Chereads / The Gods Ambitions: Legend of the Shade Emperor / Chapter 7 - A Day in the Village Market

Chapter 7 - A Day in the Village Market

Papa had gone hunting early, and I found myself with the whole day free. After breakfast, Mama suggested we go to the village market. Excited by the idea, I quickly agreed. I loved visiting the market, seeing all the different people, and learning about the world outside our home.

"Come on, Keyn, let's get ready," Mama said, handing me my small satchel. "We need to pick up a few things for dinner and see if there's any fresh produce."

"Okay, Mama!" I replied eagerly, slinging the satchel over my shoulder. "Can we get some apples? I love the ones from the market."

"Of course, dear," she said, smiling warmly. "Now, let's go."

We stepped out of our cottage and started down the path to the village. The sun was shining, and the air was fresh with the scent of blooming flowers and pine from the forest. As we walked, I noticed how alive everything felt, from the chirping birds to the rustling leaves.

"Mama, do you think we'll see any new stalls today?" I asked, skipping along beside her.

"Perhaps," she replied. "The market is always changing. There's always something new to discover."

* * *

As we approached the village, the sounds of bustling activity grew louder. The cobbled streets were filled with people going about their day—merchants calling out their wares, children playing, and villagers chatting and laughing.

"Look, Mama! There's Mr. Thorne's fruit stall," I pointed out excitedly. "Can we go see if he has any apples?"

"Of course, Keyn," she said, taking my hand as we weaved through the crowd.

We reached Mr. Thorne's stall, and I immediately spotted the shiny red apples. Mr. Thorne, a friendly old man with a bushy white beard, greeted us with a warm smile.

"Well, if it isn't young Keyn and Eva! What can I do for you today?"

"Hi, Mr. Thorne! Can we get some of those apples?" I asked, pointing to the pile of fresh fruit.

"Absolutely! Here you go," he said, handing me a few apples. "On the house for my favorite customer."

"Thank you, Mr. Thorne," Mama said, her eyes twinkling. "We'll take a few more for dinner, too."

As we moved from stall to stall, I saw many familiar faces. Mrs. Maren, the baker, offered us a warm loaf of bread. The blacksmith, Mr. Roderick, waved from his forge, his apron covered in soot. I loved seeing the villagers and how each of them played a part in our community.

* * *

While we were exploring the market, I noticed a group of beastmen at a stall selling handcrafted goods. They were tall and strong, with features that combined human and animal traits—sharp ears, fur, and claws. My eyes widened with curiosity.

"Mama, look! Beastmen!" I whispered excitedly, tugging at her sleeve. "Can we go see?"

She nodded, guiding me over. "Remember to be polite, Keyn. Beastmen are just like us, with their own customs and ways of life."

We approached the stall, where a beastman with tawny fur and kind eyes greeted us. He had intricate wooden carvings and beautiful woven fabrics laid out.

"Good morning," he said in a deep, gentle voice. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Hello," I said, trying to be brave. "Your carvings are amazing. Did you make them?"

"Yes, I did," he replied, smiling. "It's a tradition in our tribe to create art from the forest's gifts."

"They are truly beautiful," Mama added. "Keyn is very interested in learning about different cultures."

"Curiosity is a wonderful trait," he said, handing me a small carved figure. "Here, a gift for you. It's a guardian spirit of the forest."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, holding the figure carefully. "I'll treasure it."

* * *

As the day went on, we continued to explore the market, picking up various goods and chatting with more villagers. The sun climbed higher in the sky, and the market grew even busier. I felt a sense of wonder and excitement, learning so much just by being there.

"It's time to head home, Keyn," Mama finally said. "We have everything we need."

"Okay, Mama," I replied, glancing around one last time. "Today was amazing. I can't wait to tell Papa all about it."

Smiling, she took my hand. "Let's go home, then."

As we walked back to our cottage, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The market had been an adventure in itself, filled with new sights, sounds, and experiences. Holding the carved figure from the beastman, I knew that I would always treasure these moments of discovery and the lessons learned from the people around me.

* * *

The path back home was filled with vibrant life. Birds chirped overhead, flitting from tree to tree, and small animals rustled in the underbrush. The forest felt like a living, breathing entity, and I couldn't help but feel connected to it all.

"Mama, do you think the guardian spirit will protect us?" I asked, clutching the small carved figure tightly.

"I believe it will, Keyn. It's a symbol of the forest's protection and our respect for nature," she replied, her voice soothing and reassuring.

We continued walking, and soon the familiar sight of our cottage came into view. The smoke from the chimney curled up into the sky, and the scent of Mama's cooking wafted through the air. It felt like coming home to a warm embrace.

Inside, we unpacked our goods from the market. Mama set to work preparing dinner, while I arranged the apples and other produce neatly on the kitchen table. The carved guardian spirit found a special place on the mantle, where it could watch over our home.

"Keyn, would you like to help me with dinner?" Mama asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Yes, Mama," I replied eagerly, washing my hands and joining her by the counter.

We worked together, chopping vegetables and mixing ingredients. The rhythmic motions and the comforting aroma of cooking filled the kitchen, creating a sense of harmony and peace.

* * *

As evening approached, the sky outside turned a deep shade of orange, casting a warm glow through the windows. Papa returned from his hunting trip, looking tired but content. He smiled as he saw us bustling about in the kitchen.

"Welcome home, Papa! Look what we got from the market today," I said, holding up an apple and pointing to the guardian spirit on the mantle.

Papa's eyes lit up with interest. "That's a fine-looking apple, Keyn. And the carving is beautiful. Where did you get it?"

"A kind beastman gave it to me. He said it's a guardian spirit of the forest," I explained.

Papa nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's a wonderful gift. The forest has many secrets and guardians. It's important to respect them."

As we sat down to dinner, the room was filled with warmth and laughter. We shared stories of our day—Mama and I talked about the market, while Papa recounted his adventures in the forest.