Litter

Veray waved down a litter on the fringe of the plaza. The four bearers carefully set the painted box on the paving stones and helped the young women into the facing seats. Narasie hovered over hers, eyeing it with disgust.

“These cushions probably still have fleas from the last backcountry lordling to ride in here.”

Veray Bátori had to agree. Though the outside of the compartment was brightly lacquered and polished, the interior paneling was splintered and there were deep runs in the cushions along with several suspicious stains

“Hmm. Perhaps we—” She glanced back toward the gate to see the yellow coated footman emerge and scan the plaza. “Market Square in the Artisans’ Quarter,” she snapped at the bearers and shoved Narasie into her seat. “Double time and I’ll pay a whole gold piece.”

Narasie smothered a curse and glared as the bearers hefted the box and began trotting down the street. Veray Bátori ignored her and jerked the curtains closed. The other girl promptly jerked her own curtains open again, made a moue of disgust, and fished a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her fingers on.

“Sit in the dark if you must darling, but there is a limit to what I will subject myself to.” She eyed the square of embroidered linen, then flicked it delicately out the window with a shudder. “Offending my hairdresser by hiding behind a lice ridden curtain is not on the agenda. She spent an hour on these braids.”

— Excerpt from Beneath the Thorns

by Leigh Janzen

In many of the larger cities of the Bound Realms, such as Tenger Város, litters are a common form of transport for the middle and upper classes. While the wealthy typically own their own carriages, a coach and four is not always a convenient means of transport in the narrow, crowded streets of the city.

Litters come in varying sizes and levels of elegance. From the tiniest, shabbiest chair meant for one person and carried by only two bearers, to the most opulent two-seated box borne by four bearers, and every shade in between.

Most litters are independently owned and operated, serving anyone in the city with the coin and a hand to wave them down. However, it is not unusual for the more wealthy houses to keep their own in addition to a carriage.

Nickname

Chair

Price

Varies according to size and quality

Rarity

Common in the cities such as Tenger Város

Speed

Brisk walking pace

Complement / Crew

Two to four bearers, depending on size

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

One to two passengers depending on size