We traveled westward again out of the less desirable parts of town and into a small marketplace. A dozen stalls lined the sides and were filled with homemade knittings and foods grown from backyard gardens. A healthy number of customers surveyed their goods, but one seller stood out. Literally.
A man of average height stood on a low box in front of a tag board. A vast array of broaches, necklaces, and rings dotted the wood.
“Come one, come all!” the man shouted above the din of the market. “See my fine howlite goods before they’re snatched up by the humans of Dimness!” I stopped to watch the demonstration as the hawker held up two necklaces in each hand. “Does anyone care to try one of my fine goods? Won’t cost a thing!”
“Except our lives if it’s a lousy one!” someone in the crowd shouted.
The man smiled and shook his head. “There’s no need to worry about that, friend, and as proof, I’ll try one on myself.” He slipped one of the necklaces over his head and began his transformation. The change still mesmerized me as I watched his face elongate and his feet stretch out into padded paws. In a moment a werewolf stood in place of a man.
He held up his furry, muscular arms and gave us all a wide, toothy grin. “Would anyone like to try them now?”
The crowd charged forward to have a go at his goods. The seller used his now prodigious strength and quick reflexes to ward off the less scrupulous among the people.
“A few at a time, my friends!” he shouted as money began to pass hands. “There’s enough for everyone!”
We continued on our way and meandered through the streets. People met and parted, children raced to and fro with their friends, and life generally continued onward. The morning waned and my stomach grumbled.
Tegan smiled down at me after my unwilling outburst. “Has the famous cooking of Torc Fiai finally met its end?”
I set a hand over my rumbling stomach and sheepish grinned up at him. “I think so. Should we head back?”
He nodded at the road ahead of us. “No need. We’re almost to Blas Alley.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Does that mean something?”
“Flavor,” he told me as he turned us leftward onto a side street.
We found ourselves in a wide alley that was packed with outside seating and a steady flow of traffic. Tables and chairs of all styles and conditions guarded the doors of their small shops. Many had small clay chimneys that stuck out the walls and wonderful aromas floated out of them.
Tegan stopped us at a tiny shop with enough room to service a half dozen people inside and that same number out. The scent of boiled dumplings and stir-fried vegetables teased my nose. My stomach rumbled even louder.
The man behind the counter and, due to the limited space, in front of the grill turned to me with a smile. He held a spatula in one hand and a plate in the other. “I hear a good customer.”
Tegan grinned at him as he set a hand on my shoulder. “This is Kate. Kate, meet Bia, the best dumpling chef in the city.”
The man wagged his spatula at Tegan. “The best in the world and don’t you forget it.”
Tegan bowed his head. “I won’t forget anything on a full stomach. What can you offer us today?”
“Meat dumplings with fried vegetables on the side, and my own special sauce,” he promised as he nodded at a customer in the corner. The man was happily munching on the said grub. “And I can do meatless dumplings with vegetable filling.”
“Meat for the two of us and an extra helping of that dipping sauce,” Tegan told him.
He stabbed his spatula in the direction of a small table with two chairs. “Then have a seat and I’ll have your order in a moment.”
We took our seats and the table, being only a few feet away, gave us a great view of the alley. I watched people walk to and fro, some carrying food and others eager to participate in the eating. Our order came up quick and the chef himself gave us our plates.
“Enjoy!” he told us before he whisked himself back into his shop.
I dug in with all the eagerness of a tourist and I wasn’t disappointed. My rumbling stomach also approved.
Tegan watched me with amusement. “What do you think?”
“It’s delicious,” I replied through a full mouth.
“And the atmosphere?”
A group at a nearby table broke into laughter and a pair of lovers on the other side of the street daintily kissed. “I couldn’t have asked for any better.”
“And the company?”
I choked on my meat and swallowed hard. It took a few deep pushes to get it down all the way and I rubbed my throat as I set my narrowed eyes on my companion. “Okay, what are you getting at?”
His eyes twinkled as he shrugged. “I was merely wondering if you were enjoying your surroundings.”
“I was until I nearly choked to death,” I countered.
He chuckled. “I’m glad to see you’re still among the living. Are you still able to walk, as well?”
“That would depend on how far,” I mused as I leaned back and flexed my feet. “I didn’t pick up my good shoes before you swept me off my feet.”
“It isn’t too far,” he assured me.
We finished our meal and left the sweet aromas for the quieter western part of the city. Houses dominated the winding streets and a gentle quiet fell on us. The waning day still shone with life as we rounded a sharp street corner and I came to an abrupt stop.
My eyes widened as I beheld an avenue of beautiful oak trees. They followed the meander of the street and cast a wonderful shade over those who passed under their thick branches. Elegant mansions of wood and stone lined either side of the road and basked in the cool air.
We walked down the raised stone sidewalk and I let out a whistle. “I think we just found where all the rich people live.”
“Those not connected to the king,” Tegan reminded me as he, too, smiled at the lovely houses. “The old and wealthy families built these mansions a century ago at the height of their power before the wars drained many of their funds.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Why their funds?”
“The king raided his treasury for the long wars and any of the wealthy who didn’t wish to fight had to pair half their wealth to avoid the conscription,” he explained.
I winced. “Wow. That’s a hell of a way to avoid the draft.”
“The many companions left them with a fraction of their coins, so for many all they have left is their homes and the meager ability to pay the taxes on them.”
As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t quite enjoy the scenery. A thought at the back of my mind crept into the forefront. We weren’t out here to admire the city. Life and responsibilities had to rear their ugly head sooner or later.
A heavy sigh escaped me. “I suppose I can’t avoid why I came here all day.”
“We could,” Tegan argued as he cocked his head to one side. “There’s plenty of other sights to see.”
I smiled up at him and shook my head. “That’s tempting, but I don’t think I can enjoy myself with this cloud hanging over me.”
Tegan stared ahead and pursed his lips. “I thought as much, so I’ve brought you here.”
He nodded at something ahead of us and I followed his gaze and beheld a quite opulent building ahead of us. It had the same marble edifice as the fine buildings in the long mile just northeast of our current position but this one actually featured stone columns that supported an impressive roof covered in terracotta tiles. What stood out was they weren’t the usual reddish hue but were completely black. The stark contrast between colors left me feeling a little uneasy.
I looked up at Tegan with more than a little apprehension. “What’s that place?”
He pursed his lips. “The Office of the Keys.”
Oh, goody. My new home.