The heart of Gilded Crossing throbbed with the vibrant energy of its bustling marketplace. As the soft glow of dawn began to streak across the sky, the town awoke, casting aside the peaceful embrace of night.
Merchants, already busy at their stalls, filled the air with a lively symphony of commerce that resonated along the cobblestone streets. Eager buyers, drawn by the allure of great bargains, bargained with fervor, their eyes alight with the excitement of securing a hard-fought deal.
Amid the energetic ebb and flow, an intriguing story took root. The merchants, ever the purveyors of rumors, discreetly spoke to their patrons of a noble's precious heirloom, now mysteriously vanished.
One particularly rotund merchant, his brow beaded with sweat, captivated his listeners with a dramatic whisper. "Bandits, I tell you! Only they would have the audacity to thieve from a noble!"
A woman in the throng inhaled sharply, gripping her basket more firmly. "Truly? Are bandits so audacious as to strike a noble here in Gilded Crossing?"
A burly blacksmith, with his arms crossed imposingly, expressed his doubt. "Nonsense! That noble's just too scatterbrained to remember where he's left the blasted thing!"
Another woman, her tone laced with warning, smacked the blacksmith's arm. "Mind your words! You never know who might be eavesdropping. By tomorrow, you could find yourself without a head!"
The rotund merchant merely shrugged, his grin laced with mischief. "In this life, each day unfurls a new marvel. And the heirloom... well, it's valued at a king's ransom. A most enticing prize, don't you think?"
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Away from the lively thrum of the marketplace, within the grand halls of the Merchant's Guild, two distinctive figures were immersed in their respective endeavors. Varian, a strikingly unique individual with a cascade of fiery red hair that fell to his ankles, was surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork.
Half of his face was shrouded by a white silk cloth, leaving only his arresting blue eyes exposed—eyes that reflected the depth and sagacity of the ocean's expanse. His slender, alabaster form was propped against a staff of white oak, its pinnacle graced with a blue gemstone that glimmered with a secretive brilliance.
Draped at his waist was a jade fan, the surface of which was embellished with red tassels and twin bells. Its meticulous carvings seemed to whisper of distant realms and forgotten myths.
Kai, a half-beast with a presence as formidable as his stature, stood not far from Varian. His dark blue, shaggy hair, interlaced with streaks of white at the bangs, framed the tiger ears that sat regally upon his head and complemented the tail that moved with a rhythm all its own.
His bronze skin was stretched over a brawny, towering frame, the muscles beneath exuding a potency of untamed strength. At his side, an obsidian knife found its home within a sheath of weathered leather.
Kai's gaze was intently set on the guild's request board when the murmurs concerning the noble's stolen heirloom reached him. A flicker of interest sparked within him, and he pivoted toward Varian, speaking in a hushed tone that barely disturbed the air. "Varian, what say you to a detour to the Adventurer's Guild?"
Varian paused, his attention shifting from the documents to Kai. His voice, though muffled by the silk veil, retained a melodious quality as he issued a reminder. "Kai, need I jog your memory about our primary purpose here?"
A hint of dejection caused Kai's ears to wilt. Observing this, Varian let out a resigned sigh. "No, the mission is clear in my mind."
"Enlighten me, then," Varian prodded, his eyes steadfast on the sea of paperwork before him.
"We're to peddle our goods, amass sufficient coin for our journey, and set course for Cresthaven," Kai recited, his voice tinged with a forlorn note.
A chuckle escaped Varian's lips. "Precisely." He raised his eyes, meeting Kai's despondent look. "However, I suppose a brief visit to the adventurer's guild could prove harmless." His words washed over Kai like a balm, igniting a spark of excitement in his eyes.
The attendant from the Merchant's Guild made her way over to them, her steps measured and efficient amidst the hubbub of the guild's daily grind. Varian extended the sheaf of documents to her, the papers rustling softly in the exchange.
"These procedures seem to have grown more intricate since I last registered," Varian remarked to the attendant, his voice carrying a note of wry observation. The attendant offered him a smile tinged with regret.
"Please accept our apologies, sir. The recent whispers of banditry have unnerved the nobility, compelling us to bolster our precautions," she explained as she processed the paperwork. With graceful movements, she presented Varian with their guild card—crafted from sterling silver, its luster a testament to their esteemed status within the guild. "Your membership has now been updated with this town's registry. You and your wares are now authorized for trade within our walls."
"Ah, excellent." Varian received the card, its cool metal sliding between his fingers before he secured it within his waist bag. "In that case, we shall take our leave." He offered a respectful nod to the attendant and turned towards the exit. Kai tread silently in his wake, his demeanor calm yet attentive to their new surroundings.
As they meandered through the bustling streets of the town, Varian and Kai passed by stalls festooned with vibrant fruits and savory delicacies, and houses adorned with ornate decorations that spoke of the town's prosperity.
The rich, tantalizing scents of culinary creations filled the air, drawing the attention of passersby and tickling Kai's heightened senses. A pronounced growl emanated from his stomach, a sound so clear and distinct it coaxed a warm, amused chuckle from Varian.
"It seems that our most pressing matter is to find sustenance, young tiger," Varian observed, the corners of his eyes crinkling in mirth. "Let's make our way to the inn to not only fill our bellies but to secure our lodgings. Would you be comfortable with a shared room?"
A subtle warmth crept into Kai's cheeks, yet he nodded, his tone carrying a note of humility. "I can manage with the floor."
Varian halted, fixing Kai with a contemplative gaze that seemed to peer through the veil of hair shadowing his eyes. "You will not be relegated to the floor, Kai. We've had this conversation numerous times." He exhaled a gentle sigh of exasperation. "As always, I shall request a single room with two beds."
Kai offered another nod, silently chiding himself to shed the vestiges of his past, the days when he had been no more than a slave.
Arriving at the inn, they were met with the cautious scrutiny of the innkeeper, her gaze flitting nervously toward Kai's formidable stature.
With a poise that seemed to smooth over the edges of the world around him, Varian stepped forward and spoke. "We'd like a room with two beds, if you please." He noted the flicker of hesitation in her eyes and added a gentle reassurance, "Have no concern, madam. My companion is with me." With the fluid motion of one accustomed to easing wary minds, he placed a gold coin on the counter—more than ample for their intended stay, a silent promise of their benign intentions.
The innkeeper, a touch of relief softening her features, carefully took the coin from Varian. "T-thank you, kind sir," she said with gratitude coloring her voice. "Marie! Please come and show these gentlemen to their room," she called out, beckoning her daughter to attend to their new guests.
A young woman, presumably Marie, emerged promptly from an adjoining room, her steps quick and purposeful as she approached Varian and Kai. She caught sight of Kai, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she recovered her poise with commendable swiftness.
"Pardon the interruption, my lady," Varian interjected politely before she could speak. "Might we trouble you for breakfast prior to being shown to our room?" As if on cue, Kai's stomach rumbled once more, a sonorous testament to his hunger.
Marie, barely containing a giggle at the sound, nodded in understanding. "Of course, sirs. We have a hearty potato and carrot stew with fresh bread for breakfast today," she informed them, her smile bright and welcoming.
"We'll have two servings of that, please," Varian replied, casting a side glance at Kai, whose eyes were practically gleaming at the mention of the meal. Observing his companion's eager anticipation, he added, "Actually, make that three servings." Varian's chuckle resonated warmly as he gently guided Kai towards an unoccupied table in the dining area of the inn. They settled into their seats, awaiting the comfort of a good meal.
Kai, with the ease and familiarity of countless journeys, slipped off his leather backpack and set it beside him, ensuring it was close at hand.
Varian, meanwhile, treated the act of unveiling his face with a ceremonial reverence, his movements smooth and precise. The silk cloth that had hidden half of his visage was now laid gently across his lap, revealing his features in full to the warm light of the inn.
The sight of Varian's face, usually so obscured, caught Kai's attention, his gaze lingering a moment too long until Varian's subtle throat clearing coaxed him back to the present.
Before long, Marie returned bearing their hearty breakfast. The aroma was a welcoming herald to the meal that followed. Kai, driven by a primal appetite, devoured his stew with an urgency that spoke of a life where meals were perhaps once uncertain.
Varian, by contrast, embodied the essence of composure as he partook of his meal, savoring the stew and methodically portioning the bread with refined movements.
Varian observed Kai's voracious consumption, a smile playing on his lips. "There is an abundance of food to be had from the stalls we passed earlier. We can procure more should you still feel hungry after this," he suggested, his tone light and accommodating.
Kai, still navigating a mouthful of the savory stew, responded with an earnest nod, the prospect of more food clearly appealing to him.
In due time, the pair finished their meal, Kai having sated the demanding call of his appetite, at least for the moment. Varian replaced his veil with the same gentle care as before, shrouding his features once more.
With their morning repast concluded, Marie led them through the inn's corridors to their room, where they would have space to rest.
The room was moderately sized, with two sturdy twin beds that promised a restful night's sleep. Varian cast a discerning eye over the beds, noting with a silent nod of approval that they were robust enough to support Kai's substantial build without concern.
"Remember, Kai, we always sleep on the bed," Varian said, his voice firm to underscore the importance of this civilized habit. Kai responded with a respectful nod, acknowledging the instruction.
They settled into the room momentarily, Kai on one of the beds meticulously counting their coins, while Varian busied himself with arranging the merchandise they intended to sell into another bag.
The metallic chorus of coins drew Varian's attention, and he sifted through his belongings until he found a small leather pouch, perfect for storing their currency. "Kai, how much do we have in total?" he inquired of his companion.
Kai answered with precision, "We have 50 gold coins, 120 silver, and 43 bronze." Varian handed the pouch to the beastman.
"Keep the gold and half the silver in this pouch. I trust you can handle that," Varian said, confidence in his tone. Kai nodded, his eagerness to please evident as he began to sort the coins methodically.
As Kai divided the coinage, a question bubbled to the surface. "Why do we need to separate them, Var?" he asked, pausing in his task. Varian ceased his packing, turning to face Kai with a bag of potions and a satchel filled with dried herbs cradled in his arms.
"For safekeeping," Varian explained with a patience that spoke of his experience. "These coins will be secured with my storing magic," he said, gesturing to the pouch. "We'll use the remaining money for our daily needs. If we are unfortunate enough to be robbed, we will still have a substantial reserve to fall back on."
With a nod of understanding, Kai handed the now-filled pouch back to Varian. The redhead chanted softly, his hands weaving a spell that opened a gateway to his magical storage—a place beyond the reach of ordinary thieves.
"Just remember, Kai. This magic is a closely guarded secret, known only to us," Varian cautioned with a serious tone, emphasizing the trust and confidentiality that lay between them.
Kai's response was a low, affirming grunt. "I understand. It would cause trouble if others found out, right, Var?"
"Precisely," Varian confirmed, reaching out to affectionately ruffle Kai's hair, his fingers brushing against the velvet texture of the tiger ear. The simple, fond gesture was met with a deep, rumbling purr from Kai, a sound that resonated with contentment and trust.
Varian, noting Kai's pleased reaction, continued with a scratch under Kai's jaw—a reward for the beastman's good behavior and understanding.
Content with their preparations and the moment of camaraderie, Varian glanced around the room, ensuring they had everything they needed before they set out.
"Well then, shall we head out now?"
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~ To be Continued