Once outside the Church’s hospital, Sigurd took in the town’s sights and smells. The grandeur of everything around him threatened to overload his senses, albeit the environment was significantly less intense than the Capital. He caressed Cuntz’s steed for its job well done through all their trials when the merchant stepped out of the building as well.

“There you are! I was afraid you’d left already.”

“I couldn’t well leave without giving you proper thanks,” Sigurd replied. Coyly, he added, “...and I also wanted to get some directions.”

“Anything for you, my friend. And let me start with a bit of promised info," Cuntz said, stepping just off the curb. He outstretched his arm out high, pointing further down the line of buildings. “If you follow the road, it’ll eventually lead you to the town square. The biggest building there is the Adventurer’s Guild, you can’t miss it.”

Sigurd nodded and followed up, “What about shops or lodging?”

“There are shops all around the square,” Cuntz shrugged his shoulders, smiling confidently. “As for lodging, past the square, near one of the exits to town, you can find an inn. It’s the best one in town!”

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“Well, thank you for everything. We wouldn’t have been able to make it here without you,” Sigurd heartily said. “I plan to stay here a while, maybe help clean up the town if it needs it. After all, I’ve seen, I think it’s the right call. What about you, where will you go from here?”

Cuntz checked his horse’s rein, adjusting it before replying, “Your actions have spoken loud. I’m sure you’ll be successful in helping this town too! As for me, I need to report to the Merchant’s Guild, then I’ll make a quick stop by the Adventurer’s Guild – I’ll make sure to put in a food word for you.”

Sigurd held out his hands, politely declining, “There’s no need!”

“I insist!” Cuntz grinned. “The people deserve to know about you! And well, after that, the road will call for me once more. I am, after all, a traveling merchant.”

“Right then,” Sigurd finalized, extending his hand. “I hope one day we cross paths once more. For now, farewell Cuntz!”

The merchant met the man’s hand with a firm handshake, “I’m sure we will. What was once a fateful meeting will surely repeat again. Fare thee well, Baron Sigurd.”

With their parting, Cuntz stayed at his carriage, further preparing to leave while Sigurd, Mia, and Nia took to the main road opposite him. It was a bittersweet parting after a couple of intense, peril-fraught days, but he left with the knowledge that not all people in his new reality were bad. Some were just living their lives, surrounded by filth.