Welcome to Gaia! ::

Leaving the tribe after the ritual battle had been rough for Malta. Not since the Mara invasion had she gone so far away from the Shadow's Maw grounds, and even then she'd had hope that she would somehow make it back there.

This time, though, she knew she was never going back there. She had stood up to her mother and had told the tribe so. She'd been told that she deserved more than what they had given her, and in that moment, she had decided that that was the truth.

She was going home now, to her real home, back in the Terra expanse.

Oh, but it had been hard. The trek through the forest to the little ferry town. It had been badly hit by the Mara, with many of the buildings not yet rebuilt, but Malta's presence as a large Ysali khehora with a giogimar in tow, was not the most unusual thing that the people of the village had seen. Coins, she quickly learned, purchased cooperation, and it was not difficult, with a few palms granted a shiny disk or two, to find the docks and – with further coins purchased – to find a boat to take her to Eowyn.

The ship ride was long, and Siksl'gra was very unhappy about being on the rocking, rickety thing. He kept his mouth shut, however, and hunted the tiny rodents that made the hold their home as Malta tried her best to ignore the rocking and the stench of rot and sweat. But she could not have flown, not with the weight of her goods and, especially, her cauldron. She was bad enough unencumbered.

The voyage, though far from comfortable, went without a hitch, and her nose soon tingled in the strange air of a port town in a desert. It was near the famous – or infamous – Taliuma, but it was a border town, acting as a smuggling port and a place for less-desirable sorts like khehora and hybrids to trade and market with relative freedom to the market in the city.

Malta and Siksyl spoke and glowered, respectively, their farewells and they set out into the market. Both knew they had a long journey ahead, and fortunately Malta had supplies to sell and trade herself. She hoped she would find what she needed today, because it would be many days before they had another likely chance.

“I know you don't like it here so much...” Malta said apologetically to the disgruntled Giogimar. The felines were known for their dislike of Magescians and appreciation of Khehora and, though she had earned his loyalty, she was a khehora in a place full of Magescians. “So we'll buy something you want first.” Which was exactly why she wanted to keep him from wandering off with the offer of a gift.

The dark-furred Giogimar looked at her as if to protest, but then his bright eyes focused on something nearby, his ears perking up in interest. “Very well.” he said, trotting into the market, “Follow me.”

Malta padded along behind him at a jog, managing to keep pace with her imperious servant as he wove through the crowd. It was not long before she realized what their destination was: shimmering gems and sparkling metals. He waited patiently for her, his stumpy tail twitching.

“I'll buy whatever you want.” Malta reassured him, stalking up to the stand. “Excuse me...” she said to the shopowner, “I'm here to buy...”

“Isn't everybody.” he gave her an appraising look. Khehora were not unusual in this particular marketplace, and he was used to dealing with rougher sorts than they. “I sell for coin, khehora. Nothing else.” he warned, “No bartering, no trades, just coin.”

Malta felt a little crestfallen, honestly, because she didn't understand coin and was sure she was doing it wrong. She would have been happier trading for potions or medicines, but the man looked adamant and Malta didn't want to incite the wrath of the magescians – who knew what he could do to her if he wasn't being friendly! It was his store, his rules, and Siksyl'gra wanted this. “All right.” she said, “I have coins... um...” she glanced at the Giogimar, “What do you want?”

The Giogimar, with delicate disdain, picked up one of the items of jewelery and looked it over. The shopkeeper didn't even blink as the feline put it back down and moved to the next one, and then the next. He didn't talk either, clearly having read his customer correctly. He would only have gotten a glare in response to anything he said. “This one.” said the Giogimar finally, picking up a silver and ruby stud, “I want this one.”

The trader named his price, and the feline growled. “A rip off.” he said, wings flaring. He began to bargain heatedly, and Malta could feel tension brewing in the air around them. “I'll buy it.” she interrupted, to the pointed glare of her servant as she handed over the money. Siksyl'gra muttered at her as he put the stud in his ear, where his piercing had sad un-occupied for so long. “We could have gone lower.” he murmured, turning away.

“And... how much for these?” Malta asked hurriedly, pointing to a small pile of warm-looking stones.

“Amber.” said the shopkeeper. Malta avoided eye contact, fearful of the man's displeasure, as he named his price. She knew how to haggle – her brother had taught her once – but she paid asking price and left, tilting her head in a bow as she left...