Chapter 1 Notes: (See the end of the chapter for notes.) Chapter Text “Ahem.”The sound of a throat cleared roughly in agitation cut through the hustle and bustle of the midmorning market, making the prospective customer cringe beneath the weight of the merchant’s unimpressed stare as she rooted through numerous pockets. Come on, where did I stash my zinos!? Are these – no, that’s the bag of royals I picked up at that bizarre fairytale country…Not for the first time did she curse her own shoddy packing procedures. Not that pocket, or that bag, it must be – there they are!The girl bounced back up from her sagging pack, a fistful of pressed golden coins held before her stiffly with a forced smile.“Ha, sorry about that, I was in a rush this morning and I had to make sure I had everything ready to go, and you – you know how it is, right? Heh heh…”The baker’s stare remained bemused, even as he wordlessly scraped the money from her palm and shoved the proffered bundle of gently steaming pastr...
