When the golden gate opened, I expected some grand welcome or something cringed like that. But to my relief, all I got were curious stares from the guard standing by the gate and the people nearby.
They were dressed the same way everyone did back in my timeline. Nothing odd about it.
But unlike Harrith, Tollista was more familiar to me. However, as there were time differences, a few notable changes didn't escape my observation.
I stepped into what appeared to be the Market.
Back in my time, this was relocated in the middle of town. Since it was where most people go to. Various stalls and vendors were selling an assortment of goods.
Each of them was trying to call customers to notice them. Some had intricate jewelry pieces displayed, which attracted half of the women who passed by. A few were offering freshly picked vegetables and fruits.
Colorful tents and different materials could be found everywhere. It was easy to get lost in such an environment.
I remembered how my mother would ensure I didn't let her hand go while I accompanied her to the Market. She would grip my hand tightly too.
I ended up staring at my hand, feeling so lonely at the moment.
And then scoffed.
The sound of clashing voices suddenly bothered me. I have no idea where to turn or who to ask. If I ever found anyone to talk to, I don't know what to ask of them. The whole situation was a disaster.
I found myself standing in the middle of a strange but at the same familiar place. It was ironic that this was the first place I got to visit after being thrown into the past.
My parents might not even have met yet.
Struck by the thought, I felt my heart skip a bit.
It only came to me that my parents were still alive during this period. They were alive and well and not dead.
At first, I was thrilled at the thought. However, after realizing that the information was useless, I was back to feeling lonely.
It didn't matter if I saw them.
They won't recognize me.
It won't be a grand reunion as I have imagined.
While my thoughts were swirling, a particular conversation caught up to me. I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but there was a brief mention of Bronn. My curiosity was piqued.
By accident or Nirvana's will, I needed to hear the rest of this conversation between a man and probably his wife.
Following them, I pretended to be interested in a vendor selling exquisite fans. The man, about my age, if I had been Elijah, wore a colorful tunic and white pants.
He was mimicking Nichen's fashion sense without him knowing. The well-dressed vendor started marketing the best of his products, explaining how one was different from the other and where the export came from.
I feigned interest, nodding and smiling at him.
But in truth, I was straining to hear bits and pieces of the conversation between the man and woman who stopped in the nearby stall.
The woman was of petite stature, a beautiful lock of golden brown hair cascading behind her. She was choosing a piece of jewelry and testing out earrings and bracelets of various styles.
The man stood reverently beside her. He had black hair and broad shoulders.
"Have I heard right?" the man's accent made it impossible for me to hear him. But I managed to sort it out in my head.
"Yes," the woman replied, her voice sounding sweet—a big contrast to the man's almost thunderous one. "Bronn will be fighting tonight."
Hearing about Bronn and fight in the same sentence somehow didn't make sense. It took me a minute to process what that might mean.
Nothing came to mind.
"He would be fighting against Dorax!" the man exclaimed, disbelief evident in his tone. "You did not try to talk him out of it?"
The woman turned around, almost catching me looking at them. I caught a glimpse of her beauty before needing to shift my focus.
Was she Bronn's woman?
I could only speculate.
Bronn had no wife, as I recalled, but I remembered people talking about a woman who had a special place in his heart.
It was a rumor.
And when it comes to rumors, I don't trust any information spread by people unless the person involved would speak something about it.
"Darling," the woman purred, her voice dropping to a whisper. I couldn't hear the rest of what she said.
I couldn't risk taking a peek either in case they caught me for real. It was still considered rude to look at someone long enough to be creepy.
The vendor selling the fan blinked at me, and the expression on his face shifted to a knowing look.
"If you want to win her heart, you need to forget it," the fan seller patted my shoulder. He slurred his words, but I managed to get his message.
I wanted to deny his claim but thought otherwise. Instead, I took this as an opportunity to learn more about her and gradually about Bronn and Dorax.
Sighing wistfully, I smiled at the vendor.
"Sorry for the inconvenience. I wanted to buy her something special, hoping she would at least notice me."
The man clicked his tongue before turning to the fans on display. His fingers lightly touched each one. They were intricately designed and in various colors.
Landing on a dark blue one, the fan vendor handed it to me. A tiny butterfly keychain was dangling on its end,
"Consider it a gift from a friend who mourns your loss. Ysabel is already taken. No man can ever take her from her beloved."
I smiled sheepishly, lowering my head to add to the drama.
"How unfortunate. Although this fan is adorable."
"Don't mention it. The woman is of exquisite beauty. All men easily fall victim to her charms, but alas, Bronn already lay claim on her, and she loves him dearly."
"Yeah, too bad," I murmured; an idea struck me at that instance. "But could I at least give this to her?"
The fan vendor sighed.
"Consider yourself warned. But sure," he looked around, leaning to whisper in my ear. "Tonight, Bronn will be fighting Dorax, the unbeatable fighter. All bets are high."
He leaned away, looking at me coolly.
"You can try your luck while her lover is busy. Maybe you'll have a chance to win her attention. But I suggest you don't waste your youth and find someone your age."
I grinned, thanked the fan vendor, and left.
Toying with the fan in my hand, I scoffed at the vendor's suggestion.
"If you only knew."