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“Don’t you even think about it,” she counters.
We stop at nearly every cart. What surprised me is how similar markets are in this world as they’re in my home.
Textiles, secondhand goods, jewelry, and more are scattered throughout the pavilion.
“Avoid those talisman carts,” Artemis warns. “They’re a load of junk.”
We laugh quietly as we pass.
Gods, my dad would’ve loved Artemis.
He would agree with her view on marketplace talismans.
Stopping at a mobile greenery wagon, I load up on the items.
Turning to Artemis, I state gleefully, “Can you imagine all the places where I could put these? Gods, I need to figure out which ones best suit the palace.” Practically skipping between the bundles, I finger through the arrangements.
“That I can. It’s a needed change,” Artemis grins with eyes full of mischief before turning to the satyr running the stand. “Can you deliver a cart full of your finest wares to the palace?”
The wide-eyed gentleman with the frizzy hair nodded silently.
“Good. Here are fifty drachmae. Fifty more will be given upon delivery of the goods,” she slaps the baggy onto the counter with a loud THUD.
The satyr looked from the bag to the goddess to me in shock. “Yes, my ladies. Right away.” Promptly he packs up his shop. Letting us know the items will be delivered by tomorrow afternoon.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper. “But thank you. But you overpaid for what we’re getting.”
“You're welcome.” She shrugs. “But admittedly, it wasn’t just for you though. It's a good boost for the people out here. I imagine the satyr will be mighty comfortable for a bit. Able to take care of his family and be able to breathe easy for a bit. Though I may have overpaid, it’s a kindness that the merchant is likely never to forget.”
That was so kind of her. I always thought of immortals as being wholly uncaring but the more time I'm here, I discover how this isn’t the case for everyone. Sure, I'm certain some are but not all.
Nodding at her, Artemis yanks me to the final cart before the castle.
Artemis pours over the jewelry selecting many such items for her. I, on the other hand, have a leg chain. “Ooo,” the goddess murmurs as she holds up another leg chain. “Want a second leg chain? One that you can strap a dagger too?”
She doesn’t let me answer before tossing money toward the merchant.
“Do you’ve any daggers?” Artemis eyes the box behind him. “Maybe a flower themed one?”
The merchant launches to his wares, “Y- Yes my lady. I have a perfect one.” He shuffles through his items. “Though it may be a bit large for the mortal, perhaps you could shrink it to size with a spot of magic?”
Eying Artemis, I observe the mischievous smirk in her eyes. She loves having an excuse to come to town and be. Pretend to be a normal citizen even as the entire city knows who she’s.
After many noises and searching, the shopkeeper exclaims, “Oh, here it is.”
Placing the dagger on its silk sheet, he lifts the object toward me.
The dagger was an ivy green blade with black vines crawling up the hand. Some bloom into bright gold flowers. At the pommel. Yet another flower.
Intricate patterns of flowers are etched into the blade.
“No offense,” Artemis prefaces before adding, “But that blade appears ceremonial. I would like my companion to have one that could be used in a time of dire need.”
The merchant grins. “This dagger may be decorative but it’s much more than that.”
Handing the dagger to me, I take it from him. Though it slices through the air nice, there was also some weight behind it.
“Now my lady,” he calls for my attention as he holds up a piece of silk. “Take a swing at this.”
