Chapter 270: Red Hare Castle (2)
The moment Hex stepped through the gates, the word seemed to have changed.
Where the outside seemed desolate and depressing, color and cheers filled the castle ground. Right from the gates, two rows of stalls lined up. The sound of people shouting, cheering, and haggling, all mixed in the air. Hex could hear music being played in the hubbub.
Their arrival drew some attention. People studied them, perhaps to determine where they came from. And more important than that, what they brought with them. Hex believed this based on observation. Almost everyone studied their sacks, satchels, and bags more than they looked at their faces. Even beauties like Dollaires and Rublena drew less attention than the mare carrying a few bags and boxes.
As Hex moved through the crowd his enhanced olfactory senses faced the assault of a mix of different odors. The smell of sweat, roasted meat, and spices was a bit too much. Even for someone like him who lived years in cold and clammy places with rotting cadavers.
He diverted his mind by inspecting the goods displayed in the stalls. The first few stalls offered fruits, vegetables, and meat. Then came the stalls offering clothes and wear. Followed by the stalls with weapons and tools. Through the gaps in the stalls, he saw small corals. There were different ones for sheep, goats, and dune horses. One offered for exotic animals. He heard shouts offering Sandsnares, Dessert Eaglets, and Quagmire Worms.
The stall owners tried to entice their group. Their large group was a perfect target for their sales pitch. But they never stopped them or obstructed their path.
"Please, this Lord needs to rest before his people do business here."
Bashar shouted at the stall owners. Hex believed he amplified his voice with some technique as it rang loud and clear in the busy market.
As soon as his voice fell, the crowd fell silent. They hurried to the sides. Hex also saw the stall owners bow and retreat without lifting their heads. He started to understand what Sterling meant when he said the people of Edune adhered strictly to their culture.