8 The charm of Lord Gabriel Amoureux

[AURORA WRIGHT. Town of Friendship, Southern Vales, Avalon Sanctuary. Orange Day, 13th Week of Winter, Year 5008 of the Avalon Calendar.]

"That was hilarious," declared Aurora, as Gabriel finished the tale of how he had managed to make a rival family's knight captain yield to him in combat, without even drawing a blade. It involved writing a pretend love letter to the knight captain and then letting his wife accidently glimpse it.

Her praise was added to by the half dozen strangers who had stopped to listen to Gabriel's account. It was clear that the witty lord was a master story teller with great natural charisma.

As the crowd dispersed, Gabriel waved farewell to the strangers. Even calling a few by their names.

"You're very good at making friends," commented Aurora. "Even with complete strangers."

"It's always good to have friends," Gabriel smiled. "You never know when you'll need them."

"Well I have amnesia," laughed Aurora. "So, I have no idea how many friends I have. Maybe I have none at all."

"Beautiful rose," tutted Gabriel. "You have at least two friends. Young prince Tristan and myself."

"Thanks," laughed Aurora.

"So, where do you wish to go?" asked Gabriel.

"Hmm…." Aurora tried to decide on their next destination.

Although they had finished breakfast two hours ago. They had yet to leave the manors area. The part of town where the rich and powerful lived in luxuriant mansions, and leisurely chatted in well-kept public gardens. This was because Gabriel seemed to greet half the people they passed. Making sure to also introduce them to Aurora.

"I want to go to the markets," Aurora finally decided. "Actually, that might not be a good idea. Since I have no money on me. Maybe we should instead head for the Adventurers' Guild. To check if anyone has located my family. Perhaps I could also pick up a quest there and earn some money."

"Don't worry," chided Gabriel. "What kind of gentleman would I be if I did not treat you. So, let's go to a market. I think the human market to the north of the city would be best for now."

"Sure," Aurora agreed.

As much as she'd love to lose herself in a crowd of elves, dwarves and other fantastical races, she knew that would not be a sensible idea. As an anthropology student, she was aware just how easy it was to offend other cultures with what one might consider normal behaviour. Some cultures were even offended by eye contact or smiles. Plus, that was only for human civilisations. Who knew what sort of things offended non-human cultures.

Gabriel once more placed his hand on the small of her back. Guiding her by his side, like one would a dance partner.

The duo walked a kilometre before they finally reached the market. Aurora had at first wondered why Gabriel did not merely hire a carriage, like she had seen other well-dressed men and women do. However, his entertaining chatter soon made her forget such thoughts.

The market Gabriel brought her to, was not what Aurora had expected. Instead of the tents and tables of those markets she had visited on Earth, this market was actually closer in layout to a modern Earth-based shopping village.

There was a central walkway that was as large as the streets found in the manor district. From this central path, led dozens of smaller avenues. Each avenue was lined with shops, that were two or three storeys in height. In front of each shop was an area displaying samples of their wares. Most even had signs listing the costs of items.

"Is there anything in particular you wish to search for?" Gabriel asked. "Perhaps a new dress?"

Aurora looked down and examined the cream coloured, long sleeved dress she now had on. Although it was made of high quality linen, when compared with what was worn by most others they had passed, the dress looked overly plain. Even some of the serving maids she had seen, wore fancier attire. Furthermore, there was a line of stitches on her left sleeve, indicating that it had been repaired after tearing.

"A new outfit would be nice," agreed Aurora.

Gabriel led her to one of the more crowded avenues, which specialised in female attire. Aurora eventually settled on a shop whose products were appealing yet listed at prices consistently lower than the average.

Entering the shop, they were greeted by a short woman, barely a hundred centimetres tall. If not for her well endowed body and clearly adult face, Aurora would have mistaken her for a child.

"Please come in," invited the woman. "We have many fine clothes at an affordable price. My husband tailors them himself. We have no jewellery though. Well except for jewellery made from fabrics, hides and woods. If that's even considered jewellery. Personally, I only consider things forged from metal or gems to be jewellery. But I know that you humans might have different tastes. The other day…."

"Friend gnome," Gabriel interrupted. "My lady companion already knows what she wants. Though I would more than be interested in hearing about how you managed to trek here from the northern mountains. It's not often I see gnome shopkeepers this far south."

Gabriel gently indicated for Aurora to explore the shop on her own. While he listened to the barrage of words that began to once again flow from the gnome's mouth.

Aurora silently thanked him for burdening the small shopkeeper's conversation on his own. She quickly picked out an outfit, whose style was akin to those worn by the majority of ladies they had passed.

It was a light brown shirt with loose long sleeves that extended to cover her hands. It came with matching light brown tights. Over this she wore a three-quarter sleeve, blue dress that reached down to her ankles. The dress was tightened at just above her waist with a thin silver cord. The whole ensemble was completed by a pair of dark brown, deer hide boots and a loose crochet cap, made from the same silver material as the chord-belt. The outfit made Aurora feel like she was in one of those fantasy novels she so loved to read. Now she just needed a kind-hearted, hunky prince, or perhaps a roguishly handsome lord.

"I've chosen my outfit," Aurora announced.

"You look beautiful," smiled Gabriel.

"Thanks," blushed Aurora.

"Those colours match your eyes," stated the gnome. "Heterochromatic eyes are quite rare. Though I heard one of the human crown princes has them as well. I wonder if they give you humans special powers. I once ran into young elven mage who covered one of her eyes with a cloth bandage. She had a rune on it and said that she needed to keep that eye covered because it was her demonic eye that would bring ruin to the world. She was rather…."

"Thank you," said Gabriel as he paid the shopkeeper. "For the clothing and the conversation. However, my companion and I have a full day ahead of us."

"We also do wedding dresses," stated the female gnome as she held open the shop door for them. "Take care. Enjoy the rest of your day. There's a nice new dwarven bakery opened up in the markets. Tell them that I sent you. If you go, make sure to eat the…."

Aurora and Gabriel finally made it out of earshot.

"My ears are bleeding," laughed Aurora. "Thank you for putting up with all that talk."

"Actually, I enjoyed my conversation with that gnome," stated Gabriel. "It's rare for humans to be able to talk to a gnome."

"Really?" asked Aurora. "Is it because there are so few gnomes?"

"Gnomes are rare in human lands," explained Gabriel. "And the one's most humans encounter, belong to the Silent Order. A religious group that have taken one of the most extreme vows possible for the naturally talkative gnomes. The vow of silence."

"You're really well educated," said Aurora. "Tristan also sounded well educated. Are all nobles like that?"

"Firstly, you need to address him as Prince Tristan, in public at least," corrected Gabriel. "I don't mean to sound rude, but you can get in trouble for even unintended disrespect."

"I understand," nodded Aurora.

"Good," Gabriel's smile returned. "Secondly, while it's true that nobles are better educated than commoners, the majority of nobles have little interest in things not directly related to their immediate interests."

"Isn't that short sighted?" asked Aurora.

"Yes," agreed Gabriel. "However, knowledge is not easy to access. We are currently in the Town of Friendship. A veritable hub of information. A melting pot where different nations, races and creeds gather together.

However, this isn't the case in most human settlements. Most of those are a monoculture, dominated by humans and focused only on human events. Furthermore, due to distance and instability, it's costly to communicate information that isn't deemed immediately useful. Simply put, knowledge not linked to gains is a luxury. And most nobles prefer a different sort of luxury than general knowledge."

"I think I understand," Aurora nodded.

She had come from a place where information was accessible at the touch of a button. Where communication was global and international travel was something taken for granted.

However, in this new world, knowledge was a commodity. Some pieces of knowledge were more valuable than others. While some were easier to access and thus les expansive to acquire.

Suddenly a troubling thought occurred to her. If general knowledge was not particularly valued. Than what of fictional stories or records with general information, such as encyclopedias? She would hate it if this world lacked books for her to enjoy.

"Can you tell me about books?" asked Aurora. "What kinds of books are there? Do they cost much? How are books made?"

"When a mother book and a father book really love each other," the handsome lord teaser.

"I'm serious," pouted Aurora as she gave him a friendly slap on the arm. "I really like books."

"Some of your memories are returning," teased Gabriel. "Tell me what else do you remember liking? Blonde haired men with hazel eyes, and a sharp wit perhaps?"

"No," said Aurora. "Pretty sure I'm into really old, overweight men with bad personal hygiene."

"It seems I must give up on you then," Gabriel bemoaned his fate in a dramatic fashion. "For I will never be any of those three things."

"Actually, you'll be old one day," corrected Aurora.

"Never," Gabriel stated. "My youth and vigour are eternal."

"You really admire yourself, don't you?" laughed Aurora.

"Of course, I admire myself," admitted Gabriel. "It's fashionable to admire me, and I'd hate to be unfashionable."

"Damn! I guess I'm unfashionable then," teased Aurora.

"That's fine," consoled Gabriel. "I've been told by some, that I'm an acquired taste."

"Yes," agreed Aurora. "An acquired taste, just like cooked bugs."

"Your words have mortally wounded my heart," said Gabriel.

So, saying he clutched dramatically at his chest and flopped to the ground. A number of onlookers turned to look at him.

Aurora blushed in embarrassment. She couldn't believe what a scene Gabriel was making. On the other hand, she was also enjoying herself. Gabriel was a person who marched to the beat of his own drum. Being near him and sharing his independence, gave Aurora a sense of freedom.

"Get up," ordered Aurora. "People are looking."

"Then let them look," moaned Gabriel. "Let them look and learn the harsh lesson of an unrequited love."

"What you want from me?" asked Aurora.

"Beautiful rose, a kiss upon my lips would surely bring me back to life!" Gabriel declared in a loud tone that was easily heard by all within the gathering crowd.

"Aren't princes supposed to be the ones to kiss sleeping princesses?" asked Aurora. "Not the other way around."

"I'm an equal opportunity kisser!" Gabriel's statement caused a number of spectators to laugh.

"Kiss him!" one of the audience members suddenly shouted.

Soon other spectators joined in, "Kiss him! Kiss him!"

"Take his pants off and kiss him in his happy place!" one of the bawdier women exclaimed, causing many in the crowd to laugh.

"I like that woman," grinned Gabriel, who was now lying on his side and supporting his head with his arm.

Aurora felt someone touch her shoulder and noticed an old lady trying to get her attention.

"Take his money and run," the old lady advised.

This brought more laughter from the crowd.

"Good idea," agreed Aurora.

She leaned over and grabbed Gabriel's money pouch from his belt. Then ran in the direction of one of the smaller avenues. If Gabriel wanted a kiss, he'd have to work for it by catching her. Just like in the childhood games of catch and kiss that she used to play.

Aurora finally stopped as she realised she had run further than at first planned. She decided to wait for Gabriel, confident in the knowledge that he'd manage to catch up with her. Probably after he finished bragging to the crowd he'd previously gathered.

"You're quite fast," Gabriel's voice surprised her.

Aurora looked up and saw the cocky lord, standing on the roof of one of the shops. Her heart leaped into her throat as he jumped down. However, fear quickly turned to astonishment as Gabriel's fall suddenly slowed, half a metre before he reached the ground. Then, as if a feather, he slowly descended.

"How is that possible?" gasped Aurora as Gabriel completed his descent.

"A flair for fashion, a balanced diet, nightly vigorous exercise and innate good looks," answered Gabriel.

"What?" asked Aurora in confusion.

"You asked how it was possible," stated Gabriel. "I took that to mean; how is that possible that this Gabriel could be so charmingly handsome. And so, I gave you my answer."

"No, I meant the floating thing," said Aurora, who was sure Gabriel knew exactly what she had meant.

"I'll tell you over lunch," said Gabriel.

"Where shall we eat then," asked aurora, impatient to know how he had managed his previous superhuman feat. Hoping in her heart that it was something related to being a Beast Master and therefore a feat she could one day perform.

Gabriel walked up to her and in one fluid motion, placed his hand once more on her lower back, while also taking his money pouch from her hand.

"There is a large park, not far from here," said Gabriel.

"We're not going to walk, are we?" asked Aurora. "I'm actually pretty hungry."

Instead of answering, Gabriel quickly escorted her to a waiting, close roofed carriage. The driver, a short man who was actually a few centimetre shorter than even Aurora hopped down from his perch at the front of the carriage. He opened the carriage door, while Gabriel helped Aurora to climb into the spacious seating area. Inside was a packed picnic basket.

"Did you plan this?" Aurora asked her companion, although she already knew the answer.

"I don't need to plan anything. The world simply provides me with whatever I want," boasted Gabriel as the carriage set off for its destination.