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Maraan occasionally seemed like the most lively town on the eastern side of the Baal-Asha.
Once a mere caravanserai, it was now one of the most established trade places in the wider region.
Indeed, the town was alive and well with many flags fluttering off its bannered gate.
And of course, during the peak of trade season, most of the buildings were rented out and filled to the brim with foreign and local goods. Merchants from Elbion and all the way to the spine could be found at such times since the discovery of the new portal stone.
But perhaps for many of the visitors, strolling the markets in the evening light was not their targeted goal. Perhaps a visit to the palace was too opulent or outside their class. Perhaps the library too quiet. But perhaps there was just the right place well out of view.
Deep within the Town of the Arches of Maraan's thousand side alleys, narrow and crooked. Up the side of the hill on which the Star-Speckled Teal palace stood, lies a little tea shop of good repute.
This high up, the pathway was only separated from the next building's roof with a small narrow wall, yet the view it offered upon the city and the infinite expanse behind was unmatched. Even the two Arches of Maraan that greeted passing visitors on the distant dune were well in view.
The owners of this place were an aged couple from Jaleyaana and their family. Their foreign influence was quite noticeable, for the pale beige plaster building was covered in decor coloured bright blue. From the planters to the furniture, something that was seen on every street in the blue city of the northern coast.
As to how much such a lovely location offered, there was little space to be picky. While one could certainly be inside, most would definitely prefer to remain seated in the veranda.
Two walls confined the outside locale, with many cosy pillows and round wicker seats leaning neatly against the white and blue tiles that only reached a meter up the wall. The decorative masonry of the floor was covered in a carpet made out of woven reeds. On top of it lay many short tables; some round, others square, some were dark brown or light blue, others were yellow, white and blue with triangular or jagged patterns.
The ceiling was half-covered by roof, half-covered by wooden scaffolds across which grew many plants. Jasmine was the most pungent when in bloom and bright pink bougainvilleas climbed their way up some of the pillars that held the second story up.
A few of its branches even reached far into the veranda.
One of the many visitors in the afternoon was the White Swallow. He took a seat like many of the visitors before him and ordered his favourite off the menu.
Hibiscus tea from Narra, his closest link to home.
The menu.
Once a mere caravanserai, it was now one of the most established trade places in the wider region.
Indeed, the town was alive and well with many flags fluttering off its bannered gate.
And of course, during the peak of trade season, most of the buildings were rented out and filled to the brim with foreign and local goods. Merchants from Elbion and all the way to the spine could be found at such times since the discovery of the new portal stone.
But perhaps for many of the visitors, strolling the markets in the evening light was not their targeted goal. Perhaps a visit to the palace was too opulent or outside their class. Perhaps the library too quiet. But perhaps there was just the right place well out of view.
The tea place
Deep within the Town of the Arches of Maraan's thousand side alleys, narrow and crooked. Up the side of the hill on which the Star-Speckled Teal palace stood, lies a little tea shop of good repute.
This high up, the pathway was only separated from the next building's roof with a small narrow wall, yet the view it offered upon the city and the infinite expanse behind was unmatched. Even the two Arches of Maraan that greeted passing visitors on the distant dune were well in view.
The owners of this place were an aged couple from Jaleyaana and their family. Their foreign influence was quite noticeable, for the pale beige plaster building was covered in decor coloured bright blue. From the planters to the furniture, something that was seen on every street in the blue city of the northern coast.
As to how much such a lovely location offered, there was little space to be picky. While one could certainly be inside, most would definitely prefer to remain seated in the veranda.
Two walls confined the outside locale, with many cosy pillows and round wicker seats leaning neatly against the white and blue tiles that only reached a meter up the wall. The decorative masonry of the floor was covered in a carpet made out of woven reeds. On top of it lay many short tables; some round, others square, some were dark brown or light blue, others were yellow, white and blue with triangular or jagged patterns.
The ceiling was half-covered by roof, half-covered by wooden scaffolds across which grew many plants. Jasmine was the most pungent when in bloom and bright pink bougainvilleas climbed their way up some of the pillars that held the second story up.
A few of its branches even reached far into the veranda.
One of the many visitors in the afternoon was the White Swallow. He took a seat like many of the visitors before him and ordered his favourite off the menu.
Hibiscus tea from Narra, his closest link to home.
The menu.
Jaleyaanan Green tea with mint.
Mixed black and green tea flavoured with sage.
Ragash style red tea, strong and light.
Hibiscus tea, from Narra.
Nightroot tea, expensive import from Sheketh.
Guardsman's black tea flavoured with thyme.
Anise flavoured tea. Mint tea. Dog rose tea, Apple tea.
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