A herd of small Soblyn’s were skittering over the rocks. Ashwin’s head twitched around, almost reaching for an arrow to knock to his bow.

Iscara chuckled at her nephew, “I think you’ve slain enough things today. And they aren’t big enough to be a menace to anyone.”

“The big ones are.”

“Certainly, but these aren’t big ones, are they?”

He let the arrow fall back into the quiver, but still kept his bow out, held in his left hand. Iscara shifted the babe on her hip, dislodging him from chewing on her earring, which he promptly grabbed for as soon as he was in his new position.

“So how’s the city.”

Ashwin shrugged, “It’s…different, but I think I like it. There’s loads more people, and they’re not like the clan, but I think that’s good. And the food here is great. Not so much the weather.”

“Doesn’t rain much, does it?”

“It saves it up and then does a month’s worth in one go. The storms here are huge.”

They entered the city through one of the gates, nodding to the guard, and made their way through the tall buildings to a more central part of the city. In one of the squares dotted about the city, they came across a Hyur and Lalafell who were talking with each other, the pleasant smiles of cut-throat merchants on both of their faces.

Iscara gave the Lalafell’s bodyguard a nod, and he returned it, clearly suppressing some curiosity about why the warrior of light was currently bouncing a baby on one hip.

Lolorito and Jaydra reached out hands, and shoke on whatever they had just been talking about. Iscara had no idea what that deal might be, but took it as a sign that the business was concluded.

“I should certainly like to see some samples.”

“Of course, although, you might have already, I do have several notable clients who wear my work.”

“Oh?” Lolorito seemed interested, before his gaze caught the movement and he looked over, “Ah! Our esteemed warrior of light. What brings you to this humble merchant today?”

“Nothing, it’s her I’m after,” Iscara enjoyed watching Lolorito’s mustache twitch a little, and then again as she handed her youngest nephew back to his mother, and stripped her earrings from her ears, “You owe me a new pair, he’s chewed these ones practically to death.”

“Again? You should have given him his toy.”

“Like all your brood, they always seem to prefer the dangly things to the ones they are meant to use.”

“Lady Jaydra, perchance is the warrior of light one of your clients? I do recall that you have been seen wearing some unusual jewellery at Ul’dahn functions.”

Jaydra looked at Iscara, who shrugged, “Yes, my sister is fond of wearing my creations. My demand in Ishgard stems from her stays there.”

“Sister? Well, I daresay this has been a day of unexpected turns.”

“After you and the Sultana worked on the salt mines together, I lost the urge to drop-kick you over the nearest tall building. I hope that you dealings with my sister proves fulfilling in the same way, lest my urge return, with a pressing and imminent need to be fulfilled,” Iscara crossed her arms as she looked down. She didn’t often threaten, but for the oily lalafell, she made an exception.

“Of course, of course. A pleasure as always.” He gave the pair of them a short bow, before walking off, bodyguard in tow.

“I do hope he tried to use that information,” Jaydra grinned at her.

Iscara grunted, “I need a shower. He might be a great businessman, but he’s still an oily snake.”