Golden sunlight spilled across the market square, casting long shadows behind the stalls. A chorus of voices filled the air—vendors calling out prices, customers haggling, children laughing as they weaved through the crowd.
A wooden cart creaked along the cobbled road, piled high with leafy greens and root vegetables, the scent of earth trailing behind it. Near the corner, a stall sizzled with fresh fritters frying in oil, the vendor flipping them with one hand while pocketing coins with the other.
Across from him, crates overflowed with plump tomatoes and ripe melons, their colours vivid under the morning light.
The steady rhythm of hooves echoed down the road, growing louder with each passing second. A young boy, no older than ten, paused mid-bite of a sweet bun. He glanced toward the sound, eyes squinting in the morning light. "Mummy," he tugged on his mother's sleeve, "why are there so many carriages… and so many guards?"
His mother followed his gaze, turning just in time to see the ornate crest of House Wilson gleaming on the lead carriage. Her eyes widened. Without hesitation, she bent one knee, pulling her son gently down with her.
It spread like a wave. Shopkeepers dropped their goods, buyers stilled, and voices fell silent. One by one, across the square, people lowered themselves—heads bowed, knees pressed to the stone. The hum of the market fell into a reverent silence, broken only by the clatter of armoured wheels and the snort of the Zephyron beasts as the carriages rolled through the heart of the square.
Aidan watched as the crowd in the market square dropped to their knees. He shook his head with a half-smile. "I get the whole hierarchy thing," he said quietly, "but this? This feels a bit much."
Zane glanced over, smirking. "Welcome to the official entering-the-world. Respect for nobles is a must—sometimes too deep. If you stepped out now, half of them would freeze up, maybe even panic."
Aidan raised an eyebrow. "So even if I wanted to stroll through the market, I'd just be scaring people?"
Zane chuckled. "More like reminding them who's in charge. You'll get used to it."
Aidan nodded once, then shifted his gaze back to the market. His eyes traced the outlines of the buildings—sturdy, brick and stone structures that reminded him of Earth's Western cities from the nineties. The streets bustled with life, and the people wore clothes much like his own, though clearly less refined—cheaper fabrics, simpler cuts.
Aidan's eyes scanned the crowd, noting how most people looked decent enough—if not downright handsome. He smirked to himself, thinking maybe the Wilson family had their own beauty standards to hire, after all.
Zane leaned forward, eyes lighting up as he pointed toward a wooden stall near the edge of the square. "You know what that is?" he asked, barely hiding the excitement in his voice. His mouth looked suspiciously wet.
Aidan followed his gaze and shook his head. "Should I?"
"That," Zane said, puffing his chest a little, "is gloomroot. Grew in caves. Crunchiest damn thing I've ever eaten—had it after knocking out some bastard twice my age." He grinned. "Still remember the taste. Earthy, sharp. Weirdly sweet after you chew."
Aidan squinted at the purple-veined root attached to a pale, round bulb. His curiosity got the better of him. He licked his lips without thinking.
"…You want some?" Zane asked, already half out of his seat.
Aidan smirked. "You offering, or flexing again?"
Zane rolled his eyes but grinned saying, "Both."
"Then go. I'll have the carriage stop." Aidan rapped twice on the wooden panel behind him. "Halt for a moment," he called.
The guard who was riding the carriage heard, as he stopped the carriage. After a while, every carriage stopped. Matthew, who was ahead, heard the command as it was passed by the guard to him.
Matthew sighed, seeing Zane get out of the carriage and move toward one of the stalls. He shook his head and ignored it. A few minutes' halt wouldn't matter, he thought, as he notified the other captain.
A wave of tension rippled through the crowd. People who had just started to rise dropped back to their knees, unsure if they were allowed to move yet. The air turned stiff again, like everyone was holding their breath.
Zane dropped down from the carriage with a light clunk of his boots. His armor didn't help with subtlety.
He approached the stall casually, but the shopkeeper—a balding man with a broad nose and an apron too clean for a vegetable vendor—stiffened the moment Zane got close. His hands fumbled with a basket as he bowed his head slightly, eyes avoiding Zane's completely.
"M-My lord," he stammered.
Zane sighed. "Relax, old man, I'm not here to chop your head off. Just give me two gloomroots. The freshest you've got."
The man moved so fast he nearly knocked over his display. He wrapped the gloomroots in thick brown paper and held them out like a sacred offering.
Zane took them with a nod. "Thanks, old man."
"F-Free of charge, my lord!" the vendor squeaked.
Zane gave a crooked grin. "Then I'll take four," he said, before tossing a coin to him. "Keep the change. Aidan won't like it if I take it for free."
The man laughed nervously, unsure if it was a joke or a demand. Zane just turned and walked back, tossing the bundle lightly as he reboarded the carriage.
"Got it?" Aidan asked, amused.
Zane handed him one. "Try not to cry when it ruins your standards for vegetables."
Aidan raised an eyebrow but took the gloomroot anyway. "If I cry, it'll be because the whole market still looks like it's waiting for judgment."
Zane glanced outside—sure enough, people still hadn't moved.
Zane shrugged as he leaned back into the seat. "They can't help it. You're basically like a king to them."
Aidan scoffed.
He brought the gloomroot to his mouth and took a cautious bite. A loud crunch echoed inside the carriage.
His brows lifted slightly. "…Okay, that's better than I expected."
"Told you," Zane said, smug.
The flavour hit a moment later—earthy, crisp, with a slightly tangy aftertaste that lingered pleasantly. Aidan chewed slowly, nodding in approval.
Just then, a soft metallic chime echoed from the ring on Zane's finger.