<strong>Eshalu - at the Quartermaster's post and into the Market Square</strong><br/><br/>Taking comfort from Reliyian's words and pleased that, though she came from the lodges of stone deep in the windswept mountains, she knew enough of the ways of the People of the forests to invoke the favour of the spirits, Eshalu gave her elven companion an appreciative smile. "<em>I am grateful for your company and counsel, sister - I know little lore and few stories compared to you. May we guide each other like eyes and ears.</em>"<br/><br/>She felt relieved that she had made a connection with Reliyian. Elves from outside the complex network of woodland clans she knew seemed distant and daunting. Reliyian had put paid to that assumption. No battle could be fought alone and Eshalu relished having as many companions as she could trust.<br/><br/>Outside the quartermaster's post the bustling market immediately engaged all of Eshalu's senses. The scent of burnt meat, humans, leather, refuse and salt air was overwhelming at first. She moved with practiced caution, but could not help but be fascinated by the spectacle of frantic buying and selling of a myriad things. She knew humans exchanged goods and services of all kinds for metal disks whereas the People bartered for that which they needed, but the extent to which life in all human settlements seemed to be built on that activity was perplexing.<br/><br/>Yet more troubling was Aeryn's observation that there appeared to be no young children, nor women with child.<br/><br/>"Vin told us that the island was rich and fertile - yet this fertility does not extend to its women - how can that be? If the spirits here are hostile, why make the land fruitful and if the land is fruitful, why not grant women fertility? Perhaps they want for druids, who would be able to determine the right and propitious time for conception and see the child brought safely into the world."