Chapter 26
We reached our objective when we entered a storage hall of sorts, filled with crates, chests, and large wooden containers. I purchased three thick blank books from a woman similar to the priestess that received me. One was the size of a regular notebook, though in book form, with about one thousand pages. The pages were blank; no lines, dots or squares to guide what I'd write, which I was okay with. I had mastered the mythical skill of cursive.
The other two were intended as sketchbooks, and looked the part. Both had around four hundred pages each, fifty centimeters tall and twenty wide. I also got ten writing utensils; quills, pencils and erasers. I paid twenty silver for everything, apparently the materials were top notch.
We left the cathedral after that, walking out to the street. I noticed a lot of people looking at us on the way, especially people from the Church. They were smiling and whispering among themselves as if a glorious event was upon them.
"What's with the gossip?" I asked Alyssa in a quiet voice. "Do I have something on my face?"
She giggled. "They must be happy for me. We clergy are a united bunch." she smiled and shyly waved back at a group of priests, who in turn gave her a set of twelve thumbs up.
"That's pretty cute." I laughed with her. Supportive circles are a nice thing to have.
We left the grounds and walked over to a parking lot of sorts connected to the road.
"Looking for a ride, Lady Alyssa?" a gruff voice called.
Next to a carriage stood a woman built like a brick shithouse. She wore a leather top and pants, and nothing else. Two black horses waited in the front.
"Norma, long time no see." Alyssa said back. "We're going to the Burhim & Pam breeding farm."
The driver looked me over and smiled. "And who's the lady?" her short dark hair and brown skin made me think of an Amazon.