...revelling in the bartering, the clamour, the sights and the smells of the marketplace.

He took in a great lungful of air and smiled as he let it out. This is home. He passed an apple stall, picked one from the pile and took a large bite from it, winking at the female stall holder. She blushed, smiled and shook her head as he jauntily walked on.

He loved the traders life. Sure, it had its difficult times, the hardships of adventures overseas; but the rewards were definitely worth it. And the apple seller was one of those rewards...Pity he couldn't remember her name though.

Mungo was quietly gauging the mood of the people. He hadn't let Desdemona open their new store until the festivities had died down somewhat. The opening had more impact then, and, less competition.

He made his way round the various stalls, discreetly telling female traders how beautiful they were and how he could obtain the grandest items for them, at a knockdown value, in return for other favours not necessarily of the bedchamber kind...

So he nonchalantly made his way around the market's high and lowlights, congratulating himself on the timing of the grand opening...