Lira stepped carefully, her eyes wide as she took in the cozy chaos of the hall. Smoke curled lazily from a central hearth, casting dancing shadows over the room. The smaller humanoid creatures bustled around, carrying steaming mugs, stacking trays of spiced pastries, and laughing in voices that rang like wind chimes. The strange deer-like creatures, with silvery fur and antlers that shimmered faintly, moved gracefully through the crowd, their hooves leaving delicate frost patterns on the polished floor.
The old man chuckled again, his breath puffing like clouds. "Ah, my dear travelers, the North has ears and eyes—more than you might think. The winds carry whispers, and the auroras themselves tell tales to those who listen. Even from afar, I felt your journey begin." He leaned on a carved wooden cane tipped with crystal. "And now that you are here, I can see what brings you: the North Star. But patience, patience! It is not a thing that can be plucked like a berry from a bush."
