CHAPTER 267: MARKET STALLS

Leonardo took a quick peek and saw guards had stopped right in the middle of the road, chatting idly amongst themselves, and he cursed.

"Shit."

From his reaction, Cora could already guess they’d be stuck here until the guards finally move on. But seriously? Out of all the places to hold a conversation, they decided to pick here?

"Can you imagine, the High Magus actually took them in," one of the guards uttered to his fellow comrade. "When he asked to bring them in, I thought he was going to execute them all on the spot. But I can’t fathom why he’s welcoming those demons into our realm."

Another guard crossed his arms thoughtfully. "If you think about it, those marks on their skin looked familiar, didn’t they? Like... dark magic arts. Maybe the High Magus noticed that too and decided to hold off judgment. You know how he is– he never acts without certainty."

"But we don’t practice dark arts here," the first one protested.

"How can you be so sure?" A third guard cut in. "They claim to know who’s behind the curse. Dark arts are forbidden here but anyone can secretly practice them. The High Magus already gave them two days to prove it. If they fail..." he paused, glancing around the empty road. "He’ll have their heads on a platter for sure."

"So much is going on in the palace, and we’re out here looking for two miscreants."

Miscreants???

Cora felt insulted.

Leonardo gave her a warning look, the kind that said, Don’t

"Aren’t they new to this realm? Why’s it so difficult to find them?" the second guard grumbled, scanning the area. "We’ve already checked the port– nothing. Even the nearby inns claim they’ve never seen anyone matching their description."

"We can’t return empty-handed," the first replied with a sigh. "Let’s check that other inn down the road."

Finally, they turned and walked away.

Leonardo still waited until they had gone far enough before he exhaled and stepped out of hiding.

"Two days," he murmured. "We have only two days to find the witches’ hideout."

"Then let’s keep moving..." Cora said, brushing the dust off her cloak. But she stopped mid-step when her stomach let out a quiet growl. She gave an awkward smile and raised a finger. "Actually... How about we eat something first? Can’t save the world on an empty stomach, right?"

Leonardo dragged a hand down his face as she started walking ahead.

"I need a new partner," he muttered, but followed after her anyway.

The road opened into the outer edge of Mariana— a quiet town resting at the foot of the northern ridges. The wind carried a chill, nipping at their ears and the tips of their fingers. The villagers wore thick wool coats, layered tunics and scarves wound around their necks. Even the vendors had small braziers burning beside their stalls to keep the early morning chill at bay.

Leonardo and Cora looked slightly out of place here. Leonardo’s white shirt was freshly buttoned and tucked into clean trousers, and Cora’s dark cloak framed her face softly, her hair now curling at the tip.

He caught himself staring– the usual eager curiosity in her eyes as she observed the townsfolk. She flipped open her small chronicle and began writing as they walked.

Where did she even get a pen?

The way the hood framed her face, the faint color on her cheeks from the cold... she looked softer somehow. There was something different about her today. Or maybe he was just seeing her differently.

Almost cute– he thought, and then instantly regretted thinking about it.

They made their way through the narrow lanes of the market until the smell of sizzling broth caught their attention. A stallkeeper greeted them with a toothy grin, holding a ladle in his hand.

Cora handed a few copper coins to the stallkeeper and returned with two steaming bowls of stew.

"Eat this, you’ll need your strength."

Leonardo sat down as she offered him a bowl, staring at the food as if it might bite him first. "Is this even safe to eat?"

He spooned the broth with hesitation.

Cora arched her brow. "Taste it before complaining."

He glanced at Cora, uncertain what to expect from this woman anymore.

He took a cautious bite, and his eyes widened slightly. The stew was hearty and rich, thick with root vegetables and a surprising kick of spice.

"It’s good..." he admitted, as if surprised that it tasted better than he imagined. "A little salty though, but still good."

"Like you can cook any better."

"Of course I can," Leonardo scoffed, lifting his chin. "I learned from the very best."

For a while, they ate in silence, the clatter of the market filling the space between them. Then Leonardo spoke again.

"I can’t stop thinking about Don and the others."

Cora’s eyes flicked up from her bowl.

"The conversation we heard from those... patrol guards... I don’t think they’ll be treated very kindly over there. What will happen if we fail to find the witches’ hideout? When Don gave us this mission, I could tell he was counting on us. We can’t disappoint him. We’ll check every corner if we have to until we find them."

Cora wanted to say something comforting, but the words didn’t come easily for her. Instead, she finished her stew and stood to her feet. "Well, let’s not waste anymore time. Shall we?"

He nodded quietly and stood as well, already done with his bowl.

Around them, Mariana carried on. Children chased one another between the market stalls, merchants calling out prices, a smith hammering somewhere in the distance. Yet beneath all that normalcy, there was a lingering unease neither of them could name.

"Hey," Cora nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Your brother’s lucky to have you."

"I know."

She scowled. "And here I was trying to make you feel better. Why did I even bother?"

He shook his head at her exaggerated pout, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"Cute."

Cora shot him a sideway glance. "What was that?"

"Nothing," he said too quickly, avoiding her gaze. "I was just... thinking about something."

"Think faster," she muttered, stepping ahead as she pulled out a folded map from between the pages of her chronicle. "We still have a long way before dusk."

Leonardo exhaled silently as he trailed behind her, thankful she hadn’t heard him. Seriously, he really needed to see a healer or something cause what in the world is wrong with him?