Going to Town Part 3

"So what brings you to town, Lady Kyera?" he asked as the air grew a bit thick around them. He had long realized his mistake, being too forward with her. What was he thinking? Those questions were not his to ask.

She looked up her lips pursing lightly as she made a small humming noise as she came back from her thoughts. "Oh, yes. I need to visit a few merchants and seek herbs. My own supply is getting low and needs replenishing." Kyera explained glad for the change of topic. Her mind glad to be free of her knotted heart for a moment.

"Herbs? Did we not give you access to our herb vault?" he asked curiously, having assumed she would have such access. Kyera chuckled softly. Her gentle eyes sweeping over to him as if gauging him for a moment.

"Yes but your supply is… though rare and costly, somewhat ornamental to me. You have items that help minor things, and rare items for power and illness. It is a fantastic collection for one who is not purely a healer. For me it is somewhat… lacking." Kyera Kyera replied trying to be as polite as she could manage. It was true, they had herbs for cultivation, fertility, and illness but they were common knowledge herbs and very few were local. To a poison master or a true healer those one trick pony herbs would be too simple and nearly useless. A luxury, since 2 or 3 cheaper herbs could fo the same as the single use herbs.

"I see. I suppose it is normal for two healers to have different needs and methods." He conceded, though honestly surprised. "Our head healer procured all of our stock."

"And he did well to do so. Those herbs are good for your needs. Single herbs boiled into tea or eaten is simple and can be handled even if he can't spare time or is not capable of a task. I am not that type of healer, I tend each patient and make medicine to fit their bodies." Kyera tried to explain. She truly felt he was lazy and competent, but it was none of her business as long as he did not step into her way.

The prince pondered her words and the methods of the Medicine Master at the palace. "So where will you get your herbs?" he asked honestly curious and making a mental note to discuss this with his father. She smiled.

"Street vendors. I normally go to the forest and hunt them myself, but with the Empress weakened like this I can't leave for that yet." Kyera spoke as she began to slow her horse. They had arrived at the city, and she was ready to enter the Bazaar.

"Street vendors?" he asked eyebrows raised in surprise. "Why not The Lotus Herb halls? There are two in town specializing in herbs. At least there you know for sure what your getting." He asked seeming rather shocked. Kyera chuckled at him. Her golden eyes dancing with an amusement that tempted a grin on his own lips though he hardly knew why. Her expression was almost infectious.

"Even if the vender doesn't know what he has, I will. Do you think the forest leads me to my prize when I hunt?" she asked teasingly.

"I don't know, it might if you smiled at it like that." Clovis replied without thinking. He closed his mouth firmly after he realized what he had said, a light pink tinge appearing on Kyera's pale cheeks.

"So… should we meet back here when we are through?" Kyera asked clearing her throat a bit. He nodded.

"Yes. I believe that will work nicely." He replied, surprised to find he was reluctant to part with her. Something about the way she smiled.

He watched her walk into the crowded streets of The Bazaar. Her slender figure blending in but never fully disappearing until she turned the bend. Clovis shook his head to clear it of the thoughts dancing behind his eyes. Turning away, he walked into the Merchant hall for a little chat.