The end of that main road full of shops led to the town square. A massive plaza sprawled out before them, filled with trees and stone benches at every major corner or where people gathered. In the center of it all there was a long line of pitched stalls; therein lay a separate market, more down-to-earth than the cold buildings that housed the bigger shops. The clamor of people, whether they were bundled across different areas talking and laughing the sunny day away, or viciously spread out across the market trying to buy and sell goods, made the entire plaza feel alive.
All around its edges were several roads leading off in different directions and to different sectors of the town. The centerpiece – Cuntz’s info proved reliable – the Adventurer’s Guild, stood along one of the main roads, a testament to its importance there. Opposite it, along the far end of the plaza was an even bigger road; it was the main road, Sigurd surmised.
They had approached the town square from its side, so the Guild’s headquarters and the main road were in either direction if they looked left or right, but, following Cuntz’s directions, Sigurd’s destination lay beyond the plaza, on the direct other side from where they were. Thus, they took to strolling from one end to the other.
It was immediately evident to Sigurd just how large the guild’s presence was in town – almost every person he glanced at held some kind of large weapon or was fitted in shiny armor. The prospect of being able to take on missions and help out itched at Sigurd’s warrior heart, but it could wait. His mind was set on sheltering his daughters first.
Though he was clear on the path to take, the straight they took backfired on him in an instant. Passing by the market stalls in the middle of the plaza, their noses were pierced by the intermingling of sweet fragrances and pungent smells, stirring in their stomachs, and calling for a bite.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Mia and Nia’s stomachs growled the loudest, as did Sigurd’s; he did his best to ignore them, but his best only lasted five steps.
“I wanted to get to the inn before we dined, but I’m starving! Do you girls want to eat?” He asked.
Both of them violently nodded, drool dripping from their salivating mouths.
‘We’re in no rush,’ Joyce thought. ‘It feels… liberating.’
The food stalls were as varied as the shops that preceded them. From baked goods to greener options, the thing that caught Sigurd’s eye – and which they ultimately consumed – was deep-fried chicken.
Led by his stomach, and not his eyes, Sigurd ordered three plates. Mia and Nia got to work on their pieces right away, melting into a puddle of bliss as they did. He, on the other hand, took one bite and then left his portion on the table, staring at his plate longingly.
“What’s wrong, not hungry after all?” Mia said between gulps, her mouth half full. “If you’re not gonna eat it, then I will!”
He pointed at her, exclaiming, “Swallow before you talk! You’re getting chicken and saliva all over the table!”
Mia’s ears slumped at his scolding but perked back up when she took another bite.
“And it’s not that I’m not hungry, but...” he paused, lost in thought.
‘...this isn’t fried chicken at all! Where’s the zesty, crunchy skin? Where’s the excessively salty, greasy flavor?’ Joyce cried. ‘Fuck, I didn’t realize how much I would miss the food on Earth. It’s been good so far, but this...’
Joyce stared at the bland, skinless chicken breast on her plate, ‘...it proves this place needs some improvement. Ah well.’
Sighing, and with disappointment in his eyes, he finished his plate. After the girls finished theirs as well, they continued to the other side of the town square.