You leave the gates of Magaambya and head to the market, but then you realize -- the problem with walking to the market is that you don't know where it is...
As Iovia realizes that key lack of knowledge, she pauses and laughs aloud.
"We did not ask where it was, and they did not tell us. I'm willing to bet that the real task is finding the market."
She turns to Nyandra. "Miss Ravenheart, you are the closest we have to being a local, as you have been in the area for a while. What do you know about the market, if anything?"
If Nyandra doesn't know anything, Iovia will suggest asking local residents for directions.
Nyandra nods, but frowns. "I'm afraid I must answer both yes and no: for I have been to the market before, but that's the thing--it moves around, it's... it's actually like a traveling theater troupe. It's rarely in the same place twice. I agree, I do think finding the market is the real task."
This doesn't deter or dismay her. "I'm sure we can find someone in town who can direct us to where the market is today. We're in the very middle of the city, so any direction is equally likely to have people who know where to go. Unless someone has a better idea, I suggest we head south." She points toward the bridges over the canals leading to the rest of the city.
Iovia stays with the group but lets others do the talking. Others are much more suited to this than she is.
"It moves around? Mmm possibly to avoid consequences for shifty behavior or bad deals? South is fine with me." Seeing M'Baba's point, and also inquires of folks
Ntuni follows along, annoyed. If this was the real task, then they should have said so.
Ikto notices Ntuni has gone quiet and is tempted to offer a proverbial copper for her thoughts, when M'Baba starts one up with him first.
"Well, I hear Bisola's family used to keep Ojofiri chickens and that they could hatch anything. I also heard they're rare because they aren't good layers, and there maybe some at this market we're going to," a smile escapes him, as he tries for a bit of humor , "But as you were there to hear what I did, I imagine that's of little use. Still... I'll think on what my old mentors from my home may have mentioned of them if anything." He does make an effort to recall what he can of them.
After a moment, he shakes his head, "I'm sorry, my parents taught me of weaving, my elder storm druids taught me more of tempests than chickens. A bit embarrassing for me really, as a druid I should know more. But at least we have their description."
Za Minyahil wakes the next day early, as they always do, and steps outside, wearing little more than their trousers. They seek a place on the campus as open to the sky as possible, to try and seek as much exposure to the sun as possible, greeting the dawn and soaking up whatever sunlight they can, rain or shine.
Once this is done, they return to the Spire Dorm and get fully dressed, before joining the other initiates for their first task.
They note Esi's nonchalant response to replacing Anchor Root. It seemed to them that she was the type to insert herself into others' affairs, whether that was out of some misplaced sense of generosity or a prideful belief that she knows best, it remained to be seen.
Their brow furrows a bit as the task is described to them.
"There were markets like this all over Quantium, I had to deal with a few of them to obtain the books that were ruined on the journey here. Usually they're not dedicated sellers but collections of people with things they want to sell, and people who want to buy, spontaneously gathering for convenience."
They think on the description of the chickens as M'baba mentions, wondering if they'd encountered wealthy master mages who'd buy such creatures solely because they were rare.
Unfortunately, none of you know anything more about Ojofiri chickens than was explained before you left the Magaambya.
The group of initiates leave the school heading to find someone who knows the whereabouts of today's Kafesi Market. M'Baba and Ikto helm the discussion with various townsfolk, shopkeepers, police officials and other bystanders. The process is long and the walk is far. Several people refuse to speak to the group at all, looking with some surprise at Za Minyahil, whose kind has rarely if ever been seen in Nantambu. One person says they will not tell the location of the market, another explains to Ikto that the market moves around all the time. A few people are able to say where they believe the market is, but many more are not sure. One man asks why you want Ojofiri chickens when Ngata chicks are far superior and he just might have some for sale...It does seem that cleverly hiding your strings of beads has likely aided your quest, as a few native townsfolk say they could not tell those from the magic school anything about the Kafesi's location.
Following the preponderance of the stories, you feel like you are getting closer, but the dawn sunlight has turned to mid-morning. After about two hours of asking and walking, the stories come down to two slightly different tales. M'Baba has learned the location of the market, and has been told they should seek out a seller named Seydou, a man with grey hair and white-blue body paint under a purple umbrella. Ikto is told to seek out Makena, a bald woman with large hoop earrings. They are each told they are only ones who have Ojofiri chickens for sale.
Soon, the group turns a corner and finds the Kafesi Market right in front of them. There is a buzz of noise as commerce is conducted and a crowd of people shop loudly among the brightly colored umbrellas, folding stands, and small stand up shops that make up the market.
Beads hidden, Za Minyahil regards the others.
"Do we try to hit the sellers one by one or simultaneously? If they become aware the other has sold their chickens, they might raise their prices in response."
"Perhaps split up then? I will go to this Makena. If permitted, I'll take half the gold we were given for purchases and head there now. Anyone want to come with me? Or bargain with her instead of me?"
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M'baba is extremely confused about this market. "Big cities are weird", he thinks. To him, a market's whereabouts should be as loudly shouted in all directions to attract more buyers. He shrugs this off as the morning search is very exhausting to him. Doing tedious door to door work is not what gets his blood pumping.
When the group finally finds the market, he sighs relieved, even forgetting what they were doing here in the first place. As Za and Ikto talk about the chickens, M'baba is a bit lost about what to do, but his mind races a bit and he finally says "Well, I can think of 3 ways to handle this. The first, more direct is just Za's suggestion. We find the people we heard of and ask them directly. Another way is to ask around for sellers of rare animals, birds in particular. This would be a little less obvious and we would seem a bit less desperate. The third way would require a bit more patience of us, as we walk the market and keep our heads low, listening and watching for clues that might expose the seller to us. This would be the least conspicuous path and a bit more passive, with a small risk that we don't actually see or hear anything."
He says "I don't really like to draw attention to me, so I prefer the third option, as we have a higher chance of seeing or hearing something with so many eyes and ears in our group. But I'll follow what you guys find best. My way doesn't always turn out to be the best."
"It seems to me that we are here to buy a commodity that we were told is in short supply and often sells out rapidly, and we have learned who might sell it. Time may be of the essence."
"Mr. Banashee and I will find Makena. Two of you can look for this Seydou, and Mr. M'baba and the remaining member of the group can follow his third option, just in case our information is incorrect."
Iovia offers her arm to Ikto. "Shall we, Mr. Banashee?" she asks with a smile. If he takes her arm or not, Iovia walks into the market, acting like all the other people that are here to shop. She pauses at stalls, inquires about products that catch her eye, and asks about Makena to find that particular merchant.
At first Ikto stares at the offered arm as if the gesture confuses, then noting others in the crowds of the city doing the same, he grows sheepish and takes the arm gently, "We shall, Miss Iovia" He does say to the others "If only one really has the chicks we seek, we should be cautious of..what is it? A scam. Remember what we were told the Ojofiri looked like. And maybe one of you is good at catching someone in a lie. Regardless, good luck."
And he, and Iovia, head out. He follows Iovia's lead, and with her seeks out Makena, mindful of the warning time might be a factor.
"I'll look for this Seydou then and I agree with Iovia. We already took the whole morning to find this place. The chicks might already be dead and boiling right now as we get close to lunch time."
She hands Ikto the full purse as she has her own gold. "We should meet back here as soon as possible to report our success or lack off."
Ikto takes the gold offered (Or less if someone protests) , nods to Ntuni, and THEN heads out with Iovia
"I'll look for this Seydou then and I agree with Iovia. We already took the whole morning to find this place. The chicks might already be dead and boiling right now as we get close to lunch time."
She hands Ikto the full purse as she has her own gold. "We should meet back here as soon as possible to report our success or lack off."
Za Minyahil nods. "I'll go with you, Ntuni."
The group of initiates split up -- one group(Iovia and Ikto) looking for Makena, one group (Za Minyahil and Ntuni) looking for Seydou, and the third (Nyandra and M'Baba) cruising the market in case there is more to see.
They look the man up and down, attempting to read what kind of a man they were.
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M'baba is a bit overwhelmed by the crowd and wonders how this market evaded the group so. He says to Nyandra "I prefer to just wander about buying the occasional fruit. If we find a bald head with big loopy earrings or a purple umbrella, we make a note and check if our fellow initiates are ok. But I recommend we keep an ear out for any talk about exotic animals or different than standard merchandise. What do you think?"
Nyandra is indeed quite overwhelmed by the goings on in the market. "Now I remember... it's too much!" She shuts her eyes tight and takes several steadying breaths. Eyes closed, she walks behind a building or other structure to get away from some of the sound and some of the sunlight.
Several moments later she opens her eyes, but blinks a few times. "I'm sorry, it's just... overwhelming. It's so much. I think we should probably make careful note of where we are, find a landmark or something, so we can be sure we can return once we leave. Then... then, I guess, we go in a different direction to the others. I didn't remember it being so... so much. I'm sorry. I wish I could be a better guide. It's just... even if I remembered more it'd be hard to focus with all this blasted noise!"
She sighs. I wish I had that piece of clay with me... Then she pulls a coin out of her bag and starts moving it between her fingers.
Large gold hoop earrings dangle from her many-pierced earlobes. "What can Makena do you for you children?" she says with a practiced salesman's voice. There are a large number of crates with chickens inside surrounding her on all sides.
He looks at the chickens and chicks curiously, before answering, "Well, Makena, begging your pardon, but we are looking for a particular sort of chicken." Was I supposed to mislead? I don't see anything BUT Chickens in her collection so acting like we are interested in blankets or perfumes won't help with her I think? Iovia said time might be of the essence "What sort do you have, please?"
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M'baba nods and says "You're right. It's a good idea to set up a meeting point." He helps her to pick a place that would serve as a a center for their progress. He says "While I agree that we may have more luck finding chickens if we go a different direction as the others, in truth we know so little about this market that we may profit to not be that far. We may also help them if they get into trouble or need some... uhm... unofficial assistance. I suppose for now I think that any direction is as good as any other."
He watches Nyandra a bit before saying "If you're feeling overwhelmed, I have a tip for you. Focus on only one thing. Choose something and fixate on that. Anything will do, a specific ware being sold, a piece of clothing, some trash on the floor. Just focus on that thing and ignore everything else. You'll be able to collect your senses and calm down. Then you can look up again." He tries a reassuring smile.
Za Minyahil looks the man over and can tell he is interested in making a sale, and has great experience in selling wares in a highly competitive environment, but the ghoran cannot make out other body language tells from Seydou.
Chickens you say, miss? Ojofiri ones at that. Say, you have fine taste, fine taste indeed. It just so happens that I have some Ojofiri chickens right around here somewhere." He rummages in the crates in his stand, and eventually finds a wooden cage with two chickens with black-grey feathers on their backs. "These are very ones. Last two I have, they have been a hot commodity this market, which, unfortunately for you, makes the price go up. I could part with these fine specimens for...say...3gp each?"
He looks at both of you with a slight head tilt indicating the bargaining has begun.
"Hum, last time I've heard they can't lay golden eggs. 3 gold for each is absurd and my mother would roll in her grave if I accept this price." If she was dead, of course. "We want to raise them, not just eat the birds, so I need specially healthy ones... The color in this one's feet is a bit sick, and the other one seems past her prime. 1 gold piece each is still too high for them, but I can live with that."
As he is speaking, Ntuni takes a longer look at the chickens. They do have the blue/black feathers of the Ojifiri, and they seem to have white underbellies, but they do not have lavender combs or white faces. It does not seem to you that these are even the kind of chickens you are looking for. Also these both seem to be female, which may be good for laying, but won't help if they are meant for breeding.
As she says this last, another pair of customers shoulders into the stall, also looking at the chickens, they whisper to each other indicating those in the box, seemingly also interested.
He says a soft prayer to the sky's many spirits, as he tries to think of what is the best course. He would love to have time for Iovia and he to negotiate but other customers are clearly here.
"We don't wish to be greedy and hog them all to ourselves," he sorts the chicks gently making sure that they get more females but at least one male in case the lady they are doing this for wants to breed them, "Would you be willing to sell us Five for 19 gold, or four for fifteen gold?"
It still seems pricey to him, but if the people coming up to make purchases are part of some trick to encourage him to purchase rapidly they have AMAZING timing, so he thinks these creatures may really be in demand. So taking all six seems greedy.
Sheepishly, "The box would be nice too but we understand if you want to keep it if you have a chick or two left over."
They join her in looking over the chickens.
Nyandra is able to calm down after a few moments. She looks at M'baba with a gentle, honest smile.
"Thank you. Thank you for being so patient." She straightens, takes note of the roasted nuts stall. Unique smells are easier to find in a place like this. "I think we should probably focus on trying to find the chickens--or perhaps, as we discussed earlier, something to carry them home in."
"But, in honesty, Mister Seydou, these chicks have not the lavender combs of the Ojofiri... So are they a mixture of races, or something different altogether? Nevertheless, they are lonely here, so a crown and a half for both of them seems fair... They are not what we are looking for, but perhaps they can make a good stew with coconut, mango and chili."
They look up at Seydou and raise their arms in a noncommittal shrug.
"I admit I do not know much about feeding a family, as all a ghoran needs is the light of the sun, so I defer to Ntuni's judgment."
Ikto, who has dealt more with natural creatures than Iovia, knows that baby chicks will be cold in the driving rain once they initiates leave the relative cover of the Kafesi market. They may need some special care, when you start back.