Tyos made an incredulous sound, but I knew before he said anything that Dras was joking. It was in his eyes. Whenever he teased Tyos, he got this twinkle that only those who were paying attention would notice.
“I don’t need an escort!” Tyos practically bellowed.
“What? I didn’t hear you,” Dras called over his shoulder as he nudged his horse into motion and took off. Tyos tore off after him, but because I was with him, he was forced to slow down after a minute or two or risk making me sick. I shook my head at the pair of them. Their mother called them ridiculous, and I couldn’t help but agree sometimes.
Eventually, we settled into a more steady pace, arriving at the capital city just as the heat started to feel unbearable. I was a little worried it would make the city unpleasant to be in,but I was surprised when we walked through the open gates. Like Tyos had said, the air was perfumed with different scents, masking any unpleasant aromas of city living. And instead of sweltering temperatures in the streets, each path and walkway had multicolored fabrics stretched between buildings above it, providing plenty of shade and protection from the sun.
Unfamiliar flowers, spices, and foods were being offered in stalls as we passed by, a few of which recognized the barbarians and switched languages, using short phrases to sell their wares to their new customers. The group we arrived with split up, including Dras who had actually come to deliver a message to the castle from the clan leaders, not act as Tyos’s chaperone. Tyos still grumbled about it until Dras disappeared into the crowd, and I snickered at the petulant look on his face, elbowing him playfully.
“Don’t look so grumpy. He was only teasing.”
Shaking off his mood, Tyos smiled at me, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together. “Not grumpy. Together with Arlen, I am always happy.”
A familiar skitter of fear ran through me at the familiar touch, but I pushed it away, tightening my grip on his hand. I reminded myself that Al Nuzem’s own prince was in a same sex relationship. It was allowed here. I had nothing to be afraid of.
Tyos led me through the winding streets, bringing me to a few food stalls he’d enjoyed during his past visits. Everywhere we went, people greeted us with smiles and words of welcome I barely understood. Some spoke the common tongue, beckoning us to look at their stalls and offering to hand out samples. Absolutely no one made any comments about Tyos and I holding hands. No one even gave us a second glance.
I felt myself relax, and by the time we reached the stalls I was most eager to see, I’d forgotten entirely that I was doingsomething that would get me killed in my old town. It just felt natural to hold his hand.
Tugging him along, I pointed at a shop with familiar material like the kind I’d used to create little Erik’s outfit. I was practically bouncing as I stepped inside, taking in the floor to ceiling rolls of material on offer. I may have even let out a small whimper seeing all the beautiful patterns and colors.
The owner, an older man with sharp eyes and a thick black beard, stood from where he’d been taking a break with a cup of tea near the back, eyeing me curiously as I approached.
“Can I help you?” he asked in the common tongue, his accent thick, but his words clear enough to make me think he’d been using the language for a long time.
“I think so, yes,” I agreed, pulling a scrap of what I’d used to make Erik’s outfit. “I’m looking for more of this.”
He took the material, nodding when he recognized it, and turned on his heel, gesturing to the back wall as he pulled out a few different colors. “These are the same material. Light, good for the heat, but enough to protect the skin from the sun’s bite.” He glanced over his shoulder, giving Tyos a once over before asking, “If you plan on making clothes for him, you need something more durable.”
“Do you have something more durable that won’t add to the heat?”
His smile said he appreciated the thoughtful question. “Yes, there are cloths good for warrior clothing without adding to the heat. It is more expensive, though.”
I frowned down at my coin purse, pondering just how much it would cost. I wanted the original material since it would be good for the babies at the very least to give them something that protects their skin while keeping them cool, but I heard more than one barbarian complaining about the heat. I told Tyos I wanted to find a solution if I could.
Tyos put his hand over mine, shaking his head. “Clan leader said he will pay. Is for the clan.”
He held up his own purse, opening it to show me the coins inside, more gold than silver or copper like mine. I gaped at him, making him smirk. “Make order large. Other clans need material, too.”
The shop owner, who had been shamelessly eavesdropping, lit up at the prospect of a large order. His eyes narrowed on me for a long moment. “You know how to work it? No returns once purchased.”
Nodding, I lowered my sleeves from where I’d rolled them, showing him the lace on the cuffs. “I’ve worked with delicate material before. I was a tailor in my town.”
He nodded once, satisfied, and began pulling out materials by the roll and setting them aside for us. I questioned how we’d move it all, but apparently the others knew we were coming here because those we’d traveled with showed up with a wagon and began loading up while Tyos paid the shop owner what he was owed.
The sun had begun to set by the time we’d ended up at the shop with the materials, so once it was all loaded, the barbarians who’d traveled with us mounted their stallions, ready to head home for the evening.
“Is it time to leave already?” I asked with a whine. I’d wanted to look around more. I wanted more thread, and perhaps a few smaller needles for the more delicate fabrics.
The one closest to me snorted, shaking his head. “No, Tyos’s tailor. Others will arrive soon for you to travel back with. Trade is done, but many come to indulge in the city each night. You need not return with us.”
“Tyos’s tailor?” I asked, confused.
The one sitting on the wagon frowned at me. “You make clothes, yes? Common tongue word is tailor?”
“Well, yes, but…” I pursed my lips, shaking my head. “You know what, nevermind. Thank you for coming to help. I’ll start working on new clothes starting tomorrow.”
The pair nodded, and the one on the wagon barked out a call to the rest, urging the party forward. Tyos appeared at my side, having disappeared in back with the shop owner at one point, likely to count out the money without the audience. He didn’t look surprised by the company leaving, putting a hand on my lower back as he guided me away from the shop.