Roran descended to the street and started walking back towards the Crucible. He took his time, walking slowly and enjoying the ambiance. The sun had set and people were milling about the street. Some were buying food and snacks from the stalls lining the road, others were heading to taverns, drink on their mind. Still more hung about in small clusters, talking about the day's events and their favorite moments from the fights.
"Did you see the way Amon fought," said one man, leaning in close to his friends. "I've never seen swordplay like that."
"Pity he still died," said his friend.
"But he almost won, if his focus markings were better he probably would have won."
"Against Destra? No way, that man has never lost."
Roran moved on, walking past another group.
"The living storm is insane!"
"I can't believe she killed Barron. Timara is going to shred her to bits."
"Not for a long time, it takes forever for the Kings to approve duels."
"She'll probably get impatient and attack Kell in the streets."
"Kell will tear Timara apart."
"Yeah, and half the city with her. They call her the living storm for a reason."
Roran moved on, wondering what the future held for him and his new friends. As he passed a bakery, Roran paused. The soft smells of cinnamon and nutmeg wafted out into the street. He didn't have any coin to buy anything, but he decided to linger for a moment and enjoy the scents. They reminded him of home.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Roran looked up and smiled. "Karyn, good to see you again."
"And you," said Karyn, moving to stand by the bakery next to Roran. "This place smells amazing. Did you get anything?"
Roran shook his head. "I don't have any coin."
"Oh right, you dungeon fodder get paid in favors. Hold on a second." Karyn disappeared into the bakery and returned a moment later holding two pastries wrapped in paper. "Here," she said, pushing one into his hands, "My treat."
"You don't have to, I already ate today."
"It's not a meal, it's a treat. Just take the damn food."
Reluctantly, Roran accepted the pastry. He nibbled on the corner. It was some sort of sweetbread with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other sweet spices. The pastry was still warm with soft, chewy insides.
"Thank you," said Roran.
"Welcome, so what did you think of the King's Arena?"
"It's big and confusing. I've never seen structures created with magic before, it's really impressive."
"Yeah, the kings like to show off. I watched Kell fight in the first round. She was amazing."
Roran nodded. "She really was."
"I'm surprised she killed Barron. I thought she would have known better.
"She didn't mean to."
"Really? How do you beat someone that badly on accident?"
"Barron managed to taunt her into attacking."
"I'm surprised he managed to piss her off. Every time I'm with Kell she's cool as ice. Calm and confident, as though nobody can touch. What did he say to her?"
Roran opened his mouth to speak but stopped. He didn't like the idea of sharing Kell's secrets or any past trauma she may be carrying. He closed his mouth and shrugged.
"Something personal, I guess," he said.
"Did you hear that the Crucible is planning a special event?" asked Karyn.
"Yeah, a lot of people are talking about it."
"Are you going to compete?"
"Maybe."
"You should."
"Why?"
Karyn grinned up at him. "I read your future this morning."
Roran blinked at her.
"I used red valley tea leaves to check your immediate future and general fortunes."
"And it told you that I will participate in the special event?" asked Roran.
"No, it told me you would experience great change soon, but that it would come with a blood price."
"I'm going to lose a lot of blood?" Roran thought of Toth's injuries and how painful they looked.
"No, not you. Someone will, but not you."
Roran winced. He didn't want to benefit from the blood sacrifices of those around him. "Is that how you knew I would be here?"
Karyn shook her head. "I knew you would be watching Kell fight today. I also know that she likes to take a bath immediately after her fights and usually stuffs herself until she passes out. From there, Nul carries her back to the apartment and you tuck her in. I assumed you wouldn't spend the night with her, so I hung out on this road waiting for you. I just happened to be standing near the bakery, because of the wonderful smells, when you came along."
Roran blinked at her. "You put a lot of thought into this."
"I'm a fortune teller, predicting the future is what I do."
Roran recounted the events in his head. Pausing, he asked, "How do you know Kell's after-event rituals?"
"She's paid me to join her a few times. I've spent many nights at Kell's apartment."
Nodding, Roran asked, "Then how did you know I wouldn't spend the night at the apartment?"
"You're not Kell's type, and I don't think you're the type to spend the night with an unconscious girl."
"What?" Roran asked, confused. "What does Kell's type have to do with it?"
"Well where else would you sleep if not with her?"
"The spare bedroom."
"There's a spare bedroom?"
"Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't know."
"How would I know, I rarely leave Kell's bedroom whenever I accompany her."
"Oh, right..."
Karyn broke out laughing. "Did you forget my vocation, young gladiator."
Shrugging, Roran gave Karyn a sheepish smile. "It's not something I think about much. I got used to it with my mother and don't think about the details."
"Can't stomach the thought of poor, helpless, innocent, little me spending a night with chaos incarnate herself?"
"It doesn't bother me, I just don't think about it. Like how we don't think of farmers tilling dirt all day, or blacksmiths filling their forges. We know it happens, but it doesn't happen while we're looking, we forget the daily tasks that eat up the time of those around us."
"I guess that's true. It costs extra for someone to watch and nobody wants to pay just to stand there."
Roran groaned and rolled his eyes.
Karyn grinned at him, her smile devious and her eyes dancing. Then, as she was still enjoying her little joke, her eyes darted past Roran and she grew serious.
"You should get going," she said.
Roran cocked his head. "Why, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, it's just time for me to get back to work."
"Oh, don't let me keep you."
"I'll see you again, Roran. Enjoy your time with the doggies."
She turned and hustled away before Roran could ask what she meant. He called out, "Thanks for the pastry," to her retreating back, but she didn't respond. In seconds she had disappeared behind a group of people.
Roran kept watching, waiting to see if he could spot her again. He didn't see Karyn, but for a brief moment, he could have sworn that he saw Morena.