While not the smallest village, it also wasn't very large. A couple hundred residents at most, but it's position at the base of the mountains was significant enough to warrant a few roads in and out. As Trace followed Flora and Natani into town, the residents paid him little heed. While most of the town was Tigers, a decent portion was also Dogs. There were a few humans too, and a handful of Templars gathered near a stone building. A large sign out front said "Recruitment Office Inside".
"Remind me why we are here again?" Zen said, eyeing the soldiers as they walked past.
"Supplies. We couldn't walk into a human city with the war going on, so now we're stopping here. We still need jackets and coats, and we can get more detailed maps of the area. Keith, Natani and Zen. You should get maps, since you know this area the best, and my Keidran still isn't great. Flora and I will look for clothes, and maybe some fabric to patch up holes or even make our own."
"Sound reasoning, but watch your back." The market square was busy, with a large crowd of people moving from one vendor to the next. Most tables had menial things like tools and food, Trace picked out a colorful stall with fabric, Keith spotted a small table with a collection of maps, and they went their separate ways. Zen felt uncomfortable, and his neck prickled. Glancing around, he scanned the crowd. Unlikely as it seemed, the Brotherhood of Assassins had connections all over the continent, and if anyone were to recognize him or Natani, they would have to leave in a hurry. Slowly, the hackles on his neck went down. Then, a man caught his eye. Taller than most of the surrounding crowd, a black hooded cloak was pulled around him.
Zen watched as the tall, cloaked figure went from stall to stall, spending a few minutes at some, and passing by others. Trace and Flora were still looking at fabric, Keith and Natani were nearby asking for directions, and Zen knew they would be fine for a few minutes without him. There were only a few Templar soldiers at the edges of the market plaza, and they wouldn't dare try to make a scene in such a crowded place. Moving quickly and quietly, Zen began following the shadowy figure. If they were a member of the Brotherhood, they certainly stood out. As Zen approached, he watched as the man reached into his cloak and pulled out coins, paying a vendor for a handful of spices and herbs, but something caught Zen's eye. Scales. Black and silver scales. And a tail hung from the man's back. Curious, Zen followed a short distance away. The man walked away from the table, stashing the plants in a pouch on his belt, but Zen caught his eye, and clearly Zen caught his.
The man began walking away from Zen at a more rapid pace than before, but suddenly froze. Several Templar soldiers were walking in their direction, and clearly whoever this man was did not want to deal with them. Zen could almost see him weighing his options, glancing around, looking for an escape route, only to find none. Zen backed up a bit, and nodded at the man, beckoning to have him follow. He saw, but glanced back at the Templars. Whoever he was, he was clearly wary of Zen, but the Templars would be worse, and he turned to follow Zen. Passing through the market, Zen walked into a side alley, and the man followed. "Who are you? What do you want?" His voice was a solid tenor, and every word was spoken softly, but with power.
"Well, I was trying to analyze if you were a threat to my friends and I, but if you have so much issue with Templars, then you surely can't be too dangerous."
"Templars and I… we don't get along. Putting it lightly. Who are you, really?"
"No one of much consequence. You reminded me of some of my former co-workers. And when you used to work with assassins, you need a keen eye to pick them out of a crowd."
"Well, I'm no assassin, but if you were fooled, perhaps it's going to be enough to keep the Templars off my back while I'm here. I don't suppose you know where the bounty boards are? I'm looking for a few friends, and hope they haven't been captured yet." The man glanced over his shoulder outside of the alley as several soldiers walked past, laughing as they talked. Zen could almost smell the alcohol on their breath. "Though from how half of these soldiers act, I have the feeling you could rob someone in broad daylight and they wouldn't care."
Zen chuckled. "True. Though I would recommend watching your back anyways. I haven't seen a board in this town, but who are you looking for?"
"Just a few friends. Haven't seen them in years, and want to make sure they're OK."
"Well, hope you find them. I should get back to my friends before they start to wonder where I am and worry. Especially Nat. Probably already is looking for me."
"Well then you should go. I had better get moving too." The man reached out a scaled hand, which Zen took. "May the winds be at your back friend." And with that, he walked out of the alley and into the thick, midday crowd, where Zen lost sight of him. Heading back, Trace and Flora had moved over to look at travelers rations, while Keith was checking his documents, but Natani was nowhere to be seen.
"So!" her voice suddenly came from behind, making Zen jump slightly. "Where did you go?"
"Just doing a bit of scouting. Thought someone from the Brotherhood had tracked us down, but it was a false alarm. Do we have everything we need?"
"Just about." Trace said. "I still need to get new boots. These ones are falling apart."
"Well, let's be quick about it. There are still more soldiers than I'd like around, and I'd rather not have them decide to take a closer look at any of us." Trace walked over to a cobbler, and the rest of them packed their things. Moving to the edge of the market plaza, they waited a few minutes, where Trace rejoined them with a new set of boots. Leaving town, they marveled. For once, they were not being chased, for once, they were not leaving injured, for once, things had gone smoothly. Through the afternoon they kept to the road, putting some distance between them and the Templars. Late evening they made camp a short distance from the road. The next few days went on without much issue. Returning to the road in the morning, traveling for a while, and heading off to the side in the evening.