*Sips*
"Mmm...I never tried hot cocoa before. Its very comforting! In Aldenburg cocoa is only sold to nobles, and the soldiers were lucky if they were occasionally given mead. " Firion says in a calm tone.
He and Kaida are sitting on a stone bench while they sip a local beverage made from cacao that Jaheim and Alima brought them.
Sadly the couple needed to go Jaheim's uncle's house about their 3 horn saurian Lola, since he is the actual of owner of the creature. Apparently he was rather upset that she almost got hurt yesterday.
In the mean time, they were just relaxing after getting a thoroughly washed that morning. There was still many things to go explore in the town while they were staying.
He wished he could he check on Emani to see if he's doing better and to properly thank him for providing shelter, but Alima told him its considered rude to intrude on a household when a family member is still in recovery.
Kaida casually sips the warm beverage while occasionally still looking at the vast ocean, until she spotted something in the distance!
"Firion look! There is some kind of big object floating on the water! Is that what they call a ship?" She asked.
He looked up, and from what he could determine it appeared to be a fishing boat with a gilded net.
He answers her question. "Its actually too small to be a ship Kaida, that is a type of vessel used for catching fish. Hopefully if we can make arrangements, we'll be able to ride an actual ship to Eurelca."
Though her interest waned after hearing they were catching fish to eat, her eyes sparkled at the idea of riding a ship on the water! Everything so far has seemed like a dream to her! She is getting to experience so many amazing things alongside her husband!
After they were done drinking the cocoa, they explored around and marveled at the vibrant markets, thankfully they blended in much easier now. There were even some light skinned elves walking around which made Firion wonder if they lived here or were visiting.
He also noticed a heavily cloaked figure walking around and wondered if that is a clergyman or something.
Despite Emani mentioning meat was scarce, there was still much food to go around as there were many stalls loaded with exotic fruits, vegetables, and foreign spices! There were even some people selling various sizes of eggs! Likely those of the saurian.
Kaida stared at the eggs until a elderly deva stall owner came up to them.
"Jambo! Interested in the best selection in Taraji? We sell everything from bird eggs to the giant ones over here laid by local saurian." He joyfully offered.
She looked a little worried and asked, "Does that mean you eat the baby inside?"
Firion looked perplexed, he forgot to tell Kaida the nature of certain eggs, but the shop owner busted out laughing.
"HAHAHA!!!! No my child, these are not that type of egg! These are all unfertilized eggs! There was never anything growing inside! So your not harming anything by eating them!" He replied in a joyful tone.
Kaida looked relieved as she understood that eating unfertilized eggs meant no harm, if anything she appeared to curious to try some now.
Unfortunately they did not have the local currency needed to purchase anything as Firion explained to the shop owner that they were only staying temporarily after helping kill Acro yesterday evening.
Suddenly the egg seller lit up!
"AH! So your the foreigner who finally killed that wretched beast! I thank you for your deed as that filthy monster slaughtered several of my livestock in the past! Curse that ignorant couple for ever bringing it here in the first place!" The shop owns expression shifted to gratitude to disgruntled rather fast.
Firion pressed further by asking, "When you say ignorant couple are you talking about Jaheim and Alima?"
"Indeed, those two fools brought the egg of that damn thing after it was taken by poachers, when it hatched it looked like a cute, harmless lizard, but it got big too fast, pretty soon it was running amok here!" He explained as he crossed his arms.
Kaida felt with her horns the frustration of the shop owner, it was the exact opposite of how Jaheim and Alima felt towards Acro, while they still loved him, it was becoming obvious that to others he was a menace.
The shop own sighed a bit. "Sorry if I got a little worked up there. But that damn lizard caused so much damage before, but at least we have his meat now! They already processed him this morning and butchers were handing out the fatty parts to everyone! And since you helped provide that meat, how about I give you two a free choice on eggs? My treat!"
"Really?!?! Are you sure your okay with giving something to us for free?" Firion asked?
The shop owner wiggled his lion ears and calmly replied, "Go ahead and pick something. You avenged my livestock killed by that thing. Take this offer in gratitude."
After a bit browsing Kaida picked out a clutch of medium-sized, blue eggs. The shop owner even shared a recipe for a type of scramble he recommended.
They looked around the market some more, something about this felt comforting to Firion. It felt like such a warm experience to be browsing around with his wife, and her horns picked up on this. She is also enjoying the time with her husband as they held hands walking around.
Eventually they came across a massive, ornate lion statue with flowers planted around it. Some of the locals kneeling in front of it and seem to be praying.
Kaida marveled at and whispered to Firion. "I wonder if this is the god of the white lion tribe, Ogun is what Jaheim said his name was."
"Indeed. This is the patron deity of these lands. Ogun is the mighty white lion of the west, and the god of metal and righteousness!" A sitting hooded figure explains.
Firion recognized them as the same hooded figure from earlier!
However, Kaida suddenly felt uneasy at their presence as she stayed close to Firion!
Something about this person felt eerie to the both of them.