Anik, who walked next to him, drew just as much attention. The crowd withdrew from him like mice spotting a hawk every time he opened his mouth to speak. Without the tattoo on his arm visible, he could blend in, but his accent was unmistakable. As in Aleria, people in Isleya were used to seeing Lowlanders as children and beggars in side alleys, not as tall, strong, young men walking in their midst. Besides, the most common expression on Anik's face was cold displeasure. No wonder people moved out of his way. A few slightly braver men and women hissed curses as he passed or spat on the ground at his feet before darting away quickly.

“I'm not the only one at risk of drawing the wrong kind of attention,” Ren noted sourly.

“I've noticed,” Anik replied, seemingly unfazed, and continued ahead.

Colourful stalls in all shapes and sizes lined the plaza around them, engulfing them in a vivid mix of scents, sights, and sounds. They made their way methodically through their list of required items, passing women loudly proclaiming their selections of fruits and vegetables and a man trying to get people to buy chickens by stuffing them into the arms of unsuspecting passersbys. Ren dodged a chicken thrust at his chest by slipping underneath the head of a mule pulling a cart through the crowd.

They bought food, coats, extra blankets, and an additional water skin. With a coat draped over his arm, Ren drew a gold coin from his pocket and paid an elderly merchant for two pairs of fur-lined boots. Every time he approached a merchant, the fear of recognition made his heart skip a beat, but he couldn't exactly let Anik do the talking.

Ren stuffed the boots into his brimming travel bag. He had given Anik Keelan's bag, rearranging the contents of both to fit their new purchases. As Ren went over their list of items in his head one last time, an old woman stepped into his path, dangling a necklace with a heavy crystal pendant in front of his face. He almost bumped right into her, and for a moment, the fear of recognition sent a cold shiver down Ren's back. But the woman's eyes were entirely glazed over, her gaze unfocused. Despite it, she reached out and locked her hands around both his and Anik's wrists with surprising precision.

“Your wedding is going to be glorious,” she proclaimed, nodding knowingly.

Ren glanced between her and Anik, taken completely aback by her unexpected declaration.

“Care to purchase a pendant for good luck?” she continued, stuffing the heavy necklace into Ren's palm.

Ren wiggled his hand out of her grip and took a step back. “Sorry, you're mistaken. We're not getting married,” he said. “I don't want to buy anything.”

“Oh, you silly boy,” she said, reaching up with both hands in an attempt to drape the necklace around his neck instead. “This pendant will help you with your denial.”