The woman helped Faye search through the store for the book she was interested in. It took a while, but eventually, they found that none of the history books the woman brought out were what Faye was looking for. The woman said she could keep an eye out for that specific type of book, but Faye waved her off. If she still didn't find any information after visiting the library at the adventuring hall, then she'd return and ask for her to keep an eye out for a book.
This was more of a whim of hers right now anyways, she hadn't really expected to find out much. As she was about to leave, however, she remembered the other information she had hoped to gather from the hall.
"Actually, you wouldn't happen to have anything on gods and their pantheons....would you? Specifically, the goddess of fate?"
This sent the woman back off into the stacks of books. As it seemed like it might take some time, Faye decided to return after her errands to check.
Beth nodded, but continued to look and told Faye she would have an answer for her when she returned that evening.
Faye thanked the woman and headed off once again.
The sun nearly blinded her as she stepped back out into the bright daylight. She worried about the woman that worked there and what kind of effect sun a dim environment might have on her eyesight....
She started her way through the crowd, making sure to keep her purse in hand this time. She didn't need another distraction! The second one was her own fault, but the first one wasn't!
As she walked through the merchant district, the crowd differed in density. At times it felt like squeezing past a pack of sardines, while at others the streets seemed relatively empty.
Finally, Faye reached an area that appeared to be mostly residential. Each district she entered had a wall built, with stone archways for entering into the new district. The last one she entered, didn't have a gate. This one, however, Faye noticed there was a gate. Guards stood by the open gate, but didn't seem to intent on stopping anyone. If one were to sit and watch for a while, they would see the guards stop a beggar looking person or particularly shady looking person from going in, but for the most part they seemed pretty relaxed.
They didn't even seem to register her as Faye stepped through the gates threshold. Immediately, Faye noticed a clear difference in this district compared to the last one. There were considerably less people in the streets, probably due to the fact there weren't many shops in this district. Most of the people Faye saw were cleaner and dressed in clothes that both fit and were not torn into rags. The road here, like the merchant district, was stone, whereas the slums it was mostly dirt. That may just have been because it was so dirty, however, as Faye did see some stone peaking though the grime in the outer district. The smell was much less pungent as well. It appeared there was an actual plumbing system in place. It wasn't guaranteed that the outer district didn't have a plumbing system in place, but the run off might have been a bit too close to the outer district, causing the stench to reach the residents.
Faye walked along the road, taking in the new surroundings. Each district was certainly unique in its own way.... She marveled at the size of the city. She'd felt like she'd covered quite a distance and she hadn't even seen a tenth on the city. She'd pretty much been walking in a relatively straight line trying to head towards the residential district where the adventuring hall should be. The city was much, much larger than she was expecting.
Faye continued forward, she asked a few people about the adventuring hall and was pointed towards the north side of the district. Faye made her way around, trying to get toward the north side. It was difficult to navigate within the city, especially when the sun was almost perfectly above her.
Finally, she came to another district. She knew she had gone too far, but if she followed along the wall she might be able to figure out her bearings.
The people in this district were friendly enough, but there were fewer of them to ask directions from and many seemed engrossed in their own business. Faye didn't feel right calling out to the people that were clearly focusing on something else.
Finally, as she walked along the wall, she inevitably cause suspicion to fall on her. After all, this wall was the divider between the regular people and the nobility. If a guard saw someone lurking around, seemingly checking out the wall in broad daylight, they wouldn't be worth much if they didn't at least ask some questions.
"Miss! Stop there."
Faye heard a deep voice calling out to her. She turned to find two guards slowly approaching. She stood and waited for them to approach. The two came up slow, eyeing her suspiciously. One stood further back and kept his hand near his sword.
Faye gave a smile that she hoped was friendly enough.
"Hello. You guys wouldn't be able to give me directions would you?"
The guard closer to her seemed to allow his suspicions to subside slightly as he smiled. The other didn't have a reaction to her words and instead continue eye of her cautiously.
"Directions? Are you lost, little lady?"
Faye smiled with a nod, hoping she didn't come off threateningly. "I'm uh....I'm looking for the adventuring hall? I was told it's north from here?"
The guard addressing her nodded as if to say that's what he'd assumed. The other pulled his hand away from his sword and tsked.
"Almost, the adventuring hall it actually more to the north west from here. You'll have to walk a good twenty minutes before you can head straight north."
Faye nodded as if she understood, but her expression must have said other wise. The guard addressing her gave her an uncertain look before turning to address his companion.
"I'm gonna help her find her way, you cover for me?"
The other guard frowned, but rolled his eyes and nodded. He didn't seem the type to enjoy friendly conversation while on the job, and didn't seem impressed that his partner was willing to pawn off his own responsibilities for something so trivial.
Faye shook her head, "I don't want to bother you..."
The man waved her off as he began walking away to lead her. "It's not an issue."
Slowly, Faye and the guard made their way towards the adventuring hall.