Near noon, the capital's white buildings reflected sunlight strongly enough to make Hajin narrow his eyes.
The streets remained crowded with traders, adventurers, plus commoners despite the hour as carriage wheels clattered over stone and vendors filled the warm air with food smoke beneath the brutal noon sunlight.
'It's busier than I expected.'
Juna walked beside Hajin with both hands inside her pockets, her ears reacting to every loud noise while her attention kept returning to him between one step and the next.
"I'm fine, Juna," Hajin said, stepping around a merchant carrying stacked crates.
She looked away too late to hide the latest check.
"You can stop staring at me with those sad eyes," he added.
"I am not staring," Juna muttered, giving one defensive flick of her tail.
A group of adventurers brushed past her, and she shifted closer to Hajin.
"I am making sure we don't get lost in this crowd," Juna continued.
