Twisted Wonderland 2

Bazaar Exploration

Jamil leads you and the boys into the bazaar. It's pack full of people, all trying to buy the best of what's on display. You see different fruits and colorful silks displayed everywhere.

"Whoa," Trey's eyes widen at all the sights. "Look at all the covered booths! It's as packed as a farmer's market on a Sunday."

Jamil grins. "Quite. There are always a lot of stalls here, but it's busier than usual today. I imagine it's because of the Fireworks Fest."

"Wow!" Cater tries taking multiple pictures at once. "Now this is the kind of thing I imagine when I think of the Scalding Sands! It really feels like we've traveled abroad now. Time to load up on pics!"

"Do the people of the city typically do their shopping here?" Malleus asks.

Jamil nods. "Sure, people'll come here for staples like vegetables and fish. But there are plenty of stalls that specialize in gourmet foods for tourists. Especially now, during the high season."

Malleus brings a hand to his chin as he looks around. "Strange..."

"What's strange?" You ask.

"I've been keeping an eye out, but I have yet to see a single camel. I would have thought a place called the Camel Bazaar would've at least had a few of them."

"Oh, yeah." Jamil chuckles. "There aren't any camels here these days. Camels were used to transport goods and luggage before we developed the canals and roads. There used to be an oasis here where merchants would bring their camels to rest. They started selling their wares right at the oasis, and eventually it became a market. Now we use trucks and boats for commerce and shipping, but the name stuck around."

"I see." Malleus nods. "It's fascinating how even a single name can have a story of its own."

"There's usually not much need to change a name once it sticks, unless there's a pressing reason." Trey says.

"Besides, Camel Bazaar sounds so cute and friendly." Cater grins. "It's the perfect name for a tourist hotspot!"

Malleus tilts his head. "Is that kind of thing important?"

Cater nods. "For sure! Have you ever thought about giving someplace in Briar Valley a cute and friendly name?"

"Like Roaring Drago Market?" Malleus suggests.

Cater scratches his neck. "Uh, maybe not that."

Malleus chuckles. "I jest."

"That was pretty good." You laugh.

"Mrah! Who cares about a buncha stupid names?" Grim jumps on your shoulders impatiently. "I'm starvin'! I could eat a whole one of these stalls!"

"I'm feeling pretty hungry myself after all that walking around." Cater says. "There are so many food places, too. Let's pick something up!"

Trey laughs. "Yeah, something tells me we won't be able to do much sightseeing if we don't feed Grim soon."

Grim sniffs the air. "Ooo, I smell somethin' GOOD!"

"I believe you're smelling the meat roasting on a spit at that stall over there." Malleus points out.

Jamil smirks. "Ah, that's shawarma. Restaurants typically serve it on a plate with vegetables. But food stalls serve it in baguettes or pita bread. It's healthier than it looks, because the extra grease drips out while it's on the spit."

"Oh, it's lamb shawarma!" Cater says excitedly. "That's one of my favorites."

Jamil leads your group to the stall. "You can get it with your choice of toppings. Tomatoes, olives, sliced onions, you name it."