Back in the crowded streets, Alden, Lalaine, Braden, Jincra, and Grath wandered the city to take in the sights while they had time.

Warm sunlight beat down on Alden from high overhead. The sun was reaching its zenith, and Ceralahn City warmed quickly. Alden soon discovered that his wool clothing was perfect for the sea breezes back home but terrible in a hot city’s stifling air.

The wealth of new spices and cooking supplies available in the city overwhelmed Alden. Every shop held wondrous new flavors, and the budding chef had to purchase a second leather satchel just to hold all the preserved ingredients and culinary tools he purchased with the money Grath portioned out.

Jincra made constant verbal notes about the architecture, the clothing, and the tools on display. The studious hunter was particularly enthralled with a pair of baskets, each tied to one end of a long, curved pole. “This will double the productivity of gathering trips for Sacram tribe,” the Guardian insisted, and he was already planning improvements to the design.

Lalaine stopped at every vendor selling some kind of sweet treat. When Alden glanced back at her, the blonde huntress was munching happily on some sort of cake baked with red berries inside.

Braden excitedly pointed out the unique weapon designs of various tribes and races to Alden. As the wielder of an unconventional weapon himself, Braden took great interest in the novel twists other hunters put into their own gear.

Grath remained mostly silent. He kept a close eye on the youngsters when they wandered off to check a vendor’s stall. The crowds gave the purple hunter a wide berth.

Panting, Alden pushed his woolen sleeves up to his elbows. Perspiration dripped down his back, and the sweat-soaked Shaman decided he couldn’t take the heat anymore, so he called the band to a halt. “Let’s take a rest here. This food shop has a big canopy set up with some tables and chairs.”

The Sacram band gathered under the awning, and Alden slipped inside the shop. He bought some clay mugs of water for a few shells and brought them outside to his friends, who accepted them gratefully.

The five hunters sat for a few minutes in the shade and watched the crowds pass by.

Alden’s thoughts turned back to the confrontation with Duarth of Kilna tribe. He had hoped the man would hear him out, but it sounded like the tribes were going to be suspicious of each other. Tribes with something to lose would be looking to keep an edge over their neighbors. Tribes with nothing to lose might be willing to listen, but it was unlikely they’d have much to contribute to a fight against the spreading Scourge.

A group of Siki walked by. The males wore hoops in their ears and bandanas around their necks. The females were decked out in ribbons and jewelry all over their bodies which jingled as they walked.

Lalaine stared dreamily the Siki.

Alden caught Jincra smiling at Lalaine. The two cousins made brief eye contact until Jincra blushed and looked away. Then Alden spotted something of interest.

“Jincra,” he hissed.

His studious cousin looked back at Alden, cheeks still pink.

Alden gave a slight nod toward a stand up the street which they hadn’t passed yet.

Jincra turned and looked where Alden indicated, and his hazel eyes lit up. “Lalaine, join me for a moment.”

“Huh?” The huntress turned from the Siki. “Oh, sure, Jincra.” She stood, brushed the wrinkles out of her skirt, and followed Jincra up the street.

Braden rose to chaperone as custom dictated. Alden waved the Trickster back down and followed the couple—who somehow didn’t yet realize they were a couple—up the street at a discreet distance.

At Jincra’s urging, he and Lalaine soon reached the shop. Alden ducked into the mouth of a cluttered alleyway to observe them.

Jincra gestured to the open shop front. “What do you think, Lalaine?”

“What do I…? Oh!”

The shop had an open face where pinewood partitions had been folded back. Souvenirs and toys stuffed the shelves inside. One entire wall was covered in hand-sewn stuffed animals.

Lalaine gazed raptly at the plush menagerie as she drifted down the aisle. “They’re all so cleverly made. And they’re just so… so…”

“Cute?” Jincra asked.

Lalaine blushed. “Yes. But a huntress shouldn’t fawn over cute things.”

“Hm.” Jincra picked up a stuffed puklo with purple and gold fur sprouting from its body. Two oak button eyes bulged from the toy’s stuffed head. “I believe a huntress can like whatever she wants. Her strength comes from her ability and her determination, not her appearance or interests.”

Lalaine blushed all the harder until her cheeks blazed red. She turned away and stared hard at the wall of animals.

“Look at this,” Jincra said. With deft movements, the young Guardian reached into the shelves and plucked out a stuffed blade wolf. The plush creature had a charcoal gray velvet body, with soft ivory-colored protrusions all over. Two oak buttons were sewn into its face for eyes, and the maker had stitched on a red piece of fabric for a dopy little tongue.

Lalaine turned. “Oh, that’s…” She hesitated, peering at Jincra. After a moment, her delicate shoulders relaxed. “That’s really cute.”

“I’ll buy it for you. To commemorate our first hunt together back in the forest.”

“Oh, Jincra! You don’t have to do that!”

“I know. But I want to.”

“Well… If you really want to…”

Jincra showed the stuffed blade wolf to the old shop owner seated at one corner of the storefront. The elderly woman held up two bony fingers, and Jincra fished two seashells out of his pouch and paid her. He handed the stuffed toy to Lalaine. “All yours.”

Lalaine glanced around to make sure Braden couldn’t see her, then hugged her stuffed toy. “Thank you, Jincra.” She stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed the Guardian on his cheek.

Their courage finally expended, the two hunters stood blushing in front of the shop, which gave Alden a chance to slip back to the table. A few seconds after he was seated, Jincra and Lalaine returned and took their own seats.

“What’s that ugly thing?” Braden asked, jabbing a dirty finger at the stuffed toy.

Lalaine yanked the stuffed blade wolf away and shielded it from her brother’s view. “Never you mind.”

“Lala, did you buy a toy? Aren’t you too old for that sort of thing?”

Lalaine opened her mouth to retort, but Jincra surprised everyone by responding first. “Braden, she likes it. Just let Lala have this and leave her alone.”

The entire table was silent for a few seconds, until Jincra realized what he had said.

“Oh,” Jincra blurted, “I did not mean that! I mean, I did, but I did not mean to call you Lala! I am sorry, Lalaine!”

Lalaine blushed. “That’s okay, Jincra. I don’t mind.”

“Y-you… Uh, okay…” Jincra stammered. He looked so relieved that Alden knew his cousin had missed what Lalaine really meant.

The young Shaman considered pointing this out to his cousin, but decided to let it go for the time being.