The group continued to walk along a dirt path surrounded by spiky wired poles. the grass gradually changed from tall and free to short and tidy.
Far into the fields you would find only a couple of trees. Unter their shadows were large sacks of skin, presumably herd, covered in fruit flies and feces.
The journey continued to be silent. The path curved around a mountain that revealed a sign above a poorly carved pole. Welcome to Gafrolias, written in lower case. The paths appeared to be the main street and one that lead around it.
Although they were tempted to go through, maybe curious to see what the usual habitants looked like, what their appearance revealed, they knew better than to try their luck.
They continued to walk down the path above the main one but were interrupted by a creature riding a four-legged taller creature. The rider seemed to wear his skeleton around his flesh, like an insect. The four-legged animal walked along the path with four sets of three toes supporting his weight against the ground. Its eyes poked out like antennas and moved around individually. Although it seemed unbothered by their presence, both their size and appearance were intimidating enough to abstain from going that path. Instead, they walked down the main road where the houses began to show above the weeds.
The town people walked back and forth without a trace of curiosity regarding the obvious wonder and strange mannerisms of those foreign children. Stolas, Daelan, Morant, Harriet, and Damien walked in line behind Cirrus, who led the way arguing they would find some sort of apothecary that could help with an open wound. If only they carried anything with monetary value that could be used amongst the town folks.
"Whoa!" Damien gasped at the sight of an enslaved creature. Pulled against their will into private property, the way he imagined foreigners to be treated.
A senior female creature displayed jade rings decorated with knotted strings and wildflowers. Her long dried-up fingers reminded Cirrus of the branch trees he decorated on the way from his house to the main road, when he was a child and learned, he could not afford to get lost in the woods, after all, who would look after him other than himself.
He picked one up and wore it on his thumb.
"My lady, if I own nothing of value, what can I do for you to earn this ring".
She lifted her ill-favored mush and said, "What would you be willing to do for a jade ring?"
"For a jade ring, I would do nothing, but anything of my own is of great value to me. I'm looking to find some sort of aid. My brother is very ill, and I come from very far, I'm afraid I don't have the necessary currency." If you are willing to help, I will do anything.
Faolán approached Cirrus from the back, if she was dangerous, he was certain he would be able to sense it. The woman however, had no smell.
"How come you have no currency, with the kind of fabric and the detailed tailoring of your clothing, I could surely believe you belong to the royals, and yet you are begging, Are you some sort of fugitive?" She said leaning in closer to his face. Her breath had the smell of flower petals and stems.
"It's a long story, my lady". Cirrus responded with his eyes firmly locked on hers.
"If you need a doctor, I know of a cheap one, although I can't be sure she will be of any help. For that and the ring on your finger, I want a precious rock of your liking. One you could confidently say belongs to a crown your king would wear".
Cirrus smiled gladly. "Mo, you can do that, can't you?" He said while moving aside.
Morant waked ahead towards the table with a thin layer of cheap fabric covered in jade rings. A diamond with 14 centimeters of diameter. One of a kind, he used as a signature in his daggers.
"Even a king could not find a diamond like this" Cirrus said with a joyous smile.
"I will take your word for it."
She wrapped her merchandize and allowed them to walk behind her table to a narrowing alley. Behind that building were other paths with pavemented streets.
There was a three-story building with a spiral staircase on the side. On the side was a board that had written with chalk "beware of the birds.
"You may go up these stairs to the last floor, Romelia should be there. She will help you with what you need".
"Wasn't the diamond a bit too much for telling us to walk here" she's not even carrying us up the stairs". Harriet whispered as they walked up the stairs.
"Shhh.." Mo interrupted.
"He's not wrong to say that." Damien whispered.
"A diamond has no value to her on this world, in reality, we just gave her a pretty rock for some basic human decency. But I can't help but feel bad for her. If she wanted that rock to make rings, she will have a hard time trying to carve it. And for a singular ring... that's a bit too much". Mo responded out of breath.
"So, we fucked her over?"
"kinda."
When they reached a bright red metal door, Faolán walked ahead for a last check of hostility before a very unproportionated encounter. Stolas continued to look around while Mo knocked bravely.
A young very human looking woman opened the door with an awkward smile.
"Are you here for the wounded boy under the oak cliff?" She said walking towards an open window.