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The Colchian Marketplace was never short of unusual trinkets from the corners of the world. Maximus once again walked through the bustling bazaar stoically observing the citizens staring in awe at the various items presented by the travelling merchants. Maximus looked mostly at the Africans who were selling beads and other items. He looked so much like them there was so much Maximus wanted to know about Africa considering that his roots were from there. Maximus' family refused to talk about Africa, his father giving him explicit warning to never ask anything relating to Africa again. Unfortunately, this only fueled Maximus' curiosity about his ancestral homeland.
Seeing an African merchant banging his hands against a drum, the beats filled Maximus' body with a need to dance. The normally stoic young man found himself tapping his right foot to the rhythm his mind engrossed in the moment. What happened in Africa that made his father not want to talk about it? "You are a Greek citizen!" He would say. "A soldier of Colchis! Act like one!" None would ever dare to question Maximus' loyalty to the realm but was it so bad to be curious in where you came from? As a boy, Maximus wouldn't dare approach an African out of fear of what his father would think. Now that he's a man, Maximus' desire to know more about his homeland grew. He would be redeployed soon, it was now or never.
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Usually, in the colder months of the year, Mihail opted to stay within the safety of his home where he could be reassured of the warmth. He had always had a relatively high tolerance for the harsher weather so typical of Colchis, and the temperature did not hugely bother him, but he preferred the solitude of his chambers. It was where he spent the majority of his time, save for those days on which he would disappear away to Nethisa in tantrum, brave that disgust he held for water, until either his sisters demanded his return or he grew bored of feigning anger. But, today, he found himself in neither of his preferred locations, opting to travel to visit the marketplace in the centre of the capital city. The wind chilled his face, ruffling his black curls and swaying the folds of his similarly coloured chiton. Not having expected to leave the Thanasi home that day, his outfit was not entirely designed for the adverse weather conditions, and, despite his penchant for the cold, Mihail could not help but shiver slightly as he looked around the market stalls. He may well find something to wear which could warm him up. There was nothing especially unusual to him on offer, nor anything which seemed as though it might aid his shiver, and the way he slipped through the crowds with such apathetic boredom on his face betrayed that fact. He was starting to regret the choice to leave his home. Mihail had never spent so long in the market. As the hours passed, he found he was in a part of the market he did not typically visit. Where the merchants were darker skinned than what he was used to seeing in, the travelling merchants who always brought fascinating new wares to the city of Midas. Africa. It was another land which he had never visited - and, given the immense stretch of water he imagined he would have to cross to do so, he doubted he ever would - but his home had hosted visitors from the distant land, usually hidden away in meetings with his father and sister. But they had brought gifts, and they had been such fascinating gifts. The sharp arrows made from black stone had especially appealed to the young man, and he planned to look for more now that he realised he had the opportunity. One of the men near him appeared a soldier. Grecian, he imagined, based on his location and his style of dress, despite his complexion implying otherwise. Mihail approached him with that same half-smile he always wore which gave him such an allegedly perpetually inebriated expression. "Would you happen to know where I might find a fletcher? I imagine you would know your way around." Soldiers were intended to help the populace, after all. Maximus of Laconia
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"Would you happen to know where I might find a fletcher? I imagine you would know your way around."
The voice reached Maximus ears and he slowly turned around, a man who appeared around Maximus' age was the one who asked the question. He was a tall fellow with long black hair and a thin frame which make Maximus almost think that he was woman at first though the perma stubble on his chin put an end to those thoughts. "Well," Maximus said smiling looking around for the Fletcher, they were the ones who attached fletchings on the end of arrows. He remembered seeing them making arrows during his tour against the Barbarians.
"There's one located on the left near the bathhouse," Maximus said. "Aegeus is his name, he's been tying arrows for years. Very friendly man."
Maximus knew the names of almost of all the local merchants. He would often visit their stores and talk their ear off with questions about the outside world. Maximus knew that Aegeus visited Egypt while Maximus was on tour and the old man would be amazed at the quality of the feathers they produced. Maximus remembered that Aegeus described Egypt as a sandy wonderland.
"Shall I lead you to him?" Maximus said continue to smile. "What is your name?" Maximus stuck his hand out for the man to shake. "My name is Maximus of Laconia."
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When directions were given, Mihail could not help but direct his gaze over to where the alleged fletcher could be found. He did not exactly care for the man being 'friendly', though he appreciated the comment that reassured him he could trust the man to make the high-quality arrows he so desired: although, whether the man could design them to his Thanasi-customised specifications, he could never tell. If there was one thing, he could not stand, it was when a fletcher refused to make those red and black arrows he so intently adored. It made a certain sense, he supposed. They were expensive to produce, the crimson-darkened wood and inky feathers arguably unnecessary for successful archery (although Mihail had never once minded appearing ostentatious nor theatrical in his practise of the sport). "Thank you," he replied, the smile on his face widening ever so slightly and nodding his head in further acknowledgement and appreciation of the directions. He had assumed that would be all, shifted his body as though to move away when he was met with the suggestion that he be led to the merchant. Well, he could hardly reject a personal escort. Delicately holding out his hand in a manner more feminine than most would have expected from any royal lord - the style almost reminiscent of the way his sisters would wait for the other noblemen to offer them a gentle kiss of courtesy, though it seemed little surprise for a man raised almost entirely in their company. This entire conversation appeared relatively unconventional, but he had arrived at the market feeling amicable that day, and the use of knowing a soldier by name was undeniable. "Lord Mihail of Thanasi," he replied, hoping the name would receive some degree of attention. The youngest was not often the most recognised of the Thanasi branch, even if he considered himself just as dangerous as the rest of them in his own sinister ways. "I would appreciate your aid in directions. I'm afraid I have not been this far into the market before, and it is a little unfamiliar to me."Maximus of Laconia
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A noble! Maximus immediately knelt down before Mihiail as befitting of a soldier of Colchis. "It is an honor to be in your presence my lord," Maximus said. "And of course it will be my pleasure to escort you through the marketplace." Taking a long look at the many people passing the two of them, Maximus nodded his head. "Follow me," he muttered.
The marketplace was second to the barracks in terms of a home for Maximus. He knew every direction of the marketplace by heart, the exotic items from the interesting merchants who come to Colchis to ply their trade. The market place was full of wonders. "The local Fletcher shouldn't be too long from here my lord," Maximus said. "He's very good at his job though I must warn you my lord sometimes he can overcharge for nobles."
Maximus closed his eyes "there was a time," he said. "Where I heard a noble complained that the Flecther had been overpricing the items he paid for. The Fletcher denied this claim saying that this was the price he paid for all of his customers. To test that statement, the noble secretly employed his servant to by arrows from the Fletcher. The noble stayed in the shadows while his servant handed out his coin. The Fletcher ended up charging at a price that was much cheaper with the same arrows that noble bought. The noble sprung from where he was hiding and forced him to lower the price the next time he was around or his father will see to his execution. The fletcher reluctantly agreed."
"I'll make sure that the Fletcher will treat you fairly," Maximus grinned as they got closer to the shop.
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