Elora awoke with a start and glanced around the unfamiliar room with blurry eyes, unsure of how she got there. Banu stood at the open door, she blushed remembering their heated kiss earlier. "Wake up sleepy-head, dinner is ready." He gestured for her to follow him out of the room. She quickly rose from the bed, choosing to remain barefoot with her sword still tucked under her top. As she exited the room her mood dropped when she saw the dark-haired woman placing food on the table. Jahyia barely looked in her direction as she approached the table and sat next to Banu with Jahyia sitting opposite them.

Her stomach growled loudly as she looked over all the food spread out over the tabletop. The plate nearest to her was piled high with round flatbread, the bubbling pot she had seen earlier had been poured into a bowl and the liquid was a dark red. A few smaller bowls were filled with nuts and root vegetables that she did not recognize. She waited and watched as the two began piling their plates with food, grabbing small handfuls of each item. Banu noticed Elora watching and made a show of dunking his bread into the bowl and took a large bite, encouraging her to do the same.

Ignoring Jahyia, Elora grabbed a piece of the flatbread and dunked it into the bowl. A small amount of sauce dribbled down her chin as she stuffed the bread in her mouth. The sauce was an explosion of hot and spicy, so strong and tasty, so different from the food eaten in Wirenth. With a sound of content, she began to pile her plate and eat with vigour. "This is delicious!" She proclaimed with stuffed cheeks. Jahyia nodded at Elora, not quite masking the look of pride on her face. As they ate dinner Jahyia would say something to Banu in their native tongue, purposely looking at her while she spoke, but Elora refused to react and instead focused on her own meal. When Jahyia saw that she was not going to get a reaction from Elora she carried on with her conversation with Banu, giving Elora the chance to study her without interruption.

Jahyia was different from the women in the Northern Realm, her skin was a dark creamy brown that looked smooth. When she did not have a scowl on her face, her features were quite beautiful and pronounced. Her green eyes were large and bright against her dark skin, with a set of pink full lips. Her hair was as black as ink that flowed down her back. Like Banu, the sides of her head were shaved and tattooed with a swirl of patterns. As Jahyia stretched across the table to grab more food, Elora noted the muscles that rippled under her sleeves, reminding her not to cross this woman. Together, Elora thought that they looked like a beautiful couple. Her stomach clenched uncomfortably at that thought.

When they had finished up and Jahyia left to go meet someone, she and Banu sat alone in the room. "What are you planning on doing now?" He asked. Elora stared at the incense sticks burning on the table, watching the smoke swirl into the air and disappear. She wasn't sure yet, she had only planned on getting this far. "Is there a library or somewhere I can go?" She pondered out loud. Banu said nothing but looked at her puzzled. "A library? What do you need to go there for?"

With her mind still on Thayer's cautious advice, she thought fast. "I heard that the library in Alzoh is the largest in the realm."He nodded and then winked at her, his gaze heated. "After that?"

She raised an eyebrow at him her body flushed at his innuendo, speaking in a teasing voice she replied. "Why are you being so nosey?"

"I'm not." He threw his hands in the air as if innocent. "I'm simply curious and concerned, this is a big city and not everyone is as friendly as myself." Elora smiled at his concern, it felt good to have someone caring about her well-being. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of laughter in the street drifting through an open window.

Banu stood up and looked down at her. "Okay, tomorrow morning I'll take you to the library. Sleep well." Before she could respond he had gently caressed her neck and left the room, she got up to make her way to bed, excited to begin her search.

After a restless night of tossing and turning, Elora awoke with a dull throbbing in her head, a headache waiting to break free. She had gotten out of bed slowly and completed her morning routine calmly, as if not to disturb her dormant headache. Before leaving the room she made sure the coin and paper were safely tucked away, her sword tucked into her pants and hair braided down her back. Banu greeted her with a smile as she walked into the common room, her steps became lighter when she noticed the absence of unfriendly Jahyia.

Together they ate a quick breakfast consisting of fruits and flatbread before Banu led her to the library. Like yesterday the streets were as busy as ever, people were everywhere. He had led them further into the city and the streets had become narrower and louder as they reached numerous large buildings that towered above them. Already the sun was out and beat harshly down on their heads, Elora could feel a bead of sweat slowly roll down her spine. She grimaced against the heat and swiped her hand across her forehead, which had a thin layer of dust settling there.

The narrow street opened up into a large cobbled centre, a withered tree stood in the middle, barely creating a drop of shade. A few traders stood under the tree, inviting passers-by to take a look. In front of them stood a tall building made of dark stone, it rose high in the sky with a tall lookout tower. The windows were wide and stained a dark yellow. The whole building looked completely out of place, its regal structure outshone the haphazardly erected buildings scattered between the city walls. A set of wooden doors were situated in the centre of the building, with a set of cracked and crumbling steps leading the way.

"Well, here we are, the library!"

She felt her heart begin to beat faster, eager to go inside.

"You sure you don't need any help in there?" he asked eagerly, she shook her head.

"I can wait until you're finished?" He persists again, casting a worried eye across the centre. 

"I'm fine, really. I know the way back; I'll see you later at your place?"

He gave her a defeated nod and watched as her small figure disappeared up the steps and through the large doors.