2. Appetite

After running for a few minutes she decided to dart into a alley by the market to catch her breath. Looking back she saw no sign of her pursuers and let out a relieved sigh. It was getting too dangerous to stay in town, she would have to leave soon. Pulling her cloak ever tight, she started to make her way across the busy market street towards the heavy wooden gates, when a warm delicious scent assaulted her nose. She placed a hand on her stomach and turned in the direction of the scent. She followed it down the dingy market stalls to discover an older looking woman working a small grill with an assortment of meat and fruits. Upon closer inspection she identified the meat as milk deer glazed with fresh thoran honey and spices.

Without hesitation she opened her mouth and spoke.

"How much for a kebab of milk deer?"

The older woman dressed in a dirty purple robe with leather binding holding the sleeves together turned towards her and replied.

"A single gold piece for a kebab or three for two coins."

She contemplated getting three but was worried she would run out of money. With no source of income these six coins were all she had. She opened her small pouch and removed a single coin before handing it to the woman. The woman grabbed the coin and bit it before nodding.

"Here you are lass, one milk deer kebab."

Shiro smiled and held it close to her nose to bask in its aroma and warmth. Just as she was about to take a bite a small figure tackles her to the ground and take her food before darting down the muddy road. Dazed but uninjured she quickly stood up before giving chase towards the small thief. Vaulting over stalls the thief runs up a staircase towards the town brewery before climbing the building. She follows close in pursuit and leaps on the nearby kegs before jumping on top of the brewery, cutting off the food thief. The small figure was wrapped in filthy rags that covered its entire body, with the exception of its legs. Looking closer she notices the feet are tiny and possibly human. Before she can demand her food back the thief removes the rags covering its face, revealing a small human female child, who then shoved the whole kebab down her own throat.

Almost immediately the child starts to cough and choke spitting pieces of food out in the process. Shiro had read plenty of books at a younger age and they instructed her exactly what to do in a situation like this. Instinctively, she gets behind the child and performs abdominal thrusts until the small piece of wood from the kebab is spat out. Shiro lowers the child down and allows her to catch her breath before confronting her.

"Why did you take my food? Why take what's not yours?" The child stares at her with a blank expression and doesn't respond. Shiro gently shakes her and asks again only to get the same response. A loud gurgle breaks the silence from the lack of answers, it's the little girl's stomach.

"Guess you're hungry too huh? If you'd ask I'd given you some." She lets out a sigh and straightens her back, letting out a gentle moan.

"Come on then, let's go get another one." After returning to the market stalls with the child, Shiro looks for the kebab merchant but is met with an unattended empty grill. Scratching her head through her cloak she looks left and right but can only see other patrons browsing the many other stalls. Crouching down she looks towards the child and says.

"Maybe we can find some other food vendors elsewhere." The child frowns but Shiro ruffles her hair playfully before resting her hands on the child's shoulder.

"I've never met a child before. Are all children as adorable as you?" Shiro says as she pinches her cheeks. Standing up she takes the child's hand and continues down the busy market street. While browsing for food she encounters various stalls selling all kinds of goods such as rugs, weapons, ceramic jars, and even powders for magic. A few more minutes go by before they finally arrive at a small cart where a young man dressed in a brown leather tunic and breeches is selling berry platters of exotic flavors.

"One platter of berries please." Shiro says, tilting her head and letting out a small smile.

The man prepares a plate before handing it to her in exchange for a gold coin. Shiro takes the platter and offers the child the berries with a warm smile. Immediately the child starts to gorge her face and shows no sign of slowing down until she lifts her face towards Shiro. She's greeted with a small smile covered in greens and blue from the berries. Shiro lets out a small laugh before helping herself to a berry when she hears a familiar voice nearby.

"It's the elf without a doubt sir. The woman who reported the theft said she had served a young woman wearing a red cloak when she was attacked by a beggar." The guard told his captain.

"Are you sure it's the same red cloak? They aren't exactly one of a kind"

"Yes sir. The woman reported seeing her devilish horn as the elf was assaulted."

"Excellent, we're close. Fan out, she couldn't have gotten far."

"What of the beggar my captain?"

"Find and reward such a fine citizen for defending our town. They may yet have information where the elf went."

"Yes sir!" The guards yelled in unison as they received the order. Shiro's heart sank deep in her chest as she clutched her cloak. This small piece of deep red fabric was very precious to her and she couldn't afford to throw it out in order to help conceal her identity. She turned once more towards the oblivious child, still stuffing her face in berries without a care in the world, and sighed.

"At least one of us will benefit from this." She says as she tears a small piece of the cloak and wraps it around the child's hand.

"Take this and find one of those big men wearing metal suits. Tell them I went up there." She points towards a hill far off the village towards the horizon.

"Take care of yourself and remember not to steal. Just ask and I'm sure people will be willing to share what they have with you." Shiro tells her while ruffling her hair once more. The child nods then runs off down the muddy road content and full of berries. Shiro smiles as the girl slowly disappears into the crowd when her thoughts are interrupted by her growling stomach. In all the commotion she hadn't eaten more than a single berry and was still starving. She turned around and was about to order another platter of berries when she heard the distinct sound of clanging armor getting closer and closer. Exhausted, she begins running towards the the only direction where she doesn't hear soldier's armor, a small chapel.

Upon entering the building she sees a large podium in the back towards the wall adorned with floating lights and flames. The floors are covered in blue tapestry with a giant gold star pattern in the middle with the edges covered in cloudy white frills. To the right of the room is two smaller rooms in which confessions take place. All the pews are empty with the exception of a few books on the back rows. The ceiling is covered by a massive chandelier, lit with blue flames, decoration with gold, silver and different types of gems. What really catches her eye is a long rectangle table far across on the left side of the chapel. The table is cover in white sheet with the ends glowing in a gold hue, but what's on top of it is what leaves her salivating. A buffet of different types of roast and vegetables with a variety of deserts and salads. Her body starts to move on its own and before she knows it she's at the table. As if on queue before she can take a bite the chapel doors open and a groups of priest and clerics stumble in. Quickly, she jumped towards one of the confession booths and seals herself inside before anyone can notice her. Relieved she takes a deep breath and notices it's pitch black inside the booth. She also notices the seats inside are rather uncomfortable to sit on. She starts fumbling around in the dark trying to adjust her seat when she hears a voice directly in her ear. She wasn't alone.