Chapter 20: Dear brother
Mitch and Leya made their way through the gates that separated the inner circle from the outer districts, leaving behind the polished marble streets and gleaming spires of the awakened elite.
The contrast was immediate and jarring, cobblestone paths replaced pristine walkways, and the air carried the mingled scents of wood smoke, roasted meat, and the honest sweat of common folk going about their daily lives.
Before seeking out Leya’s brother, they had several pressing matters to attend to. Their first stop was a modest clothing shop tucked between a blacksmith’s forge and a baker’s stall.
The proprietor, a weathered woman with kind eyes and calloused hands, welcomed them with the practiced smile of someone who had learned to read customers at a glance.
Mitch approached the practical section, selecting several simple white cotton shirts that would serve him well on the road, along with sturdy brown leather pants reinforced at the knees.
The fabric was rough but durable, clothing made for adventure rather than appearance.
Leya, however, had different priorities. She moved through the shop with the discerning eye of someone who understood the power of presentation.
After examining several options, she settled on an exquisite purple dress that seemed to shimmer in the afternoon light.
Delicate floral embroidery adorned the bodice and hem, the intricate patterns catching the eye and drawing attention to her ethereal beauty.
When she held it up to herself, the rich purple fabric made her snow-white hair appear almost luminescent, while her emerald eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire.