Nyaogi strode through Zambara's marketplace, her gaze sweeping over stalls for the right potion-making bottles. The spicy scent of hot cahoos and sunomosia filled the air, mixing with the buzz of bartering voices. She moved past a fabric stall, its cloths bright as the town's dawn sky.

The glass merchant's booth, sandwiched between an herb seller and a jewelry maker, displayed bottles sparkling in sunlight. Nyaogi's fingers touched the glass, picking a few small vials.

While paying, whispers from a nearby stall caught her ear. Two merchants, faces half-hidden, spoke urgently. "An official from Core City," one whispered, "inquiring about illegal magic."

Her heart jumped, but she stayed calm, handing coins to the merchant. “Core City” and “illegal magic” — words that spelled trouble. She slipped the vials into her satchel and peeked at the whisperers. Noticing her, they fell silent, eyes scanning the crowd.

With the bottles safe, Nyaogi left, mind whirring. A Core City official here could ruin her plans. She hastened her pace, eager to leave the market's web of rumors and wary eyes.

Thoughts of an official probing the Glember Inn's activities sent a shiver through her. Discovery would endanger not just her but poor Kairo too. She glanced back, checking for followers, then turned into a quieter alley. The market's noise softened behind her.

She had to move her potion-making tools. Somewhere safe, hidden from authority. Nowhere seemed perfect.

Resolved, Nyaogi hurried toward the Glember Inn and Tavern. She needed to move her supplies swiftly, without drawing attention. Her steps were careful, her face unreadable amidst the town's rhythm. Challenges awaited, but delay wasn't an option.

Nyaogi navigated Zambara's crowded street. The market's chatter became a distant murmur, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She felt eyes on her, every shadow and glance seeming ominous. She kept looking back, her fear escalating with each quick glance. A roadwheel screeched past on the roadway.

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Nyaogi arrived at the Glember Inn and Tavern, its familiar front a comforting sight. She entered unnoticed by the sparse patrons and ascended the stairs to her room above the tavern. Kairo looked busy and frazzled behind the bar. Nyaogi’s hands trembled as she unlocked her door, entering and closing it with a quiet click.

Her room, cluttered with potion-making gear, felt less secure now. The thought of a Core City official in Zambara hung over her like a dark cloud. Her secret work, though hidden, was in greater peril.

She paced her small room, eyeing the vials and herbs. Each item was a reminder of her commitment and the risks she faced. Nyaogi knew she had to be extra careful in her next steps. She had to balance caution with the need to continue her work.

She sat down. Her mind buzzed with plans. Night deepened outside, casting long shadows, reflecting her troubled thoughts. The time ahead would require stealth and determination.

As she pondered, Nyaogi's hand instinctively touched the leather pouch in her pocket, ensuring the unregistered kynik crystal within was still there. This crystal, vital for her magic, had to remain hidden and protected at all costs.

#

Nyaogi paced her dimly lit room, the heaviness of her decisions weighing on her. Her usually steady hands now trembled. The need for help was clear.

She moved around, picking up a bottle, then an alembic. She couldn't stay in the tavern; the risk of discovery by the Core City official was too high. But moving her potion-making setup, including the mortar and pestle and boxes on boxes of ingredients wasonya risky. Some of it looked like the typical supplies an herbalist would use, but much of her equipment had slots for her kynik crystal, obvious to anyone who knew what they were looking for that she used magic in her potion making.

She considered her options. Tak Wolda forest was safe but too far for an immediate move. Then there was Bammyo, her resourceful friend with a workshop. Or Onaya the historian; she was trustworthy, but maybe too rule-abiding.

Weighing her choices, Nyaogi grappled with the fear of betrayal. Yet, she clung to the hope of finding a reliable ally. With a deep breath, she resolved to seek help from a friend. But whom to trust was a dilemma. She needed someone competent and utterly trustworthy, someone who wouldn't risk their safety or hers.

Nyaogi knew her next steps were crucial. She couldn't rush or make mistakes. The wrong choice could endanger both her and any accomplice. She set down the potion equipment, her mind working through the puzzle.