Alanya woke the next day to the smell of freshly-cooked nix hound meat and kwama cuttles; Galbeidr apparently had woken up before her and had started making breakfast.
�Mmm, something smells good,� Alanya murmured as she rose from bed, stretching and yawning.
�Hmm, someone finally woke up,� Galbedir teased as she walked in, tray of food in hand. �Can�t let all this food go to waste now, hmm? Speaking of which, was all that food in the pantry left by the bandits, or did you do any hunting since then?�
�All bandit leftovers, minus the supplies I gave the former slaves,� Alanya confirmed, nibbling on a cuttle. �More than we�ll be able to eat ourselves before it starts going bad though ...�
�I�ll make food storage my second project after security,� Galbedir promised, sitting next to Alanya on the bed and helping herself to sizzling meat. �Of course, we could just sell off the excess and just keep enough for a couple of days; it�s not like we lack for hunting or shopping for food around here.�
�Mmm, well true,� Alanya admitted, �but I was thinking of salting and drying half of the meat for future potion brewing; you wouldn�t want good Bosmer-friendly potion ingredients to go to waste, would you?� she adds, lightly poking Galbeidr in the ribs.
Galbedir stuck out her tongue. �I don�t go that overboard in keeping to the Green Pact hun,� she says, bopping Alanya on the chest with her finger. �We�re not in Valenwood anymore, and anyway potions aren�t exactly normal food either.� Conspiratorially, she whispered in Alanya�s ear �Besides, I�ve been known to eat strawberries ... once a year or so.�
Alanya�s eyes widened in shock, and she giggled �How scandalous! You irreverent woman, you.�
Galbedir struck a naughty pose. �Rowr, you can�t resist the dark side and you know it,� she purred. �I saw the remains of your ash yam breakfast from yesterday hun; what would your aunt Eleweyn say about that, hmm?�
�She�d probably say something about me being Breton not Bosmer no matter how hard I tried as a girl to make my ears grow pointy,� Alanya said with a laugh, though Galbedir caught something more serious lurking behind Alanya�s eyes. �Then she�d tell me to make sure whatever I chose to eat didn�t eat me first, and then she�d harp on me keeping my legs perfect for hunting two-legged game.�
�All praise to her for drilling that last lesson into your head,� Galbedir sighed, caressing Alanya�s knee. �She sounds almost like she and I were from the same branch ...�
�She�s a good woman,� Alanya said, smiling fondly as she thought of Eleyeyn. �I should stop by her hut next time I�m in Valenwood.�
�When were you planning on going back to Valenwood?� Galbeidr asked, a question which caused Alanya to blink and mutter � ... Hmm ... well ... you know; just got to Morrowind and all, heck not even Morrowind proper, just the Vvardenfell providence ...�
�Dear, your hound meat�s getting cold,� Galbedir said, her tone teasing yet gentle. �Let�s worry about your stomach for right now, and our travel plans for today.�
------
Travel from Balmora to Gnisis required making a stop at the city of Ald�ruhn first, unless you felt like going all the way south to Seyda Neen and then making a twelve hour trip back north to Gnisis. As fast as the giant Silt Striders were, you were easily looking at an entire day spent sitting in the hollowed-out carapace of a gigantic insect if you took the scenic route, once you factored in layover time. By contract, Ald�ruhn was reachable instantly, thanks to the wonders of the Mage Guild�s Guild Guides, and then from there Gnisis was just a three or four hour trip on the back of a bug, assuming you caught the next Strider headed up north and didn�t have to wait for the next one.
Besides, as Galbedir would tell anyone silly enough to go south in order to go north, the Guild Guides were slightly cheaper, especially when one of the travelers was herself part of the Guild. The only real advantage to taking the long route was that you avoided any chance of getting caught in the ash storms that plagued Ald�ruhn, as Alanya and Galbedir did when they stepped out of Ald�ruhn�s chapter of the Mage Guild.
�Blarg,� Alanya grumbled, holding her hand up to her face in a somewhat-futile effort to keep the blowing ash out of her eyes and nose. �Tell me the Strider sitting at the port is the one we want ...�
�Soon as I see the port I�ll tell you,� Galbedir muttered back, wishing she had brought her Wand of Ash Repelling. � ... I can�t even see a Strider ...�
�In this mess that�s not surprising,� Alanya pointed out, shifting her grip on the sack of sellable goods they brought for their trip to Gnisis..
�No silly; I mean there�s no Strider at the port; I think I mis-remembered the schedule. We should have caught up with the Strider from Balmora ...�
�I knew we should have asked the caravaner at Balmora when he was going to arrive in Ald�Ruhn ...� Alanya quietly fumed.
�Well okay, so I goofed,� Galbedir frowned, the ash annoying her nostrils something fierce. �Let�s go wait inside and ask when the Strider�s due ...�
Back in the Ald-ruhn Mage Guild, Alanya and Galbeidr dusted themselves off as best they could, and Galbedir walked off to go ask the local steward about the next Strider to Gnisis. Alanya waited in the front lobby area, mentally cursing their bad luck for running into an ash storm without even a pair of goggles or a scarf to cover their faces. The Dunmer in the fancy outfit who walked into the Guild and gave her a frowning glare did little to improve her mood.
Shortly, though, Galbedir returned, bearing a couple of cheap but long scarves. �Here; Vala gave me these so we don�t choke on the ash. From what I�m told, we only have thirty minutes to wait.�
�Not bad; want to wait here a few more minutes?� Alanya suggested.
Gelbedir shook her head. �I was also told the caravaner on this particular route doesn�t wait for people; we better head over and be waiting for him there ...�
Alanya grumbled some but said �Fine; out we go then ...� as she wrapped her head in the scarf.
As it turned out, it took the two women twenty minutes just to reach the Strider port, given their lack of familiarity of the city and the ash storm. They might have made it sooner, but none of the local Dunmer they asked for directions gave them anything more than a disapproving stare and a general grunt of �It�s over there,� with a vague wave of their hand ...
�Redorans; got to love them,� Galbedir sighed quietly, shaking her head.
�Bloody annoying,� Alanya muttered darkly.
�Redorans aren�t too keen on us, love - and they have their pride,� Galbedir sighed. �That, and I think the ash makes them cranky just like any normal human being ...
------
�Gnisis, site of the holy Mask of Vivec,� the caravaner called out. �Next stop is Khuul, leaving in five minutes!�
�Oh good, we�re here,� Alanya said, getting off the Strider and stretching her perfect legs. �What�s this Mask of Vivec?�
�It�s a holy artifact; Vivec got caught in an ash storm once so bad it made a mask on his face,� Galbedir answered. �So see? Even gods get caught in ash storms.�
�Yeah but gods can wave their hands and make miracles; all I can do is keep dusting myself off and hope I got all the ash off,� Alanya shot back. �Still, this is some beautiful country; oh, I can see the Inner Sea from here ...�
�Pilgrims take note; Koal Cave is but a short walk down to the southeast,� the caravaner said helpfully. �Also be sure to stop by the bazar outside the Temple for all your material needs.�
Galbedir looked over toward to Temple, seeing many tables set up with various goods. � ... Not quite what we have back in Balmora,� she noted, �even if there�s more greenery around here to rest the eyes ...�
�How about some purple, love?� Alanya asked, pointing to some trees to their left. �That looks like the place we�re here to see ...�
�Hmm, yes, that�s the Boutique,� Galbedir confirmed, smiling. �Come on; your future armor is waiting for you ...�
With sack of valuable weapons in hand, Alanya followed Galbedir up to a small but decidedly nice-looking little building, one whose near-Imperial architecture stood in sharp contrast to the surrounding homes. While most of the building here in Gnisis copied the sloping, rounded, almost chitinous style they had glimpsed in Ald�ruhn, this shop stood straight and stolid, with a pointed roof and masonry more reminiscent of Caldera. And of course - the building was purple; a lovely shade of purple, in fact.
Galbedir opened the door, and they stepped inside ... and Alanya felt like they had entered another world.
Gentle, soothing music could be heard in the background, suggesting the presence of a skilled bard; gleaming violet surfaces tastefully highlighted with inlays of silver, gold, and other metals reached outward beyond the scope of Alanya�s eye, while weapon racks and armor stands proudly displayed all manner of purple armaments. Further in the store, Alanya could see more racks and tables, these bearing all manner of raiment of all shades of violet, lavender, purple, and every shade in between.
�Wow ...� Alanya said, suitably impressed.
�Amazing; I�d swear the store�s bigger inside than it is outside,� Galbedir sighed, her eyes already seeing half a dozen things she simply must buy ...
�Many of our customers say that,� replied a smooth, cultured female voice. �Welcome to the Violet Femme Boutique, home of the largest supply of amethyst armor, weapons, and other items in all of Tamriel. How can we help you?�
A Dunmer woman, clad in a stunning suit of amethyst armor and with long, lavender-white tresses falling gently past her shoulders, came up to Alanya and Galbedir and smiled warmly, her accent as cosmopolitan as Alanya�s own. Another Dunmer woman, who could have been the first�s identical twin, stepped forward, wearing a combination of amethyst armor and some other purple mateiral Alanya didn�t immediately recognize, but which looked very appealing ...
�Hi; I�m Niamh and this is my sister Kia,� the first woman said by way of introduction. �Did you have something specific in mind you wanted or have you come to browse?�
�Well, we want to look at armor ...� Alanya started to say.
�We need armor and robes and hoods and oh, are those amethyst arrows I see?� Galbedir chirped excitedly. �Oh, and can we see your cloaks and your jewelry and your dagger selection ...�
Alanya blinked, and Niamh and Kia both began to laugh. �My dears,� Kia said with a wide smile, �let us initiate you into the wonderful world that is purple ...�
------
Alanya had originally intended to simply go to the Boutique, shop through their armor selection, and go home; she admitted to herself that she�d probably give any spears and bows or arrows a look over, and thought about discretely looking for something nice for Galbedir to buy as a surprise, but she hadn�t planned on making a whole day out of their trip.
Galbedir�s sudden bout of the shopping bug changed Alanya�s plans dramatically, but once she herself started really looking at the merchandise on display and trying on various outfits, she completely forgot her original plans and started wondering if maybe they should extend their trip to Gnisis by a day or two ...
Niamh and Kia, both being Outlanders like Alanya and Galbedir, proved to be wonderful hosts as well as pleasant and helpful merchants; admittedly, a peek into the large sack of items Alanya and Galbedir had brought for bartering helped warm them to their customers, but soon all four woman found that they could easily spend the day talking and laughing and playing dress-up. Other customers were rather few - Kia admitted to Alanya at midday that business had been distressingly slow these past couple of months - so Alanya and Galbedir essentially had the whole place to themselves.
And what a place! The modest exterior gave no hint to the sheer amount of stuff packed within, nor to the large and fully-packed basement that lay below. It was obvious that the sisters were more than simple merchants; no, they were collectors, lovers of beautiful things and all shades of purple, practically priestesses of the royal colors. And most importantly, they loved sharing their purple items with others - at least so long as they had some gold ^_^
Alanya ended up trying on no less than six suits of armor, both of full amethyst and of amethyst-reinforced leather and chain, but in the end all four agreed that the Purple Heart armors most suited the Breton lass, bringing out her eyes, accenting her perfect legs, and providing a decent amount of protection to boot. Galbedir�s eyes lit up as she examined the armor magically, noting that �I can weave some really nice enchantments into this ...�
Armor wasn�t Alanya�s only purchase; she eagerly bought a year�s supply of amethyst arrows, some jewelry for later enchanting and for giving to Galbedir as a gift, a purple hood/scarf that came with amethyst goggles for keeping out the ash ...
Galbedir herself ended up buying a suit of armor like Alanya�s, and even surprised Alanya a bit by going for the partial suit option she herself favored. Galbedir also bought several lovely robes, mostly of the �risque� variety, laughingly claiming that �I have just the enchantments for these ... and just the people to give them to for gifts!�
�Here love; these gold and amethyst rose-shaped clips are just the thing for keeping your hair out of your eyes,� Galbedir insisted, undoing Alanya�s pigtails and gently clipping her hair back to its usual style.
�You cleaned these poor women out of every rose-shaped jewelry they had,� Alanya said, though she didn�t move to stop Galbedir.
�I like roses,� Galbedir replied, sticking out her tongue. �Besides, I left them their music box ...�
�I should hope so; they don�t have any others in stock right now.�
�We could always hire an actual bard,� Kia offered, examining one of the Daedric swords Alanya brought as payment. �After this transaction we could afford one ...�
�Don�t tempt her,� Alanya shot back, giggling. �She�d snatch it up in a flash.�
�Nah, I wouldn�t do that,� Galbedir said with mock wounded-pride. �Besides - I�ve got a couple music boxes back in the old apartment that I�ve been meaning to dust off.�
�Oh good - I�ve always loved that music box,� Niamh said with mock-relief. Prompting further laughter. �Well, I think we�ve all had a day of it; look, you can already see Azura�s Star in the sky.�
�Is it dusk already?� Alanya said, surprised. �Wow ...�
�Come on; we�ll head over to the local tavern and get something to eat before we recall home,� Galbedir suggested.
------
The local trade house, which doubled as a tavern and as offices for the commander of the local Fort Darius, was fairly bustling as twilight fell, though when the two purple-clad women, each barelegged and barefoot, walked in looking for a bite to eat, many eyebrows raised in appreciative surprise.
Galbedir hid her smirk, though Alanya still caught it; the Bosmer woman was enjoying her little bit of exhibitionism, even going so far as to mimic Alanya�s unconscious posing to the hilt. Alanya found herself raising her eyebrows, and privately vowed to punish Galbedir for this later, once she thought of a suitable grievance to use.
�What can I get you ladies?� the proprietor asked, cooly not raising his eyebrows.
�Two orders of Kagouti steaks and some water, please,� Galbedir ordered.
�Water?� asked the proprietor mildly.
�Water,� Alanya confirmed, causing the proprietor to shrug and harangue the cook about their orders.
Taking seats at an empty table, Alanya said �You know, this really is some nice country; it�s almost as nice as the lake we went to last week.�
�Thinking of taking some more trips up here?� Galbedir asked with a small grin.
�Yeah, after my business in Vivec�s done; maybe we could both do a little traveling ...�
Galbedir laughed. �Silly Ala, you�re the rugged adventuress, not me; besides, Ranis is probably going to be grumbling about the amount of time I�ve taken off lately.�
Alanya�s features sagged into a frown. �Grah, no fair ... well, at least we�ll have our evenings to ourselves ...�
�That we will,� Galbedir confirmed, looking over at Alanya thoughtfully.
Alanya blinked. �What is it?�
� ... You�re not seriously thinking of going back to Valenwood ever, are you?� Galbedir said, her tone calm and friendly.
Alanya�s jaw dropped slightly. � ... What makes you say that?�
Galbedir nudged Alanya�s foot with her own. �Call it my ever-growing insight into the wonder that is you, love.�
Alanya frowned. �I�m going to visit my aunt again, someday ...�
�I�m sure you will,� Galbedir agreed, her nostrils catching the tantalizing scent of cooked Kagouti. �But visiting your aunt isn�t the same as going back to Valenwood, am I not right?�
Alanya opened her mouth to refute Gelbedir, but sighed instead. � ... Aunty�s hut is the only thing there that would fee like home,� she said quietly, �and I�ve outgrown it; she told me herself I did. And I�ve already explored all of Valenwood I feel like exploring for now ...�
�Poor Ala; you know Summer requires roots, right?� Galbedir asked with a sad smile.
Alanya opened her mouth again to say she knew, that she thought she finally found something worth staying for to make a home, when someone bumped into her from behind.
�Oof; forgive me ...� said a slightly-slurred but still familiar voice ...
�Decius, what the heck are you doing here?� Galbedir said, surprised; her eyes focused on the large mug of sujamma in his hand, wrinkling in disapproval as the beverage spilled on Alanya�s new armor.
�Decius ...?� Alanya blinked, surprised himself.
�Stop aggravating my customers please, soldier,� the proprietor grumbled, bringing over the food.
�Ga, my aplo - apologies,� Decius said, waving his mug over his head and spilling some more of his drink, this time on Galbedir�s steak. �Oh dear, trebblibly sorry; let me pay forit ...�
�Decius, sit down,� Alanya said firmly, pulling the Legionnaire into a seat. �You�re drunk.�
�Only slightly,� Decius said morosely. �Was hoping for being much more drunk than this but I�ve got in iron constitutant-contstantution ... bah, you know what I mean.� He set his mug down and sighed. �Helps me not think so much about what just happened ...�
Alanya and Galbedir raised their eyebrows in unison ...
� ... Ahh ... lemme sobre ... sober up and I�ll tell you,� Decius sighed. �Pretty much all Gnisis knows the story by now anywhey ..�
This Side Story is now complete; Decius's tale will be told in an upcoming Side Story, to be titled Horror of Mamaea.
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