Tagalong Girl’s village was sometimes called Salt Village, but that was more of an insult than a name. Just a few houses put together around a stream close to the edge of the woods. An unremarkable hamlet at the very edge of Glaucen’s domain.
Our new home of Ullool fit a much less grimy farming village stereotype. There was a definitive town center, with a tavern, an elevated platform, a religious shop(a place also meant for worship distinct from the officially sanctioned Heiga Yoll), the best carpenter in town, and somehow, a shop that sold various dyes.
We could see said town center with our eyes from outside Ullool, so still no more than a tiny village. But it was a little less tiny, and a little less ramshackle.
Keeping my back straight with a haughty but relaxed expression, we reached Ullool a bit behind the sunlight. The girls remained firmly within the wagon— one sleeping the day away once again, and the other overly cautious of acting without instruction.
Denizens were up, but not out and about just yet to take notice of us parking alongside the tavern street. Recalling some information from Terdri, one of the three de facto leaders stopped by each morning to ask about the trend of things from the barkeep. Waiting for his approach, I dismounted and fed Sparky some fruit in a show of wealth and casual demeanor.
A relatively heavyset man with equally hefty eyebrows approached. A coat made from some river creature must have been worth a significant amount covered him fully, not a patchwork from otter pelts or the like, but from one singular large beast. And what I found most intriguing of all, his hidden weapon, some rough parchment and a pencil tucked inside his pocket.
“You must be Gustave. I’m Aldrich, a potter here to inquire about Fredrick’s old abode.”
“You know who I am and Fredrick’s name. That’s a fair bit more preparation than I would expect.”
“It’s better not to be caught off guard. I just made sure to ask the right questions on my way here.”
His stance shifted ever so slightly to one more suited for action. Actually it reminded me of those in the sumo matches that waited for me to make the first move to try and leverage their weight.
So this is the type of person Gustave is. Hopefully it will make for an interesting stay.
“Fredrick didn’t speak much about any family, so while his things have been packed away, his house is available for rent.”
“For rent you say? That’s quite unusual, especially with a tavern already here. Who exactly am I paying the rent to, considering Fredrick has no next of kin here?”
Tagalong Girl kept out of sight with an ear pointed towards us. Through the canvas I could see her putting the pieces together, or at the very least she could tell he was trying to pull one over on me. While previously I’d been more easygoing, she was also aware that we needed to put on new faces. A clever girl should be able to distinguish between Aldrich and Alric.
“Judging by the height of this building”— and the fact that I could detect the internal structure— “there should be at least six rooms.” Nine actually “which is impressive, but for a village this size he’ll be happy to make use of some. As for throwing and firing, while it might delay me for a few weeks—”
“I understand your position, but there’s no need to go through such difficulties.” He put on a cherubic smile, the corners of his lips stiff like rigor mortis. “Let me talk it over with Balduin and negotiate for your stay. I do my best to manage the common finances, he is overeager to start projects for the commons and is always trying to get more money.”
Do I need to push further? No, he’s already cautious and trying to placate me. There’s the question of how genuine he is, however for now I should just be patient.
“Why don’t I find a room here for the day while I familiarize myself. You can come back in the evening or morning to let me know Balduin’s answer. Whatever time you’re able to meet with him.”
“Meeting with him isn’t a problem, he has to give me time of day. I’ll have a response by night.”
“I’ll await the decision you two make then.”
We gave each other a curt goodbye and Gustave ambled into the inn. Tagalong Girl followed my footsteps to the back of the wagon and I nodded for her to go ahead and ask her questions as I leaned inside.
“He isn’t actually the owner of the house is he? So how does he have a say in its use? It was still Fredrick’s personal property.”
“It’s certainly a dubious exercise of his power. That’s why he mentioned Balduin, to make it a ‘town’ issue and not a personal ploy.”
“But he’ll likely lie and try to embezzle some funds.”
“A high probability of that, yes. Depending on the balance of powers here it’s not necessarily the case.” She nodded along, no confusion as to why we would let him get away with lining his pockets a little. “We’ll stay here for the night. Gustave is anxious enough about our presence, and doesn’t want to give the impression Balduin has more influence so he will be back today. But this is Ullool’s center, start taking note of who’s who. At least introduce yourself to a few people.”
“That makes sense.” She brushed her hair back, and started packing up our decoy essentials and valuables. Not showing any sign of contempt might be the best I can hope for.
“Now that we’ve wasted enough time for Gustave’s check in with the tavern owner, he’ll be out in half a minute. As the door closes behind him, toss me the medium dun pack…”
“So he has a hint of my presence.”
“Correct, I’ll give you both a nudge when it’s time to bring your things in. Hear that Rea?”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“It’s a dumb name.” Her stilted tone sounded more tired than labored recently. A good sign, coupled with the fact her skin hadn’t moved on from yellow meant her appearance was probably as normal as it would get.
Was this technically coincidence? Yellow was also associated with earth, man’s fundamental elemental nature(although by experience yellow also related to wind).
I simply must settle in quickly and dig out a secret lab.
“I picked a name similar to yours for comfort.”
“You’re calling it dumb.”
I rolled my eyes. Always enough energy for a bit of bitter sassiness.
“Tell Lucy if there’s anything you want to take with you for tonight. See you two momentarily.”
Stepping back from the wagon, we saw Gustave leave the inn, shutting the door behind him. Tagalong Girl tossed out the pack in a high arc, giving it plenty of energy to make a solid thwump. Ullool’s treasurer turned slightly, and I gave him a slight smile while heading for the door.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Hmm.” His footsteps sped up, becoming more determined for the day.
Putting the bag over my shoulder(most of our goods were sized for Tagalong Girl in a few years), I pulled the door open. Its replacement handle was wearing away again, and it resisted just a tad along the way.
Some things couldn’t be easily replaced by woodwork, and the metallurgy didn’t reach the same standard. A hinge with stress marks struggled to keep up an excessively decorated door.
“Good morning to you. The name’s Aldrich, I’ll take your largest room for the night.”
“Largest room indeed.” The innkeeper looked up at me. “Sorry, you’d think I’d be more used to these things since nearly every traveler passes through here.”
“Awe is a result of proper understanding. Nor am I a traveler, I’ll be Ullool’s potter going forward. I have my apprentice and her sister with me.”
“You’re not a failed Disciple are you? You’ve certainly got the temperament…and humility of one. That’ll be 20 cupra, including meals.” Ducking under the counter out of mortal sights, he undid a secret compartment that held the keys to the rooms. Then he leaned across with his other hand out to shake first. He tried to give a firm squeeze and I responded in kind. “Daron. As you can probably guess, I’m also the brewer. So I’ll likely be your biggest customer in springtime. I sell a couple of specialties that don’t like the taste of wood to Medean.”
“So less like a storage vat and more personal in size?”
“Yes, three liters at the absolute most, although the customers have gotten used to that size by now. And not that glaze with the mottled texture, you can taste the bitterness after just a few weeks.”
Someone wasn’t all that upset with Fredrick being replaced. A lack of hardship to solidify a sense of community or factionalization under different leaders— Daron looked too casual to be blasé about the death of someone he did business with in general.
Holding up a hand for me to wait, he quickly turned a corner to grab an example. Excellent, I could immediately begin ruling out certain types of glazes by observing its elemental composition with
“Each coating is regional, so almost all potters have their own recipes. Spring is certainly long enough for me to get it right.” Tapping to feign investigation, I set the pot down on the counter and poked at Lucy and Rea. “Enough about work, I technically don’t have a workshop yet. Tell me what’s going on between Gustave and Balduin.”
“Going on? Nothing that isn’t happening everywhere else in the world. Those who haven’t moved in generations butting heads with a newcomer… even though he’s lived just about his whole life here. Damn, I can’t believe I’ve gone this long with no one to gripe to, come on, sit down.” Daron awkwardly hopped over the bar, his heel clipping the ledge. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call him an old man, his gut suggested a level of drinking his profits away. “Believe it or not, even if my legs aren’t as long as yours..hoo… I used to be able to vault over in a single clean bound. That’s age I tell you.”
Pulling out a chair, he sat sideways. I turned one around and sat backwards(a little more casual than I would like, but I could hunch over more naturally like this).
“Honestly all three are such a pain. Dressen’s family has been here since before this place was named. He owns that idiotic dye shop that persists through the ages like a livewood slathered stump. There’s nothing going for him except ancient history and being one step removed from a clientele of powerful wastrels through artists. Balduin has inherited his family’s wainwright and repair business, leaving him with entirely too much free time. He doesn’t know how to focus on his own issues so it’s always ‘for Ullool this’ and ‘the scriptures say that’. Then Gustave comes in 20 odd years ago seeing an immobile fossil and someone insisting on all being equal under the Church, and in the vigor of his youth decided it to be a place his ambition could conquer.
“He was mostly right. Dressen couldn’t convince a pig to eat, Balduin doesn’t have the kind of influence that can be removed— but Gustave easily convinces people to act out from Balduin’s abstract ideas. For all the talk of leadership between the three of them, there’s not much ‘leading’--”
He paused and turned towards the door. It groaned as Tagalong Girl pulled it from a low angle and the hinges surprised her. Behind her in a rare sight, Ria actually followed along on her own. She looked like a raggamoffyn shambling about, but nevertheless she was moving on her own two feet. Daron looked relieved that it wasn’t anyone he was gossipping about walking back through the door, glancing back over to me.
“Ah, your apprentice and her sister. I was thinking you looked too young to have an apprentice, but she’s too young to be one as well.” Ooh, that was not a good statement to make. I’m trying to encourage her to interact with others and the first person here is giving her such a bitter expression. How could you Daron?
Hmm, does Aldrich praise his apprentice as freely as Alric? I am more haughty in this situation— but I wouldn’t take on an apprentice I didn’t believe in.
“She learns far more readily than one could hope. There are plenty of Disciples with less diligence than her as well. Go ahead.”
“My name is Lucy, apprentice to Aldrich; this is my sister Rea.” An absolutely intentional omission of respectful formalities. Setting down the bag she carried and adjusting the one on her back, she made sure to close the door behind her.
“Daron. Make yourself at home kid. No matter what gang you end up running with, just about all of them end up loitering in here some time of day. Even if this guy is a good teacher, there’s no way he’ll coop you up in that musty workshop all day.” Wow, hitting the exact statement I would like to make— good job Daron!
Holding out the key for her, the innkeep gave them directions to our room.
“Her sister doesn’t look well.”
“She’s not. Ullool is closer to Medean than we were though.”
“I see. I won’t pry… yet at least. I get good deals out of Gustave by providing him with information though. Your situation might be worth a replacement set of hinges.”
“I’d rather just pay you myself.”
“Sure, that’ll be an argent.” He laughed at my stony response. “Of all the people here, I’m the one they have the least influence over. After all, most of my business comes from travelers. Gustave could never bring himself to operate on thinner profit margins than I do. He’s decisive, but with no planning.”
“Now that’s an interesting statement.” I decided Daron would be our centerpiece for this stay, let’s go all in on befriending him instead of one of the leaders. “Did you know he actually had a bunch of parchment stuffed into his coat? He started taking notes after leaving.”
“Absolutely not, really? He’s always running breathless to pounce on opportunities. That doesn’t seem like planning to me. Damn, what could he have been writing down that would make sense?”
Well, actually nothing. I surmised it surprised Daron because Gustave was playing 5D chess instead of sumo. He didn’t want anyone to see the depths of his plotting, so naturally he wouldn’t scribble in his secret notebook out on the street.
By the patriarch, he felt challenged just by pointing out the fact he shouldn’t be collecting rent. Valuing being able to outwit those around him rather than just taking simple action to solidify his position… a scintillating display.
“Just keep an eye out. A blacksmith in Yunnan— just a town— acted similarly. While a fine artisan, his business never prospered, always ‘cleverly’ spending twice the time to forge with half the materials. That is, until they were cut off from their iron supply and he developed a stranglehold on the town.”
“Strike down the serpent and lay its body across poison.”
“I’m not looking to get on his bad side for sure. Although I’ve yet to meet Balduin or Dressen.”
“Ignore…” Daron paused his statement. His ears were finely tuned into his establishment, some noise indicated to him that Tagalong Girl was descending the stairs and about to reenter the room. I patted the chair next to me as she showed her face.
“Lucy is reserved, to her own detriment at times. Keep speaking freely, she won’t share.”
“Your trust in your apprentice is charming.” He rolled his eyes “No offense missy, but this is a conversation for adults. Why don’t you talk about your journey here? Since I’ve never heard of Yunnan, it must be pretty far.”
Ah blast. Inevitably the conversation would point back towards us; no matter how relaxing it was to vent your problems to an eager audience, without displaying something of our own he might as well deliver soliloquies to a wall.
“Yunnan is west of Glaucen.” I began slowly.
“I’m from east of Glaucen— my sister and I are both from a nameless village on the outskirts.”
“The story begins humbly, my trade is one that digs through the earth for materials to breathe life into.” Thus, with artful double entendres unappreciated by both members of the audience, we spun a yarn about our origins.
Not even in town for an hour, and already ‘Lucy’ was contributing to a conversation. Hopefully our soon-to-be abode had a place for me to nod smugly to myself.