People pressed in against each other and pushed purposefully to get to wherever it was they were off to next. Some carried large baskets on their heads, others held platters, and some had cages with wild beasts that Vhalla had never before seen. A man pushed between them and Vhalla glanced back for Daniel, but the crowd had enveloped him.

She scanned her left and right, trying to find where he may have gone. Vhalla walked in his general direction. “Daniel?” A few passersby looked at her strangely but kept going. “Daniel!” she tried a little louder.

“Vhalla!” A hand shot up from the edge of the crowd. “Over here.” Vhalla had to jump to see where he was, and she pushed through the mass to get to him. He chuckled. “Sorry about that.”

“Not your fault.” She shook her head.

“Let’s look in here.” He held back a heavy curtain to a dimly lit shop.

Vhalla’s eyes adjusted slowly to the lighting. A dense haze hovered in the air that held the smell of spices and wood. Glass cases lined the walls and a few stood freely in the middle of the room. Vhalla ran her hand over them, looking at the treasures within.

“Irashi, welcome.” A young woman wearing a robe revealing her generous cleavage—too much revealed, in Vhalla’s opinion—sauntered over to them. She had long, straight black hair. Half was down flowing over her shoulders and back. The other half was braided like a spider’s web on top.

“Welcome to the finest Curiosity Shop in all the land.” She leaned against one of the cases, the tan skin of her leg slipping out through a slit in her bright ruby robe—a stunning contrast. “And what can I help you with today?” The woman smiled thinly.

“I think we’re just looking.” Vhalla took a step closer to Daniel and away from the woman. He seemed to be unbothered, but something about this woman put Vhalla’s hairs on edge.

“No one is ‘just looking.’ All desire.” The woman folded her arms under her breasts. “Tell me, what is yours?”

“Sorry to disappoint.” Vhalla dodged her question and looked at Daniel. “Let’s go, I’m hungry.” She grabbed his arm and turned to leave.

“There is not one curiosity you have, Vhalla Yarl?” Vhalla stopped short. “I know your winds will not tell you what the flames will tell me.”

Daniel took a step forward; he put his body half in front of Vhalla’s, an arm stretched across her protectively.

“How do you know my name?” Vhalla whispered in shock.

“I can know many, and tell more, if you wish it.” The woman flipped some hair over her shoulders. “The fire burns away all lies.”

“You’re a sorcerer,” Vhalla stated; it was as though she could smell the magic radiating off the woman.

“I am a Firebearer,” the woman affirmed with a nod.