[center][i][b][h3]Kichirō Takagi, Kaganja[/h3][/b][/i][/center]

The young woman walked away. There was something about her…Kichirō just felt he would see her again. He quickly turned away and faced the fish monger. “Do you know where I might locate the Herbalist or the alchemist? Or potion master in this settlement?”

“Aye,” the man reeked of the sea. He was at least fifteen years senior to the Arkanan Monk, with a bulbous figure. Undoubtedly equal parts sinew and cellulite. Quite possible the sinews were hardened from a life at sea and carrying the extra weight around. People tend to discredit overweight figures with weakness, but they do conceal muscle. They are both located two streets west of here about three hundred yards down on the left.” What wasn’t said was the two businesses were neighbors. Since one relied on the other, it only made sense the two had a shared existence.

“Did I hear that woman ask you about Zemida Naakesh Kaanada?”

“Aye. He is raising an army to deal with the fractured state of affairs here in Baneghoran society.” The fishmonger started a coughing fit. He was at wise enough to turn his head away from his wares.

“Where might I find this Zemida Kaanada?”

“His estate occupies the lands where the ruined fort, one of the earliest buildings in this land. You can find him there.”

“Thank you, sayidi,” Kichirō bowed with his hands pressed in front of him. His eyes remained on the man with a slight approving smile pursing his lips.

Within ten minutes, he was in front of the Herbalist shop, which was in fact adjacent to the alchemist shop. These businesses were located indoors, wooden buildings rather than hasty stands and tents with people clamoring all around.

The door was slightly stuck, causing him to appear hesitant. A swift and hearty push caused him to stumble inwards. 

“I do need to get that door fixed,” a thin dark featured man with a bad case of crows’ feet lamented upon Kichirō’s entrance. “How may I be of service to you, Sayidi?” The man spoke Equarish eloquently. His dialect was much more refined than the man from Arkana.

“Thank you. I was wondering if you had any powdered puffer fish extract and a bottle or two of seaweed extract?” Kichirō asked.

Without skipping a beat, the thin businessman jumped into action. He clapped his hands together as he stepped to the side. “Why yes, of course,” he drew Kichirō’s attention to a row of vials on a shelf to the man’s left and then waved a hand over a display table containing the powdered fish liver.

Kichirō stepped forward to view the items. He could tell right away they were exactly what he was looking for.

“Suitengu's Surge and Strike of Flowing Waters, I presume?”

Kichirō snapped his head towards the man, initially in surprise that he knew what the items would be used for, but then assumed the man had met monks like himself before. The monk smiled, “you are good. Do you remember every spell component?’

“It is my business.” The man then charged him a few coins for his purchase and Kichiro left to find the Zemida Kaanada.

Within twenty minutes or more, he was entering the grounds containing Kaanada’s estate.