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The Xalatan roots, although of a peculiar texture, were overcooked and lacked their usual crunch.
Despite its state, the food was a welcome offering to my starved body.
With each mouthful, I could taste the simplistic seasoning, a combination of local spices that added a distinct flavor to the meat.
The accompanying roots, although overdone, had a faint sweetness that somewhat balanced the meat’s dryness.
The ale, though, was a different story.
It was a robust concoction, dark and frothy, with an initial sweetness that transitioned into a bitter aftertaste.
Each sip sent a pleasant warmth coursing down my throat and brought a touch of comfort to the otherwise underwhelming meal.
The more I ate, the more my palate adapted to the meal’s flavor, or maybe it was just my growing hunger that made even the dry meat somewhat palatable.
I savored the meal for the experience it provided, the sense of normalcy it brought in the otherwise chaotic world.
To my left, a duo of Krelthorians were engaged in an animated discussion.
The Krelthorians are known for their fractal-like patterns of bioluminescent skin that shifted colours depending on their emotional state.
Their tendrils gently undulated as they conversed in their native tongue, a series of clicks and low hums, theirskin alternating between soothing hues of blue and vibrant sparks of red and orange, signalling a heated debate.
On the opposite side, a Nirothi was attempting to haggle with a Vortan over a piece of star map.
The Nirothi, a creature of pure energy contained within a sleek metal suit, flickered with excitement, while the Vortan, a mass of tentacles with a single giant eye in the centre, looked less than pleased.
The visual imagery between the cold, sterile metal of the Nirothi and the Vortan’s saltwater scent was odd, making their encounter even more interesting.
Suddenly, a soft laugh echoed through the room, a sound so melodious that it made me turn my head in its direction. It belonged to a human female sitting at a corner table, sandwiched between two male aliens.
She was beautiful, her hair a cascade of midnight, her eyes bright with amusement.
A sight so captivating it made the dry meat and overcooked roots seem more bearable.
The male aliens flanking her were of the Katar species, known for their large stature and heavily muscled bodies.
Their thick, gray skin was dotted with bioluminescent tattoos, and their eyes glowed an eerie black in the dim lighting.
Their deep laughter boomed across the room, overpowering the ambient noises.
The musky scent of their bodies permeated the air.
Seeing her amidst such company, a feeling of relief washed over me.
This was not a place for a solitary traveler, much less a human female.
The dangers lurking within Enchor’s Heart’s foggy veilwere numerous, and traveling alone was tantamount to walking into the jaws of death.
The fact that she had the protection of two Katar males provided a sense of security.
Despite the comfort of their presence, there was something about the human female that intrigued me.
Her laughter, her animated gestures, her captivating charm, they all made me want to know more about her, about her journey, her reason for being in a place as harsh and unpredictable as Enchor’s Heart.
I found my eyes straying back to her more often than I’d like to admit, my curiosity piqued.
As much as I was here to prove my worth to my father, the prospect of meeting someone new, someone from a different species, had always excited me.
