The Maps of Seven and the Trinket of Iris

The City of the Sea was quiet, and slow paced accept for the market place on main street that assembled daily before dusk, and finished by five in the eve. The merchants were friendly but aggressive more so than beggars, for many made their living this way. A hard living indeed, for the day was hot in the summer, and autumn brought forth plentiful rain. The winter was blistering cold, and the plants and trees pollinated heavily in the spring. Little critters were bothersome too, for they were mostly foragers inland. It was a hard life, but despite its challenges, many called the Sea City home. The town was quaint, and the people there kept humble gardens, and swept porches as they watched the business of the market punters who walked to and fro at different intervals during the day. Everyone knew everyone, but once in a great while, strangers would pass through these parts. But never warluki with a human, and it was a strange sight indeed. The children seemed to think nothing of it until they were called to come inside. They did not understand of course, why they were told they must. It was a relief to the eye in the summer months when the children would run about and play. They looked quite merry, the wee ones. Indeed, should there be any harm to befall them…it would be a sadness that would escape no one. So when strangers were abroad, the town was cautious. The warluki and young man entered the town watchfully, although there was no way to avoid the stares, for the sight of them all together was quite odd. Dumago cuffed Teropen forcing him to move forward despite his reluctance. The gag and rope about his face had been removed, for they could not afford unwanted attention. Dumago and Atoria walked behind Teropen reminding him that he was being held captive, and there was no escaping them. Teropen held his head low in cowardice and defeat. He knew he would be overpowered should he try to fight. He knew it was best to do as he was told. As they walked through the streets, there were those that glanced upon them, but this did not dampen the young warlukite’s mood. Jesub was always happy. He tossed his lucky coin up and down playfully and hummed to himself quietly. Klever looked upon him and smiled. He felt at ease when Jesub was around. There were many things on his mind, but Jesub took him away from his worries oft with his innocence. Although Jesub was much bigger than he, Klever knew that he had to watch out for him, for he was younger than he by three human years, yet older than him by fifty in warlukite years, and had the mindset of a child. Klever was watching the young warlukite when they arrived at the Watcher’s home. They approached prudently. Her pale yellow curtains were not drawn back like many others on her block, and the door was shut. There was but a small light that looked to glow dully from the mantle. Atoria approached further still, looking back at the others, and then to the door cautiously, reaching to knock lightly. The wooden door was dense and yielded a heavy sound. Klever hid behind Dumago who clutched Teropen tightly. Jesub stood behind Klever keeping watch of the street folk occasionally passing by and even waving to them when they would stare in bewilderment. Footsteps swept the stone floor slowly, and then finally a frail old woman’s voice called out. “Who goes there?” “We have brought news, and an important visitor, and we need your wisdom Elder. It is Atoria that speaks. Do you remember?” “Who…? Speak up dear…I am afraid I am hard of hearing these days of late.” The old woman cleared her throat and then leaned onto the door to hear. The woman’s frail body was like a feather up against the thick circular cherry oak door, different than all the rest of the doors in town that were square. She was quiet as she waited. “It is Atoria, Jesub, and Dumago…the creatures from the abyss forgotten beyond the gorge. We bring the one who carries the Serum.” Atoria looked around to make sure that no one had overheard the things she had said. The door creaked open slowly to reveal one pale blue eye of the elderly woman as she examined those who stood before her. Hiding cautiously behind the heavy door she calculated. Her eyes landed upon Teropen, and then followed the trail of blood that leaked his shoulder to the sight of the blade that Dumago’s paw was ready to thrust upon one misstep of the traitor. The Elder did not question the scene, but instead stepped from behind the door with certainty. Her appearance was what is to be expected of an elderly woman in these parts, although there was something about her aura that made her appear young and limber. She smiled. The twinkle in her eyes made her appear vivacious, and put them all at ease, all but Teropen, who knew that it, was not his time to be at ease.