The small marketplace of Jianzhen is a place where some farmers & craftsmen sell or trade their items and there is also a clearing for travelling merchants as well.

Bolo made his way through the marketplace to the stall that he and his aunt sell their wares. He hoped his aunt was feeling better as she recently became ill with a fever and although she was under the weather, he was expecting a caravan with medicine that would help her fight her sickness and make her better.

For now, he would run the stall and set up shop for the day in her stead. He set up the display boards with the jewelry they create as well as the table that shows the pottery they also make. The caravan should arrive soon and he would close the moment it arrives and get the medicine to his aunt right away.

Kano perched himself on the roof of the stall and ruffled his feathers a bit & shot out his tongue at a passing insect and ate it happily.

Himawari was strolling through the market with her mentor Bara and was eyeing all the goings-on. They had heard rumors of bandits in the area and decided it would be best if someone did something about them.

The two noticed Bolo's stall and decided to take a look and possibly ask a few questions regarding the rumors.

Bolo saw the two Kyoshi Warriors coming towards his stall & welcomed them with a smile.

"Good day to you both! May i interest you with a fine selection of bracelets & necklaces i have here? Me and my aunt hand craft all you see here. Or perhaps a clay bowl of jug? All our pottery is oven fired to a hardened consistency and can be decorated for an added charge...Please look about and dont hesitate to ask on anything that catches your eye."

It was a rarity to see a Kyoshi warrior here in the village but their reputation was well known, even in a small place like Jianzhen. He found them at his stall to be a good omen & if their money was just as big as their renown, he just might close early today.

Above the stall, Bolo's Lizard Crow eyed the pair & cocked his head in curiosity.

While Bara looks around, Himawari focuses on Bolo. "My mentor and I have only just arrived today. Might you have any news to share?" She believes it would be best to Segway into the topic of the bandit rumors rather than outright diving in. In truth, they might be true, they might just be rumors, or they might be rumors of rumors. There may be other matters worth of a Kyoshi warrior's attention as well.

"News?", Bolo asked with a puzzled look.

"Hmmm...Well, Old Fu has a new boat & is putting it to water to fish today. Tavern has a new cook - Jun is pretty good and from what i hear, he makes a Flying Eel soup that is as good as any restaurant in the inner ring at Ba Sing Se. Ryu the Blacksmith is afraid some Metalbender from Zaofu is going to come to the village & put him out of business...He lets the whole tavern know when he's had a few at the Tavern. We've had issues with bandits on the road lately - Elder Jianzhen is thinking about getting a group together to search the woods."

In reply to Bolo (msg # 6):

Bingo! That's what Himawari was looking for. She and her mentor found two necklaces and four bracelets that caught their eyes, but the younger Kyoshi warrior decided to press for more information. "How large a group does he think is necessary? Is anyone here trained in combat?" This is precisely what she and Bara were sent here for.

"Im not sure - I havent lived in the village all my life & there has been no trouble since reports of the bandits", Bolo said.

"Excellent choice on the jewelry...If you wish, i could have a talk with Elder Jianzhen after i package your selections? Me and him talk here and there on occasion - i could introduce you? That will be 10 Yuan by the way."

Bara nodded and paid for the jewelry, and Himawari nodded as well. "That would be most agreeable to us. Thank you, Bolo, was it?" she asked with a small smile, wanting to make sure she caught his name.

"Great! It would be my honor to take you both to see elder Jianzhen - just let me close up here & take you to him personally", Bolo said as he put his displays away & shuttered his stall to escort the two Kyoshi Warriors.

Kano fluttered down to rest on Bolo's shoulder and Bolo petted the Lizard Crow absent-mindedly as he locked the stall securely with his free hand.

Gesturing for them to follow, Bolo led the way to Elder Jianzhen's home.

~~~~~> To Jianzhen's Home