Page 57 of The Divine Shallows
“We need to hurry if we want to catch the best of the market,” Draeden urged, intertwining their fingers. He summoned a moongate and with a gentle hold on Elowyn, he led them both through the moonlit pillars to Orwyn.
Draeden and Elowynmaterialized in an empty cobblestone alleyway, emerging from the fading moongate. Draeden adjusted his hood, tucking his loose claret-red strands further into it. Turning to Elowyn, he gently brushed a loose lock of her ivory hair behind her ear, his bronzed hand lingering affectionately on her cheek. He then carefully tucked the rest of her silk braid into her thick chestnut-colored hood, satisfied with her disguised appearance, before offering her a warm smile.
“Welcome to Orwyn,” Draeden announced. “Ready to explore the heart of the city?”
“Yes,” Elowyn replied eagerly, excitement coursingthrough her body.
Draeden led her through the winding cobblestone alleyway, explaining that their masked appearances would allow them to move more freely through the city, especially on the bustling Fifth Day. Though he assured her of the good nature of Orwyn’s inhabitants, he insisted on taking precautions to ensure her safety during her visit.
As they reached the alley’s end, the sounds of the city became audible to Elowyn. Draeden reached into his cloak and retrieved a pair of slender gloves, handing them to her.
“An extra measure of caution,” Draeden explained, gesturing to her moon-inked palms. He then retrieved another pair for himself, donning them swiftly.
“Thank you,” Elowyn said, slipping her fingers into the soft fabric.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Draeden remarked with a grin, extending an open palm towards her. “Let me show you one of the best stalls in the market.”
Elowyn clasped Draeden’s hand tightly as he guided them out of the secluded alleyway. The narrow cobblestone passage unfolded into one of the most crowded streets Elowyn had ever laid eyes on. Her jaw dropped in awe as she took in the city’s vibrant surroundings. The plaza was teeming with more fey than she had ever seen in one place. Almost everyone wore cloaks similar to her own, spanning from newborns to elders as venerable as the High Priestess herself.
Surveying the landscape of Orwyn, Elowyn couldn’t help but release a slow breath of wonder. The city was nestled amidst majestic hills and bends, their russet-shaded rock formations flowing like hardened rivers. The sky above was a brilliant blue, contrasting beautifully with the rugged terrain. Everywhere she looked, the towering rust-colored hills encircled the entirety of Orwyn.
Amidst the public square, countless houses and living domiciles were scattered, their reddish walls crafted from sturdy clay. Elowyn’s gaze wandered beyond the plaza, where she spotted a winding elevated path that encircled a towering hill. At its summit loomed the imposingDarkmaw castle, its majestic walls also fashioned from smooth, reddish clay. From her vantage point, she could discern the arches and intricate carvings embellishing the fortress’s formidable walls.
Returning her attention to the busy atmosphere of the plaza, Elowyn was swept up in the lively energy as the city folk prepared for the Fifth Day festivities. She watched with delight as groups of feylings chased each other playfully, their laughter filling the air. Females with bright smiles shuffled about, carrying baskets of ripe fruits and freshly harvested vegetables to various stalls for sale, their conversations filled with excitement.
Guiding Elowyn through the crowd, Draeden led her towards a stall already abuzz with activity, where a maroon-haired male was expertly kneading flour into fluffy pastry dough. Elowyn had to rise onto her tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the sought-after vendor. With practiced skill, he rolled the delicate pastry into small portions, filling them with stewed meat and vegetables seasoned with fragrant spices that set Elowyn’s mouth watering. Nearby, another sheet of pastry was being filled with sweetened fruits infused with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and clove, drifting delightful aromas towards her.
Suddenly, a stout female emerged from behind the male, carrying a large tray of freshly baked pastries. Wisps of steam still curled from the golden-brown, open-faced crusts, as if they had just been plucked from the oven moments ago. Setting the tray on the counter, she greeted the eager crowd with cheerful banter, exchanging parcels of pastries for coppers. Eventually, Draeden and Elowyn reached the front of the stall, where the fey gestured for them to approach.
“What can I get you folks?” she asked with a hearty voice. “Today we have puff pastries. For those with a sweet tooth, we have honeyed fig, apple, plum, or apricot; and for those who prefer savory, we’ve got braised pork with leek and mushroom.”
Draeden arched a curious brow at Elowyn. “What do you think we should get?”
“Honestly, they all sound delicious,” Elowyn replied, tapping her chin. “I can’t choose, so I’ll let you decide.”
Draeden grinned and turned to the fey behind the counter. “We’ll take one of each.”
“Well, aren’t you quite the chivalrous lad?” the stout fey chuckled, gathering five pastries, one of each flavor, into a small box and handing it to Draeden. “That’ll be fifteen coppers.”
Draeden pulled a silver coin from his cloak and handed it to her with a wink. “That’s for making me look good in front of the lady. Blessings to you on this Fifth Day.”
The fey cackled aloud, stashing the coin in her apron. “Many moon blessings to you, young lad.” She turned to Elowyn. “Are you visiting from Eriden, darlin’?”
“Yes,” Elowyn smiled. “I traveled here to witness the Fifth Day.”
“I know a few folks from Eriden who moved out here for work,” the fey continued. “Folks in Orwyn will pay a pretty coin for the protection of a warlock or sorceress from there, y’know? Merchants hire ‘em when they export their goods through the bordering trading routes.” She shook her head. “Blasted bandits and raiders looting from hardworking folk.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Elowyn remarked with a frown. “That’s awful.”
“Nothin’ you need to be sorry for, dear. It’s not you who’s the miscreant,” the fey said, turning back to Draeden. “Blessings, again. Now, I’ve got a long line of customers waitin’ on me. Enjoy, and may the Goddess Mark you.”
Draeden and Elowyn waved goodbye to the fey before veering off to a quieter section of the bustling streets. As they strolled, Elowyn pointed out the floral vendors they passed. The flowers of Orwyn differed from those she was accustomed to in the mountainous regions back home. Spindly wildflowers in shades of amber, violet, and cream were expertly arranged in beautiful bouquets. She admired bunches offive-petaled coneflowers in hues of sapphire, magenta, and blush, which Draeden identified as larkspur. But what truly caught her eye were the milky-petal blooms of the sand-lilies elegantly displayed on the stalls.
After passing several sweet shops and bakeries, they turned a corner near an alehouse and found an empty bench to sit together. Once seated, Draeden leaned forward and offered her the box of pastries, still warm after their walk. Elowyn peered inside to see the five flawless pastries nestled together. She reached for one but hesitated, withdrawing her hand. Furrowing her brow, she hovered her hand slightly above the pastries. With a subtle yet swift motion, she summoned a sliver of her magic and split each pastry perfectly in two.
“Now we can both try each flavor,” Elowyn explained cheerfully as she grabbed one half of a plum pastry and took a bite.
The flaky crust melted in her mouth, releasing a burst of delightful flavor that danced along her tongue. She savored the sweetness of the plum, the soft hints of vanilla and honey, and the warmth of the clove. Before she knew it, she had finished her half. She wiped the crumbs from her fingers and found Draeden smirking at her with warmth in his eyes.
