Of course, if I said that and undid a year’s worth of work in a single evening, I might as well fall on a sword on my own. “I’m just looking forward to going outside,” I said honestly. 

It was true. I really was looking forward to leaving the mayor’s district, even if it was only for a few hours.

“You two better tell me if you see something you like, promise?”

“We promise,” Muriel and I said in unison.

With that, we disembarked from the carriage and began the walk into the merchant’s district. Our pace was slow… because of me, but I was given a cane, so at least I wouldn’t entirely be a burden. I could tell Ester was very displeased being here, but Bril looked as nonchalant as ever. 

As we walked through the district, I noticed that there were a lot of people here. Most of them seemed like just everyday citizens, but there was also a large population of armed individuals as well.

These must all be adventurers. The majority of them were Human, but there were still plenty of other races. They all fit the bill for the image I had of armed monster hunters. Most of their gear seemed pretty practical, swords, spears, bows, and armor in all shapes and sizes. The occasional man or woman wearing a robe and carrying a staff. I was somewhat surprised that there weren’t more regulations for openly wielding weapons.

At first, I thought that the adventurers were staring at the three of us walking, but it was actually Bril and Ester who were being observed, not Muriel, Adria, and me. I guess they are just sizing up the competition or perhaps looking for a new squadmate. 

Even though Bril and Ester were wearing simple chain and leather armor and using different weapons, they still exuded an aura of trained soldiers. It didn’t help much that Bril stood out like a sore thumb. The man was very tall and built like a fort. These two could not fit into the atmosphere around us right now, even if they tried.

Without any problems, we finally made it to the heart of the merchant’s district. Street stalls lined the sides, and employees stood outside of stores with signs. It was a completely different atmosphere when I thought back to Ostela’s markets. There seemed to be some semblance of order around here. Guards patrolled frequently, and armed adventurers stood guard at random stalls or stores. That wasn’t even including the adventurers who were just wandering about looking through stalls and stores themselves. This place felt like the exact opposite of Ostela, safe and secure.

Adria was slack-jawed as she took in everything. This was probably her first time seeing something like this or maybe the second. “See anything that looks fun, Adria?” Muriel asked.

“Soo many places… where do we go first?” Adria asked with awe.

“Anywhere you’d like, but maybe we should start over here?” Muriel suggested.

“Okay!”

And with Muriel’s suggestion, we started browsing random shops together. Adria was impressed by, well… just about everything. Rusty iron sword? Cool. Random piece of steel armor? Neat. Freshly baked bread? Buy that, please.

Things went on like this for the better part of an hour. Adria had bought many random things and even given us all food. Bril was hesitant to accept food on the job, but Adria just forced a meat skewer into the man’s face and ordered him to eat it. He ate it with a surprising amount of gusto for being so reluctant. Ester helped herself to some fresh bread, and Adria was constantly feeding Muriel and me things as well.

I noticed some of the royal guards who were doing a lousy job at pretending to blend in with the crowds. They were mostly in pairs, and much like Bril and Ester they stood out way too much. I guess these guys were never meant to be assassins or spies. They were more of the go-bash the enemies head-in type of soldiers.

Muriel and Adria were looking at a shop geared more towards female adventurers, so rather than standing there awkwardly, I decided to look for something else. I found a shop that sold arrows and began inspecting them. The merchant was a Human man, but he said nothing to me as he silently stood there in his stall and watched me.

I deemed the arrows to be functional at best and put them down. Perhaps I was just used to the high-quality Elven arrows that the rangers used. When I turned around…

Huh? Where did everyone go?

Everyone was in talking distance just moments ago when I was checking those arrows but now… why do I feel so off? I couldn’t place this oddly familiar feeling, but I needed to find Adria and company. The last thing I wanted was for them to start a manhunt for me. 

The thought that this was an excellent attempt to escape left my mind as quickly as it came. I couldn’t get out of this district fast enough, let alone put enough distance between me and this city. So it was better I find them now.

I only managed a few steps when a hardy voice called out to me. “You! Dark Elf boy with the ears of a High Elf, come here!”

Does this man know me? 

He was standing behind his stall and sweeping his arms out for me to come and check his wares. He was a burly Human man with dark skin and black hair. He must be from the western dunes of Amoth. 

His barrel chest and the scars marking his bare forearms lead me to believe this man probably wasn’t a simple merchant. His bright hazel eyes were… what was that? What did I just see… no I didn’t see anything actually. Anyways…

“Sorry, but I’ve been separated from my group. I really need to—,” I tried saying.

“Nonsense! Come, come, I promise you will find something interesting in Deguzman’s Emporium of Wonderful Things! This is a guarantee, haha!” the man boasted loudly.

“Deguzman? Is that your name, sir?” I asked.

Deguzman was the name of the author of the books I got for my fifth birthday. What’s the odds that this is that same man?

“You know my name now, do you? Tell me, how have you come to recognize my name, little Elf?” he asked. The man’s jolly disposition vanished as he asked me seriously.

“I was the owner of two of your books, your monster guide along with your brief history of Illyrcium. My grandfather got them for my fifth birthday,” I recounted. “Your monster guide was especially amazing. It was incredibly well made, and the illustrations were spot on. That book helped me learn the Human language, and I read it almost every single day for years.”

The man’s bright hazel eyes went wide, and he laughed. “I see, so you are that man’s grandson! How fortunate that I ran into the owner of my books! Not only that, you praise my work! How kind of you, young man. May I ask your name?”

His eyes…why do they seem so…weird?

“Kaladin Ambersoul, it’s an honor,” I told him.

“Don’t lie to me, child. Your name, what is it really?” he asked dangerously.

The malice was practically rolling off him. I thought he was going to reach out and rip my head off right where I stood. For some reason, I had the impression that he could do that to me right now. No, it wasn’t an impression. I actually imagined it. The scenario played through my head at blazing speeds and no matter how hard I tried to defend myself, I always died.

“Kaladin Shadowheart…” I said weakly. I felt compelled to answer him after that display of strength. The words just flowed from me as his aura crushed me.

“Good, that wasn’t so hard?” he said with a smile as his oppressive aura vanished. “Now, Kaladin Shadowheart, as the owner of my books, I’d like to extend an offer to you. Are you interested?” Deguzman asked. 

Did he use some kind of magic on me? What… what is going on?