After a week of walking and half a week of travel by boat they make it to the port city of Rigowlows, one of the most western cities of the Sanoran empire. The city is divided by the river Rigow cutting it in halves. Once a commercial hub, its golden days are long gone, as these days the Rigowlows sees little sea faring traffic. Outside the main residential areas and city walls several canals lead to stone flooring built with farms that grow on mud, allowing the desert city to still have some sustainable agriculture.

  This is the last time we will see civilization since we are heading into the lands of the former allied kingdoms.

  We need to stock up on food and potions.

  You guys can buy food, me and Mona will take care of the rest, it'll be fun, I've never been shopping in a Sanoran place before! Alina says, excitedly.

  Alina and Mona run off to the town centre. It's small but there's a large selection of tailors, bakeries, food stalls and all sorts of different speciality stores.

  First they buy some roasted vegetables and meat on a stick, a local speciality, although it doesn't align with Alina's more refined tastes. It's cheap cuts of meat with lots of connecting tissue and fatty parts, but Mona enjoys it. One of the advantages of growing up poor is that a person becomes more easily satisfied. To her any dish with meat is a treat.

  Lets go buy shoes, I could use a new pair, these are so worn out after all the walking we do.

  Couldn't you just repair them? It's way cheaper.

  I want new ones! These are old and boring.

  They head into a shoe store. There's all sorts of boots, beautifully crafted. Look at these Mona, Alina holds a pair of brown leather boots with hand stitched embroidery in flowery patterns, and bronze buckles for the belts that hold it all together.

  The store assistant, an older woman, compliments her selection. Those are fine boots, crafted from Tessken leather, they can withstand both warm and cold climates. But they don't come cheap.

  Alina purchases the boots without giving it much further thought. What about you Mona, did you find anything?

  I don't really have the funding for new boots, I'll just send mine for repairs and I'll walk on my feet for a day.

  But you always wear the same boots Mona, doesn't it ever get boring. A lady should have a vast wardrobe. Pick out some new boots, I'll buy them for you. Because you are smaller you should go for the cuter more childish options, men are all over that for some reason. Me I have to use my beauty and status, I wear clothes that accentuate my figure. Good clothing makes life easier.

  Alina sure knows a lot about fashion.

  Isn't the fashion different in the Ocilon empire compared to here?

  Sure it is, we usually wear thick clothes because it's so much colder, but when it comes to looking attractive I think men everywhere like the same things.

  Mona picks out 2 short black boots made of softer material. They are more suitable for running and quick movements, and thus for combat situations, and they are in fashion.

  Next we should buy some potions. Really our party composition leaves a lot to be desired, I have to do all the healing, we don't have anyone that can provide buffs or curses, and we are quite reliant on melee.

  Yes I agree, strategically it doesn't make a lot of sense. It's because guys always want to fight up close, they seem to naturally drift towards melee weapons. They think it's more honorable or something. To them it's more of a game I think.

  Yes, men never grow up, it's all games to them, Alina agrees. It was similar in my castle, all the men want to be assassins or sword fighters. If they all had their way, our forces would've consisted of nothing but dagger wielding assassins and short swords.

  Anyway we should get some potions too, let's head to the potion store.

  A middle aged woman with black hair and a wizard hat greets them. Seems like no matter where you go, if there's a lady selling potions she will look like a witch.

  We need some strength potions, stamina potions, healing potions and mana potions. Maybe we should get a generic anti-dote just in case? You never know.

  How about this? Flask of swiftness. The bottle is filled with a green liquid. The label reads: Drink for faster body movement, up to 50% faster than regular. Effective immediately. Lasts for 30-50 seconds. Do not combine with alcohol. Keep out of reach from children or cats.

  This seems quite useful for a melee fighter. There's only one bottle left, let's buy it.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Well that should be about everything. We can head back.

  Wait, let's go to the tailors, I want some new robes. I've been wearing the same 2 robes since I left my castle.

  Most people just wear their clothes till they become rags and then ditch them but Alina wants new clothes, even though her current ones are still in good shape.

  As they walk outside they spot a weapon smith.

  Can we stop there? Zad mentioned he wanted to buy some nice daggers for his little brother, but I don't think he has a lot of money left.

  Alright, I'll pay for it then.

  They select a pair of beautifully engraved daggers that are supposedly imported from the southern kingdoms. They may not be very practical, but they make for a great souvenir.

  Then they enter the tailor's shop, a young beautiful lady greets them, wearing an exotic outfit.

  My name is Lala, I'm a dancer and a fashion expert, my parents own this store. How can I help you?

  Do you have anything you could recommend to true royalty?

  Lala ponders for a bit. Hmm perhaps we have something you could try. She brings Alina over to the changing room and hands her a set of clothes. After a few minutes she reappears.

  What do you think of these Mona? Alina is wearing silken Sanoran white robes. It's got beautiful patterns stitched into it with golden silk. It looks comfortable too.

  It's so soft! It feels like I'm wearing nothing at all, yet at the same time it traps heat to prevent me from getting cold.

  Do you want these too? I could ask them to make one in a smaller size, Lala says, eager to make another sale.

  It's beautiful Alina, but I prefer to wear darker colours myself. And I don't want to ask you for too much, I'm fine just wearing the robes I wear now.

  No, I want to buy you new clothes. The ones you have now aren't doing you any favours. It's almost like you've been wearing them for months. And those patches on the back make you look shabby, Alina says sternly.

  But I have been wearing them for-

  What about these then? The material is very soft. And the hood has fake cat ears on them, you'll look very cute! Lala says, whilst holding a set of said robes. It would really compliment your looks.

  They have arcane symbols on them, isn't that your religion? Alina says, whilst holding the clothes. And it's so soft.. Plus with those cat ears you'll charm all the boys, no combat necessary!

  I don't really need any new-

  I already bought them! Wear them or it will go to waste. She throws the robes at Mona who barely catches them in time.

  Alina can be quite pushy. Mona tries on the new robe in front of the mirror. It does really make her look cuter. Her old robes were supposed to be more intimidating. And the hood makes it so she can still hide her face.

  Lala is satisfied with her sales, although she's unsure if she's a good salesperson or if Alina is just a good client.

  What about this? Look at this scarf, it'd be great on Kilian. He'll look so handsome. Alina continues, with stars in her eyes she looks at the scarf.

  Time seems to stand still as they spend what feels like hours in the clothing store, even Mona enjoys herself, shopping for accessories is a lot more fun when you can make so many purchases.

  Eventually they return to the rest of the group.

  Kilian, we bought some strength potions for you too! Alina hands him a bag of strength potions

  No thanks, I don't like those. they make them from Wuzle roots, I can't stand that taste.

  Why not? Just drink them, it's really good for you in a pinch.

  No I really can't drink them, it's too gross to me.

  Isn't there anything you don't like Alina? Something you truly despise?

  Alina thinks for awhile. Then she answers. Poor people.

  What, why do you hate poor people? Not really the type of answer Kilian was looking for.

  Because, they dress awfully and oftentimes they smell bad. They disgust me. One time I went on a diplomatic trip to the Hiatum republic and this group of about 3 poor people approached me in the street right outside of the mansion we stayed in, begging for money. I was never so disgusted and afraid at the same time, I almost had to gag. I ran back to the mansion as fast as I could and paid the guards to remove them from the premises. Thankfully, I never saw a poor person around the place after that. That's why I told my dad that when I become queen of Hazzlefrust, my first order will be to remove all the poor people from the city, so everyone can live without their hindrance..

  Alina.. that's a really bad thing to say. It's not like they want to be poor, they'd dress better and would clean themselves if they could afford to do so. You should use your power to help them live better lives.

  Can't they get jobs then to make money? Why don't they take care of themselves, they bother everyone else for no reason.

  You can't always get a job or enough money Alina... usually people become poor because of things outside of their control. For example imagine if you're a miller and your mill burns down. Now you have nothing to make money with.

  Why not buy a new mill then?

  Maybe you don't have enough money.

  Why didn't he save money then to buy a new mill?

  You know what, forget it Alina, I don't think I'm going to be able to explain this to you.

  Okay, that's fine. I also got you this scarf Kilian, look how pretty it is, put it on!

  Kilian puts on the scarf, but it looks rather ugly and feminine, with a weird floral pattern on it. Something old ladies would wear.

  He remembers what Ennius once told him, if a girl likes a guy she will sometimes buy him ugly clothing items so he becomes less attractive to other women, they don't even realize it. He always thought it was just a myth but maybe he was right.

  But he can't just throw it away, that'd look ungrateful. Let's hope he loses it in battle.

  Here Zad, we got you some daggers for your little brother. Mona hands him a box containing the daggers.

  Wow, these look amazing, thank you guys!

  Don't mention it.