11 Chapter 11 – Sites, sounds and taste. (2/2)
His heart softened. He turned around and walked back to her. Giving her a hug he said ”I will not go overboard. I shall be back soon. Bye!”
He turned around and jogged out the gate to the street.
”That silly boy!” his actions had soothed her. Yuki understood that he only said that to comfort her. He was bound to roam around the city and she had also made preparations for that.
Fen seeing her target jogging out. Immediately called out ”Young master!” and sped up to catch up to him.
....
Adam was currently walking through a street that had stores set up on both sides of it with the occasional street vendor. The hustle and bustle of the city, the sounds of the vendors and the smells of food and spices instigated a nostalgia in him.
”Big Sis Fen, where are we?”
”we are on blue lane street young master. This is the commercial street of Two fang city where all the renowned stores of every profession within the city can be found.” Fen had been out on multiple occasion's to run small errands. She had paid visits to this street too often because of the concentration of store's here.
It did not hold as much glamour to her as it did for Adam who was experiencing it for the first time.
He did not know where to look. His gaze darted about constantly.
The street was wide. Enough to let two carriages travel side by side on it. The stores on each side occupied the whole ground floor of all the buildings on each side with the top floors being residential.
Some store's where even 2 or 3 floors in themselves. Occupying a whole building.
Looking around these stores he noticed that all of them had something in common. Along with their name's and services provided all stores had a plaque displayed in plain view at their stores. Even the street vendors had this plaque.
The plaque had a very official certificate look to it and a bold golden insignia.
Seeing the gaze of her young master investigating the plaque's Fen preemptively provided an explanation to him. ”Those are the guild's certification for a profession class. As young master knows there are as many profession classes as there are careers.”
”To regulate so many people the guild has made it mandatory for all stores to display their professional rank's to customers. This sets a standard for a store.”
”So that's how it is.” This was like rating a store in his previous world. Over here it was a lot more professional. There was a standardization system for the level of service provided because the person's skill level was analyzed.
In his previous world analyzing skill was an impossible task for all stores.
”That gold insignia should be the Guild's mark then I suppose.”
”Absolutely correct young master.”
”umm, big sis Fen… Is it ok if we get some street food?” Adam could not control his desire to taste the local food. He wasn't hungry as he had just eaten but the desire for food always seemed to transcend just hunger.
”Of course young master. The mistress has already instructed me to let you roam around a bit. She even gave us some coins to spend!”
”She did?”
”Mistress loves young master more than you realize. She is only stern with you because she does not want to spoil you. She does not wish the young master to become a reckless person with distorted values just because she wants to give you everything you desire.” Fen had admiration flash through her eyes as she spoke.
”I see.” He never knew that his mother always thought so far ahead for him. He always saw her as eccentric and sometimes overprotective.
Today he truly realized the depth of her love.
”we shall only eat one thing then go straight to the guild!” He did not wish to make his mother wait too long for his return.
Walking by they saw countless stalls.
'Three-horned deer skewers!', 'Fried copper clawed rooster leg', 'Tender horn Rabbit stew', 'Flame bull steak'...
Just looking at the food stalls one could tell the variety of different monsters that inhabited this world.
Fen suggested the deer skewers so they walked up to the stall.
Adam noticed the plaque and read it.
'Certification of authenticity by the Guild of Two Fang city.
Level 4 Beginner cook.'
”Beginner?” A confused look playing on his face.
”Hahaha! If it isn't the little young master of the Four Ways lodge and Fen” With a bellowing laugh the vendor welcomed the two. He was a tall robust man who went barechested. His tanned body would put to shame most aspiring bodybuilders.
”You know me?” Adam was shocked. He had never left home without an entourage completely blocking the world out.
”You are the famous green-eyed young master! It is my honour to welcome such a well-known figure to my humble little stall.” Fen and the other girls of the lodge were also very well known because of their mild and respectful manner of speech and personality.
'I guess rumours have spread about me' He guessed his unique eyes were the culprit for his infamy. If he knew about the myths and ghost stories he would truly have a headache.
”Two skewers please, we are in a hurry!” Fen ordered for them.
”coming right up! 6 coppers per skewer. Would you like to pay now or later?”
”Here.” Fen took out 12 coppers and handed it over to the vendor.
Copper was the lowest denomination of currency. Then there was silver.
100 copper made 1 silver. Above silver was gold.
100 silver made 1 gold.
Even Adam a sheltered young master was privy to this knowledge. After all, he would see the customer's to his lodge pay for their stay.
Within a few moments, two skewers with sizzling meat on them were handed to the two.
The meat was juicy beyond compare. The aroma alone would leave one salivating.
He did not know what it was about the food of this world but it was worlds apart from his previous world. Whether it was the magicules that all living forms ingested or the strange beasts and plants of this world, even the most basic food was better than any Michelin star chef cooked dish.
Chomping down on the meat, Skewer in hand and occasionally puffing out hot air from their mouth's, Fen and Adam started walking towards the direction of the Guild building.