The road to Lumengarde stretched ahead, but before they could set out on their adventure, the group had to gather supplies.

The marketplace below the temple was overwhelming. Voices overlapped in every direction, the air thick with roasted meats, spices, and smoke. Stalls brimmed with silks, weapons, and fruit piled high, and Larz felt his head swiveling constantly. How could anyone know what to choose when there was so much of everything?

“Shall we divide and conquer on getting supplies?” he asked, trying to sound like he had a plan.

Mireya’s eyes narrowed instantly, shifting toward Drogun. “I don’t trust him not to waste most of our money on booze. Just look at him.”

Larz followed her gaze. Drogun was already laughing with a rabbit beastwoman in a barmaid’s apron, her fingers wrapped around his arm as she gestured toward a stall of stout bottles. There were hunting knives and worn leather bags too, but Drogun’s grin said everything.

“…Oh,” Larz muttered. “Yeah, that… does look bad.”

“Wait—where’s Nixi?” he asked suddenly, alarm flashing across his face. “She didn’t get lost, did she!?”

Mireya pointed toward the edge of the market. “There. About to be scammed too, by the look of that shopkeeper.”

“What!? Shouldn’t we stop that?” Larz already pushed forward a step, but Mireya’s hand caught his shoulder.

“Let her work through it herself,” she said. “Drogun’s the real problem here. I saw him reaching into the bag of money a second ago.” She sighed, heavy and sharp. “Honestly. You should’ve taken the bag from him when you had the chance. Aren’t you supposed to be our great leader?”

Her words landed harder than any slap to the face. Larz froze, his mouth parting but no answer came. She was right, and the truth of it stung worse than her tone. He lowered his gaze, shame prickling at the back of his neck. But Mireya was already storming toward Drogun, not even bothering to check if Larz was following.

Larz lingered, glancing between her dragging Drogun by the ear and Nixi chattering away with the boar beastman. ‘I feel so lost and out of place…’

“Larz?”

He looked up. Nixi was skipping toward him, but she slowed when she saw his expression.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly, slipping her hand into his before she could second-guess herself. Her cheeks turned pink, but her eyes held concern.

Her touch steadied him, pulling him out of the doubt gnawing at him. He gave her a small smile. “Yeah. Thanks, Nixi. I needed that.”

She squeaked as they locked eyes, her face turned a deeper shade of red before she looked away quickly.

Mireya returned then, Drogun bent nearly double at her side. She released him only when they rejoined the group, extending her open palm out to Drogun.

“Bag. Now.”

Groaning, Drogun handed it over. Mireya tied the pouch firmly at her belt. “Did you… actually buy something?” Larz asked carefully. “No,” Drogun muttered, rubbing his ear. “She wouldn’t let me.”

“Of course not, you idiot,” Mireya said sharply. “You would’ve wasted all our coins. We need real supplies—pots, ingredients, water.”

“Alcohol has water in it too!” Drogun protested. “And we’ll want it later after we do the deed!” Larz frowned. “The… deed? What does that even mean?”

Nixi coughed, cheeks burning from embarrassment at the phrasing. “Um… I can’t drink anyway. I’m only seventeen.”

Drogun scratched his head sheepishly. “Well, uh… I could’ve gotten you some yummy juice?” Mireya smacked his arm. “You’re not getting her anything, you booze-addled moron. I’ll handle the shopping.”

She turned to go, but Nixi tugged at her leather jacket. "Wait! My friend said he’d give us a discount if I introduced him to Larz!” Mireya arched her brow. “Your friend? You mean that boar at the edge of the market?”

Nixi nodded vigorously. “Yeah! But he’s not sketchy, I promise! He always sells me his best wares.” Larz tilted his head, curious more than doubtful. “If he’s really your friend, then… maybe we should hear him out.”

Mireya exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. “…Fine. Let’s go meet your friend.”

To be continued…