He needs a model, of course!

"It would help if I could see how the clothes look on a person, instead of just bundled up in your hands. Since most of the clothes seem to fit you fine, why don't you show them off for me?"

"But," Hilda looked around, seeing the sun had just about gone down. "How are you going to see me when it's so dark out?"

"Hmmm, that's a good point. We may have to save this for tomorrow."

"No!" Hilda yelled desperately. She couldn't afford to wait so long to get inside the village. Sleeping out in the woods was not a prospect she wanted for Tina. Granted, she had probably experienced something more depraved in the day that she was gone from the keep, but Hilda didn't want to think about that right now. "Is there anything we can do now?"

The merchant thought for a moment. As much as it would make him happy to leave the entitled noble out in the cold all night waiting, he knew that it would behoove him to get his merchandise as quickly as he could. "I have an idea. There is one place we could use, seeing as you can't pay the toll to get inside the walls." He stepped out from behind the stand and motioned for the leaf-clad former knight to follow him.

He led Hilda to a small wooden building on the far end of the caravanserai. Hilda could see through the open windows that there was light coming from inside. "What is this?"

"The most lively place outside the village gates." The merchant opened the door to reveal a rambunctious, if small, tavern with a small wooden stage and a bar that seemed to only be serving cheap beer. "This is where the merchants go to wind down after the caravanserai closes down. At least, the ones who don't want to, or can't, pay the toll. Is this enough light for you?"

Hilda, looking around at the innebriated faces that were turning to stare at her, started to feel a little nervous. "I, uh... I mean..."

"Great." The merchant grabbed her wrist and pulled her throw the tavern towards the stage. Hilda, despite what she was wearing, was at least thankful that she had her cape to shield her ass as her dress flew up to reveal her lower half again. A few wolf whistles filled the tavern as Hilda was ushered onto the stage. "Yeah, I think... here's good." The merchant sat down in a chair right in front of the stage.

Hilda just looked at him. "So... what do you want me to do?"

"What we discussed. Model for me."

Hilda blushed. "Up here? In front of everyone?"

"I want to advertise my future products, don't I? Besides, I think the boys like you." This was followed by drunken cheering from the rest of the admittedly small crowd, causing Hilda's face to turn bright red.

"Okay, uh... I guess I'll..." Hilda started walking across the stage, her hands daintily resting at her sides to accentuate the dress.

"Hold on." The merchant said, holding his hand up.

"What?" asked Hilda.