Ann’s shoulders hurt. Well, her back hurt too, but her shoulders did more. Pulling a vehicle and multiple people was hard work, and that Tarnu was back at it again with no complaints was insane. The man just stretched a bit that morning and hauled them all off.
The morning was spent pleasantly enough. Rosalyn was working on her whittling, Bren was reading, Lucia oiling and cleaning Fillianore, Kat was doing the sa for her armour, and Ann was drawing. Although the motion of the vehicle was too rough for her alchemy, Alruna was able to grind down herbs she’d brought along.
“What are you drawing?” Alruna asked in her permanently tense voice.
“Mm, nothing really. Just kinda doodling whatever I’m thinking about. Right now it’s Kat’s dragon because we never got a great description. Is this the thing, Kat?” She held up the rough sketch.
“Hm, nae, too thick. The chest is wider, but its body is still pretty thin. Also, the wings’re taller.”
Ann nodded and pulled out the wax tablet, beginning to erase the errors and scrape it off so she could keep going. Missing erasers was one of her personal struggles. Soone had to have an enchanted dohickey to erase things. Had to! Even it was a localised rewinding of ti, specifically on the sheet it was placed against. Maybe Wendyl was crazy enough to figure that out. She needed to send a letter once they were in town.
Speaking of, they’d spent a bit between the five of them helping Rosalyn write her letter, so that no one but her parents would catch on. The Druid had put it in one of her robe’s pockets for safekeeping.
“Ah, there. Almost there, Tarnu. Let take over so you aren’t as furry,” Alruna called.
Sure enough, walls could be seen in the distance. As they got closer, details ca into view. No grand walls like Graven Keep, but mundane wooden walls built about thirty feet high. Still, they looked solid, had so sharpened logs along the base to deter wild charges, and even had a couple people walking along the tops keeping watch. They didn’t look all that official compared to Korvas or Graven Keep, but that must be their guard.
Hos dotted the area around the walls, presumably with fields for farmland and animals, but everything was still under winter’s blanket. Ann had read that most towns like this would have a central keep or redoubt, while a good number of people would live outside the walls. Seems like this place had a larger section inside the wall, but kept the general layout. Smoke drifted lazily skyward from chimneys, and townsfolk bundled in coats went about their business as the sledge passed by. A few even stopped and waved, with Tarnu waving back.
The gates were wide open, but a pair of guards were standing watch and stopped the group.
“Halt, state your na and purpose in town,” the man’s bored tone droned from inside his helt. Ann hoped he had sothing warm in there. tal didn’t seem like a great idea here.
“Roderick, you know who we are,” Alruna sighed, leaning on the pullbar. “Must we repeat this charade every ti we visit?”
“Sorry Alruna, rules are rules. Nas and purpose.”
“Got a few newcors with you, too,” the female guard pointed out. “Just need to be safe. You get it.”
“Certainly. I am Alruna of no surna, and we are here to trade, sell, and otherwise do business.”
“Tarnu, sa reason!” the bear man called. He’d wrapped up his bulk to hide anything out of the ordinary besides his mandibles.
“Awful lot of Vulhardrin, as always,” the woman whistled. “Who’s the wolf?”
“Ann Kronfor,” Ann sort of lied. It was close enough, and they weren’t looking to attract attention. “I’m here to help out, send a letter, maybe buy so stuff.”
“Kat Steelslate. Sa ‘ere. Keepin’ girls company.”
“Lots of gear for just company,” Roderick pointed out.
“Ye seen the Warped out there? Soone needs tae kill ‘em.”
“Rosalyn of River’s Crest. Sending a letter and maybe shopping? I don’t really know.”
“Bren Hedera, and I am here to send letters and buy provisions.” They’d talked about whether Bren, Lucia, and Rosalyn should fake their nas. It had been determined that those three would be fine. They weren’t as much in the spotlight like the Princess and Chosen.
“Lucia Simourgh. Trade.”
“Alright, co on in. You staying the night this ti?” the woman asked.
“Yes, Susan. We have several larger orders we must make this ti, and will need to rest before our return.”
“One of these days you’ve got to invite to that weird village of yours.”
“No kidding. If you and Ann are anything to go by, it can’t be that bad,” Roderick laughed.
“Babe, stop flirting with the won.”
“What, I’d share ‘em with you like usual.”
“Alright, you scamps, we’re gonna head on in. Don’t get too distracted on watch.” Tarnu waved as Alruna pulled them in. “Wild couple, those two.”
Rosalyn looked back at the two conversing quietly with each other. “They’re together?”
“Married. Was eleven years ago, I think. Even with that, they’ve been… adventurous, let’s say.”
“Ever shared a night wit’ ‘em?” Kat ribbed the man.
Tarnu’s face fell. “Would if I wasn’t… this. Gods know they’ve offered. I just get to hear random stories in the bar.”
“Hey, just teasin’ ye, mate. Sorry tae hit a sore spot.”
Tarnu sucked in a breath, then shook his head. “Yeah, it’s good. I’ll find soone, hopefully, that I won’t accidentally maul.”
“We’ll get ye a girl. Don’t ye worry.”
“Or a guy,” Ann nodded.
Alruna pulled them down the main street. Humble shops and hos lined the streets. It was strange, after being in Korvas and Graven Keep, to see wooden hos the norm here. Most structures were wooden, in fact. Stone was used sparingly, and usually at the base of the building for extra structural strength. It reminded Ann of so older Scandinavian architecture. Specifically Finland, oddly enough. The facades of pretty much every building were brightly painted in pleasant patterns, individual to each family or business. It was mostly blues and reds, but so pretty yellows were here and there. She thought northern French architecture would have survived from Quebec, but immigrants might have had a stronger influence here over thousands of years. That, or this was a massive coincidence.
Alruna pushed them onto a side road, and behind what was probably the inn. There was a stable back there with room for carriages and horses or other beasts of burden. Finding a spot wasn’t difficult. Apparently, the town wasn’t too busy in the dead of winter.
Tarnu vaulted the sledge’s wall with ease and clapped his hands rrily. “Alright, everyone out. Let’s get rooms sorted out first, then you all can sightsee while Alruna sells her potions, and I start getting the orders together.”
The inn wasn’t much to look at. The first floor was a long, but not very wide, room with a few tables and a desk set against one wall. The wall didn’t match the exterior, so it probably had storage behind it. Wooden stairs led further up on the opposite side of the space.
“Hm? Is that Alruna and Tarnu I hear?” an elderly woman’s voice called. In trotted an absolutely ancient Bultrong. Her beard was white, and her scalp barren, but the skin around her eyes was crinkled, showing a long life of joy. Or she squinted a lot.
Alrun strode up to the desk, trailing her gloved hand along the wood with familiarity. “Good afternoon, Gretchen. Do you have rooms available for us tonight?”
“Oh my, there are a lot of you today. Are they all…?”
“Like us, yes.”
Ann paused her scan of the room. “Wait, she knows?”
“You think we can keep our secret entirely while we’re asleep?” Tarnu let out a singular bark of laughter. “Nah. Gretchen and old Palidius are in the loop out of necessity.”
“To answer your question, sowhat. They are undergoing changes, but not as we did. It is a complicated topic, but they are in their own control and of sound mind. You need not worry about any harm from getting near them.”
“Oh? Well, isn’t that lovely? Co visit for dinner. You all deserve so ho cooking now and then. Pal, how many rooms do we have?”
“What?” ca an equally ancient-sounding call from behind the wall.
Gretchen raised her voice and cupped her hands. “How many rooms do we have?”
“How many brooms?”
“Rooms, you deaf badger!”
“Oh! We’ve got five! Slow season for travellers!”
“Well, that’s that. You want all of them, or just a couple? Good mix of boys and girls this ti.”
“We shall take three,” Alruna decided. “Two for our guests, and one for Tarnu and . What is the rate for our night?”
“Eh, call it ten copper, and one of those energy potions, and we’ll call it even.”
“And for the al?”
“You’re not paying for that. You’re friends, and never a bother. Just join us at the house once you’re done. One of the grandkids will be watching the inn.”
Tarnu leaned on the desk, resting on an elbow. “Any more of the tykes since last ti?”
“Only one. Tabitha had a little boy last month. Got a letter about it just this week from Indelholm. Sounds like they’re all doing well.”
“Good! Gods, she was a tiny thing. Crazy to think she’s all grown up.”
“Grow like weeds, they do,” Gretchen cackled.
The three friends kept on with their small talk for a while. Apparently, it wasn’t just Gertrude and Palidius, but their children as well who knew the secret. Alruna explained they were all sworn to secrecy using magical contracts drawn up by Eldest of All to ensure the safety of the village. They hadn’t ever been to the Village of the Accursed, but knew several of those who lived there through stories or the rare occurrence of soone needing to go into town that was less human than most. They had t One with Eyes the previous year, taking a trip farther out from the village than usual.
“So, just a supply run this ti?” Palidius asked as he clicked his way into the room, leaning on a cane. The old human’s back was bent with thin arms and legs. His face was a ss of wrinkles and liver spots. He wore simple, but well-made clothes dyed red and blue like many of the houses, with a warm cap covering his head and ears. His eyes were a light green and sparkled in the light as he regarded the group. “Quite the lookers this ti, Tarnu.”
Tarnu rolled his eyes. “Yeah, just a supply run, and ordering. It’ll be a bit, but these five are new in town. We’ll leave them with you for now. Don’t get in trouble, kids.”
With that, Tarnu and Alruna left, pushing the door open against the whistling wind.
“So, more from the village, eh? You all new, or been there for a while?”
“New,” Ann replied, pulling up a chair. “We’re not as bad off as the rest. Better than Alruna even, but we just got here.” She pulled her hood off, letting her ears perk up. “How long have you all known them?”
“A long ti now. Well, most of our lives, really. My great-great-grandparents were the first to enter into the contract with the Eldest of All,” Palidius said, pushing himself up on a stool. “We’ve been helping out as we can for generations.”
“Wait, ye’ve known fer hundreds o’ years that there’s a town o’ Warped that aren’t mad, an’ ye kept it a secret all this ti?” Kat sputtered. “Why? It’s a feckin’ massive revelation fer the kingdom!”
“Young lady, how were you treated when you started changing?”
Kat faltered. The cover story against who she really was battled in her head for a mont. “Not too bad. parents kicked out, an’ I had tae live on own, but it wasn’t terrible.”
“You are rather fortunate. Were you older?”
“An adult, aye.”
“Incredibly fortunate. Especially that you were capable of surviving by yourself.”
“Bultrong wisdom is to cull the taint before it corrupts. A Warped in the mine or forge is an incredible danger to all around them. No rcy can be afforded, nor restraint. Voltid declares it a rcy that they pass before they hinder others’ work. It is the most efficient path.”
“Illdall sees it the sa. Rember my father telling that a priestess told him that ending a danger like that before it starts is protecting the innocent. Sotis a blade must be bloodied in the defence of others. Sothing like that,” Palidius sighed. “Gods our world is a cruel one.”
“We even had that traveller the other month. Man staggered up to the gate, raving mad, according to the guards. He was hissing and snarling under a black cloak, and when they pulled it off, they saw half his face was missing! Down to the bone! The rest had been replaced by these awful hooked scales. His arm was this massive lizard claw, and the other was missing. They killed the poor thing on the spot.”
“Or last year, when Nancy’s grandson ca back from a hunting trip a bit quieter than normal? He locked himself in his room and tore the door off its hinges later that night, after the screams stopped. Illdall saved everyone who survived. Killed his parents and his baby sister before anyone strong enough to put him down showed up. Point being, people have a real and reasonable fear of your kind. We’d be the insane ones for telling people about Warped what can reason and talk with you. No one would believe us, and if we insisted, the town would likely shun us. If anyone more important caught wind, there’d be an inquest, and we all know what the Inquisition’s like. Don’t want to wind up on their lists.” Gretchen shivered under her shawl.
Kat rolled her eye, but Ann nodded along. “Spooky. Sorry, Kat here’s a city girl. She thinks they’re just guard or sothing like that.”
“Aye! They’re just around tae take care o’ shite the regular guard can’t.”
“Is that why you hear about people disappearing all the ti? People who speak out against the kingdom? Shopkeepers just disappearing one day with no reason?” Gretchen asked. “Monsters, I tell you!”
“Nae, never heard o’ that self.”
“It’s true! You best be careful, girl, or they’ll co after you, too! Warped would be the first they’d make go away.”
Before Kat could escalate the argunt, Ann laughed and used her skill to ease the tensions in the room. “But we’re out on the outskirts. Less need to worry out here. Say, Gertrude, you know anyone who makes dolls?”
“Dolls? Odd question for soone your age. Hm, Beth, the carpenter’s daughter, likes to make things like that. Looking for cloth or wooden?”
“Cloth, preferably. Actually, probably both. The girl has so kinda sharp edges.”
“Yup, Beth can set you right, then. If it’s a rush order, you’re going to pay her extra. Don’t you dare let her talk you out of it!”
“I won’t! I won’t!” Ann laughed as Palidius brandished his cane at her. “Where’s she live?”
Palidius closed his eyes as he thought. “Head back to the main road, three buildings east, then one row to your left. It’s the one with all the wood next to it. Can’t miss it!”
“We will find the post office,” said Bren. “See you three later?”
Rosalyn fidgeted, looking between Ann and Bren. “I want to go with you. I want to send my letter myself.”
“You are more than welco,” Bren smiled, taking her hand.
“Centre square. Also can’t miss it,” Gertrude repeated her husband.
“Well, thanks for the rooms, and I guess we’ll see you for dinner? Anything else to do around here?” Ann asked.
“Well, folks like you are usually strong. There’ve been so repairs on the walls going on. The workers should be taking a lunch about now, but I’m sure they’ll love the help.”
“Aye. I think we can help wit’ that,” Kat nodded.
“Will help too.”
“Ye sure? Don’t want tae hang out more wit’ yer mate?” Kat teased Lucia.
“Am fine. No rush.”
“Not what you said in the tent.”
Bren absolutely had not ant for Kat and Ann to hear that, but they did. Neither woman could help the grins of glee on their faces.
“The TENT?” Ann gasped.
“Orenous, damn you for giving her those ears,” Bren groaned.
“I feckin’ heard ye too! Ye scoundrel!”
“Language!” Palidius scolded.
Bren’s cheeks were crimson as he made a hasty retreat with Rosalyn in tow, mumbling about forcing them to wear ear muffs.
“Lucia, I swear if ye filch on any o’ the details, I’m tyin’ yer tusks together until ye do.”
“No work. How even work?” Lucia laughed as they walked out the door.
“Feck if I know, but ye don’t ‘ave long enough ears tae do shite tae ‘em.”
“Have fingers, toes, arms, legs, nose, all things. Bad imagination.”
“I like tae be creative wit’ threats.”
Ann led the way as the two won bickered behind her. Bren was really rubbing off on Lucia in so ways. It put a smile on her face.
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