Lowlife, Scoundrel, Bandit Queen

Chapter 147 - 147 - Caravan or carnival

I decide to follow Wiktor's advice and do my best to enjoy the spectacle. Who knows when I'll have a chance to do so again after all. Sure, Sezemat's caravan stops here regularly, but there is no guarantee that I'll be in town then too. All it takes is one adventure gone wrong or one scheme gone bad.

Well, in theory. I could just assume a different guise, but even that is not yet a foolproof plan. Sure I have a skill to mask my status, but that one too kind of stands out. Never mind though. It's no use worrying about that now. That's the very opposite of enjoying the opportunity after all.

I can't help but look around to take in all the subtle changes to the town though. One stands out a little more than others. Usually the various roadside eateries would be pretty busy with the morning crowd about now. Not so today. In fact business seems to be exceptionally light for a change. Some are even closed down entirely, taking the chance to do their big once a year cleaning.

Repairs are being made too. After the recent collapse these seem to still be on everyone's mind. Thus, while the eateries have a slow day, the various construction workers of the city, mostly carpenters though, seem to be plenty busy. Yes, those seem to be very well booked.

I can overhear various conversations in passing, which earns me a little advancement for both my [Perception] and [Gather Information] skills. Apparently the highly sought after carpenters especially even have to turn down usually highly coveted rush jobs since they are so busy. Some shop or building owners will simply have to wait a little longer. And from what I can glean the current lull in customers will probably last for the whole stay of caravan, at the very least though for the first week.

It's curious, although Riverrun already offers a very diverse array of eateries, something for just about everyone, people still swarm the eateries of the caravan given this rare opportunity. It raises my hopes to be positively surprised by what's on offer.

As I draw closer to the meadows where the caravan has set up camp it gets a little livelier again. Curiously enough it seems the people from the caravan who seem to dominate the roadside eateries closest to theater, circus and their market. I guess they gladly take advantage of the situation too and get some meals other than their usual. I really shouldn't be surprised. It's to be expected after all.

This gives me a chance to realize something else too. So far I thought of the people of Riverrun as diverse, as the population of a frontier town is likely to be. And the impression isn't wrong either. Riverrun is a cultural melting pot where people from all over try to make a life for themselves and their families. The caravan though … it takes the concept to a whole different level.

This isn't just elves, dwarves and humans from different lands. Some of the people I can spot are considerably more exotic. I spot feathers and horns, harpies and minotaurs if I'm not mistaken. The former look very much like they are flightless. Their legs though, well I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a kick. There are some very short folks too, some might be gnomes of some sort. Others are almost certainly goblins though. And those are just the ones that stand out at a glance and in passing. There are some scaly lizard folks too, but I'm not quite sure what to make of them. Are they just humanoid lizard people? Or could they be actual half dragons?

It's enough to put a smile on my lips. With all these around the place is even more lively than usual. No doubt about it. It's almost enough to make me forget that I'm not just here to have fun. Sure, that is one of my priorities, but I have a job to do too. Right, I need to keep my eyes open to spot Jerzy or his brother. Either would be fine.

My resolve is tested a second time not much later. In fact I have just passed the last few houses at the edge of town and am now on the road in between the lots with the market of carts and stalls in their labyrinthine arrangement on one side and the theater on the other side. It's the theater side that draws my attention.

I can spot the stage in the distance at the far end of the lot. It's quite impressive to be honest. A whole street scene has been set up behind it as backdrop. Including balconies and windows that are probably accessible through ladders in the back. The doors work too, of course. The real highlight though is, when I spot one of the gullies of the street on stage rise as someone peaks out from below the stage. Oh, this really looks promising!

In between me and the stage are several ranks of benches. They are not terribly comfortable but they serve their purpose well enough I guess. Overall there might be enough seating for two hundred people or a little more. They are all empty now of course. Curiously enough there is no fence or anything of the likes keeping people out. I can only assume that the audience doesn't pay to just view whatever piece will be performed. You probably pay for the seating instead. The seating and possibly snacks and drinks. I'm not entirely sure about that though. I intend to find out later though.

A curious couple draws my attention next. The taller one is a fiery haired elven woman, possibly a little older than Núira. At least that is my best guess. It can be a little hard to guess with elves. The other, much shorter individual is a goblin. No doubt about it. They are busy putting up advertisements for the play the theater troupe will perform while in town.

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Advertisement for the play painted on a big wooden placard, propped up by a sturdy wooden frame. They are carrying several more of those that probably will be spread out over the city. As the duo leaves I cross the street to have a look at the picture painted on the placard. It's quite colorful and incredibly detailed. Even the lettering of the title at the top and the short pitch at the bottom is captivating.

Lantern lights? A story of unequal love and countless clumsy mishaps that stand in its way? A fair maiden tired of admirers? And a clumsy lad new to the city who falls head over heels for her, at times even literally?

It sounds like a romantic comedy. The picture, featuring the familiar backdrop from behind the stage and the duo that just left looks the part too. I guess it could be called a crowd pleaser. People around here know enough drama and hardship from their own lives. They don't need more of that on stage. Some lighthearted love story with plenty of reason to laugh probably is something that will be much better received than some grand drama. At least that is my best guess. I can only assume that the troupe that passes through here regularly knows their audience.

There will be two performances each day. The first will begin a little later in the afternoon, just before dusk. The other will be at night, after a little break. It makes me wonder if it'll be the same ensemble of actors for both performances. I can only imagine that it might be a little hard on their voices in the long run.

Maybe they have a secondary cast? It would only be prudent to have a backup for every important role anyway, right? And if they alternate in between the two this schedule would be much more sustainable. It would give me good reason to watch the performance more than once too. There would be differences, even if just subtle ones, for sure! Yes, I like that idea. That's all for latter though. It'll be a few more hours until the first performance, which means I can focus on other things first, which I really need to do anyway.

With a happy little hum I leave the advertising placard, which is already drawing in other people, behind to turn to the labyrinth of stalls and wagons instead, which takes the center stage in between the theater and the circus tent.

I quickly come to realize, that by far not all of the stalls are open already at this hour. Especially the actual shops still seem to be closed for the better part. The eateries are already quite busy though. Plenty of people from town are having their morning meal here, elbow to elbow with the traveling merchants and entertainers. I take a deep breath to savor the smells wafting over from one such place. It's very promising indeed!

That particular place is rather busy though, thus I move along to find something else. Humming to myself I stroll along. Looking here and there, constantly on the lookout for open seats at eateries and for Jerzy and Jurand too.

In the end I come across Jerzy and Jurand long before I come even close to finding an empty seat. It seems the two are having a good time eating a rather heavy meal that can't possibly be a morning meal. Slices of various meats, mostly rather fatty ones though, which sizzle on a hot stone, probably a marvel of applied magic, embedded in the table in between the two. There are bowls with more meat and vegetables standing at the sides too. And of course they have fresh bread and beer to go with the rest. Yes, this most certainly isn't your average breakfast.

I almost feel bad about interrupting them. Only almost though.

In the end it's Jurand who notices me first, as Jerzy is sitting with his back to me. Very curious. He never would be caught like that at the tavern. Never mind though, his brother casually informs him of my presence anyway. He greets me with a casual wave too.

"Viviona! Your first time taking in all the marvels of the caravan? Looking for a place to eat too?"

I flash him, and Jerzy as he turns around to acknowledge me, a brief smile.

"Yes. This place looks quite fancy. And good gods and goddesses, does the meat smell good. I guess I'll have to make a reservation to eat here though, or am I mistaken?"

Jurand is too busy stuffing his face to answer right away, but Jerzy takes over for him without delay anyway.

"Yes. It probably won't be easy to get a slot around the usual times anyway. I think they might almost booked for the entirety of their stay here. You might just be able to get lucky a little before noon or after the noon rush though."

Making reservations sounds troublesome, but it might just be worth the effort in this case. I have to fight hard to refrain from licking my lips. Well, there is still the other issue I need to address.

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but Wiktor asked me to invite you two to drop by to talk about important business once you are done here."

Jerzy almost chokes on his beer and Jurand frowns a little. It's the latter to ask the inevitable question.

"What kind of business? And both of us are you sure?"

"Both of you. I'm sure. And I could tell you, but I don't think it's my place to do so. Wiktor should take care of that."

Now Jerzy raises an eyebrow and speaks up, while his brother chuckles before turning his attention back to the stone grill in between them.

"Oh? It's not your place to tell us? What is your place then?"

I snort and half turn to leave as I have spotted another eatery where I might be able to get something to eat on the go without standing in line for too long.

"My place? It's to keep you guessing of course!"

With one last wave I'm off again.