No sooner did Dukhan finish paying for the barely edible fruit than did the young woman he had planned to talk to disappear into the crowd of the market.

[color=a36209]"What the...?"[/color] Dukhan muttered incredulously.

"What's that?" said the old woman "Is your cousin not here after all?"

Panic gripped Dukhan's heart. He had fought sandwurms and survived deadly puzzles in ancient tombs, but this was the greatest terror he had ever felt.

Before he knew it, he had said something about seeing his landlord and sprinted away from the fruit stand, into the bustling crowd.

Pushing his way through, he saw smoke rise from a chimney nearby. His heart swelled.

[i][color=a36209]Of course! A tavern! That's where adventurers always met in the stories! How could I be so foolish![/color][/i]

With renewed confidence, Dukhan strode toward the busy tavern. As he opened up the door and stood in the doorway, he was greeted with the all-too-familiar sight of barroom commotion. Fortunately, Dukhan had other plans. He walked toward the bartender and sat down serenely on the first open bench, preparing to inquire about the opportunities for adventure and heroism in the area.