Chapter 13: Clothes Shopping
I awoke to the sound of knocking at my door. I opened my eyes to see the morning sun streaming through the window. I slept in longer than I thought I would.
I opened the door to find Francis waiting.
"Good morning, Sir John. I've been told to attend to you for the day sir. Whatever you need, I will help you to procure." He said with a cursory glance at my attire and bare feet.
"Good morning." I yawned out. "Thanks for the help, Francis. Why don't we get me some clothes and shoes first then."
"Of course, sir. Shall we head down to the mess hall for breakfast?"
I nodded and we left the room. All around me, the barracks was bustling with activity. Guards were attending to their duties and staff were cleaning and running errands.
As we approached the mess hall, I could hear the noise of a large group of people occupying it, and smell the breakfast. We entered a giant room, capable of holding at least 300 people with room to spare.
Like the rest of the barracks, it was sparse of décor, purely focused on function. One of the walls of the room had giant pane windows facing into the city. On the other side was the kitchens, and I could see a line of guardsmen getting food.
Francis and I joined the line. I could feel the gazes of everyone in the vicinity fall on me. Whispers of blessed and the giant boar were circulating throughout the mess hall now.
After we grabbed some food, we sat at a table closer to the door we came through. As we were eating, I continued to feel the eyes of the guards watching us.
"My apologies, sir." Francis said, uncomfortably. "You're the talk of the town right now."
"Oh, have my stats reached the general population?"
"Ah, no sir. Everyone is still just reacting to your killing of the boar and how likely it is that you are blessed. You killed the boar with one fell strike. The craftsmen were raving at the perfect condition the boar hide was in. They paid top price for it. That, along with how easy it was for you to carry the beast, makes everyone pretty sure you're blessed."
"I'm assuming you haven't told them about the reactions of the guild master, captain, and vice-captain then."
"No sir." He replied quickly. "Also, no one's had a chance to question me about anything. By the time you all finished discussions last night, anyone not on night duty was asleep. Then I was called for first thing in the morning to serve as your aid, and here we are."
I nodded at his explanation, and we went back to eating. Once we were finished, we headed into town for the shops.
"Are you looking for any particular clothing sir?" He asked.
"Hmm, I imagine that I'll have meetings with nobles soon. Dress clothing in fashion may be necessary, but on the same hand, I'll need armor and weapons as well. How much do you think each will cost?"
He considered the question for a while. "Clothing suitable for upper class commoners would probably fall in the range of 5-10 silver. Most of the upper end of clothing, however, are around 20 silver for a full outfit."
"As for weapons, you can get very basic weapons for about 1 silver. When it comes to basic armor, they're probably around 1-5 silver for a full set, depending on the armor type of course. For weapons and armor, the better they are, the more expensive they are, almost exponentially expensive."
I mulled over my options as we walked. I only had 100 silvers to my name, so I'd have to spend wisely.
"If I spent 30 silvers on a set of armor, do you think I could where that to meetings with nobles?" I asked.
"Hmm, well nobles prefer to meet with others in their fashion, but at the same time you are blessed. Blessed people don't follow the normal conventions of society so they may be willing to accommodate you in armor. I don't know enough about how nobles interact with blessed and adventurers to give you a good answer."
I continued to mull over my options as we approached the first clothing store. We entered a large overly decorated store. The store had several patrons and clerks attending to them. There were wooden mannequins dressed in various clothing, from dresses, to men's clothing throughout, and alcoves with mirrors.
The men's clothing seemed a little… tacky. It was overly colorful and puffy. As I assessed the clothing, I heard a voice call out.
"You are not welcome here you filthy mongrel. Leave before I call the guard." A female's voice said.
I looked around to see what the commotion was and found a rotund middle-aged woman looking at me.
"Did you not hear me? Are you deaf and dumb?" The woman said… to me.
The woman looked past me and scurried to Francis.
"Oh Francis, what a delight to see you again! Please, pass along my greetings to the BELOVED Sir Marcus." She said.
Francis just looked at her in shock. Eventually he looked at me, causing the woman to glance back in my direction.
"Oh Francis, this dreadful barbarian will not leave. He's threatening me and my customers! Please help me." She screeched out while clinging onto his arm and pointing at me.
Hmm, well I'll have to pay her a visit later. I'll make her love filthy mongrels.
Francis continued to stare at the woman in stunned silence. When I saw Francis' anger start to rise, I put up my hand.
"It seems we are not welcome here Francis. On to the next one then" I said and walked out.
Outside the store, a red-faced Francis joined me after a few minutes.
"My deepest apologies, Sir John." He said with his head bowed. "I will ensure she pays for her treatment of you."
"Oh, don't worry about it Francis." I said. "The world has a funny way of resolving itself. Besides, those clothes looked… unwearable. How do you know her?"
Francis looked at me, uncertainty and fear in his eyes.
"Uh, she has always been an avid supporter of the guard. Her store is one commonly shopped at by richer commoners."
"Well, I sure wouldn't want to make things difficult for the guard."
That seemed to relieve Francis and we started off again. As I was mulling how to get back at Ms. Rotund, something caught my eye. I turned to look at a shop window mannequin. The clothing seemed very… familiar to me.
"Francis, what is that shop?"
"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with it, sir."
I nodded and decided to go check it out. When we entered the shop, I stopped in surprise. Looking at the clothes up close, I did know it. The shirts had buttons all the way up the front with a small pocket sewed onto the left breast. It was a dress shirt.
In fact, the entire shop had clothing that I had some knowledge of. Where that knowledge came from, I have no idea. Dress pants, dress shoes, and even dress socks. It was like walking into a mall store.
A young man approached us.
"Hello gentlemen and welcome to my shop. I am Allen; owner and designer of this fantastical shop. I assure you, you will find clothing like it nowhere else. Is there anything that you're looking for specifically?" The young man said.
"You designed these?" I asked.
"Oh yes sir! Late into the night and with great care did this clothing come into fruition."
Francis looked at the clothing. "Sir, these aren't in fashion and seem rather… plain." Francis said.
"This will be the next wave of fashion I assure you! One day this plain style will be usable in many functions!" Allen said enthusiastically.
I glanced at the shopkeeper. He was a smaller man with a thin frame. His face was fairly cute.
"What is the material used? Did you sew these yourself and how did you get these pants to be this dark?" I asked.
"Well sir, there is a plant that I came across from some farmers a couple of months back. It was a soft white plant. The farmers thought it was a new food crop but found it inedible. I bought this plant from them and thought that the soft texture would be good for clothes."
"Me and my dear Ester worked and worked at the soft plant until we got it. The clothing from it is very warm and extremely soft! As for the coloration… I'm afraid that is a trade secret."
I felt at the clothing, it was indeed very soft to the touch. The plant was probably cotton.
"How much for a full outfit, including shoes?" I asked.
"15 silvers." Allen answered.
"That's preposterous!" Francis exclaimed. "This is not noble clothing. It's not even in fashion!"
Allen cowered under Francis' scrutiny.
"My apologies sir! 10 silvers!" Allen squeaked out.
"Sir John, let us leave. This is a ridiculous amount for clothing so unusual." Francis said.
"How about 20 silvers for three full sets of clothing, and one pair of shoes?" I asked, causing Francis to look at me in disbelief.
"But sir!" Francis questioned.
"Worry not Francis, I like this clothing. It's quite soft and while simple, in a way, still elegant." I replied. "Also, I'm blessed, remember? I don't need to follow the normal conventions."
"Blessed!" Allen exclaimed, then he perused my attire. "Really?" He said skeptically.
"I am Francis, a sergeant of the guard and assistant to Vice-Captain Marcus. I ensure you, you scoundrel, that this man is more blessed by the Gods than any other!" Francis barked.
Allen paled at his words and turned towards me.
"Oh, please sir, I beg of you to forgive me! I did not mean to offend you! I would be honored to receive your patronage. I will do whatever you wish. I'll, I'll even give you the clothes!"
I looked at the shopkeeper with amusement. "Francis, I'm assuming that by wearing his clothing, I will do his shop a tremendous service."
"Of course, sir" Francis responded grudgingly.
"Well Allen, I am a fair soul. Are you willing to accept my proposal then? It seems that you may benefit most after all. Plus, I just may come back." I said.
Allen quickly agreed and the deal was struck.
"Well then sir, if you don't mind following me to the back, so I can fit the clothing." Allen requested.
"Francis, this may be awhile. You are free to attend other matters now if you'd like." I said.
"Well then sir, if you don't mind, I will go to the barracks to settle some matters. I will return posthaste." Francis said with a salute, and then departed.
"Allen, please lead the way" I said.
I followed Allen into one of the back rooms.
He led me to a mirror alcove and then brought several sets of clothing. I removed my shirt and dropped my pants. Oh yeah, I need to ask him about underwear. I'm still going commando.
"Allen, do you have any underwear made of that plant?" I asked, turning around to face him.
I found him staring at me. His eyes glued to my cock.
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abysmalv Thanks for reading!
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