Sigil: The City of Doors

Blood dripped from the sack he carried, but few seemed to notice. No one really cared. Whisper walked through the bazaar with confidence and familiarity. Occasionally, one of the merchants might try to get his attention. He'd give them a nod, but continue on without stopping. He'd go back to see if they had a job for him, but only once he'd completed the one he was on.

The only creature that would give the hunter pause appeared as the crowd in front of him parted. Hush sat in his path, giving him that look. He hadn't stopped at home to see the hound, so it had come to see him. The cooshee wasn't angry, just disappointed.

Whisper knelt down and scratched his old companion's ears. The client could wait for a few more minutes.

Someone running from or after someone else, people trying not to get in their way, people being shoved around in spite or because of that, various merchandises being split in the chaos. Minor incidents, all too common in the Bazaar.

One is happening nearby right now, and from the crowd, dense even at this early hour, a young human woman suddenly emerges before Whisper. To her own dismay, knocked over in the stampede, struggling to keep her balance. As she half kneels to avoid falling totally, her first reflex is to hitch up her long pricey dress as to not dirty it. To the detriment of the colorful crystal she was carrying, which does not escape its fate of rolling in a mud made of various market wastes.

It was the hound that reacted first, silently placing himself between Whisoper and the woman.

"Hush." the hunter said, petting the dog and pulling him back. He was too late to catch the crystal. But, he deftly plucked the bauble from the muck, wiping it on his cloak, and held it out to the stranger.

"Careful. Pretty things get nicked easily enough around here without being thrown about."

While she was already wearing gloves, work ready thick leather ones actually, the woman nonetheless took the time to pull a handkerchief out of her designer purse before accepting the dirty object, only touching it through the protection of the additional layer of cloth.

Then, a proper curtsey:

"You have my thanks sir. Rainbow fractoral is not in high demand, and it would have been weeks until another shipment had I lost this one."

Her hands were busy as she talked, meticulously wiping her retrieved possession clean of any impurity, revealing the details of a small piece of multicolored petrified coral.

"It's interesting how low demand can still create high value." He smiled and glanced at the sack he carried. "Some things are just too unique or obscure for a merchant to keep in stock. That's why people hire me."

He pulled out a waterskin. "Would you like some to wash it off with?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I would rather not. Fractoral is a highly toxic coral from a plan that's basically nothing but a gigantic ocean.

Once brought to the surface and dried up, it's supposedly innocuous. But, while watering it a bit with cold non saline water is unlikely to elicit a dangerous reaction, I would rather only test that hypothesis from within the safety of my laboratory."

"Fair enough." He put the skin away. "You're more cautious than some around here. That's appreciated. Do you need any assistance navigating the crowds? I'm on my way to deliver something, but I have some time."

The gem, now clean enough, disappeared within the depths of the handkerchief, in turn swallowed by the purse. She was now free to extend a a pale empty hand toward the man.

"Lady Dare Shah, of the house of the same name, is now in your care for the time being dear sir."

As a native to the City who had her fair share of visits to the market, she was pretty sure she could manage that trip on her own. But it would be uncouth to refuse the offer of a... gentleman (?).

As if on cue, a Bladeling begins his approach to you and your dog, looking as happy as a Bladeling would ever be to be out amongst the general population. You do recall Edimgar, someone you've dealt with before. Always eager to buy off the excess parts you have, but for what reason you'd likely never cared to inquire.



"Bit late." He said as he approached, looking both you and Whisper over. It was about as much of a apology for the tardiness you'd likely get from him. He stared as the hand was extended, glancing over at the two of you.

"This your bird?"

He tilts his head towards Dare with a curious look. "You really do like to hunt in dangerous territory."

"Whisper, and Hush." he introduced himself and his hound. "Free of houses and most everything else."

He took the offered hand lightly in his, with a respectful gesture. He then released it, with an apologetic look, turning his attention to the Bladeling. "I go where my clients need me and get what the desire. Including cuts of cockatrice."