Chapter 2 - Life in DurnshireA Chapter by Nataliya MaizeAn introduction to the town of Durnshire, where Keira lives a simple life selling produce in the town marketplace realizing that she doesn't fit into their mundane way of life.
Previous Version This is a previous version of Chapter 2 - Life in Durnshire. It was a beautiful, early morning. Keira sat quietly at the edge of her bedside admiring the scenery of the Durnshire Valley from the view of her bedroom window. A silent morning where the sun had only begun to rise above the tops of a distance mountain range, and the sky remained painted in a canvas of various pastels.
“She'll be fine!” Michael replied. “She's riding in back! She can use us as meat shields!”
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The trip to the marketplace didn't take long. Keira drove the family horse carriage across town and over the large, stone-paved bridge that connected the two halves of Durnshire's rural countryside to its busy downtown market area.
As she neared her destination she steadied her horse, hopped off the rickety old seat, and carefully stacked the two baskets of produce. She made sure not to crush any of the produce, considering this was family's sole means of income. Quite often Keira's mother made mention of extending the family business to her. She had been impressed in Keira's sense of responsibility, and pride in their work. But in fact, Keira couldn't fathom the thought of letting down her mother. Nevertheless, the people of the marketplace had always taken kindly to doing business with Keira. And although it helped she'd been sent into the business from an early age, her customers were always glad to see her familiar friendly face. Slowly Keira began her lengthy walk though the busy town. Maneuvering carefully through the bustling crowds that clustered the markets of the town streets. The town of Durnshire was a happy and humble community, a bit larger than the average size. Still, the people prided themselves on their philosophy to hold open their doors to the travelers that crossed their borders. It was a beautiful, cozy town, with streets paved in sparsely covered moss cobble-stone, and green undergrowth. Streets lined with several country cottage-like business buildings. Each placed closely to the other, and embellished with fancy flower-boxes that hung outside large, bay windows. Roof-tops decorated by overrunning, sweetly scented, plant-life draping freely over the edges of various entryways, and where even the walls of the buildings themselves appeared plump and rounded, as if content and satisfied. Businessmen with rounded bellies, and rosy-red cheeks, dressed in nothing more than a simple black suit and top-hat they would place atop their balding heads. Gentleman, who would always go out of their way to greet the familiar faces of the townsfolk, as they stepped down into the busy marketplace. There were several merchant stands clustered in groups, running from one side of town to the other. Each of them selling items ranging from exotic plant-life and animals, to rare and handmade jewelry. Beautiful, elegant, hand-blown glass, clothing, incense, and an abundance of freshly grown produce, and a cluster of laughing children playing with the occasional young pup, all intertwined down the crowded streets and throughout the open cobble stoned courtyards. Even the courtyards themselves were decorated with scattered planters of trees and vibrant flowers, where blacksmiths had crafted elegantly designed cast-iron benches that circled their retaining walls. It was a lovely town that Keira admired, and its people were just as beautiful. When she finally reached the her destination she saw the welcoming faces of the merchants she had long down business with.
The marketplaces of Mister Merrill Garrison, a vegetable vendor and his neighbor, Ms. Evelyn Ashford, a fruit merchant.
Mister Garrison was a large, middle-aged man with a small patch of balding hair, and a strange accent Keira could never pinpoint the origin of. Still, she had always believed him to be a fun-loving man. And although his demeanor reminded her more of a snooty ole' gourmet chef, she thoroughly enjoyed her weekly visits, listening to the two bicker like an old married couple. Ms. Evelyn, as Keira commonly referred to her, was a sweet, elderly woman, who at times made it a point to voice her opinions in a rather bold manner. She had medium length, blondish-gray hair that made it obvious she had seen many days in her time. But after several years of faithful deliveries, Keira began to see her as the grandmother figure she had never had; and to her, they were more than friends, they were family. As she reached the stand Keira laid the two baskets upon the counter. And for her efforts the merchants was handed her a hefty satchel of gold coins for payment. “Aww... still not married I see Ms. Keira... tisk tisk!” Said the jolly fat man, grabbing Keira's hand gently, as he studied the lack of ring upon her finger. “What a pity indeed!” He continued, placing two chubby arms atop his oversized belly. “Ya know... me son would make a fine suitor for such a woman of yer el lee gance, an beauty.” He smiled. “Shoot... I'd take ya fer me self if I wer n't such an ole' fart!” He laughed. “A ban 'ker that boys gonna be, I tel ya!” He announced pointing a stubby sausage like finger into the air. “Oh... come now Merrill!” Keira Interrupted. “You know I have no intentions of settling down any time soon.” She smirked. “Besides, I want to be a writer one day, I don't have time to be settling down and raising children right now.” “Now, Merrill... don't you go get tin that poor girls head all washed up in that mishy mushy non sense!" Evelyn interrupted. “There's nothing wrong with being a single business women! Or a writer for that mat 'ter! Besides... you know her muthers got her eye on handing Keira the family business!” She pointed a finger at him, shaking it from side to side. “And the poor girl does it so well!” Mr. Garrison grunted, and moaned as if insulted by Evelyn's interruptions. “Yes... my mother would try to keep me locked up working the family business if she knew she had the chance.” Keira replied. “Speaking of which... I'd better get back soon before she sends out the cavalry. You know how she is.” Keira laughed. “Okay.” Evelyn smiled. “Well it was good seein' you again Keira! And don't you forget to tell that muther of yers hello from me!” The woman shouted, as Keira began making her way back through the crowd. “Sure a thing Evelyn!” She hollered back. “Oh! And don't you go payin' no mind to Mister Gary 'son 'an his lovey, dovey, non sense! There ain't nuthing wrong wit be 'in a hard workin single woman! Specially those author types!” The woman continued to yell, before muttering under her breath. “Ban 'ker my a*s. Men... ain't nuthing good 'bout them!" She added as she arranged her fruit and received the usual c**k eyed glare from Garrison. “What?!” She asked, sticking her tongue out.
© Copyright 2008 Nataliya Maize. All rights reserved.
© 2009 Nataliya MaizeAuthor's Note
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6 Reviews Added on March 24, 2009 Last Updated on December 16, 2009 AuthorNataliya MaizeMoreno Valley, CAAbout- When we were young, and life was different - Check out my websites: My Twitter: http://twitter.com/NMaize A.N.A. Twitter: http://twitter.com/anaw.. more..Writing
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