Chapter 31 : Within the Market

This was going to be a challenge for her. The idea of hiding who she is, and the fact that she would be surrounded by hundreds of other elves. 

'You can handle it.' She reminded herself. She had no idea if the elves would be as welcoming of her as Nahern's group, or if they were more human hating. For now, she would just stay close. The best she could do was follow Nahern's lead. She adjusted the cowl again so only her eyes were exposed over the fur. At the very least she was warm.

As they approached the gates, she made sure to stay close to Nahern and Selene, trying to mimic their mannerisms. She kept quiet as they passed through the city gates in the form of ragged commoners. Questions filled her mind but she knew better than to ask right now and ruin their cover. The streets had helmeted guards walking through, sparkling red tufts atop their helmets and spears. She only had to take one look before realizing those were royal guards hunting for someone.

'Probably us.' She thought, pulling her cowl up higher to hide her face. 

Nahern and her needed to have a long conversation about everything. She tried her best to blend in as best she could as they worked their way through the city market. Following the thick crowds of commoners through the heaviest part of the markets. She let the hustle and bustle drown out the voices in her head as she tried to keep herself from being overwhelmed by it all. 

'One thing, one experience at a time.' She thought, thankful for the eyepatch Selene quickly whipped up. It didn't block out all of the Dragon's information, but enough she didn't feel like a raving lunatic. Through the dimmer light she could still pick up foraging spots, items easily pickpocketed and alchemy ingredients. She had to shake her head to try and clear it.

It was as if her vision was part of a game's user interface, the UI of it all made it far too easy to simplify the world around her. She already had a hunter's apathy when it came to death, she didn't need to see normal day to day people like nothing more than humps of experience. 

'Not now.' She told herself. 'Just breathe Kasper. Breathe.'

 Nahern kept a firm hold on her, never once did his hand leave hers. It wasn't what she expected. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting to be honest.

The thought of elves brought to mind sweeping towers and unnatural beauty. Instead they were in a rather medieval city carved into the out clove of a mountain side. The worst of the storms were banked by the protective mountain, leading to an easy building material and plenty of vertical space to use. Stone, rock, shingle roofs, thatched and stone carved roofs. Only it didn't stink of sewage and body odor.

The roads were cobblestoned with mix-matched stones that glowed underfoot. The gate they entered through led into the lower markets, so the air was thick with the sound of merchants hawking their wares and the rustle of animals. Open air stables were full of fantastical animals, more reindeer like creatures with thick furry paws instead of hooves, or the long eared bear creatures.

Oz was stunned as she looked around, taking in all of the unique sights and sounds. She really had to break her idea of elves, Nahern's kin weren't delicate and fine high elves from movies and media. They were hard working people who cut out their existence through the ice and snow.

All at once, her stomach rumbled. She was hungry again. Starved if she was honest with herself. The smell of all the roasting vegetables and meats at the stalls were calling to her, her mouth filling with drool at the idea. 

'That's the human side.' She thought, suddenly very aware that she was trying more and more to pretend to be an elf. Walking as they did, even purposely holding herself taller. The idea scared her, Oz didn't want to lose herself. Her identity was all she honestly had now.

"Nahern..." She started, and then paused for a moment. They were further in now, away from the worst of the crowd. 

"May I ask a favor?" Oz asked with a nervous smile, keeping her tone light like he had told her. 

'This better not bite me in the ass.' She thought miserably.

He peered down over his own cowl, eyebrow high. "Quickly Sai…Oz." He caught himself quickly, careful not to call her Saint. 

"Food. I need to restore my mana." She said, pointing over to one of the food stalls as delicately as she could. 

"Maybe they have Ice Buffalo." Selene sighed as she walked back over from a crowd of people. Even though she was being careful with keeping herself disguised. It was odd to see the proud princess hunching over to hide her height and making herself look small.

She reached out to touch Nahern's hand, trying to be subtle but wanting to thank him for not saying his normal nickname for her. He huffed quietly, his eyes scanning the crowd. Oz chuckled and looked down at her stomach with a little blush. 

"Yes. Food." She said, trying to sound as disinterested as possible, which was difficult seeing as her stomach was literally rumbling. If she heard it, clearly they had to as well.

'Hopefully whatever they need to get here will be worth all this sneaking around.' She thought to herself with a slight wince. 

"I could eat a horse right now, so I doubt ice buffalo would be a challenge." She chuckled, taking a step away but still following Nahern and Selene towards the food stall.

The stall closest to them had roasted meat on a stick, bits of meat between roasted vegetables and an odd cheese-like substance. Nahern bought them each a set, shooing Oz off to one of the quiet eating spots to the side. She barely could stop herself from burning her tongue, already devouring the tender chunks of meat by the time he returned with something to drink. A bitter milk-like drink, thick like yogurt as she sipped it.

The meat was cooked to perfection, the vegetables were crisp and the cheese was gooey. The bitter milk-like drink was a perfect accompaniment, and Oz felt her stomach growl in appreciation. She finished her meal quickly and stood up, brushing the crumbs off her clothes.

"Oh excuse me," Oz quietly excused herself, she devoured hers in a blink of an eye. Selene just smiled behind her cowl.

"Magic takes up energy." She hummed then looked at her brother. "We should separate, I will go gather what information I can. You stay with…Oz." She tripped over the words, so unused to calling Oz by her name.