"Should we not be outside after dark?" Thallian asked as he followed Paxton up the street and toward the busier part of town.

"This town will be as safe as can be," Paxton answered. "It's just much easier to show you about in the daylight. Many businesses in towns you will travel through will remain open into the night, though some towns will be safer than others."

The main road through the town was just as busy as it had been when they had turned off it a short time ago. People were bustling about everywhere and there was quite a commotion.

"It's like this when a caravan leaves the pass," Paxton explained. "Travelers sometimes rush to find the best inns for the best prices. Some rush to make their deliveries in time to return through the pass tomorrow. Others simply follow the lead of all the others and rush for the sake of rushing. I never worry myself too much."

Paxton showed him about the town, assuring him he would find most towns, even in Algoma, fairly similar to this one.

"There will always be inns," Paxton told him. "There will always be places to buy food and clothing if you need it. There will always be apothecaries and healers if you need them, as well. Healers always have a wreath over their door, and it doesn't make a difference what country you're in." He pointed to what appeared to be a shop with a wreath of leafy branches hanging above the door, over the street. "I hear they even use the symbol in places like Nairiume and Mahlon, but I've never been that far from home. I hate ships."

"What does it mean?" Thallian asked. "Aside from 'a healer resides here'?"

Paxton shrugged. "That's all I know about it."

Thallian thought it was odd for such a symbol to be so widely used, but decided not to voice the thought. He had much more to learn about the world than he had originally thought he did.

"Now," Paxton continued, pausing across the street from an establishment that was filled with people laughing and talking rather loudly. "I don't expect to be the one to tell you what you can and cannot do, but if you find a business that is loud and boisterous, I suggest you avoid it. They are usually drinking halls, gambling dens, or houses of prostitution. It's up to you if you want to drink, gamble, and fuck your way through life, but all three are easy ways to lose all your money and possibly more. Those establishments prey on their customers instead of offering an honest service, from what I have seen. Most inns have decent drinks. They often also allow some games of chance to be played, and those who cheat are made to leave and turn over their winnings. Some even allow certain people to spend time with the serving girls so long as you don't appear to be a roguish bastard."

Thallian had no intention of ever entertaining a serving girl, but he didn't want to bring up that detail. Even if Paxton was willing to accept his magic, he might not be so willing to overlook his desire for men. 

Paxton seemed to misunderstand his hesitation and the evident concern in his expression, because he slapped Thallian on the back and declared, "I know it seems like quite a lot to be worried about, but I assure you, you will make it safely to Algoma City."

Thallian nodded. "I hope so."

By the time they returned to the inn, the main room was more crowded and someone was playing a stringed instrument in the corner. Paxton ordered them dinner and they settled at a table to eat. As he enjoyed his meal, which was quite good, Thallian took in his surroundings. He watched how the serving girl flirted with some of the patrons, how the woman with the man with the instrument strummed along with his eyes closed, how two men playing cards kept arguing with each other, how smoke from the lanterns and several pipes twirled through the air, and how one man fell out of his chair while demanding another drink because he most certainly was not drunk.

Paxton allowed him to watch the other patrons for some time, even after they'd finished their own meal, but at last he encouraged Thallian to go to bed. Thallian followed him upstairs and undressed, leaving only his long shirt on for the night. Paxton did the same, and Thallian reluctantly agreed to share the bed, each of them facing the walls. For Thallian it was incredibly awkward to share a bed with a man he hardly knew, especially one who worked for the father who had banished him from home. Not to mention, the bed was not his own and therefore sagging and lumpy in places he wasn't accustomed to. And Paxton snored, he very quickly learned.

Eventually, he fell asleep and dreamed of beautiful men who cheated at cards and stole the last of his money while he lay naked and asleep in their bed.