And what am I meant to do with this?
The elderly tailor looked aghast at the threadbare dress, pinching it by its shoulders, as far away from him as he could. In Kelynns eyes it wasn't as bad as the prissy tailor was making out. Yes, it had a few holes, yes, the arm was almost hanging off, yes, there was a questionable stain, but it was still a dress and in the colour her hobbity friend had recommended.
I don't know, make it look better? Fair price and all of course, not made of money after all!
The man gave her an incredulous look, then once he realised she was being serious, tried to persuade her in another direction, gesturing to a rather elegant dress, one more suited to a lady of the manor than a pedlar. It flowed on the mannequin like a river of wine, accented with drips of gold and sashes of silk. He seemed rather proud of his accomplishment
No no no. This one would bring out your eyes my dear, why, such a delightful figure you hide away! You will be a queen amongst men! A little rouge, your hair combed, why you will be a delight! Shall we try it on?
At this he clapped his hands and a young girl came rushing over to try and wrestle the dress from the mannequin.
Kelynn was tempted, there was no denying this. Though her coin purse really wasn't as full as the man probably hoped. Trading had been down that day, three horseshoes sold, a mens hair piece and a bit of quartz she'd found near the river.
No no, just err, fix this one eh?
The tailor clawed his fingers through his normally neat hair, leaving it a wirey mess.
Fix it? Fix it she says, did you hear that girl? She wants me to fix it! I can do many things, I can dress kings, I can make thread from gold, but fix that?! Impossible!!!
The woman thought quickly, and out of the massive pack that she would oft be seen carrying around with her, she produced a thimble. It looked to be silver, though the tarnish from years past made the engraving upon it stand out more. Clearing her throat, she went into her patter.
The once owner of this fine thing sir, would never have said such a thing! An elven queen of old! It is said she sewed the very tapestry of the sky with the aid of this here thimble. Alas, her golden needle has been lost to the lands for many, many a year, but this? I was fortunate to acquire in my travels to the borders of the elven lands. I will not insult you by naming a price, for you, an exceptionally talented man, skilled in his craft, knows only too well that such treasure is priceless! I will instead consider a barter?
He looked skeptical. To him it was a thimble, like the half dozen he already owned, yet he was a magpie too. She knew this, for any man who cared so much about beauty and finery could be tempted by such a thing.
There are no such things as elven queens, not in these parts! Though, I suppose charity is important and does not harm the reputation. Girl! Bring out the scraps!
The man clapped his hands once more and the young worker scuttled off, not long after heaving back a massive basket of offcuts, bits of lace, spools of ribbon and the like.
Kelynn breathed a sigh of relief, the man seemingly prepared to take on this apparently impossible task. Things were thrown out of the basket, left and right. Swatches of fabric laid against the tatty dress, thread matched and a negotiation beginning.
It will be a fee of ten silver! I cannot possibly believe I am saying this! And the thimble of course!
Five silver sir!
Nine!
Six and fifty coppers, with the thimble!
Disgraceful! Very well, though I cannot promise you shall look like a queen, a handmaiden perhaps?
He looked frazzled, yet skillfully over the course of a half a day, he made a dress anew. Something presentable, a little of this, a little of that. He was also the proud owner of his seventh thimble.
