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There was a subtle science to exchanging information in the bustling bazaars of Tashbaan. The bright colors of fabric and warm scents of spices were accents against the daily routine of people finding the best ingredients for dinner and gossiping about the comings and goings of friends and enemies alike. This was a common pass-time for noble Tarkheenas and humble servants, visiting Queens and laundresses; women from all walks of life entertained themselves while haggling for a bolt of cloth or a measure of cardamom in the open air markets.
It is true that many of the tidbits being passed from one whispering mouth to one listening ear were tasty, but minor. "Did you hear," Mina would whisper, "that Seema has been trying to learn how to play the Buzuq? She's horribly tone-deaf!" "Oh, no wonder her neighbors have complained of animals caterwauling in the evenings lately! Her parties will not be well attended if she cannot carry a tune!"
Mina snickered. She had been to some of Seema's parties before, and they had not been terribly crowded even before the hostess' attempts at entertaining her guests musically. The new ways she failed to fill her gatherings were a common topic on market days.
Another frequent topic was the fashion nightmares that Reemu Tarkaan wore. He was a confident man who did not have a subtle bone in his body it seemed. From the bright peacock feathers that he often tucked into his turbans to the many patterns, often conflicting, he wore at the same time, the Tarkaan did not shy away from making a statement with his clothing. Today, Narida commented to Sholis, "Did you see what Reemu Tarkaan wore to the party in honor of the 50th year Tisroc's reign (may he live for ever) last ten-day?"
"No, did he wear stripes, stars, and the print of tigers all at once again? It makes my head ache to look upon him too long," Sholis confessed, ever the fashion expert. "He does not know how to mix fabrics, not like Lasaraleen Tarkheena! She is always elegant and refined when wearing different patterns."
Sholis would be horribly embarrassed to be caught saying it, but just two stalls down, Lasaraleen Tarkheena was demonstrating her fashion accumen at that very moment while showing old and new friends alike her favorite vendors.
"Dear Aravis, this Damask silk would be just the thing for you to wear to the Midsummer Gathering! The color matches the flowers that the host, Murtaz Tarkaan, sent to request your presence. He was very insistent that you attend and that you invite your Narnian friends as well. Tell me, would you enjoy a rosewater shaved ice, my Queen Lucy? The vendor down this way is famous for them. Ruza Tarkaan frequents the stall often, sometimes even with the Jadzia Tarkheena in tow."
Aravis raised an eyebrow as Lucy accepted Lasaraleen's offer. She remembered the rosewater ices from her youth and they were indeed delicious. What hadn't been said, of course, was that Jadzia Tarkheena was not Ruza Tarkaan's wife. She was married to Safil Tarkaan, who was much older than her and much less charming than Ruza. Ruza also happened to be of a very favorable inclination regarding their neighbors to the North.
"Queen Susan, I think dried dates would be more to your liking. The merchant who sells them has stalls in every market in every city in Calormen, he is so successful. I hear that he has monkeys trained to climb the date trees and collect the fruit. Isn't that so clever? My own little monkey is not nearly smart enough to do that!"
Susan smiled. Lasaraleen's monkey was many things, but Dumb was not one of them.