Demkaih strode into Old Rose, looking around. He knew the ferry was coming in this morning and it would have his bags of spices and a few bolts of the sheer mugroba fabric everyone seemed to like so much. But before he could pick it up he needed to buy a cart and kenser. Squinting in the morning sun, he looked for an open shop front.

The forge seemed to be his most inviting option. Walking upto the door he rapped on it sharply.

Calli looked down at the Mugrobi man from her place on the front second storey window sill.

"He's not in right now," She called out, "You can leave a message if you like."

"Beep." She said quietly.

Calli climbed down the building the normal way, having recently learned that her usual way upset Vic. She wasn't sure why. Just because she'd fumbled a landing a little and screamed didn't mean she was dying or anything. Her Ma had always encouraged her to make noise when something hurt. It was... c... ca-thar-tic.

"Hi, I'm Calli, who are you?" She asked, thrusting her hand forward.

Demkaih looked up at the young girl, before she dissapeared, then re-appeared in front of him, hand thrust out in greeting. He took it and gave it a shake.

"I am Demkaih Alkrim, spice merchant. I was looking for some assistance in finding a cart to hire. The ferry is coming in and I need a cart to get my spices to Vienda. Can you help me Calli?" He had trouble with someone just being called a first name, but she hadn't given him anything else to work with. It was all together two informal for his mugrobi upbringing, but still, she was just a young girl.

Calli thought about it, hand on her chin.

"There's a guy down thataway who rents carts but if you can't drive it back yourself you need to hire a driver." Calli pointed down the street. "Or you can buy a pretty cheap one from a guy down thisaway."

Calli's arm bent at the elbow, now pointing in the opposite direction to where it had before. Calli let her arm drop down and walked into the middle of the street, she looked one way and then the other, thinking.

"I'd go with thisaway," Calli said nodding, pointing in the direction of the man who sold carts. "I don't start demonstrating for like ages, so I can show you if you want."

Demkaih looked up the street and down again. He looked at Calli and raised an eyebrow. She was an intersting girl.



The dark man nodded, he would probably prefer to buy a cart. That way, he wouldn't need to rent one next time.

"That seems to be a good idea Miss Calli. Please, lead the way."

Calli started marching down the street.

"This way Mr Alkrim." Calli said, making sure to call out to passersby about her demonstration at the smithy later.

Calli looked over at the slightly severe looking man.

"Soooo, you sell spices huh? What are you doing in Old Rose?"

Demkaih followed her, keeping the same pace but less bounce. He pondered her question and wondered if she had eaten too much sugar this morning with breakfast.

"As I mentioned earlier, I am here to get a shipment off the ferry. I've not had time to set anything up since my arrival in Anaxas, so this is the day. What is your purpose here? Its a very rowdy place for a pretty young lady as yourself." He glanced over at the girl, amusement in his eyes. She was the type of person that just enjoyed life. Someone he expected to be in Vienda.

"I'm a travelling performer, with the Red Crow tribe." Calli launched into an elegant handstand, then began walking on her hands down the road, "I'm going to join a circus soon, you should come see it! Apparently they're gonna make some posters and they have performing chrove and everything."

Calli flipped her legs forward and was upright again.

"Pretty? Do you have eyes?" She said, voice filling with mirth, "My Mama says I have a lot of character but I've got a bit of a pointy face. I think that's only fair though, I mean, I don't know anybody else who's as good at being an acrobat as I am. I think that's a very fair trade for being bad at reading and lookin' like a horse."

"How long have you been in Anaxas? I've always wanted to go abroad but my Da thinks I'd get sold into slavery."

Demkaih nodded, seeing her do her little hand walk was enough to encourage him that she belonged in the circus.



Her contast flow of words was charming in a strange kind of way. He chuckled as she described herself and made a face.

"I do not think you look like a horse dear." He scoffed a little at the slavery comment.

"I believe your father might be a bit protective of you, Miss Calli."

Calli grinned hugely.

"Oes, he totally is. He only let me go wandering because I was with other members of the tribe. He's gonna flip his lid when he finds out I'm in showbiz now!" Calli skipped slowly, "Are you from Mugroba? Why did you leave?"

Demkaih took a breath, looking around the Harbour as they walked together. She was rather exhausting with the questions, but he didn't mind...much. Reaching up to adjust his necklaces, he walked on.

"I am, I grew up there with my family, growing spice harvests. It is a wonderful place, but very hot and unforgiving." He put his hands back, clasping them together.

"I left to further pursue my love for spices. I wanted to bring a shop into Anaxas that could give people a better experiance of the mugrobi culture. And I want to offer special spices you can't just get from the traders here." Raising his eyebrows, he tapped his nose.

"Special secret spices that my family have been carefully breeding."

"Oooooh." Calli said, eyes wide.

Calli cocked an eyebrow at him.

"That's not the only reason you're here though, is it?" Calli smirked, "This country gets people down low, so..."

Calli pulled a card out of nowhere, it had a lady with a sword on it. She handed it to Demkaih.

"That's your fortune, lucky sir. Carts are over there." Calli pointed then turned to walk away, "See you in the big time."

Calli waved her goodbye, smiling mischievously.

Demkaih flicked the card between his fingers, watching her go. She was indeed a curious child, but wonderfully innocent all the same. Smiling a little, he turned to the cart vendor. He picked out a small, decently build cart and wandered over to the man's small horse selection. There was a small but study built stallion with a deep chestnut hide. He was a nice horse and his hooves and teeth were in good condition. There was room enough around the back of his red house to make a small stable for the stallion and he could keep the cart around the side. Nodding, he negotiated a price with the man, a somewhat steep price, then took the horse and cart down to the docks.

The ferry had arrived and people were bustling around it, taking wares and talking shop. He led the horse to one side and walked over, jumping onto the ferry, locating his spices. They were all there, and in good condition. With a wave to the captain, he began to load them into the cart. When it was complete, he climbed onto the drivers seat and shook the reins. The study horse picked up his feet and trotted off back towards Vienda.