The market buzzed with life as Sael, Rhea, and Lyra made their way through its winding rows. Stalls were packed tightly together, with vendors hawking everything from exotic fruits to glimmering weapons. Sael paused to take it all in—the sounds of haggling, the sight of colorful fabrics fluttering in the breeze, and the glow of magic faintly emanating from enchanted items on display.
“Let’s split up for a bit,” Sael suggested. “We’ll cover more ground that way. Meet back here in an hour?”
Rhea nodded, her tail flicking with anticipation. “Fine by me. I’m gonna look for some better leathers.” She pointed a clawed thumb over her shoulder toward a stall piled high with hides.
Lyra adjusted the strap of her satchel and smiled. “I’ll see if I can find anything interesting for your crafting. Maybe some magical trinkets or components.”
Sael gave a quick nod before turning to inspect a nearby vendor’s wares. The stall was laden with maps and charts, the parchment yellowed and edges frayed.
“Looking for something specific?” the vendor asked, a wiry old man with spectacles perched on his nose.
“A detailed map of the continent,” Sael replied. “Especially anything that shows routes to Darathyr.”
The man rummaged through his collection before pulling out a rolled-up map. “This one’s up-to-date and marks all major cities, trade routes, and known monster territories. Fifteen silver.”
Sael inspected the map, noting the clear detail of roads, landmarks, and even a few danger zones west of the road marked with red ink. It was perfect. “I’ll take it.” He handed over the coins and tucked the map into his pack.
Further down the market, he spotted a stall selling beast materials—pelts, fangs, claws, and other parts neatly arranged. The vendor, a burly woman with a leather apron, greeted him with a nod.
“Need anything specific?” she asked.
“Beast leather,” Sael said. “Enough to craft with.”
The woman ran a hand over a stack of tanned hides. “Got some sturdy dire wolf leather here. Light, durable, and easy to work with. Ten silver per piece.”
Sael considered it before nodding. “I’ll take 4 pieces.”
He handed over the coins and added the leather to his pack. As he walked away, he spotted Lyra standing at a stall displaying small magical trinkets. She held up a glowing orb, examining it with her large, purple eyes.
“What’s that?” Sael asked, approaching her.
“A lightstone,” Lyra explained. “It’s enchanted to illuminate your surroundings, but I was thinking we could use it for something more.”
Sael’s interest was piqued. “Like what?”
Lyra’s antennae twitched as she turned the orb over in her hands. “We could integrate it into something enchanted. If we could spread the light to the surrounding environment, it could act as a detection system. Useful for spotting enemies or hidden traps while we travel.”
Sael nodded. “How much for it?”
“Twenty silver,” the vendor chimed in.
Sael paid without hesitation, and Lyra added the lightstone to her satchel. They continued browsing together, eventually stopping at a small bookstall. The owner, a wizened elf, greeted them warmly.
“Looking for anything in particular?” he asked.
“Books on ancient technology,” Sael replied. “Especially anything about making it work.”
The elf’s eyes lit up. “I have just the thing.” He reached under the counter and pulled out a thick tome bound in cracked leather. “This one covers old-world constructs and their power sources. Not easy reading, but invaluable if you’re serious about crafting.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“How much?” Sael asked.
“Ten Gold,” the elf said.
Sael winced at the price but handed over the coins, knowing it would be worth it. With the book in hand, he felt a surge of excitement—the promise of new discoveries to be made on the road.
The three of them regrouped. Rhea held up a new set of leather bracers she’d bartered for, while Lyra showed off a small collection of magical components she’d purchased.
“Ready to head out?” Sael asked, glancing between them.
Rhea grinned. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Lyra adjusted her satchel and nodded. “Let’s see what the road to Darathyr has in store for us.”
The behemoth hunt, the crafting of Lyra’s staff, and their growing bond had all marked significant milestones in their journey. Darathyr awaited, with its dangers, treasures, and untold mysteries. “You think we’re ready for this?” Rhea asked, her tone unusually serious.
Sael glanced at her, his expression calm but resolute. “We’ll figure it out. We always do, and maybe we can check some stuff out on the way.”
Rhea’s lips curved into a small smile. “Yeah. We’ve made it this far, haven’t we?”
Lyra adjusted the strap of her new backpack, her antennae twitching with excitement. "I've always wanted to see what the world has to offer beyond books—let's hope it’s as fascinating as it is dangerous."
As they left the market, the bustling town gradually faded behind them, replaced by the open road and the promise of new adventures ahead.
The road stretched out before them, winding through rolling hills and scattered patches of dense forest. The chill of the northern air was tempered by the soft rays of the sun filtering through the trees. Sael held the newly acquired map, studying it intently as they walked.
“These red zones,” Sael said, pointing at the map. “They’re marked with warnings. What’s in them?”
Lyra tilted her head to look over his shoulder, her antennae twitching. “They usually indicate areas of high danger."
As they rounded a bend, they spotted a small caravan parked by the roadside. A brightly colored wagon stood out against the landscape, its vibrant hues catching the sunlight. The back of the cart was piled high with star-shaped, glossy apples in shades of gold and crimson, their skins glinting as if freshly polished. Riding atop the wagon was a cheerful-looking bunny girl with long ears that twitched in time with the breeze. She waved enthusiastically as they approached.
“Fresh fruit for sale! Perfect for long journeys!” she called, her voice sweet and melodic.
Sael exchanged a glance with Rhea and Lyra before stepping forward. “How much for the fruit?”
The bunny girl’s ears perked up even further, and she gave him a bright smile. “Five coppers for a bundle. And trust me, these are the best you’ll find this far north,” she said, her voice full of confidence.
Sael handed over the coins, and the bunny girl hopped off the cart to pass him a small bundle of the vibrant star-shaped apples. Their sweet and slightly tangy scent filled the air, making his mouth water. As she turned to climb back onto her wagon, Sael decided to ask about the map.
“We’ve been looking at this map,” he said, gesturing to it. “Those red-marked areas… what can you tell us about them?”
The bunny girl’s cheerful demeanor dimmed slightly. “Ah, those places… The mines. They’ve been overrun by humanoid monsters. Nasty sorts. They’ve been attacking caravans like mine for weeks. Dangerous folk to tangle with.” She glanced at him, her expression growing serious. “If you’re heading anywhere near there, be careful.”
Rhea crossed her arms, her tail flicking. “Doesn’t sound like they’ll be handing out welcome baskets.”
The bunny girl gave a small chuckle but nodded solemnly. “No, they won’t. Watch yourselves.”
Sael thanked her for the fruit and the warning before passing her a few more coins for an extra bundle. She smiled again, the brightness returning to her expression as she waved them off and rode away, her cart creaking slightly as it moved.
“Let’s stop here,” Sael said, gesturing to a small clearing near the edge of the forest. He unslung his pack and began unpacking materials. “I’ll put together a tent.”
Rhea and Lyra gathered wood for a fire while Sael got to work. Using spider silk and sections of the behemoth hide, he crafted a sturdy, weather-resistant tent. It had just enough room for the three of them to sleep comfortably. Then, with the wolf leathers he’d stored, he fashioned soft bedrolls for each of them. His hands worked methodically, and the crackle of the fire provided a soothing background to his task.
“This looks cozy,” Rhea said, peering into the tent as Sael finished securing the last corner. “Not bad for something made on the fly.”
Lyra smiled softly, settling near the fire. “You have a remarkable talent, Sael. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work with such precision and ingenuity.”
Sael shrugged, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “It’s just practice. And necessity, I guess.”
They sat around the fire, the flames casting flickering shadows across their faces. Rhea leaned back on her bedroll, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of fruit. “So, what’s the plan tomorrow? We’re heading south, right?”
Sael nodded. “Yeah. We’ll follow the main road for a while, then decide whether to skirt the red zones or head straight for Darathyr. The map should help us figure out the best route.”
“And hopefully avoid any ambushes,” Rhea added with a smirk.
Lyra’s purple eyes glimmered in the firelight. “Either way, it’ll be an adventure. I’m looking forward to seeing what lies ahead.”
The conversation drifted to lighter topics as the night deepened. Sael stretched out on his bedroll, listening to the soft murmur of the others as they talked. Despite the chill in the air, the warmth of the fire and the quiet camaraderie made the wilderness feel a little less lonely. With the tent ready and their bellies full, the three of them prepared for a good night’s rest, the promise of new challenges awaiting them on the road ahead.