tied into knots at intervals. Myronel was about to ask what it was for, then it hit him. She was going use it to measure their bodies. Aether's blood, it had been so long since he'd had to undergo this. It had been...shit, it had been for the sizing of his royal knight uniform. Something that had once been a proud memory, but now tainted.

"What, you don't want me touching you or something?" Dantyla misread Myronel's expression.

"No," Myronel said, shaking it off. "Just reminded of something I'd rather forget."

"Then I won't ask," Dantyla replied, "So, which of you two wants to go first?"

"I will." Edeline stepped forward.

"And you want a dress, right? Or a tunic?"

"A dress will be fine," Edeline said.

"Just have to measure you at the shoulder, bosom, and hip, then check your height." Dantyla set to work, wrapping the rope around Edeline's waist. "Know I said it the other way, but it's actually easier working bottom to top." The tailor finished there, tapping one of the knots of the rope, then moved up.

Edeline grunted as the rope was pulled tightly across her chest. "Does it...have to be so tight?" she complained.

Dantyla didn't answer, just marking another knot on the measuring rope with her finger. Edeline looked like she was just barely holding in the urge to flinch. Likely she had gone nearly as long as Myronel had since she'd been fitted for anything new.

Perhaps they had spent too much time on the road, separated from the manners and customs of the streets and halls of Hyarch. This could be a problem, given their upcoming meeting with Lord Melyn and the posturing of courtly manners that would come with it. Even if they somehow gained a private audience, this could end poorly if they were not prepared.

"And that's that." Dantyla held the rope up by one end next to Edeline, letting it unwind out. "Seems you're a little on the tall side, but that will be just fine. Let me note this down." The tailor headed over to one of the tables. Grabbing a paper and quill, Dantyla began to write. The serious focus reminded him of Nela. Myronel suspected the two would get along well if they were to meet.

He stepped forward as Edeline went over to take a seat, awaiting his turn.

It wasn't a long wait. "Big man, aren't you?" Dantyla commented as she approached him.

"So I've been told." Along with a few hex other things Nela had said when they were in together in private. If this was meant some attempt to tease, he knew better than to follow along.

"I can believe that." Myronel immediately saw Dantyla's glance over at Edeline. Of all the misunderstandings...fine. Let this woman think what she would.

The measurement proceeded, and Myronel could see why it made Edeline uncomfortable. He didn't particularly like it either, but it was necessary. Only Nela had the skill needed to sew together a full outfit, and even then they did not have the full tools for that. They could only carry so much on their travels.

"I may have to rework something to fit your shoulders." Dantyla stepped back. "It'll take extra strips of cloths sewn on. With that, I think it should amount to...let's just even it out and say four hexty pikers."

That was well over half their current coin, but it at least left them with something even if they didn't haggle it down. Looking at Dantyla's face, Myronel was fairly certain she expected them to try such haggling. It was tempting, since there was still no guarantee his street musician plan would earn them anything.

But spending that extra money here and now would buy them more than just the dress and tunic. "That's fine," Myronel told her.

"Are...are you sure?" Dantyla stammered a bit, then recovered. "Guess if you've got the pikers, I can't argue."

Myronel gave a nod, then reached down to the belt pouch where the coins were. He counted them out silently in one hand, then offered the handful of gleaming coins to Dantyla.

"My thanks. Like I said, part of the work's already done. I always try to have a couple of tunics and dresses partly ready. It should take three or four days for both."

"Can...can you do it in three?" Edeline asked, sounding unusually tentative.

"In a hurry, I take it?" Dantyla sighed. "I suppose I can't blame you, especially if you're looking to leave the city soon. I'll admit, I've thought about it as well. Don't want to give up the store here, but...what can you do when almost no one is coming to buy what you have?"

"It's rough all over the kingdom," Myronel said.

"I bet we could share stories all afternoon, but you have things you'd rather be doing. No need to keep you here, although...I suppose I ought to warn you."

"About what?" Edeline asked.

"There's a nasty elf running around by the name of Syrkonel. Has his hands in all kinds of business, not all of it out in the sun. You'll want to avoid him, and watch out for his men."

As far too late as the warning was, Myronel still appreciated it. "We'll keep alert for him," he told Dantyla, "Farewell, and may the grace and glory of the Fae be with you."

"You as well," Dantyla said, then turned back to the tables, gathering tools and materials. She clearly intended to start working immediately, so Myronel left without another word.

Edeline kept close to him as they moved back out into the street, silently walking along behind him. Once they were a short distance way, she spoke. "I am sorry."

"About what?" Myronel asked.

"I almost asked her if she could finish it today. I do not know how I forgot the time it takes to sew a new outfit. I should be better than that."

"Our travels and battles have left us with other concerns," Myronel observed.

"About those other concerns," Edeline continued, "I think we ought to proceed to arranging our meeting with him." She cast her gaze around, checking if anyone was near enough to hear their low conversation. However, Dantyla appeared to have been right, as only a few people were out and about despite the weather being fair.

"What if the meeting is arranged before the tunic and dress are ready?" Myronel pointed out. That was a key reason they'd done this now, instead of holding off on it until later.

"If that somehow happens, I'll pour a bucket of water over my head and go from there." Edeline smiled slightly. "Of course, we'd have to go find a bucket first. You know what I mean. We can figure it out as things happen. So do we go to the...you know, the place?"

"No, I was thinking of that other place," Myronel said teasingly. Despite his attempt at humor, he was thinking it through, and it seemed reasonable to at least investigate the lord's house. If it was also being guarded by the royal knights, they would have to change their plans.

"Not the other place," Edeline joked back, then frowned. "Let's hurry before it gets past midday, so we can get back to the inn."

She immediately set off, and a still-amused Myronel followed.