I left the Inn early the next morning. I hadn't received a reply yet, and wasn't expecting one. I had decided, however, that if I were going to impress this Minister or even get near enough to meet him I would need a new dress.
For any who haven't noticed it yet, I despise wearing dresses and will do so only when absolutely necessary. I put on yesterdays, still fairly clean, dress and went to the middle quarter of the city where I had seen several reasonable looking dress shops.
The one I chose to enter was a small, decrepit looking, place with dusty windows hidden away in a back alley. The proprietor, and owner, was a middle-aged man named Gareth.
"Help you?" he muttered ungraciously when I entered the shop.
"I need a new dress."
"I can see that. What sort and what for?"
"A meeting with a member of the Trade Ministry and I had not decided what sort. What do you think?"
"Come a bit closer, girl, I can hardly see you."
"Perhaps if you put your eyeglasses on?" I suggested as I stepped closer to the dimly lit counter.
"Yes," he agreed, "right. Now take that dress off so I can measure you."
"I beg your pardon?"
"What are you deaf, or just simple? Take off your dress so I can measure you for a new one."
"Out here?" I said, gesturing to the uncovered windows.
"In the back room, silly girl, come along." He pushed aside a curtain and gestured to a brightly lit workroom. The room was full of dresses, on wooden models, and they were all lovely.
"Upon my word, sir, how is it that such a talented dressmaker works from such a small shop as this?"
"Country girl are you? All this," he gestured around the room, "is not fancy enough for what the Lords and Ladies are wearing this year. As everyone with enough money to buy such things copies them, and I refuse to make such revolting gowns, I have had very little business."
"Well, country girl that I am, I think your dresses are lovely."
"Well then perhaps one will suit you...if I ever get your measurements that is."
I smiled and started unbuttoning the dress. Fortunately I was wearing a thin vest and a pair of light trousers underneath it, the poor man would have probably had a heart attack if I had been wearing less than that.
"Just drape it over an empty chair and stand here. Oh and uncover your hair."
I nodded and did as he asked, then stood in the middle of the room while he measured me with a long piece of string, knotted at regular intervals.
"Your skin tone is terrible," he informed me bluntly. "Do you never go out in the sun?"
"On the contrary, I am a travelling performer; I spend most of my time in the sun."
"Well, I can probably find something to suit you but it cannot be too dark or it'll wash you out."
He wandered around the workroom, picking up and discarding dresses. Finally he chose a light green dress, almost the exact colour of the one I had removed. It was long but light, as I found out when he handed it to me.
"Try that one."
I shrugged and put the dress it fit perfectly. I looked at him curiously.
"You are a good judge of body size."
"My measurements are good, that is all. Let me have a look, turn around slowly... The necklace spoils the lines a bit, take it off."
I halted mid twirl and stared at him.
"Come on, girl, it's a simple enough instruction. Take off that fancy silver collar you are wearing."
He can see the necklace? That's impossible... unless he is some kind of Mage?
"I would rather find something that suits it. A good friend loaned it to me and I would hate to lose it."
"Fine," he grumbled. "I think I can find something else."
"Thank you."
I removed the dress and waited as he wandered out into the back rooms.
"Here are a few things that might suit you," he said, laying several gowns on the countertop.
"I am not wearing pink," I told him very firmly.
"Fine," he agreed, "pick one and try it on then."
I carefully examined the dresses.
"They are all so... bright," I muttered with a grimace. "Don't you have anything... darker?"
"Not to fit your height."
"Fine. I'll try... this one," I replied, picking up the least ostentatious gown - it was pale purple with long sleeves and a round neckline.
"I think that will do nicely," said the dressmaker, when I had put the gown on.
"So do I. How much?"
"Humph. That one is so outdated I would not get a silver piece for it."
"Well, I am but a humble country girl, I shall offer you a silver piece for it."
"Done," agreed the dressmaker. "May I suggest that you get a new hair covering while you are here?"
"Why? What is wrong with the one I have?
"It is grey."
"And?"
At that point he explained, rather forcefully I might add, why exactly I could not wear a grey headdress with a purple gown.
"I knew there was a good reason I avoided cities," I muttered as he bustled away to find head coverings.
Finally, he was satisfied that my clothing would be suitable, I paid for the garments.
"How is it that a Mage comes to be a dressmaker?" I asked him casually, as I was about to open the door.
"What? Use your head, girl! Why would a Mage be a dressmaker?"
"Well I surely do not know or I would not have asked."
"What makes you think I am a Mage?"
"You could see my necklace; a friend who is a Mage loaned it to me. She told me only another Mage could see it."
"I have been caught out it seems. I am indeed a lesser Mage; it is quite common in the city for us to be tradesmen."
"I shall have to remember that. Good day to you."
"Good day."
"Carrying my new garments I made my way back the Pink Unicorn's Retreat.
(Which is really the most ridiculous name, and very insulting to unicorns!)
There was a letter waiting there for me. I was quite surprised to receive such a prompt reply. Taking the letter to my room, I put the dress away, and opened it.
Mistress Lora of Sander,
His Excellency, the Minister of Trade, requests your presence for a private meeting at the eleventh hour to morrow morning.
On his behalf, Under-secretary Jenton
Well, I certainly did not expect him to reply that quickly, what a good thing I got the dress today.