Like many rivers crashing into one, the people of Palenwood maneuvered in lines of bodies meeting in the city center. There, the currents of people became a mass of chaos moving multiple directions until they filtered out again.

Venic ignored the growing crowds best he could by following the waterways of the town. These stone gutters often led between houses with barely enough room for shoulder space and often caused wet boots, so he rarely saw anyone else taking advantage of them. Lucky, the city also had strict rules about dumping waste in the waterways, so it was one of few places that did not smell horrible. In his opinion, wet feet and narrow spaces were worth the lack of smells and crowds.

It was strange being back, and Venic found himself struggling not to flinch whenever someone made eye contact.

How many parents had he killed of those he passed by? How many of them still dreamed of days before being under the kings rule?

How many of them had nightmares about him?

None acknowledged remembering him, but the fear was still there within the knight.

He kept his head down as they passed by a well of a Dryad spilling water from her eyes. The white stone body grew out of a carved tree, with her body arched and an arm stretched upward. Her face looked to the sky with a painful longing. The water that trickled down her face like tears filled the well which was sacred to this town. "Fae Water" they called it, and thought it could cure all ailments.

He believed no such thing, but then again, he had doubted Valerlanta, and there she was; walking with him with magic in her veins

A baby was dipped into the cold waters. He cried out in surprise, and wiggled in the woman's hands, but she held him tight. The water covered the babe from head to toe. There was no magic light, no ripple or anything else to tell it was working, and yet there was such a gleam of hope in the mothers eyes that Venic had to turn away.

As they left, the babe coughed but the mother was content her newborn was now in the process of healing.

The water of the well lead downhill, past the houses of the lords and ladies, and into the market, where it met in a grand ring, then left off in many different directions, and in the center of the ring was a grand tree. Even though Venic had seen it before, he found himself gawking at its size. It grew taller and wider than any house in the area, and kept the market shielded with its large leafy branches.

Fae water, the town said, was the cause of it growing so vast, and not to mention the reason why it supposedly shed golden leaves in the fall. Not real gold, of course, but the locals swear that they glimmer just as brightly.

Valerlanta came up beside him and placed a hand on the bark, and looked tiny compared to the huge tree.

“You can’t climb it,” Venic snapped.

She looked at him a little guiltily “I wasn’t going to.”

“But you wanted to. I could see it.”

The thief flashed a smile. “Maybe.”

He rolled his eyes and faced the market.

There were so many people.

No matter where Venic looked, every inch of the streets had people coming and going. Some had livestock, some had carts, and others were carrying everything they wanted in wicker backpacks.

The buildings were several stories high, and down the alleys, cloths lines were stretched between buildings.

The market square was a flourish of over-stimulation.

“Where—” Venic started, but when he turned Valerlanta was gone. Immediately, Venic swore and looked up the tree, but by some luck she had not gone that way.

He spotted her in between stalls, craning her head to see everything. People were stepping around her, annoyed, but Valerlanta didn’t even seem to notice in her excitement.

He sighed, but found himself smiling as he rushed to catch up to her.

By her was an overwhelming combination to the senses. Venic was hit with smells of people selling cooked meat with strange spices, vibrant clothes in any color, and sounds from one selling sprites and squirrels.

The thief was smiling widely.

Venic raised a brow, amused. “First time in a market?”

“First time in a city,” she corrected and he stared at her.

“You are joking, right?”

“No,” Was all she said before rushing forward to inspect the stalls one-by-one.

There was a person selling packs of any type, another selling shoes. It seemed like everything someone could want was all packed into this area!

“Not even once?” He asked as Valerlanta picked up a plate carved out of a strangely pink wood. The shop owner glared at her suspiciously.

“Not unless you count as a child, no. I have been to plenty of towns, but never anywhere with any royals,” she explained. “Fathers orders and all that.”

“Hmm. Funny, you don’t strike me as a type to do what you are told.”

“Oh I am not,” she laughed. “If father had his way, I would never go anywhere alone. I would be in the forest helping manage the guild from safety without actually doing anything myself. I think I would go cra-” She trailed off, her whole body stiffening.

There was a new statue of the king on the edge of the town square.

He stood on a pedestal so he was far above everyone walking by, while looking off in the direction of Alecaven. He wore grand clothes that fit his muscular build, broad shoulders, and tall height.

The king had a broad forehead, hair combed backwards out of the face, and a crown. His wrinkles around the eyes and mouth would normally make someone look kind, but it failed with him. Cold seriousness emanated from that statue. One hand was outstretched with a small sapling growing out of it.

Valerlanta looked frozen in place, her face paling.

“Val?” he asked and that broke her from it. She turned away as if nothing had happened.

“There is someone I know who moved here that we can ask questions, but I don’t know where he lives,” she said, pretending everything was fine. “His shop is called The Healing Leaf.”

Venic nodded slowly. “Alright. Want to see something impressive, then?”

She quirked a small smile. “From you?”

“But who else? I can charm the right information out of anybody. Watch this.” He mocked a short bow before whirling away. Venic walked up to the nearest stall, now with a limp.

The woman on the other side of the stall table looked up, and Venic flashed his most charming smile.

“Hello there,” he said, now using a thick northern accent. “I was wondering if a kind looking lady such as yourself might be able to give directions to a lost soul.”

The woman flushed as Venic leaned on the stall, towards her. “That depends on where you are trying to go.”

“The Healing Leaf. I am supposed to meet someone outside of there, but I seemed to have gotten turned around. Your city is like a maze! Can you help me find my way?”

The woman giggled and gave him directions. He thanked her kindly and bid goodbye.

Content his acting had paid off, the spy turned back with a satisfied grin, but Valerlanta was staring at that statue.

Frowning, he elbowed her lightly. “You didn’t even see.”

“Oh,” she smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. See what?”

"No, nevermind." Venic scuffed, shoulders deflating. “The shop you are looking for is down at the end of fishers street, on the other side of a fountain.”

She peered down the road, craning her neck. “That way?”

“Yes. Can you get there yourself? I want to try asking around here a bit longer.”

The lie bit at him.

She nodded, but hesitated, her green eyes scanning his face. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” His smile flickered, threatening to fall. “Everything will be fine.”

“Alright,” Valerlanta said hesitating. “See you soon, then.”

“See you soon,” Venic agreed, and as he watched her go, he had to hold his own wrist to keep from reaching out to stop her.