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The streets of Belrea bustled with market day. Everyone and their mother was out at the market buying, bartering and selling goods that they had. Home made items, Blacksmiths showed off their works. Farmers brought in their harvests to afford enough to plant the next season. Even those from Tendaji had come to show off and sell their own wares. Limbree strode down one of the many lanes of stalls and storefronts. Light green eyes peered at the weapons that were laid out. These were being sold by a Matorain who had traveled from Tendaji.

"Hmmm." She picked up a necklace that was made of fine glass beads and shells from the seashore. Glancing onto the offered mirror on the table she held it up to her neck before shaking her head. It wasn't that she was displeased with the item, it just didn't seem to match her style. "Maybe on my way home I can pick one of these up." She said before moving away.

Dancing around a group of gaggling women, Limbree stumbled into an alleyway. Bumping into the wall she sighed as she looked back at the crowded lanes. Seems she would have to wait a little before going back, then again this was sure to be a shortcut to where she wanted to go. Turning away from the marketplace, Limbree headed deeper into the narrow passage. As she walked it almost seemed to grow darker? Stopping, Limbree looked around and up at the lines of clothing that hung overhead. There was still light shining down, the sun was reaching noon after all. Frowning to herself, Limbree looked back to where she had been going.

"Hello there deary." A voice said from the shadows, it almost seemed to crack as a gnarled old woman stepped half into the light.

Limbree turned sharply and looked at the woman, then looked around at the shadows wondering just where this woman had come from. "Where?" was all Limbree could utter out as the woman stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her.

"It's not a matter of 'where'." She crowed with a smile, "It's a matter of how, why and when." The old woman gave a cackle leading Limbree further down the alleyway and turning down another passage. "Also a matter if I can interest you in one of my potions."

Limbree tried not to follow the woman, but she had a firm hold around Limbree's waist. "I am not sure..." She stammered out before the woman released her.

Sitting before them was what looked like an old apothecary's wagon. Herbs hung from the corners in thick bunches and small wafts of smoke lifted off doused candles. The whole thing screamed danger, but it also intrigued the tinker. Edging a bit closer she peeked at the strange colored bottles that were laid out on a small table in front of the wagon.

"Come, come." She beckoned, "Come see what I have to sell." The woman walked over to the table and started picking up some of the bottles one by one. "Perhaps you would like to change your hair color. Or perhaps make yourself taller." The woman grinned crookedly, "Or maybe even..." She paused as Limbree watched. "Find your true love."

This caused laughter to bubble from limbree as she almost doubled over. "True love? That can never be put into a bottle."

The woman tsked at Limbree and wagged a finger at the same time. "Of course you can. You can bottle anything if you wish it hard enough."

Limbree still shook her head as she looked disinterested at the table. Though she did take a look at the other items that she thought were for sale. Pendants and charms were laid out, but their prices were far more than her wallet could afford. Backing her way back towards the direction that they had come, Limbree smiled at the old woman.

“Sorry, but I don’t think you have anything that interests me. Really, I can’t afford your prices to begin with.” She was almost at the corner as she spoke.

“Nonsense,” The woman commented. “These prices are of fair trade, we can even barter.” She looked almost disappointed that she couldn’t get this young woman to buy something.

“Nah, it’s all good, but nothing catches my eye.” LImbree said before she dashed back down the alley that she had stumbled into.

She ran as fast as she could until she saw the market lanes before her. The sounds of sellers yelling their wares and people chattering even louder. Stopping at the entrance she leaned against the corner panting. She took a quick glance back to see if the woman had followed her, it didn’t seem like she had. Heaving a sigh she stepped back out into the sunlight and back into the throngs of people. That was a strange encounter and one she didn’t want to have again any time soon.

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