Found:
I took Vivi to Bree today. She is hardly unused to the place, that being where she usually runs errands for me, but the wide-eyed delight on her little face was a joy to see. I had promised her some new ribbons if she could point out to me the man who sold her that lettuce. As expected, she did not disappoint. After buying her ribbons and taking her home, I returned to watch the culprit for a while. From snide comments made, and sly little jokes, I can only assume that he is selling this stuff on purpose.
Now, that's all well and good if the people buying are aware of what it is. I'm hardly one to reprimand people for their vices. However, he sold it to a child. Even if she bought it for an adult, even if she did not eat any herself, she could have.
This notion annoyed me no end, and a chat with the local guards proved fruitless. Apparently, they've had several complaints, but the man pays his dues and they've little inclination to intervene. So, I've another idea. Now, I'm not generally one for vengeance - petty or otherwise - but in this case, I think I'll make an exception.
A conversation with Dernwynn supplied what I needed. A job offer to Tamisra gave me a perfect proxy. The man will survive, of course. I made certain to ask for something with no permanent effect, but he will have a terrible couple of days. I can only hope the wretch learns or, at the very least, gets a taste of his own medicine.
Tammy will also be taking care of the mare for me. She's not used to being around horses, I think, but this one is such a placid beast that I cannot envision there being any issue between them. She needn't do much beyond ensure the mare has some time in the open, is fed and is watered for a few days. I've no plans to be gone for longer than that.
With that taken care of, I returned to the house to make sure I had provisions. I do, mostly. Some dried meat and hard bread will serve me well for the time it takes to complete this little jaunt. I ran out of valerian root tea two days past, but see little purpose in buying more. I cannot depend upon tea to help me sleep, though I did pack a small pouch of chamomile tea in my saddlebags.
It seems that I will need these days more than I had previously anticipated. Tammy, as it transpires, is Ruemax's ex-girlfriend. It did not end well. Tilton, who learned of this at the exact same moment I did, has since decided that I am a terrible person with no sense of loyalty for daring to hire this woman. There is a "code," I am told, though what that is and why it should exist between myself and a man I have met only thrice is beyond me.
Whether or not Tammy is the manipulative harlot she is spoken as is neither here nor there. Her skills are perfectly suited to my current needs. You don't ask a pig to lay an egg, and you do not discard a perfectly good tool just because you don't like the handle.
Regardless, I've an inkling that there will be drama ahead. After the recent tensions I've had myself, I think a few days' mental rest before I face this new farce is precisely what I need.
Dawn cannot come soon enough.
