Elemental Witch: Child of the Earth (Part I)

Feeding Families

"You sure you don't want me to find you a pair of boots? Its not... safe to walk around without footwear in the streets" Benchan asked gently as he walked beside the young woman, the inhuman woman, into the streets of Keepsal. 

He wasn't sure if the people were giving a respectful berth because the Lord's master of the guard was walking in full uniform, one hand on the sword at his hip; or if because his companion had the pale skin, feline features and pointed ears of a creature not quite human. 

She moved silently, her body toned and lithe, but  more like a predator, a fighter, than most people were used to. She had been quiet since leaving the Keep, brooding almost. And the Fey was on a war path to get out of the city as quickly as possible, pausing only once as the breeze picked up, letting it play through her hair for a moment before they continued trekking through the dirty streets towards the nearest gate.

"You're probably right. The stones feel dead, the earth has no connection to itself... I've just never worn them before. Soft ones, lined with fur for when I've been in the mountains. But the hard soled, tall leather things you have? How can you stand clomping around with them on?" She glanced to his feet, then back up to him, shuddering.

"You get used to it, I suppose." Benchan offered a shrug in return, smiling softly to her. "Are you actually coming back?"

Verana paused, giving him an odd look, before she tilted her head up and took in a slow breath. "I smell something delicious."

"That's Baker's Street. We can take that road to the Farmer's gate if you would like." He paused then, letting out a curse and feeling the panic rise in him. "You must be starving. You haven't eaten at all."

"I am, actually. What's a Baker?" She followed him as they turned down the wide street lined with various produce stands, bakeries and butcher's shops. Watching  the transactions with curiosity, her eyes flickering as she watched people move and speak with one another, studying them with an inhuman fascination that caused him to shiver.

"They.. Bake.... Things. Like bread, or sweets, pies or, well, half the things you eat on a daily basis." Benchan had never been asked that question before and it took a couple moments to realize that she may not actually have something of the sort in the woods.

"The shops closer to the Keep are the ones that most of the higher class people go to, they make the fancy things, sweet breads, expensive treats. The further you go along, the more salt of the earth it gets. Some of them are better than the ones up top, but they bake more useful things, like entire meals in a pie, treats that the poorer people can afford, buns for the charitable houses." He pointed out butchers and produce stands, explaining their purposes too, walking with her as she made her way down the street, nodding to show that she was listening to him.

"This one looks fine." She stopped in front of a small shop near to the end of the road, filled with utilitarian looking breads and pies, where a middle aged woman stood behind the counter, speaking with another woman.

Benchan smiled, watching the baker laugh with her customer, before he caught himself and remembered Verana was watching him intently. "This is my favourite, she's the best baker in Keepsal, Morningside and quite possibly the entire kingdom. It is the only bakery I ever go to here in town."

Verana grinned at that, giving him an amused look and chuckling softly, "Is it the food, or her company that makes you say that, Sir Benchan?"

He jerked and turned to look at her in shock his brows raising, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. "Her baking. The food. I don't have time to be seeking out female company. " The Fey-woman's laughter followed him as he strode into the shop, flushed red, feeling like a young paige for the first time in decades.