Nuri sat at the small kitchen table, bathed in the sliver glow of the moonlight. Streaming through the skylight above. The cool radiance soothed her, though not as much as it would have if she were outside beneath the open sky. But that was a risk she couldn'ttake-not when the night air might coax her freckles to glow. For now, this would have to do. The quite rustling of feathers and the soft pad of footsteps signal Striga arrival. The owl Veyrkin moved with a natural grace, her keen eyes glinting in the dim light as she made her way to the pantry. She rummaged for a moment before pulling out a bundle of food. "You hungry?" Striga asks tearing off a piece of dry meat and placing it on a crackers, glancing over her shoulder. Nuri barely suppressed the grimace, her stomach twisting at the merethought. She shook her head keeping her expression neutral. "No. I'm fine, thanks."
Stigra raised a brow but didn't press. "Suit yourself," she murmured leaning against the counter as she ate. Nocturna stayed silent focusing on the moons glow above, willing the nausea to pass. A distant, resonant horn blast broke the stillness of the night. Nocturna stiffened her fingers curling against the wooden table as she turned toward the window. The sound was deep and dawn out, rolling through the city like a storm warning. Striga barely reacted, fi fishing the last few bites if her meal before glancing at Nocturna's tense posture. "One of these wilds beasts again, probably," she said with a shrug tossing her plate into the washbasin. "Happens now and then. The cities fighters will handle it."Nocturina remained quie, listening. No second horn followed, but a low murmurs outside told her the others had taken notice.
Striga whipped her hands off before her gaze landed on Nocturna's wrists. The low lantern light glinted off the fine bands encircling them-crafted gold metal, expertly tooled, and undeniably luxurious. Arching a brow Striga mused. "Those are pretty. Someone special give those to you?" Nocturna's fingers instinctively brushed over the bands, a fleeting motion before she pulled her hands into her lap. "No one important," she replied evenly but the way she avoided Striga eyes said otherwise. With a hum she stretches her arms over her head, wings shifting slightly, before she turned to the door. "I'm off to work." She said adjusting her belt. "Won't be back till early. Try and get some sleep." With that she was gone leaving Nocturna alone, who closes her eyes raising her head slightly as she continued to soak in the moonlight.
The market square of Grimholt was a chaotic blend of scents, sounds, and colors. Stalls made from sturdy wood and patched cloth stood in tight clusters, their tables overflowing with goods—furs and leathers from the northern hunters, shimmering trinkets of bone and metal, dried herbs tied in neat bundles, and fresh game hanging from wooden racks. The air was thick with the scent of spiced meats cooking over open flames, the earthy tang of damp pelts, and the faint sweetness of crushed berries used to dye fabric. Merchants called out to passing customers, voices overlapping in a constant hum of haggling and sales. A group of Verkin warriors, their beast-like features partially hidden under thick traveling cloaks, bartered for weapons at a blacksmith's booth. Children darted between the legs of shoppers, laughing as they carried sticky treats wrapped in wax paper. Near the center of the square, an elderly woman with long gray rabbit ears that drooped next to her waist, adjusted a display of glass vials filled with shimmering liquid, their contents catching the weak sunlight filtering through the cloudy sky.
Despite the lively energy, an unease hung in the air. Nocturna noticed the wary glances exchanged between traders, the nervous way some kept their hands close to their weapons. The beast sighting from the night before had left its mark on the city. Nocturna stepped further into the market. She needed to find a way out of Grimholt—preferably on a wagon heading toward Celvestra.Nocturina still hadn't grown accustomed to the boots Elira had given her. After decades of wearing only thin slippers—or nothing at all—each step felt foreign and stiff. She would've preferred to go barefoot, as she once had, but such a thing would seem out of place these days. Pulling her cloak's hood lower over her face, she approached the nearest merchant, who was busy loading crates of dried goods. It seemed as good a place to start as any.
"Are you headed toward Celvestra?" She asked keeping her tone casual. The golden fur along the man's catlike ears atop his head twitched as he secured a strap over the crates. "Celvestra? No chance. Not with the beast still lurking about. The roads aren't safe for travel right now." Nocturna bit back a sigh. She tried a few more traders, each one shaking their head or offering the same excuse-too dangerous, too far, no reason to go there. As she stepped back frustration simmering under her skin, she realized her mistake. She had openly mentioned Celvestra. A few curious glances lingering on her longer than she liked. She needed to be more careful. With no luck at the market she decided to try another option.
The hunter outpost sat on the far end of the market square, a sturdy longhouse built from thick timber and reinforced with iron bands. The roof was covered in dark hides to keep the warmth in, and above the entrance, the skull of a massive beast was mounted—a warning and a trophy. Smoke curled from the chimney, carrying the scent of burning wood and roasted meat. With a breath she tightens the cloak wrapped around her. Inside, the space glowed with the morning sun filtering through the windows casting flickering shadows over the rough wooden walls. Various weapons—bows, spears, and axes—lined the racks, some still stained with old blood. Heavy fur pelts were stacked in the corners, ready for trade. A long counter stretched along one side of the room, where a grizzled Veyrkin with wolf-like features sat counting coin, his clawed fingers tapping against the wooden surface.
As soon as Nocturna stepped inside, the shift in the atmosphere was immediate. Conversations died down. A few Veyrkin hunters, some leaning against the walls, others gathered around a table discussing routes and bounties, turned to look at her. Their sharp, animalistic eyes narrowed with suspicion, their ears twitching as if catching something about her that was off. A burly tiger-like Verkin closest to the door crossed his arms, his striped tail flicking once behind him. "You lost, stranger?" his voice is rough edged with a subtle growl. Nocturna kept her hood low, posture careful. She wasn't here to start trouble, just to find a way out of Grimholt. "I'm looking for transport. Heading south." She replied meeting his gaze without flinching. Satisfied with her answer the tiger man points a claw to the front counter. With a small nod she makes her way over, a few glances were exchanged between the hunters, unreadable expressions passing between them. One of them a lanky fox Veyrkin, leans against the counter as she makes it there. "South huh?" He smirks, "Not much out there but trouble. What's waiting for you down there"
Nocturna ignored the question. Landing her gaze in the Grey wolf Veyrkin. "Know anyone heading out that way?" The wolfish Veyrkin behind the counter exhales through his nose, rubbing his jaw. "Might be someone." He mutters but his expression remains guarded. "Depends on what you've got to trade for the ride." Nocturna fingers tighten around the pouch inside the cloaks secret pocket. She had some coin from working with Elira, but would it be enough was an entirely different matter. "How much for a ride south?" she asked keeping her tone even and firm. The fox Veyrkin didn't take kindly to being ignored. He leaned in closer, snout almost brushing her skin as he sniffed.
"You smell… strange." He murmured his voice carrying a hint if amusement. His interest sent a cold ripple down her spine, the hairs on the back of Nocturna's neck stood on end. She forced herself to stay still, not letting the discomfort show. Her fingers switched at her side ready to react if needed. A sharp thud broke the moment. The wolfish Veyrkin behind the counter had pulled out a thick ledger and dropped it onto the wooden surface. Without looking up, he let out a low growl. "Back off, Rhen. If she's got coin, she's a customer. You want to sniff something take it outside." Rhen huffed, but after a lingering glance at Nocturia, he leaned away, his tail flicking with mild irritation.
The wolf started flipping through the pages, scanning the records of available hunters, trade caravans and bounty groups heading south. Nocturna adjusted her stance, keeping Rhen in her peripheral vision but waiting patiently for an answer. Rhen wasn't the type to back down easily. He tilted his head, amber eyes gleaming with curiosity and something sharper beneath it. "We don't get many outsiders around here," he mused his tone light. "Where are you from?" Nocturna didn't answer keeping her gaze on the wolf flipping through the ledgers willing him to hurry up. Rhen's smirk widened at her silence, he leaned in again tail flickering behind him. "Not much of a talker, huh?" He let the words hang for a moment before pressing on. "How far south you headed?" Still Nocturna said nothing.
The fox let out a low chuckle, though there was no real humor in it. "Awfully, secretive for someone looking to hitch a ride." His gaze flickers over her cloak, her stance, the way she held herself-like someone always ready to run. "You running from something?" Nocturna's jaw tightened. This guy is pushy, persistent, and far too observant for her liking. The less she said the better. The wolf behind the counter let out an impatient low growl as his eyes narrowed at the fox briefly. "I won't warn you again." He said with a note of finality in his voice. Rhen didn't move right away, still watching Nocturina like he was trying to piece together a puzzle. Then finally with a slow exhale he stepped back, though his down gaze never left her. "Just making conversation." He mutters though it was clear he wasn't done trying to figure her out as he walked off.
After a few more seconds the wolf looked up at Nocturna. "I've found two people who are heading south. One will cost you 6 coin and the other 8. Depending on how far south you are going." Nocturna replies instantly, "The furthest will do." She pulls her coin pouch out opening when the wolf man shakes his head. "No need for that just yet. I'll get in contact with them and if they're willing to take you. How can I get into contact with you? Where are you staying ?"
She hesitates not wanting to give out Striga home unsure how's she'd feel about it. "I'll come back tomorrow." The Wolf Veyrkin raises an eyebrow but dismisses it. "That works as well."