The market square was filled up with more people than before. Fortunately, it was not crowded, so Yasen was able to look around the stands without feeling suffocated. Passing clothing merchants, Yasen realized she had not eaten as she came across a section of food stands. It was still morning and best to get something to eat for she had a whole day to go. A stimulating scent of honey floated in the air, attracting the brunette toward a bread stand.

"Would you like a loaf of honey bread?" asked a middle-aged merchant. Lines of age creased her forehead, but signs of youth still lingered in her olive green eyes. She looked healthy as her light brown hair that was pulled back into a bun defined her round face.

"Uhh…" Yasen scanned the golden brown loaves of honey bread lined up in neat rows. They looked so soft and delicious that her stomach rumbled.

"They were baked earlier in the morning," she said, prodding the brunette to buy a loaf.

"All right," Yasen replied, giving in. "I'll get a loaf." She gave a couple of copper coins to the merchant and left the stand with the honey bread wrapped in a thin white cloth. Unwrapping it, she tore a piece off and savored the sweet bread in her mouth. 

Mmmh… this is actually really good.

By the time Yasen finished half of the bread, an herb stand came into view reminding her of Isra. The herb merchant, a young woman that looked around her age, smiled as the brunette approached. Attractive and slender, she had wavy, blond hair that reached to her waist.

"Hello," she greeted, "are you looking for a certain herb?"

"Aye," Yasen replied. "What kinds are good for fevers?"

The merchant rubbed her chin. "We usually have a fever formula in a pouch that can be taken as an infusion, but we don't have it today. We have catnip, echinacea, and licorice root."

Licorice root. Yasen winced at the strong herb, reminding her of a clear memory of herself trying licorice candy once. She was at a winter solstice fair in Yrianide many years ago, and there was a candy merchant giving out samples of licorice candy. When the piece of licorice candy touched her tongue, it immediately went out of her mouth. 

Pushing the unpleasant memory away, Yasen asked, "Which is better... tastewise? Catnip or echinacea?"

The merchant chuckled at her question. "I personally love the taste of catnip in tea, but both of them taste fine."

"I'll get catnip then."

The merchant filled a tan drawstring pouch with dried catnip. Tying it back, she handed it to Yasen whom gave her several copper coins. "Keep catnip away from cats," she began. "They love it too much."

Yasen chuckled. "Thanks, I don't have any cats, but I'll keep that in mind."

~~~

Isra rested in bed with a moist cloth cooling her forehead. She was changed into a set of comfortable dry clothes, a light green tunic and dark pants that was borrowed from the inn. Her wet clothes were drying aside on a chair where her sheathed scimitar lay inside its sword belt. Across from her was a single window concealed behind brown curtains made out of cheap material. Beside the bed and chair, the only furniture piece in the small room was a drawer that held an oil lamp.

Manami watched her captain sleep, recalling Isra had fallen asleep as soon her head hit the pillow. She hoped Isra would get well soon, so they could leave Brassport as soon as possible. Staying in town was important to stock up supplies for the ship such as fresh food that would last for months, but she wouldn't stay any longer than that. She was too used to the sea that staying on land felt foreign to her.

A knock from the door whirled the pirate around. Opening the door, she glanced down and was surprised to see Yasen. The brunette was holding a tan drawstring pouch that emitted a distinct minty smell into the room.

"This is for Isra," Yasen began holding the pouch out to the redhead. "The herb merchant told me it's good for fevers."

Taking it from Yasen, Manami sniffed the pouch. "What is it?" They used herbs on the ship to alleviate fevers and other illnesses, but she didn't recognize this herb's scent.

"Catnip."

"Ah," Manami replied. Catnip was never used in the medical supply, but it wouldn't hurt for Isra to try it. "I'll bring it down to make tea from it. The captain will appreciate it." 

Yasen nodded, and Manami left the room. Staring at the taken chair, Yasen bent down and gently placed Isra's sheathed scimitar beside the oil lamp, careful not to wake the pirate captain up. She seated herself and leaned her chin on one hand, wondering how Isra's fever was doing.

The cool cloth on her forehead made Isra's face less flushed from the fever. She looked a bit better than before now that her body was resting. Isra occasionally stirred in her sleep, displaying mixed emotions on her face. It made Yasen wondered what she could be dreaming about. Her facial features were tensed, appearing very serious while asleep. The dark haired woman suddenly rolled on to her left side toward Yasen's direction, causing the moist cloth to slip off her forehead.

Without hesitation, Yasen gently placed it back on Isra's forehead, her hand accidentally brushing against Isra's hot skin. A blush escaped Yasen's cheeks when she was about to release her fingers from the cloth.

For a moment, Yasen realized how attractive Isra looked. Her fine black hair, which had been dried from the rain, caressed sides of her cheeks and tempted Yasen to touch it. Her hair looked very soft and silky which made the brunette wonder where Isra was from. Isra surely wasn't born here, but maybe far off in the east where land was covered by vast sand dunes. 

She could be from Sachmesa, Yasen thought suddenly. She had never traveled there before, but she heard from travelers' stories that it was filled with rich culture despite the unbearable hot and dry climate.

It was just ironic that they had become friendly when they had attempted to kill each other the night before. Yasen realized she was more curious about Isra than she was. She wanted to know more about her. And perhaps there was a chance that their relationship can grow into something more...?

Yasen shook her thoughts away, feeling ashamed. I can't have these thoughts. We just met, and I barely know her. Maybe I haven't been seeing women for a while...

Yasen sighed heavily, standing up from her seat. Is that why I somewhat followed her and her crew? She winced at the possibility. I'm no better than a lecher.  

The bounty hunter pushed the foolish thoughts aside. I'm just here for business, she reassured herself. 

The pirate captain would never fall for someone like her—if she did like women anyway. Returning the scimitar on the chair, Yasen was about to leave the room until a moan startled her.

"Nanya…"

Yasen listened silently to Isra sleeptalk. The mumbled words flowed into another language, confusing the brunette. All Yasen could find that was distinct was 'Nanya' which was repeated several times in a row. Isra's pleading voice finally broke off, leaving tears trickling in the corner of her eyes.

Standing still, Yasen could feel her heart grow heavy watching tears fall from her eyes. The sleeptalking ended when Isra's face relaxed. Before Yasen left the room, she wondered who Nanya was, and why that evoked so much sadness in the pirate captain.