Anna spends the morning walking the city.

Anna headed downstairs. Gideon greated her, "Hey Anna, here's breakfast." He placed a plate of toast and eggs in front of her. Anna raised an eyebrown at the addition, "Yep, the eggs are thanks to a bit more cash from yesterday."

Anna felt a strange sense of pride; she was the reason the tavern had done better yesterday, even if it was because the men couldn't take their eyes off her. She ate her food and asked, "So I'm on shift again like yesterday?"

"No point you working yourself till you drop, go out and enjoy your morning! Be back for midday for your shift."

Anna was going to protest as she needed all the cash she could get, but realised that she could probably use the chance to see the city. So she grabbed a pouch and filled it with her earnings from the day before and headed out into the streets.

Deepcleft by day was much more welcoming than by night. Gideon's tavern was at the edge between the Red Light District and Marketside. Anna decided to head towards Deepcleft's famous market.

Asking a couple of people for directions she headed into Marketside proper towards Deepcleft Market. The market was an enormous square of shops, stalls and tents. It was full to the brim of food and spices and clothes and all manner of other items and oddments. The sents and sounds were overpowering. The cries of business owners behind market stalls flogging their wares and fighting for customers attention filled the air. The most interesting sight for Anna was the people. There seemed to be every kind of race here, tall slender elves,stocky dwarves, halflings; even the imposing figure of the odd orc or half orc that made Anna hold her breath remembering the orc clan's attack on her village. But it seemed that the orcs and indeed everyone here were far from their rural cultures. They all mingled and drank and here in the market they all bought and sold from each other. It was a delightful melting pot. Anna found herself staring at every new thing and contemplating what she should spend her money on, if anything. She figured she should at least get some nicer clothes.

Approaching a stall selling simple female skirts dresses and tops, the shop keeper, a blond halfling woman with rosy cheeks and a warm demenour, smiled at her. "Hello there madam, what can I do for you?"

"I'm just looking for a new outfit. One that is more feminine than this," Anna indicated the trousers and shirt which she had fled her village in "but that isn't too revealing."

"Sure thing my dear." She began showing Anna various outfits. In the end Anna decided on a blue skirt that hung down to just below her knees that matched a simple white shirt. She also bought a blue cloak to keep off the cold.

Leaving the stall she explored the rest of the market. She began to see the sense in the layout, one side was food produce, one side cloth and clothes, then towards the surrounding streets it sprawled out into various miscellaneous items. The edges of the square was lined with street food stalls.

Anna headed towards the streets where the stalls became more interesting. There was all sorts, metalworkers, jewellery, books. Walking past one shop with a stall outside, Anna attention was drawn to the woman behind the stall. She was a catfolk, with cat ears and a long black tail and was dressed like she was about to diffuse a bomb, in thick leather gloves and a hard hat.

"Hey sweety!" came the cheery voice of the catfolk girl, "Do you want to try a free sample of my energy potion!"

The stall was covered in glasswear filled with different coloured liquids. There was clearly a magical essence to most of them. The store behind was called "Athena's Potions and Alchemical Supplies"

"Hi er, are you Athena?"

"Yep tha's me!" The catfolk bounced happily. She was bubbly and petite with a broad smile. "Well do ya want a free sample?"

Anna raised an eyebrow, "Are they safe?"

"Totally safe! I would know I've had enough of them!" came the cheerful reply Athena's pupils dilating just a little too much.

Anna picked up one of the glittery blue potions, inspecting the label, it read, 'Side effects: common - increased heart rate, increased libido, uncommon - head aches, blurry vision.'

"Increaded libido?"

"Yup, these are based off my aphrodesiac recipe."

"I see..."

Art Credit: Ruben Hernandis