As Yareeth turned away, Kael caught her eye, his smile widening. “That was impressive. Remind me never to get on your bad side when you’re haggling.”
Yareeth shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. “I just don’t like overpaying for things.”
Kael chuckled, the tension from earlier easing as they moved on to the next stall. “I’m starting to think I need to put you in charge of our coins.”
She shot him a sidelong glance, her smile small but genuine. “The coins would probably go further. Just don’t expect me to carry the bags, too.”
Equipment Acquired:
Soft Leather Tunic (Common)
A lightweight leather tunic, flexible and comfortable, offering basic protection.
Soft Leather Pants (Common)
Pants made from soft leather, tailored specifically to fit the physique of a lizardfolk.
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The food stalls were a riot of color and scent, the rich aromas of roasting meat and spices drawing them in. Yareeth’s eyes lit up as they approached a butcher’s stand, her gaze sweeping over the cuts of meat displayed neatly behind the glass counter. She tapped on the glass, pointing to a particularly tender-looking slab. “We’ll take that one. And some of the salted cuts.”
The butcher, a formidable woman with arms thick as Kael’s thighs, nodded, wrapping the meat with practiced efficiency. “Got some good spices, too,” she said, her voice a low rumble. “Ground pepper, salt, and a special mix I make myself. Good for preserving, and it’ll add a nice kick.”
Yareeth’s gaze drifted to the small jars lined up on the counter. “How much for the spices?”
“One bronze for each,” the butcher said, her expression neutral. “Or five for the whole lot.”
Yareeth shook her head, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. “Three bronze for all of them. We’re buying enough meat to make it worth your while.”
The butcher’s eyes narrowed, but she gave a short nod. “Alright, three bronze. But you’re driving a hard bargain, girl.”
Yareeth smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Just making sure we get our money’s worth.”
They added a few more items to their haul—dried fruit, a small sack of flour, some hard cheese—until their packs were nearly bursting. Kael glanced at the pile, then at Yareeth, his eyebrows raised. “You planning on feeding an army?”
She laughed, a light, genuine sound that warmed him more than the sun ever could. “No, just making sure we’re not stuck starving or roasting Insectoids for the next few weeks. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it.”
Kael grinned, his mood lightening further. “I already do.” He hefted his pack, the weight a solid, reassuring presence on his back. Wondering at how easy it was to get more food than he used to see in a months. “Let’s get home.”
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By the time they reached the entrance to the abandoned house that hid their basement refuge, the moon had climbed high, casting pale silver light over the crumbling stones and sagging roof.
The basement was cool and dim, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows over the rough stone walls. It was a stark, barren space—far from comfortable—but it was theirs. Their sanctuary. Kael set his pack down with a soft thud, the sound echoing in the stillness.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“We made good progress today,” he said, glancing over at Yareeth. She was already unpacking, her movements quick and efficient as she sorted through their purchases.
“Definitely,” she agreed, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. “I’m going to make something special with the meat we bought. It’s not much, but it’ll be better than nothing."
Kael watched as she moved to the small, makeshift hearth they’d set up in one corner. It was a rudimentary thing—just a circle of stones to contain the fire, with a grate they’d scavenged from a junk heap propped over it—but it served its purpose. He’d always thought of the Nexus as a place of power, a hub for their adventures, but now, as he watched Yareeth preparing a meal, it felt more like a home than it ever had before.
The smell of roasting meat soon filled the space, rich and savory, mingling with the sharp scent of the spices Yareeth had carefully measured out. The fire crackled softly, the flickering flames casting a warm glow over her scaled face as she worked. Kael’s stomach rumbled in response, the scent of the cooking meat making his mouth water.
He settled down on one of the makeshift stools they’d cobbled together from old crates, leaning back against the cool stone wall. “It already smells amazing,” he said, his voice full of appreciation. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
Yareeth glanced up, a small, pleased smile playing on her lips. “You’re going to love it,” she promised, her tone bright with confidence. “My grandmother used to make this recipe for special occasions. It’s simple, but it’s all about the right balance of flavors.”
She turned the meat with a deft hand, her expression focused and serene. “You’d think a village as small as mine wouldn’t have many celebrations, but we found reasons. The harvest festival, naming days, even just when the fishing was good.” Her voice softened, her gaze distant. “She always said that a good meal could turn any day into a celebration.”
There was a heaviness in her words that Kael hadn’t expected, a shadow of something deeper that made his chest tighten. He watched her in silence for a moment, unsure what to say. He’d never been good with words, especially not the kind that were supposed to ease someone else’s pain. But he knew what it felt like to miss people, to carry the weight of their memories with you, even in a place as strange and dangerous as this.
“She sounds like she was an amazing person,” he said finally, his voice quiet but sincere. “You’re honoring her by keeping those memories alive.”
Yareeth looked up, her eyes shimmering faintly in the firelight. “It’s strange. Cooking like this… it makes me feel closer to her. Like she’s still here, in a way.” She shrugged, a small, almost self-conscious gesture. “I know it’s silly. But it helps.”
“It’s not silly,” Kael said softly, shaking his head. “Not at all. You’re keeping her spirit alive with every meal you make. That’s something real, something powerful.”
She smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made his heart ache a little. “Thank you,” she murmured, turning back to the food. “I think she’d like you. She always had a soft spot for people who could eat a lot.”
Kael chuckled, the sound breaking the tension that had settled over them. “Then I’m in trouble, because I can eat a lot.”
They shared a quiet laugh, the sound light and easy in the dim, quiet space. It felt good to laugh, to let go of some of the weight that had been pressing down on them since the last fight. They’d been through so much, faced so many dangers, but moments like this—simple, quiet, shared—reminded him why they were fighting, what they were fighting for.
When Yareeth finally served the meal, the smell was intoxicating. She’d roasted the meat to perfection, the spices seared into the flesh, creating a mouthwatering crust. Kael took a tentative bite, and his eyes widened in surprise. The flavors exploded on his tongue—savory and rich, with a hint of heat that lingered just long enough to make him want another bite.
“This is… incredible,” he said around a mouthful, his voice filled with genuine wonder. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything this good.”
Yareeth’s smile was small, almost shy, but there was a sparkle of pride in her eyes. “I’m glad you like it,” she said softly. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s… home.”
They ate in companionable silence, the fire crackling softly beside them, the warmth of the food filling the air with a sense of comfort and peace. It was a strange feeling, to be sitting here, in this dim, hidden place, sharing a meal like old friends. But it felt right, too. Like they’d carved out this small corner of normalcy in a world that was anything but.
As they finished their meal, Kael leaned back, letting out a contented sigh. “We should take tomorrow to rest,” he said quietly, his gaze drifting to the flickering flames. “We’ve been pushing hard. We need to recover, plan our next move.”
Yareeth nodded, her eyes heavy with fatigue but still bright with determination. “Yeah. We need to be ready for whatever comes next.” She glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “But for now… this is enough.”
There was something in her voice, a quiet acceptance that made Kael’s chest tighten. They were both growing so used to fighting, to struggling, that moments like this—moments of peace, of simple, shared comfort—felt almost foreign. But they were real, and they mattered. He reached out, his hand brushing hers in a brief, gentle touch.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “For now, this is enough.”