Elysia

Oh the market! The smells, the sounds, the artistry! This was better than all the holy day festivals the Cathedral had ever thrown, and I couldn’t be more at home in the organized chaos of it all. A stall to the left of me had silks, and so many different types of incense I could be lost in smells for hours, or the food stalls that were selling the most beautiful and ornate street foods, and the many mounts that were for sale as well. Oh this was amazing, but what was I going to buy for myself to remember this time.

I doubt the Cathedral would ever send me on another mission, it was rare a Priestess would ever be sent, but since I was chosen by Solaris himself, they had no choice but to send me as the sun god wished. His heat warmed me, and blessed me with his healing grace, but I had very little to show for being the chosen one. At least no coin to speak of. I do want something, but even if I just get to gather memories, that’s okay with me. She thought, lovingly running her hands over a spider silk shawl then mindlessly moving to the next stall. Occasionally I would check over my shoulder for my body guard, Elara was always just a few paces away, her eyes scanning for dangers as I window shopped.

“Oh Elara, you would look so beautiful in jade green! It would bring out your eyes.” I playfully held a milk-maiden dress up to Elara, over selling how much I loved the color on her, she rolled her eyes and kept scanning the area. “You’re not fun.” I pouted, putting the dress away, “They had to give me the beautiful and cold bodyguard, not one with a sense of humor.”

“I am here to protect you, not be your doll.” Elara cooly stated, not having one more moment of being teased, she turned and made her way to the next stall waiting for me to catch up.

I joined her and looked at the wares. Nothing impressive. Some enchanted mirrors, love glyphs scams, and what looked like firecrackers. I half heartedly picked one up and placed it back down, but something caught my eye.

In the back corner, sitting on a pile of rags was the most adorable abomination of a creature I had ever seen, and I must have him.

“Is the pig for sale?” I asked the stall attendant, a tired looking hobgoblin with a bite out of his ear.

“Maybe, what you got to trade? He can smell bad magic, but around here he is just a waste of my food.” He sneered, throwing a fruit peel at the now cowering creature, “He ain’t no pig though lady, he is a Bullyboar, and I won’t take anything but three gold for his ass.”

Put off by the crassness of this man, I took a step back, trying to think of what I could offer that was worth his wager, “Well, I do have this.” I pulled my gold necklace chain off, and placed it in his grimy hands, “Will this do?” The goblin grabbed at the solid gold chain and bit at it, his teeth resembling the rotted fruit I had seen in some rubbish piles, then gave me a nod, “He’s all yours. Good luck though m’lady, his gas is worse than all the bad magic combined.”

******

I was in love with this adorable little critter now happily being carried away in my arms towards his new home. His face was soft, covered in a lavender hair, almost gray, little wrinkles covered his pig like snout, and droopy jowls covered his softly pointed teeth. Brown eyes gazed up at me as he snorted happily, his little swirly tail wagging like a dogs, and tiny back legs kicking in the air. He was perfect, and he was all mine.

“I shall name you…” I thought for a moment, trying to think of the grandest name I could give my little companion, “Schmig, Schmig the Bullyboar.” I pulled him into my chest, kissing his sweet head right between his bugged out eyes, were they looking two different ways? I didn’t care, I could not wait to show him off to my cousin and her chef.