It took Moira two days to find a trader not only heading toward the capital but also one who understood the value of eagle tree nuts. Closing a large transaction always lifted her spirits, and she decided that once she arrived in Kardum, she’d treat herself to a new coat, as the nights were turning colder. Her room was paid for well in advance, but out of courtesy, she informed Madam Rose of her upcoming absence, reassuring her that she wouldn’t stay away longer than necessary. Only a few knowing smiles here and there hinted that the letter might be linked to her departure; politely, Madam Rose refrained from nosy questions. Given their good relationship and long-standing cooperation, her absence was no problem for the innkeeper or her husband.
The next day, Moira carefully selected what to take. She packed sparingly yet practically, mindful of what she might need in the north, though she had no plans to linger there. Traveling cross-country was out of the question—too inconvenient and unlikely to save time given the challenging terrain. Instead, she hitched a ride with a merchant couple to Verren, a town southwest of her location through which most goods from Forest Row passed. Verren also lay along a major trade route running north to south, which would lead her onward to Kardum. They traveled for three days in the merchant’s cart, and once they reached Verren, she took a day’s rest to recharge.
From there, she took a much faster coach to Kardum. Her companions on this leg included a taciturn dwarf and a young couple from the central empire; the groom was personally negotiating a contract to supply his father-in-law’s textiles, while the dwarf was in the jewelry trade but unwilling to share further details. Moira passed the time chatting mainly with the newlywed wife, offering her herbal remedies and skincare tips. This part of the route wasn’t heavily traveled, so they weren’t able to stop at an inn every night. Only on the second night did they find one, and by the evening of the third day, they were in Kardum at last, where she could finally sleep in a comfortable bed. The dwarf had recommended the place after hearing her lament the night before about how much she’d pay for a good night’s rest once they arrived.
His advice proved spot-on. She managed to get the last available room at the recommended inn, and though her impression might have been influenced by the discomforts of coach travel, she was thrilled with the warmth and softness of the bed. That night, she slept like a rock.
Late morning, Moira extended her stay, unwilling to part with such a comfortable room. After a satisfying breakfast, she set out to explore the city in search of a new coat. After visiting several stalls and tailor shops, she finally settled on a coat that caught her eye—a deep graphite-blue garment made from thick, waterproof wool. It flared subtly at the hips, allowing ease of movement while flattering her figure. With reinforced shoulders, solid stitching, and a length that fell to mid-calf, it promised both durability and elegance against foul weather.The high collar and hood lining were trimmed with soft fur, offering warmth for colder days. The silver clasps along the front featured simple but elegant engraved details of forest motifs—leaves, berries, and flowers—filled with tasteful color accents. Paired with a thin belt and a silver, understated buckle, the coat had a timeless quality. It even had inner pockets and fit her perfectly. It was slightly pricier than she had initially intended to spend, but the coat met all her requirements and felt like a fitting reward, so she quickly forgave herself the indulgence.
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She spent the rest of the day exploring the city, which was bustling with life. The place was filled to the brim with all kinds of stalls, warehouses, and establishments serving the many travelers passing through. At various points, coaches and couriers could swap tired horses for fresh ones. She was certain she had passed at least two theaters on the eastern side, where performances were actively running, several temples dedicated to different deities, and numerous other sights, which she only glanced at in passing.
After so much walking, she grew hungry and stopped for a late lunch. Full and warmed by her cozy new coat, she found the barracks of the road guards near the main gate. There, she approached one of the uniformed men and asked him to point her to the captain’s office. He broke off from his conversation with a colleague and offered to escort her himself, which he did, trying awkwardly along the way to inquire about her marital status and evening plans. She brushed him off politely when they reached the captain’s door, knocked confidently, and entered after a firm “come in” sounded from within.
“Good evening, Captain. I’m Moira, and I came at Ashan’s request to help you with the fortress ruins issue,” she stated firmly, taking a few steps towards the captain’s desk. She timed her statement just as she reached it and extended her hand in greeting.
The captain of the road guards stood and shook her hand, though she restrained herself from squeezing too hard. “Captain Darva, a pleasure. Please, take a seat,” she said, indicating a chair across from her. “What, if I may ask, makes you think you can assist with this issue?” she asked, a bit intrigued and taken aback.
“Mainly the fact that I have been practicing and studying necromancy for over twenty years, Captain Darva. And from what Ashan described, it’s clear this is exactly within my field of expertise,” Moira said, deciding this was one of those rare moments when her knowledge of herbalism wasn’t the relevant skill, so she chose to be forthright.
Captain Darva, visibly disconcerted, cleared her throat loudly, her pupils widening momentarily, as though Moira might immediately engage in some necromantic act that confirmed popular stereotypes. But as no curses fell upon her, nor did any undead creatures climb in through the window to devour her alive, the awkward silence stretched into something both uncalled for and impolite. “That is indeed a rather compelling reason, and I take it you have experience with spirits and such phenomena?” she finally said, regaining her professionalism, though Moira’s candidness had clearly caught her off guard.
“A fair amount, yes. I’d be glad to lend you that experience, Captain. Practitioners of my discipline have been resolving such issues for centuries,” Moira explained calmly, pretending not to notice or be affected by Darva’s reaction, though the sting of that instinctive fear always lingered within her.
“In that case, Moira, I’m sure we’ll work well together,” the captain said, even managing a smile. “Allow me to send for Ashan and something warm to drink. We can go over the details together. Since you know each other, I’ll assign him to accompany you at the site.”
“Of course, I’ll wait,” Moira replied, loosening her coat but not fully removing it as the captain’s office was a bit chilly. Darva stepped out briefly to issue orders, then returned to her desk. By the time Ashan learned of Moira’s arrival from the captain’s deputy and made his way to her office, the two women were already sharing a laugh over their second cup of tea thanks to Moira's funny stories related to herbalism, and Darva had placed an order with her for a remedy to warm her husband’s cold feet.
“You took your time, Ashan. Good to see you,” Moira greeted him, her blue eyes still sparkling with laughter, which caused a warm flush to spread through his chest. Quickly gathering himself, he responded.
“Good to see you too, Moira, and good evening, Captain,” he added promptly, nodding at both women.
Together, the three of them settled in to discuss the details of the matter ahead.