The following day, the hostelier dropped a few coins in her hand. His praise rang in her ears and he told her of the expected arrival of boarders later that day.
‘We hold a fair for traders every second spring,’ he explained. ‘Merchants and visitors come from all over Dar Orien. Most will set up camp down at the allotted field. Tonight, we be very busy. Good coinage.’ He bustled away to the kitchen.
Irenya thought, good coinage indeed. She needed money to buy clothes, look the part; the cook’s skirt, borrowed the previous night, was on the large side. Leaving Mikey with the old fisherman, she went in search of the dressmaker the cook had told her about. Twice she lost her way in the narrow winding streets and had to ask for directions. By late morning, Irenya had exchanged most of her co
