Charity

So it has been quite a few days since I've written in my journal. Let me start from the day after my previous entry.

Due to the amount of gold I received from the information I gave left me feeling well enough to just go out and not set up my cart. That, and there was a blizzard brewing outside. I knew well enough that nobody would be buying in that weather.

I decided to do some shopping - buy a nice new dress. I want to fit in with the nobles when the festival starts.

Along the way, I ran into Merigold. We decided to go for lunch together. She insisted it would be my treat, again due to the unnatural amount of funds I had acquired. Down the street, I saw a man shivering in the cold. I could have sworn I had seen him before somewhere. Despite his plea that he was fine, I insisted that I buy him a warmer coat. After speaking with him, I invited him to lunch with Merigold and I. Johnathan, as he told me his name was, was rather interesting, and I enjoyed his company. Though, when I brought up the man who ran into my cart the other day, he shied away.

In any case, I invited him to my house afterwards. Merigold had other business to attend to, so it was just him and I. I wasn't going to invite him to spend the evening in my house, but it was warmer than outside and that would suffice my conscience. I decided to paint in my loft while he sat in a chair in front of my small fireplace. At one point, he looked at me as he was complimenting my work. That's when I realized he was the man from the market that ran into my car. The man that is wanted by the guards so badly that they paid me handsomely just for his description. However, I had to hear his side of the story before I turned him over to the guards.

I told him that I needed to get another brush and that I would be right back. I had noticed on my way into the house that there were guards outside of a shop down the street from me. I asked one of them to stand outside my house for a moment. I informed him that there might be danger, but I wanted to be absolutely certain before I involved the guards. By some miracle that worked and they stood outside of my door.

When I went back into the house, I made an effort to stay as close to the door as possible. If something were to go wrong, I wanted a way out and to make sure the guards could hear me scream.

This was upwards of four days ago. Why so long? I've been passed out since that moment. I confronted Johnathan about the day before, trying to get his side of the story. If there was reason behind his offence, then I would have him escape my house and inform the guards that they were no longer needed. However, when he realized that I remembered who he was, he threw a dagger at me. It found my stomach, and I can only tell you that via the accounts of others and the scar I now bare.

I woke up today in a church to a halfling kneading my stomach. I think he took some gold from me, but I choose not to say anything for now, he did heal me after all.

I'm going to spend most of today just relaxing and I'm sure I will sleep well tonight.

Chance

It wasn't such a normal day. Well, it at least started off normal. The two men that sometimes visit my cart were bored today. They knocked a few cabbages off the cart and out of my hands while I was picking them up, but I was able to get them back this time. Just after one of the men jokingly said that he was there to purchase some produce, a lovely couple of town guards came over to see what the ruckus was about. I informed the guards that the two men were simply discussing how they were going to purchase goods. So, in the end, they got a couple of dirty cabbages and I got a few copper pieces out of them.

Once the two men departed, one of the guards talked to me for awhile. I'm not unused to men talking to me, but a town guard - now that is someone people see as an authority figure, and I'm sure a friendship would be beneficial to me.

A bit later, I was thinking about packing up for the day - there is a painting I haven't finished yet, when suddenly a man came running through a nearby alley and tumbled over my cart - knocking everything over. I was concerned about the man, he seemed to slam his shoulder on the ground really hard, but he ran off before I could check on him.

I suppose a normal person would be upset about their merchandise being ruined, but I couldn't care less. Selling cabbage isn't how I'm going to make money, nor is painting. Initially, I chose to stay as a female human because I assumed it was easier to marry into a noble family than it would be to become a noble. That woman I lived with, she was insufferable. How she ever took up a husband, let alone one with nobility, is astonishing. Then again, he is the one I blame for their son's impertinent behavior.

In any case, shortly after the strange, cloaked man with the satchel ran off, Merigold stopped by for a visit. Her husband's shop would be busy during the upcoming festival and I wasn't sure if I was glad to have a break from her. Then again, she is wonderful company. I'm not sure how to make friends in this world yet without charming them, but I somehow managed it with her. I told her about my day, and of the man who ran into my cart. Apparently he stole something and was wanted, so she encouraged me to inform the guards.

I went to search for the one that was chatting me up previously. Simmons I believe was his name. I found him along with several other dignitaries and offered my description of the man I saw, which seemed to be extremely helpful to them judging by the amount of gold they gave me for the information. I treated Merigold to dinner, she was, after all, the one who encouraged me.

I'm not sure if they ever caught that man, but I'm glad I could help in some way. Also, it helped me get a bit of notice from the authorities other than being the woman merchant who is always getting picked on.

I'm sure tomorrow will be back to normal, but for now I shall go to bed and sleep soundly.