Taking my time walking to the stall, I took in the wares and saw why it lacked customers other than the fact the one left to man the place had his head stuck in a book. Unlike a food or trinket vendor, which would get somewhat steady traffic, the store Jonas the eighteen-year-old apprentice mapmaker was sitting at sold paraphernalia geared toward traveling.
It was a more selective clientele since I doubt everyone traveled in this town even if it had a decent number of merchants stopping by.
Stepping into the canvas-roofed stall, I ran my eyes quickly through the wares—speed-reading the description windows and immediately dismissing them after. Ignoring that I wanted to get information, some more water purifiers would be useful along with some of the maps.
A Level Up alert window popped up while I was observing a waterproof pouch. Guessing it was my prolific use of the new Scan ability that caused it, I dismissed the pop-up, waiting a second before it disappeared.
Jonas still had his freckled nose buried in the book, having not noticed he had a customer.
Not bothering to hide my amusement, I let it color my tone as I walked toward him lazily. "Must be an interesting read. What's it about?"
The brunet apprentice startled, jerking his head up and nearly fell off the stool from my voice.
"Whoa, careful!" I lowered my hands when I saw he managed to recover in time to not tip over. I bit my lip, meeting his eyes and apologized, "Sorry, didn't mean to surprise you."
"I-I'm fine. Apologies, Sir! … uh… Milady?" Jonas' voice lowered in confusion.
I just gave him a smile. "Hello."
[Nori, what are you doing?]
'Shhh.'
"So, what were you reading?" I asked with genuine curiosity. The words were uniform as if from a printing press, from what I caught when the brunet flailed around a moment ago.
"I-it's just the history of Westria, specifically why and how Crown City was founded," Jonas stuttered a little, his eyes failing to be subtle when glancing at my covered ears.
Bingo. Didn't even have to lead him up to it.
I set a hand down on the edge of the table and leaned down, smiling as I became close enough to see the specks of color in his gray eyes. I tilted my head to the side, "No wonder you were so caught up. That sounds fascinating."
"N-n-not really," Jonas turned a bit red around his ears. He cleared his throat. "Milady—Sir— Ahem. Did you want—"
[…]
"I'm new around here," I admitted as I continued to stroke the spine of the book, the sudden action having sufficiently distracted Jonas. I plucked the book out of nerveless fingers before it could fall but met his eyes again instead of reading (even if I was fairly tempted). "So I am unfamiliar with Westria. I am to head to Crown City but it's for official business. All I know of it is that is it known as the Learning City from my brethren. Is it because of the Library?"
"I… I'm from Crown City myself."
I know, that's why I approached you, Jonas from Crown City.
"Oh, really? I never got your name…?"
"Jonas."
"Are the men in Crown City as handsome as you are?" I gave a sly smile.
[…]
I saw the metaphorical lightbulb turn on as his eyes widened before he turned terribly red. "Um—"
"Nori."
"S-sir—Lady Nori?"
"Does it matter?" I leaned closer, lowering my voice with my expression still upturned in amusement.
Jonas stared up at me wide-eyed, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "I… suppose not."
Great. Now to get him to spill about his hometown.
The AI I shared headspace with seemed to have lost his ability to formulate words.
What? I can be charming when I need to.
"So, will you head back to Crown City soon?"
"Master said we'd head back in three days."
"I'll have someone I know in Crown City then! I wonder where to find the good meals or interesting places… Maybe you can show me around when we're both in Crown City and free?"
"I, uh, y-yeah. I mean, yes. The Garden of Naiads is a really scenic place to read and— Um, Jack's on Lanturn Avenue makes really great pea soup and sauteed mushrooms. The Studium Generale also has—"
"The soldiers are back!" was the loud cry that cut our conversation off.
The yell made me straighten up and tense automatically. It was only a moment later that I registered exactly why I reacted that way.
The tone of the words. The emotions behind it.
Panic.
[Nori—] 37 started.
I walked out, looking in the direction of where the crowds moved restlessly. It also happened to be the front gate. Narrowing my eyes, I was about to tune my senses toward the crowd when clouds blocked the sun, throwing the Market into shadow.
Reflexively looking up, I froze.
That was not a cloud.
A dragon. It was a motherfucking dragon.
Everything connected instantly. The garrison went out to slay a dragon and something obviously went wrong. The soldiers retreated and led the huge lizard right back to the town.
I'm so boned.