@Eckhart_Von_Musel Zantaric's northern bridge saw little use. It expanded over a brackish swamp and into the scrubby forest beyond. Two scruffy boys sat atop the rails, trying to spot crocodiles. They'd been given a day's break from their chores. It was noon, now, and boredom had settled in. "If you want to play marbles again you'll have to lend me some more. You keep winning them all." Ewan, who was smaller and with a shaved head, fished through his pockets. Three copper coins and a stone disc with an eye. "I don't really have much money left."
"We could go hunting for frogs? Armwrestle? Or we hunt for frogs, I make a little potion for us to slip in Joan's next drink, and she's got slimy green skin for a week? She does deserve it. Sometimes anyway" An impish smirk crossed the little wizard's face, along with a twinge of guilt. "I guess I'm supposed to set a good example for you and all. But you're only this age once, unless you're like me, and a
little harmless mischief is natural."
"That or maybe Eckhart will give us some money. Hardly seems fair to get two coppers a week." Ewan was slowly coming to accept he was definitely the lowest ranked among the "Friends", and that the gang had little interest in whatever magic he claimed to possess.
***
Three figures on horseback clopped down the backwood trails of the Blackweald. A pretty young man atop a white horse lead them. Thick mod and prickervines had covered much of the path, and it was slow going. There had been a scuffle at the west gate between a gang and some Duhjari slavers, and they had no choice but to go the long way.
"How do you suppose we'll even find Sarah in this place? As far as I can tell there isn't even a King I could have lunch with. Though would I want to have lunch with him? The entire thing makes me think of cucumber sandwiches with some wrinkly old man. Then again you've got to figure the ruler of a City like this would be more interesting than that. Though this is all hypothetical..." He sighed sharply, not liking the butterflies in his stomach. "And what to say when I do find her?"
"Tell me where to find Basil." Xamuu heaved a shrug of his thick shoulders. Only an enormous draft horse could bear his weight.
"I think she is bound to be a little sore over, I don't know, being banished from the family?" he squirmed, stretching his neck. "That is the problem. Seems a bit rude. And I just don't think she would take Basil."
"You did not banish her. You were younger then. She is older now."
"Oh well. We'll make something up when we arrive." It was important to seem confident and easy in front of men. Of course, the stakes here were enormous. His gaze turned to the crumbling walls and labyrinth of mismatched towers and rooftops beyond. "Finding her should be our real worry. When smelly toothless beggars see people like us they're going to get jealous; try and turn us around. Its a sad state of affairs Xamuu, but what can you do really?"
Through the vegetation the Kishahni man spied a crumbly old bridge over a swamp and two small figures perched atop it. "They have teeth still, I think. I do not know about the smell."