Chapter 32 : Overwhelmed

"What do we need here anyway?" Oz asked, watching as a few stray dogs wandered about the stalls. Looking for scraps. Her eye kept being drawn by a large golden dog, sniffing about as the stall owners were shooing off other animals. That one was far too intelligent as it grabbed scraps when the owners were busy before hiding under a few other crates.

It seemed to be working until finally one of the stall owners noticed it. Oz couldn't help herself, she pursed her lips and let out a shrill whistle. The elves all jumped in shock, searching for the source of the sound.

The golden beast looked at Oz right in the eyes, mouth full of meat scraps. She swore it blinked and nodded in thanks before it ran off down an alleyway. She blinked then shrugged, intelligent dogs couldn't be that odd.

Nahern offered Oz the rest of his, barely finishing more than half. "Supplies, salt, spices, deep weather crystals. Fertilizer would be a blessing. As would proper timber. To do that we need sharpening stones for axes and more farming tools. We need a farm quickly to feed everyone. As well start domestication of a few wild buffaloes."

"Why buffaloes?" Oz asked, taking a bite of Nahern's bread. It was chewy, but she was hungry and wouldn't turn her nose up.

"They're strong and can carry a lot of weight. They're also good for plowing fields and pulling carts. As well as milk."

"I see," Oz said, dusting off more crumbs. "And where are we going to find these buffaloes?"

"There's a herd about a day's journey from here. We'll need to go and capture them. I don't know how easily we can transport them through a warp. But Perhaps if they were calm enough.." Nahern grumbled, his brow furrowed as he tried to think. She couldn't stop herself from reaching over and rubbing his arm, comforting him.

"That sounds like a lot of work," Oz groaned. "Can't I just bring supplies from…you know."

"It will be," Nahern said. "But it's necessary if we want to survive. We can't rely entirely on you. Perhaps if we simply can not find the amounts we need."

Oz nodded. She knew that Nahern was right. They needed to start planning for the future, and that meant getting food and supplies. She just hoped that they would be able to find the buffaloes and tame them. 

"For now, let's get what we can. My inventory is open so just load it up." Oz nodded as her stomach rumbled again. 

'Gods, I'd actually be starving without Nahern.' She thought to herself, and then quickly shook her head in embarrassment as she realized what she just thought about him. He was just her moody…what was their relationship?!

'I mean, it's true. But it sounded like a stupid romance novel...I don't need him but it seems I'm always relying on Mr Grumpy Prince.' She thought nervously.

"Can we grab some fruit or something too?" She asked Nahern, her face a bright pink. 

Nahern stared at her, the tips of his ears bright purple for a moment before he huffed loudly. "Stupid."

It was an odd sensation, only Nahern and herself wandering through the busy stalls. She was so used to having either Selene close by, or any of the others. Instead it was just them for once.

Nahern kept her close, not only to sneak his purchases into her hidden inventory, but for her own safety. No one would ever believe her if she told them how aggressive elves could be over a deal. Prim and proper? Far from it, the ice elves were far more into the haggling for the best deal possible. Like it was a proper battle, the market was a tournament of wills. Nahern, even hiding his noble blood, bargained and haggled like a master over the smallest amounts. 

'I much rather we just go to some box stores.' Oz thought, feeling the chill bite of the air on her face as she pulled the cowl from her nose. As Nahern fought his battle, she stepped to the side and away from the large crowd. Close enough he could see her, since Oz wasn't dumb enough to wander alone

Each step highlighted more forgeable goods around her, alchemy ingredients, cooking ingredients. The overcast sky did nothing to limit her field of view. A vantage point caught her attention, a crow's nest above the market perfectly outlined by Source's magic.

[Forage Level 5]

[Parkour Level 5]

[Stealth Level 1]

She frowned, she needed to work on Stealth. Oz frowned, rubbing her chin. She needed to level up so her stats would get stronger. She needed a good round number for strength, enough to be powerful but not so overpowered it drew attention. Chairman Orion already saw the flickering of her wrath, she had no idea how long he would keep her secret. Oz hated too much attention, so she had to keep her abilities to the shadows. Strength was a good multiplier it would increase all her stats in some way, but right now she needed more common sense.

"Come young miss," Said a voice. Oz's head snapped up as she paused in her wanderings. By a broken wall sat a fortune teller, an old elf sitting on the ground atop a purple cloth. A deck of cards in their hand.

"Let me tell you about your future." Said the fortune teller, cutting the long deck between their delicate hands. They didn't have the same blue tone that the others did, instead a soft peachy tone that was much like her own.

"Fortune telling?" She asked with a blink, 'Feels like a scam' She thought and shook her head. 

"I'm sorry, but I don't have any money for you." Oz offered a wave before walking on. She was used to scams back home in the big hunter markets, people claiming to be Oracles or those with future sight ready to scam others out of their earnings.

"Let me speak the truth for the Saint daring to chase after the Tower's Prize."