Boundless. That would be the word Alidorim would use to describe Yulia. Keeping an eye on her was more exhausting than the journey. Despite the many miles they had walked she still moved with limitless speed and energy. If she wasn't attempting to climb a tree she was chasing after some poor animal that happened across the path.
"There you are," he called out as the Teifling stumbled out of a bush onto her backside.
Unembarrassed she flashed the Dragonborn a toothy smile. "Hydda Father!"
It had been several days, and he still wasn't used to the title. "I told you to stay in sight," he grumbled, "Did you forget?"
Standing Yulia moved to walk beside him. "I chase a butterfly," she explained making grand gestures, "but it get away. But I almost caught rabbit-"
The Dragonborn's fingers pinched her mouth shut mid-sentence. "We mustn't be separated on the road," he warned, "You need to remain within my sight."
Julia pushed his hand away and smiled again. "Yyw, I will." She turned and started running again saying, "but not all the time." Alidorim groaned inwardly. It was fortunate he was longer-legged then the girl or she'd outpace him for sure. Laughing Yulia approached the edge of the road near a hill. "Where you at, rabbit?" she asked casting about the bushes. No luck there she moved forward. Yulia was nearing the crest when Alidorim heard her gasp. "Look father!" she yelled pointing and jumping in excitement.
Below them was the town of Triboar, according to the map. Even from a distance, Alidorim could tell it was a lively crossroads settlement full of the hustle and bustle of roaming merchants, caravanners and other travelers. The landscape surrounding the town was lush and well-suited for farming.
"A city!" Yulia exclaimed, "We go visit?" As if there was any other option. Triboar sat on a crossroads. It featured a vast marketplace where local farmers, ranchers, and roadside salespeople offered their wares. It would be the last major settlement they would encounter before reaching Neverwinter. They would need to restock on supplies if they hoped to make it.
The market was packed by the time they arrived. Though he saw no other Dragonborn or Teiflings, Alidorim and Yulia barely stuck out. Humans, Near Humans, and Inhumans mixed during the town's commerce. Yulia was awestruck no matter which direction she looked. Olkith wondered if she'd ever seen a place like Triboar before. "This the biggest City I see," she answered his unasked question.
It was certainly the most prosperous town Alidorim had ever seen. But greater prosperity usually meant greater danger. He was about to warn Yulia about straying too far when he caught sight of her. The girl was squatting next to a cat sunbathing and poking at it curiously. Alidorim kept his grumbles low. She was still a child after all. Sighing he called out to her.
Yulia turned, holding her stomach. Her expression was almost queasy. "Father, I hungry."
Sighing again, Alidorim figured they could spare some coin for a decent meal. Gods knew he'd like one after days of trail rations and the odd bit of wild game. According to a local, the Northshield House was the most reasonable accommodation for those just passing through. The Inn was tidy and unassuming. Once seated Alidorim asked for the most affordable meal.
"Two daily specials it is," the serving wench proclaimed.
The special ended up being mushroom stuffed bottom-feeder. Yulia looked uncertain but once Alidorim began eating his meal, she delved into her own. After the first tentative bite, her eyes lit up and she began scarfing it. The server was pleasant enough, though a little invasive with her questions. As it turned out Dragonborn weren't an uncommon sight along the Sword Coast but paired with Tiefling, and a young one like that naturally drew attention.
"Where will ya'll be spending the night?" She asked.
"Outside the city," he stated flatly. The people were nice enough but less time he was in such a crowded place the better.
The server actually looked dumbfounded. "You sure about that? It's not safe," she looked nervously between the Dragonborn and Yulia, "besides you have a young one."
Alidorim made sure his blades were clearly visible. "We will manage." But the server would not be assuaged. She hastily brought out the Inn's owner and explained the situation. The plump dark-skinned man rubbed his chin in thought before saying, "We have a room to spare."
"I'm afraid we-" he started to say they couldn't afford the cost of a room even for a night, but the Owner was one step ahead.
"I have some supplies that need moving. That will be the cost of your room and meal. Besides," he bent down and smiled at Yulia who was heartily enjoying the last few bites of her food. "The little one likes my cooking."
'Some supplies' ended up being two wagonloads of crates and bags. Yulia watched nibbling on some treats the server had brought her. It was sunset by the time he finished. It was strenuous, but labor for a warm, dry place to sleep? It wasn't even a choice.
The room was simple, consisting of only a bed and table topped by a lantern. There was a narrow window that looked out on the street. Yulia bounced on the featherdown mattress giggling in joy. Compared to the wilderness, this place was high class. Staying in the Inn wasn't part of the plan, but Olkith would adapt. At least they still had the coin to spare.
Down on the street, the locals went about their business. Merchant stalls were closing and streetlamps were being lit. Turning back Alidorim saw the bed was vacant. Glancing down he spied a pair of tiny legs sticking out from beneath the frame. "What're you doing?"
"Egedarulq...umm...exploring," she replied kicking her legs to get further in. Alidorim often found her behavior inexplicable. Almost random, yet strangely endearing. "I happy we stay here," she said, "I going to have fun!" Even with the mattress muffling her voice, there was no masking her enthusiasm.
"You are?" he questioned dropping his pack at the foot of the bed.
"Yes. Aren't you?"
Alidorim merely grunted in response. He supposed a child would find joy in staying in a cheap Inn. It was just another adventure to her. The Dragonborn was just starting to remove his armor when he heard the Teifling squeak. "Umm...father...I stuck." The Dragonborn managed to ease the girl out from beneath the frame but now without ripping a hole in her cloak's hood. Yulia was apologetic, but Olkith waved it off. They had no spare clothing, thus any damage would make their travel more difficult. Fortunately, Alidorim was used to repairing his own gear, Yulia's would be no different.
"We have an early morning," he stated pulling out a small sewing kit, "Get some sleep."
"No," She pouted crossing her arms, "I stay up with you."
"Sleep Yulia," he growled warningly.
"I not tired, father," she grumbled jutting her chin in a way that reminded Alidorim of the dwarf back in Everlund. He glared down at the girl, who stared stubbornly back up at him.
The Dragonborn hadn't completed his sixth cross-stitch before the Tieflings eyelids drooped. By the time he finished the repair, Yulia was snoring softly. He covered them both with the blanket and drifted off himself.
"Thank you, father!" Yulia exclaimed as she dawned her freshly mended cloak. Alidorim shrugged. It was a simple fix after all. He would have to teach Yulia how to cross-stitch. It was a useful skill to have. "What us doing today?" she asked cheerfully.
"We need to restock our supplies," he replied dawning his own cloak and backpack.
Yulia cheered. "We going shopping!" she cried out. Alidorim had to hurry to follow her giddy form out of the room. At least one of them was looking forward to the market. He couldn't help but wonder if the joy of shopping was a Tiefling attribute...or a female one.
The sun was bright as they perused the stalls of Triboar's expansive market. Merchants and families alike were out in force that day. Alidorim hoped the girl wouldn't strain her neck by how much she snapped it about. He'd have to keep an eye on her for sure.
The first purchase of the day was additional food for the trip. Next some herbs for their medical kit. As he haggled with the merchants, Yulia became engrossed with the wares of the other stalls. If it wasn't the plumage of an exotic bird, it was a man showing off handcrafted trinkets.
Alidorim had started to leave when he noticed, Yulia wasn't at his side. Looking back, he saw the girl was staring at the crowded square. There stood a long-limbed half-orc in the midst of a rather impressive juggling act. But it wasn't the feat that drew the girl's attention. Yulia was staring at the people which consisted mostly of parents with children. The area was filled with laughter and smiles. There was no mistaking the longing in her eyes.
"Yulia?" he said, gaining her attention. "One more stop...then we can see about watching the juggler." She glanced back at the crowd before nodding.
The Lion's Share was their final stop for the day. There were many stores in Triboar that bought and sold wears, but only locally. The Lion's Share was part of a chain of stores that traded up and down the coast. Over the course of their journey, Alidorim had built up an inventory of furs, semi-precious stones, and wild herbs. He'd hoped to sell or trade them in order to refill their depleting funds.
"Not enough," Alidorim said to the merchant. "Those furs would go for double in Everlund. And those stones triple in Sundabar."
The human behind the counter shrugged in apology. His opulent robes did little to cover the folds of fat beneath. "That may be true," the man said, "But I'm afraid these stones are quite common around here."
And yet Alidorim had seen none for sale at any of the stalls he'd visited. He was no fool. He'd checked with local trappers and prospectors. Olkith knew exactly what he was selling. The Merchant was trying to undercut him. Everything about him annoyed the Dragonborn, from his pudgy cheeks to the gaudy feather in his hat. Even the way he lazily slid the meager stack of coins across the counter boiled his blood.
"I think you'll find this amount more than fair," he said, attempting to grin pleasantly but the expression looked more like an ugly smirk. If Julia wasn't nearby Alidorim would've throttled the man for his blatant act of disparity. As it was the child's mere presence tempered his anger.
"Fine," The Dragonborn sighed and started to reach for the coins. At the last moment, his hand shifted over and grabbed a large jewel on the counter.
"What are you doing?" the man demanded, attempting to snatch the red gem back, but at a growl from the warrior the merchant backed off. "Please, sir, that's a very precious item. All the way from the tombs of Anauoch."
"Doubtful," Olkith said making the man gulp nervously. The Dragonborn turned the stone over and over in his hand admiring each angle as the light reflected and refracted off his crystalline surface. "I had a companion who fancied himself quite the jeweler. He always knew the real ones from the fake." Alidorim over-turned his hand and the merchant squealed in outrage as the gem plummeted to the floor. The moment its elongated corner struck the hard surface in shattered in a cascade of red shards.
"Glass," Alidorim declared glaring at a very anxious fat man. Grabbing another stone, this time a sapphire Olkith growled, "I'm willing to bet a lot of your wares are as fake as that smile of yours." He dropped the sapphire. It joined the gem in a growing pile of fragments. The merchant looked as if he was torn between screaming and crying. "I doubt the Merchant Guild would enjoy hearing about you cheating your customers." He picked up and dropped another useless rock in the form of a ruby. It too disintegrated against the stone.
"Fine! Here's your coin!" the man shouted depositing three additional stacks of currency.
Alidorim took the money, assessed its weight before dropping it in his purse. The merchant was red-faced with tears intermingling with sweat. If looks could kill, then the Dragonborn would've been cut in half. Part of him considered turning him in on general principle. But that would take time, and the man had already wasted enough of his.
"Time to go Yulia." No response. He turned and the spot where she had been sitting was vacant. He looked around the shop, but other then the disgruntled merchant the store was empty.