I stand wiht my hound, Varn, on a hill just north of Tradewind; the proud branches of the Tree of Life and Trade as well as the peaks of vast and noble buildings peaking over the great walls the shelter the prosperous trade town. I can recall when I first came here, it was just a budding town, only one shop to its name. That day I visited only because it was convinently close to a good hunting ground. Since then it has grown, as has my bond to it. Now I see it flourishing before me, many shops bustling with business and the walls stout well guarded. A small smile tuggs at my mouth as I think of it. Glad am I that the wild winds led me here. It is a good town, with good leaders.

Now for the business of the day. I was just out hunting so I have a few goods to barter off. Then I must make sure the weaver I hired is doing as told and done with any new cloths. He can be so arrogant at times it makes me wonder, but he makes fine garments that sell at a fine price, so I put up with it. But first was first, my pack was near to busting with the scavengings of my hunt.

I always feel a bit ashamed after such a hunt at the outpost, but there is little I could do when the wild spirit over came me and I ran as a wolf. So I resettle my pack and ready to go into town. "Stayn here Varn, be a good lad now," I say as I scratch him pehind his ears. As I enter the North Gates, Varn disapeares into the wild, awaiting my next call to hunt.

Ahead is the Magic shop, home of Berg the Master Sage and his student Devon, hired from a far off land. They make excelent trinkets and the scrolls they carry were very handy. As I hadn't found anything they were interested in this trip I'll head to my right, to the shop strip. There is Aldur's Residence, which is of course closed to the public, even a city govener needs privacy. Further south of this is the first guard hall, where I oft stopped by to perform minor songs and sagas; but that would have to wait till my pack was lighter.

Next on the strip is the Bank of Tradewind, run by Victor the Bursar. It is designed as a church and is very lovely. Unfortunately, as with all prosperous trade cities, it happened to attract some unscrupulous thieves from time to time. A patron just needs to use caution and stay sharp to avoid the fingures of these scoundrels, or at least to gain justice after the deed. But those are tales for another time.

The beutiful Tree of Life and Trade prosperes to my left as I came to the next building, my current destination. It is the shop of Graegor the Irekei Helmsmith and Veris the Hammersmith. While Graegor can be cranky at times, and is often a very tough bargainer, we have developed an understanding over time. I often visit his shop after hunting to show him the Hard Leather that I scavenge.

"Hail and well me, Graegor, Veris," I greet them both with a nod as I enter.

"Hail, Ansua," Veris returns with a nod while Graegor just scowls.

"I have somethings you might be interested in, Graegor, some more hard leather armor."

"Bah," he says as he turns up his nose with an arrogant sniff, "That stuff again? You crowed my shop with that smelly stuff, half-breed."

I grin and return, "And make you all the richer for it as well, Graeg. Now then, take a look and see what you think." I pull out each peice one at time and let him appraise it. Of course, he buys everything, as ussual.

"Well then, I'll see you both later, I'm off to check on Raine," I say with a wave as I leave, with another nod from Veris and another scowl from Graegor.

From here, I continue down the strip, passing the shop of Bael the Spearsmith and Morran the Centaur Swordsmith. A head is the Silvermoon Light & Heavy Shop, owned by Asclepius Lysias of Luna Argentum, where Adric the Dwarven Leatherworker and Angus the Heavy Armorer work.

To the right of this as I approach is my shop, The WayWard Weaver. Raine the Irekei Master Seamstress is my emplyee there who makes all the cloths. Before I enter, I stand outside and marvel at my shop. I hadn't expected it to work so well. Raine is a good weaver, if a bit arrogant, and has truely done a good job keeping the store stocked.

As I enter, I call out my greeting, "Hail there Raine, how goes your needle today?"

"Hail, Mistress Aelfborn," he replied hautily as he always does, "My needle goes fine though I would have you rember that I will need more supplies soon. I can't work well if I don't have the supplies I need!"

"Yes, Raine, I know. The supplies have been ordered and payment has been schedualed. Don't worry so much, that isn't your job, you just sew," I reply calmingly. "Now, how are those robes I asked you to make coming along?"

"Hrmph, well... I did get the Necromancer Robe completed. I was able to work in some mystical symbols to bolster the wearers spirits."

"Oh really? That's wonderful! You do excelent work, Raine," I praise.

"Well, yes of course I do," he preens.

"Do you think you can work on some Windlord Boots? Hagan and Celina have been asking for some, and I would really like to be able to provide them."

"Well, I can try of course. No guarantees, that sort of thing takes a lot of experimenting and work even for one so great as I."

"Yes, of course, I understand. Thanks for working on it. I'll talk to you later," I offer as I turn to leave.

"Yes, do leave me to work in peace without your constant pestering." So he sets to designing and sewing as I leave.

As I step out the front doors of the shop, I turn to my left and head to the Wizard Tower next door, where Kevan the Bard Trainer stays with Addarn the Warlock Trainer. I like to stop by and chat with Kevan from time to time, to hear how he's coming with some new songs and workng on old ones and such. I've paid him regualr visits since he took up residence next the my shop. He's a good bard, working hard to learn more about those around him and learning how best to train the rest of us wandering bards. I can't wait to discuss some thoughts I've had about some old songs I've come across. I can't quite figure them out on my own, but I'm sure once I discuss them with kevan we can work them out together.

I enter the great tower with the sounds of a lute singing filling the air, and greet my friend. "How goes the studdies, Kevan?"

"Oh, hello there Ansua," he returns my greeting with a smile, as he sets aside his lute. "I'm making progress, but alas it is slow work trying to get all the harmonics and lyrics just right to fit my goal. How was the hunt today?"

"It went well, very profitable," I replay off handedly.

"Are you going to sing at Law & Order tonight?" Kevan inquires kindly.

"Oh, I had planned on it, but never can be sure if I can make it," I return with a smile. "Well, I hate to disrupt you, it was sounding very good, so I'll be on my way. I just wanted to stop in and say hi."

"Very good of you. I do appreciate company from time to time, it does get stuffy in here. Fair well, Ansua. Hope to see you again soon."

"Of course, I might even have an intersting story or two for you. Some of my friends are thinking of going a far for some adventure and invited me along."

"Oh, that would be wonderful, how I wish I could go, but I must stay and study. Do have fun for both of us," he says with a wistful sing and smile, waving good-bye.

"Fair well, Kevan," and with a wave I left the tower as the music resumed.