The night market of Valewind was like a labyrinth, with vendors hawking their wares.
Keane found himself navigating this sea of commerce with Lina as his eager guide, his eyes cataloging every detail while Lina's delicate hand rested on his forearm. She guided him with the enthusiasm of a child showing off a favorite toy, though her sidelong glances betrayed a woman's interest.
"The clothes here are much cheaper than the day market," Lina said as they took a sharp turn. "And I know a good place. The clothes there are better than anything you'll find during daylight hours," she explained, her hazel eyes bright with excitement.
They soon arrived in front of a stall that looked to have been held up like a tent with collapsible clothes.
"What kind of clothes do you prefer?" Lina asked, her hazel eyes bright with enthusiasm as they paused before the stall draped with fabrics of various textures and hues.
Different wears and attires lined its interior, with several scattered over the ground to the sides while others were neatly folded.
Keane surveyed the options, easily at a loss as everything looked good, and none looked better than the other.
Seeing as it would be more difficult for him to make the decision alone, he turned to Lina who wore a smile on her face as though it had been plastered there. "Why don't you pick something for me? You'll know better. I just want something practical and free." He said.
Hearing what he said, Lina's eyes lit up at the invitation, her cheeks flushing with pleasure at being trusted with such an intimate decision. She stepped closer to the stall, her fingers dancing across the various fabrics, one after the other.
"I know exactly what would suit you," she murmured.
The merchant, a weathered woman with knowing eyes, watched the exchange with amusement, recognizing the dance of courtship playing out before her stall.
Keane caught her staring, though she didn't notice, looking at the older woman who looked genuinely delighted at he and Lina. In one way it was embarrassing to him, as she looked like those old ladies watching romantic movies wishing they were the female lead and still fawning over the young male lead.
Keane chuckled at the thought, remembering earth for a brief moment.
That aside, what Lina selected surprised Keane a bit, as it was just perfect, holding up loose-fitting garments that prioritized comfort and mobility. There was a pair of dark brown trousers that tapered at the ankles, a cream-colored shirt with flowing sleeves, and a leather vest that could be worn open or closed depending on the weather.
"These are more… practical," Lina explained, holding the garments up against Keane's frame with an appraising eye. "Most men here dress to impress the nobility, all tight and with the flesh… You're not from here, are you? You move differently." She asked, her tone innocent and genuinely inquisitive, perhaps even fascinated.
Her question wasn't totally unexpected, just as it wasn't unreasonable. Just as he had told Elara and the others, he gave the same story to Lina who bought it without a shred of doubt.
"How old are you?" Keane asked, studying her youthful features with newfound curiosity as he accepted the bundle of clothes.
"Sixteen," Lina replied proudly. "Been working at the inn since I was twelve."
Keane's eyebrows rose slightly. "Sixteen? And you're allowed to work the night shift?"
Lina laughed, the sound bright against the market's backdrop of haggling and chatter. "Of course! I'm of age. Most girls my station are married with children by now." She tilted her head, studying him with frank curiosity. "How old are you?"
"Twenty," Keane answered, not seeing a reason to lie. His physical appearance matched that age perfectly now, even if his mind carried the experience of twenty-six years.
Lina nodded, seemingly pleased with his answer. "I thought so. You're not much older than me then." Her smile widened, revealing a dimple in her left cheek. "In Valewind, boys can marry at fifteen, girls at thirteen." She offered this information with the casual air of someone stating the weather, unaware of how it highlighted the cultural differences between this world and Earth.
Keane processed this information with a carefully neutral expression. The marriage ages kind of matched medieval Earth's customs, though he found it somewhat unsettling given his modern sensibilities. Even then, he was adaptable. If this was the norm here, he would adjust accordingly, perhaps not immediately though.
After paying the merchant with her own money, Lina guided him through more of the night market. They sampled street food, skewers of spiced meat and honey-glazed fruits that Lina insisted he try, and watched street performers for a short while.
Throughout their exploration, Lina stayed close, occasionally brushing against him in ways that seemed both innocent and deliberate.
As they ate, walking side by side, Lina grew more animated, her natural exuberance breaking through her initial nervousness. She told him about growing up in Valewind, about her dreams of traveling someday, perhaps even seeing the capital.
"My father says I'm foolish," she admitted, "but I know there's more out there than just this city, you know? Don't you want to do the same?" She asked excitedly.
"Of course." Keane answered, his voice calm with a light smile on his face.
As the night deepened and the crowds thinned, Lina's youthful energy remained undiminished. As they passed a particularly colorful display of masks, she grabbed his hand impulsively, pulling him closer to see.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she asked, eyes wide with delight. "They're for the Festival of Veils next month."
Keane nodded, finding her enthusiasm oddly refreshing after days of calculated interactions with Elara and her companions. There was something genuine about Lina that appealed to him, not just her obvious attraction to him, but her unguarded approach to life.