The wind blowing down from the mountains was cold, but Aelgo's Shadow was well insulated. Their rooms were warm and secure. Though frost touched the edges of the windows, Barret woke up more refreshed than he ever had. "Well, I'm shocked to see you up." Zen's voice was still groggy, and the sound of a latch followed by footsteps told Barret he was entering the room. "Figured I'd be a good friend and get us some coffees."
"Mmm. That's the best sleep I've ever had, and now I wake up to fresh coffee? Am I dreaming still? Or dead?"
"Ha! You're certainly not dead, and I hope this isn't a dream. Otherwise I'll be very sad when I wake up back in Trace's mansion again. I've grown rather fond of everything that's happened." The coffee was dark, rich, and hot. No metal cups, but ceramic mugs emblazoned with the image of a mountain peak on the side kept the liquid warm.
"Oh, that's a good cuppa coffee. Trace and Flora found someone to do their wedding yet?"
"Not yet, but we've only been here since noon yesterday. Found out what day it was too: December third. I'd lost track of the days sometime around October. Means the new year will be here soon." For a few minutes they sat and enjoyed coffee.
"Have… have you seen any other Ishtaer?"
"Not yet. I'm sure you're not alone here. And even if you are, then be the first! Maybe some more will show up soon."
"I trust Fate. But not that much."
"Oh, don't be so down. There's a whole city to explore! Keith and Nat are going to go to the market today, you should join them!"
"You won't?"
"Na, I'll go wander around on my own. Maybe we'll see each other just by chance again!" Zen downed the last of his coffee and set the mug down on the side table. "I'll be back later, probably around dinner."
"Where exactly are you planning to go, Mr. Ex-Assassin?" Barret raised his scales in suspicion.
"Oh, nowhere too important, just the walls, the jail, the bounty boards, you know, all the places people normally go!" Barret rolled his eyes and sipped his coffee.
"You know nothing of normal."
"Oh, and you do?" Barret opened his mouth to make a snide remark, but nothing came out. "That's what I though. Go have some fun, and make fun of Nat for me, alright?"
Chuckling, Barret said "Fine, now get on outta here you crazy Keidran! I have to get dressed!"
"You know we've seen it all! We traveled together for a month."
"Shut up and let me have at least a bit of decency!" Zen laughed and closed the door. Stretching his legs, Barret stood up and collected his well-worn shirt. As a matter of fact, it was his only shirt. His cobbled together pants from Flora had somehow kept him warm through the fall, and his cloak was the last thing to don. His bag was left behind in the room, as was his bow. As he left the room, he heard Keith behind him.
"Well that's an odd sight. No bow, sword, armor, or bag in sight except our pockets."
"It's strange. I'm somehow… comfortable? I think that's the right word. Comfortable leaving my things here. I'm not running from anything. I'm a stranger now, but that's going to change today. Today, I intend to find out what my next steps are. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm excited to see where Fate least me."
"Then let's be off." Keith said, heading out the door. Kemnet was tending to several human patrons, and noticed them leaving.
"Enjoy the city! I'll be cooking up a nice hearty stew tonight, so don't be out too late making friends! And I hope you find everything you're looking for."
The three left the inn and ventured out into the chilly streets, which were already bustling with activity. Humans and Keidrans tended shops, worked on maintenance, and generally went about their day like nothing unusual. Some waved, others smiled, a handful stared. In the main square was a large fountain that trickled frigid water. A stone human and a stone tiger side by side, one arm wrapped with the other's, the outside arm raised with a crystal held high. Below, stained with rust, was a placard that read "Together we prosper", and dozens of scratch marks that looked like initials were carved into the rocks nearby.
The morning went on, and Keith and Natani went together to look at jewelry. Though Barret suspected Natani would never wear anything like what they had gone to look at, he let them go regardless, and wandered through town to find a clothier. A sign caught his attention, and he went inside an old, musty wood building. "Hello? Did I hear someone walk in?" A wheezy voice called out from the back.
"Uh, yes. I'm looking for a clothier?"
"Just a moment, and I'll be right up." Barret looked around the small shop. Clothes of all kinds were around him, from shirts and pants, dresses, cloaks, vests, all tailored to fit a human or Keidran. Gentle , uneven footsteps came from the back room as an old wolf with gray fur walked out. "How can I help- oh! Not seen your kind in… well, it's certainly been a while."
"You've seen others of my kind?"
"Oh, yes. I'm one of the longest residents in this city. I've been here nearly my entire life, in fact. I've seen plenty of your folk come and go, oh, yes, plenty of them. They never stay for too long though, always on the move they are. I take it you are in need of some new clothing, though I suspect what I have won't fit you."
"Most likely not. How long would it take to modify some shirts and pants to fit? And how much would it cost me?"
"Hmmm…" The old wolf pulled out a measuring tape, and walked over to Barret, limping on his left leg. "Depends how much I'd have to modify. For someone of your build, it may take a few days, and it might be cheaper to just make the clothes new." Taking measurements of his arms, chest, legs, waist, and a number of other things, the wolf quietly hummed to himself. "Yes, that should do it. Tell me, how long do you plan to stay?"
"I'm not sure. I wasn't even sure if I would come here in the first place. Fate just happens to have brought me here with my new family."
"Family? You mean the Basitin and Wolf couple? Or perhaps the Tiger and Human? Or the lone Wolf who snuck off this morning?" Barret's hand flew to his belt for his knife, only to find nothing. He left it. In his room. At the inn. "Don't be alarmed, I know more than you would believe. But don't worry. I'm a Wolf, not a rat!" The old man chuckled. "I'll get started on your clothes, and they should be ready in a few days. I'll drop them off at the inn once they're done. Oh, and some advice: Don't leave your knife behind."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Tauh. You will pay for you clothes when they are delivered. Now, run along, young Ishtaer. I have work to do." Tauh walked to the back of the shop and behind a door before Barret could say another word. He left the shop confused and slightly dazed. He was still processing what had just happened when a voice made him jump.
"You look a bit lost." Barret yelped as Natani walked over with Keith. "And jumpy?"
"Sorry, I just- never mind. What were you two looking for? You're the last person I would expect to wear jewelry."
Natani blushed with embarrassment. "Well, ever since the mind link was broken, I've been trying to… embrace… a more feminine side. And it's not quite what you would think either, I'm looking for something practical too. I had the idea to keep mana crystals in plain sight by wearing them as jewelry, so I never am without some magic. Also, I have a feeling crystal earrings are going to be in style!" The three laughed as she procured from a small bag a set of silver earrings. "I'll have to put the crystals on myself, but once I do, I'll not want to take them off. And I don't even need to get my ears pierced! Check this out: Magnetic clasps."
"Very nice. And did you pick up anything?"
Keith blushed perhaps even harder than Natani, and mumbled "No, I just browsed."
"Did you find someone to make custom fit clothes for you?" she asked.
"Yeah, actually. This strange old wolf with a limp. He was so odd. He called me 'young Ishtaer'."
"That's weird because…?" Natani raised an eyebrow as she stashed the earrings away.
"Everyone else has called me something else, something more general. Scaled friend, usually. He just seemed… different? More there? Everyone in this town has felt cold or distant, or like they're being forced to be nice. I dunno, maybe it's just me not knowing how cities work." Keith chuckled and put his arm around Barret.
"You are awkward on every level, Barret. Everything is going to seem weird."