At dawn, Silver Scale Bay woke from its slumber, bustling with people and noise.
There was almost no nightlife here. People went to bed early and rose early.
The town stretched along the bay, long and curved like a crescent moon. A winding main street ran through the entire town, the widest and liveliest street in Silver Scale Bay.
All kinds of shops lined both sides of the street. Fragrant smells, fishy smells, and strange smells mingled with the sea breeze and assaulted people's noses.
"What's this? How much is it?" Brat stopped outside a small shop, where a male Halfling was selling a colorful dish that gave off a rich aroma.
"Halfling stew, sir." The Halfling's accent was strange, but his tone was warm. "Chicken broth with shredded chicken, onions, potatoes, red bell peppers, corn, carrots... It's delicious, only 9 copper coins..."
"What about this?"
"Oatmeal Cookies, 4 copper coins each. You know, everything's getting more expensive these days..." The Halfling spoke quickly, his words running together and hard to make out.
"Three servings of stew, six cookies." Brat had just received a share of the "spoils," and he was feeling flush with cash.
"Please wait a moment, sir." The Halfling took the money, his voice rising several pitches.
The stew had broth, so the Halfling folded large unknown leaves into round bowls to hold it. The cookies were likewise wrapped in leaves, which kept them from burning the hands and carried a fresh grassy scent.
"Eat while it's hot." Brat handed the food to Anse and Finn.
"Didn't you already eat?" Anse waved a hand and only took one cookie.
The cookie was smaller than his palm and about a finger thick. Golden brown, it filled his mouth with the rich flavors of oats and milk after a