After getting kicked out from the church, Fritz wandered through the strange streets of Hueryss. Turning into a large market, he walked through it admiring all the different stalls. The smell of strange roasted meats was enticing. Moving towards the center of the market, Fritz ventured towards a warm meal. The wooden stalls were laid out together side by side, stretching down the open square. Breads, pies, meats, and even honey baked sweats lined the stalls casting their alluring smell towards Fritz.

Fritz could feel his mouth watering. Although he could create his own food, it was always better prepared by someone else. Passing by a whole roasted pig, Fritz saw something truly unique. A red, smoked leg of meat the size of a pony sat slowly turning above a large fire pit. A three toed webbed foot spun at the end of the spit. The attendant dutifully turned the spit with a bored look on his pudgy face. The stall was clean and well maintained, with a younger looking catkin manning it. Her yellow eyes scanned the crowd, as she pouted slightly. Several large pieces of flat bread were spread out in front of her. Fritz found himself drawn to the food.

"Hello! You're a long way from home! Would you like some of our devil toad leg?" The yellow eyed catkin said with cheer.

"Devil Toad?" Fritz asked. His brows drew inward in confusion. "Is that what's on the spit?"

"Of course! We got it fresh this morning. We don't get many humans here. Is this your first time in Hueryss?"

"Yeah, it's a lot to take in." Fritz replied. The lady manning the stall smiled wider.

"Well, if it's your first time you definitely need to try our food! You might never get to try it again! Devil toad is one of a kind! You'll never experience anything like it! It's savory and light with just the right blend of herbs and spices!"

"Sure, I'll bite. How much for a portion?"

"Since this is such an exotic meat, we'll give you a special offer! How about that? The meat has special properties. Some scholars say the meat has untold medical benefits. It can cure erectile dysfunction, fix bad hearts, and help you build more muscle! Isn't that great?"

"Uh sure." Fritz agreed awkwardly.

"Great!" The woman grabbed two pieces of flatbread. She stuffed the bread to the brim with steaming toad meat, before lathering it with a special broth covered with spices.

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"That'll be a gold piece!" The woman flashed him a brilliant smile. The beastkin turning the meat coughed violently for a second, before the woman stealthily kicked him in the shin. Fritz reached into his pocket, before pulling out a couple of silver pieces. He looked down at the money in his hands.

"You're a bit short." The woman frowned at him. Fritz knew he was being scammed. The price of the meat was too high, and the supposed health benefits were most likely bogus. With barely a second thought, Fritz reached into his pockets again.

"Give me a second." Fritz said nonchalantly. The brief flicker of a gold coin came into his mind, as he conjured a singular gold piece in his pocket. With a slight smile, he handed it to the stall keeper. The beastkin smiled brightly as he handed the gold coin over. She bit into the gold and positively vibrated as she confirmed its authenticity. With a quick flourish she handed the food over to Fritz.

"Thank you, thank you sir. Please come back soon, we have a lot of meat to fill you up with!"

Biting into the sandwich, Fritz savored the strange food. Turning the coin over in her hand the stall keeper's smile vanished. Fritz's stomach started sinking. Slowly edging away from the stand, he started to retreat. The catkin's face warped into a snarl, as she looked over to Fritz.

"Guards! Guards! There's something wrong with my coin! It doesn't look right! There's nothing on the bottom side!" The catkin screeched.

The milling crowd stopped, as all nearby eyes fell on the strange guilty looking human. Fritz could feel the adrenaline in his blood igniting his fight or flight. Yelling and shouting were coming from elsewhere in the crowd. The shopkeeper was screaming bloody murder, pointing towards Fritz. His legs felt like jelly. Instinctively, he dropped the food and put his hands up.

"Honest mistake. I got the gold from an innkeeper. I didn't realize anything was wrong with it."

"Bystanders clear out of the way!" A commanding masculine voice shouted.

The crowding beastkin scattered as the guard appeared. A tall, slender beastkin with fox ears appeared. His yellow eyes followed the onlookers before immediately fixating on Fritz. The beastkin leveled a long rapier at him. Fritz cursed before breaking into a run.

"We've got a runner!" The foxkin shouted as he started off in pursuit of Fritz. The clanking of several other guards in chain mail followed the foxkin.

Fritz barreled his way through the beastkin, as the guards behind him were hot on his non-existent tail. Fritz looked behind him for a split second. The beastkin were faster, far faster. They dodged around the crowd faster and with more grace than Fritz. The market's entrance was drawing close. Fritz could feel the guards gaining on him. Adrenaline mixed with panic, as he imagined cold steel slashing and piercing him. Urging his legs faster, Fritz ran for his life.

The crowd was thinning, as the pursuing guards were moving quicker now. Another set of guards stood by the exit. Their spears were pointed towards Fritz as he approached. Pretending to reach into his pocket, Fritz conjured a smoke bomb. He stumbled slightly as he threw the smoke bomb towards the gate. He spared a brief glance behind him as he ran into the thick billowing cloud. Fritz disappeared into the obscuring smoke like a thief in the night.