Field of Death: The Watcher

The Watcher's eyes followed her past his hooded cloak, a curtain of rain between them as she moved carefully from shop to shop. She would pause briefly at one, then run in the rain to the next and then the next. Finally, she came closer to him and he could hear her. As her voice reached him, the Watcher closed his eyes and his features calmed somewhat as he listened.

"Tell me your name again?" asked the shopkeeper with squinted eyes.

"Summer. My name is Summer. I came here this morning and your wife said you would be interested in these carvings my brother made."

"Summer," the shopkeeper repeated then asked, "What is your last name?"

She sighed, her shoulders dropping some as she said he full name, "My name is Summer Raynne."

"Summer Raynne?" the shopkeeper smirked then nodded, "I know your younger brother. Taylor is his name, yes? He's talented, but I had no idea he was selling his carvings. Let me see one."

Summer quickly pulls a statuette from her bag and sets it on the countertop, "He made this one yesterday."

As the shopkeeper lifts the carving to inspect it, another set of eyes open to do the same. Exquisite. What talent! How he captured the beauty in the most simple of subjects. The curve of a leaf. A hand's gentle press. One could almost hear the song of the bird set on the hand carved there.

"I might have a customer who would be interested in just this kind of piece," the shopkeeper said, "I'll give you two gold pieces."

Summer paused then smiled, "Mother and Father will be pleased and Taylor will be thrilled! Since coming here from Flaxley, we've had a hard time of it. This will be well met and will help to put food on our table."

The shopkeeper stopped and looked at her, "You play this game well, Summer. Three gold pieces."

"Five."

"Four"

"Sold."

The Watcher looked on as the shopkeeper smiled and handed her the gold. The transaction was over and the girl walked the other way, trying to stealthily slip the gold into her sleeve as she moved from shop to shop, in and out of the rain. After she disappeared around a corner, he moved from his spot toward the shop she'd just visited.

"Oh! Hello! I have just come across a piece you would be interested in. A local who is a fine artist has made this exquisite piece." He holds the carving up to show.

A gloved hand places five gold pieces on the counter without a word and takes the carving.

The shopkeeper effects a broad smile, "It is always a pleasure doing business with you," then turns to put the coins in a box. He starts and turns quickly to catch the man as he steps for the door, "Will you be needing any other carving tools? We've a fine selection, as you know," his words not stopping the man from moving to the door. The shopkeeper calls out behind him, "Or we can sharpen the one you have!" As the form disappears around a corner, the shopkeeper shrugs and goes about his business.