Kell once more led Roran through the streets, weaving in and out of buildings. Instead of leading Roran towards the outskirts of the city, she led him deeper in. The streets became bigger and wider, the stone paving the roads smoother and better maintained. The further in they traveled, the more people passed them on the road.
Before long they were moving through crowded streets, full of people, merchants, and the occasional pair of guards watching over everyone. As the people pressed in, Kell made an effort to dodge between the bodies and avoid direct contact. A scowl settled onto her face as she was forced to weave around people.
When someone bumped into her without looking, Kell snarled and swore. "Why are these streets always so damn busy during the day?"
"You don't like crowds, do you?" asked Roran.
Clenching her teeth, Kell said, "What gave you that idea? It was tight enough that she had to hold her spear against her body to avoid accidentally bumping into people with it. "We're almost through the worst of it. Come on, this way."
Kell grabbed Roran's shirt and dragged him towards a door built into the side of a large, stone building. Moving with a sense of urgency, Kell slammed her shoulder into the door, forcing it open and pulling Roran off the street. Behind the door was a hallway with only a few startled people. Kell breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's better," she said. "Most of these buildings are connected. It's a little slower, but we can make it to my apartment without wading through the people on the street."
"What is this place?"
"This building? I'm not sure, part of the markets. Whenever there's a procession, the streets become unusable so they connected all of the stores and buildings. This way, whenever one of the Kings wants to show off his jewelry or wives or whatever, people can still move around and shop."
As Kell spoke, they worked their way through the stores. The first building was made of smooth stone with thick, wooden doors along the way. That building gave way to rough red bricks and an open storehouse with a handful of merchants peddling their goods. The storehouse led into a tavern with wooden flooring and a smattering of people drinking and laughing.
The hallway was a kaleidoscope of establishments, buildings, and people. Kell moved through it with ease, once more comfortable and cheery now that she wasn't drowning in a crowd of people.
"How long have you lived here?" asked Roran.
"Only for a couple of years. The apartments on the inner rings are pretty expensive and I didn't make enough until after I got my title."
"I meant in the city."
"Oh, for as long as I can remember really. I have a few vague memories of my early childhood, but this is where my life began."
Roran tried to imagine spending his childhood in this massive metropolis and couldn't. As someone who'd grown up surrounded by farms and forests, the idea of being surrounded by towering buildings made from stone sounded awful.
"Here we are," said Kell, "Finally."
The hallway opened up into a large chamber. It was clean and well maintained, with a handful of people milling about. A large bulletin board took up one entire wall and a series of counters were lined up along the rest. A variety of people manned each counter, selling everything from food and wine, to swords and shields, to silks and lace.
"Home sweet home," said Kell. She steered him across the room, ignoring the looks from the other people milling about, and headed straight for a large staircase. As per usual, Kell took the lead, bounding up the steps two at a time. These stairs, at least, were wide and well maintained.
The staircase seemed to go on forever. After losing count of what floor they were on, Kell veered off the staircase and headed down a hallway. Finding her door, Kell surprised Roran by grabbing the handle and opening the door gently.
"Hey Nul, you decent?" she called out.
Nobody responded.
"They're probably in their room, come on in."
Kell opened the door for Roran and gestured for him to enter. Kell's apartment was large and spacious, spanning two floors with multiple doors leading to different rooms.
"Not bad eh?" said Kell. "It costs an arm and a leg, but I like it. We have our own kitchen, ice chest, and plenty of space. We even have a workshop and guest room to boot."
She lingered on the last statement. Roran didn't take the bait, he wasn't willing to leave his kinsmen.
"It's lovely," said Roran, "bigger than the house I grew up in."
"It's the nicest place I've ever lived. The guest room is upstairs next to mine. Nul's room is downstairs next to the workshop. The workshop is basically Nul's so don't go making a mess in there. We have a bath but it's kind of pathetic."
Roran smiled. Kell certainly loved her baths.
"The first thing we'll need is to make you a marker medallion."
"A what?" asked Roran.
"It's a coin that proves who you are. Here's mine."
Kell pulled a large blue coin out of her pocket and tossed it to Roran. Holding it up to the light, he saw that one side was stamped with a series of symbols while the other had Kell's face etched into it.
"It looks like the favors."
"That's what it's made out of," said Kell. "They take a pair of favors, stamp one and put your face on the other, then smash them together. We'll collect Nul then head down and turn two of your favors into a marker medallion."
"I don't have any favors," said Roran.
"What, why not? You should have earned a ton from killing Gress."
"Murrin took them. He handles all of our dealings with the clerks so we gave him all of the favors."
"You mean that old guy with the crappy attitude? Why didn't you keep a couple for yourself?"
"I didn't know I would need them. Also...he probably wouldn't let me keep them," said Roran, admitting the truth.
"You survived the Crucible, twice, just beat him up and take them."
Roran shrugged, unsure of what to say.
Kell groaned. "Fine, it's not a big deal. I'm pretty sure I can buy some favors around here somewhere. Just stay here, I'll be back."
Spinning on her heel, Kell marched back out of the door.
Alone, Roran took a moment to look around the apartment. The kitchen was well stocked, but also tidy. The counters were wiped clean and everything was settled into place. There wasn't a speck of dirt on the floors and the handful of windows along the wall were spotless. Roran decided to ask Kell why she was so fastidious when she came back
"Hello?"
Roran turned and found himself staring into a pair of dark eyes. He couldn't tell if the irises were dark blue, deep purple, or an off shade of black. The owner of the eyes was about Roran's height with long dark hair. They wore a light cloak over loose clothing, hiding the shape of their body. Thin gloves covered their hands and light boots covered their feet. The only skin exposed was that of their face.
"Hello?" they said again.
"Um...I'm Roran."
"Oh, right, Kell said she would be bringing you here. Where is she?"
Roran shrugged. "I don't know, she told me to wait here and left. Are you Nul?"
They nodded. "Did Kell say when she would be back?"
"No."
Nul stared at Roran. Roran stared at Nul. Wanting to break the awkward silence, Roran tried to think of a question.
"How many people has Kell pulled out of the dungeons?"
"A handful," said Nul.
"How many are still alive?"
"As of now...only you."
Roran stared at Nul. Nul stared back at Roran.
"How long have you been working with Kell?" asked Roran.
"A while."
"Do you fight in the arena with her?"
"Not if I can help it."
Roran chewed on his cheek, not sure how else to attempt small talk.
"Why is Kell so obsessed with cleaning?"
Nul's eyebrows shot up. "It's not for me to say, and be sure you never ask Kell that question."
"What? Why?"
The door swung open, startling them both. Kell strode into the room, groaning. "That was expensive. Apparently people rarely trade coin for favors. I don't care if you have to beat him Roran, just steal some from the old man next time."
Kell paused and stared at Nul and Roran. They stared back. Kell grinned, "Oh good, it looks like you two already made friends. Ready to go?"
Nul looked to Roran, watching him warily.
Roran opened his mouth to ask about Nul's comment, then thought better of it. Some things were better left alone.
"Yeah," said Roran, "let's go."