Eldin was at a loss. He didn’t know what to say. He could feel the pressure of finding a solution increase as he started hearing the groans of unrest from the other travelers annoyed at the time taking them to pass the check.
As the situation became more intense, a lone Scaal exited from inside the city gate. At first, Eldin thought it was the same snake-like Scaal that had stood in front of them in line. But this one was slightly smaller his head was just as serpentine as the other. He could easily see fangs protrude from its mouth. A large hood extended from both sides of his head resembling much like a cobra. Most of his body was covered in black scales, his underbody and inside of his hood were more of a tannish bronze in color.
The guards that had their spears ready relaxed their position and the one questioning stepped to the side once he realized who it was. “Sir Inyoka. I did not hear you approach. My apologies.” He replied with a salute before the gorgon waved the guard off.
Doing as he was told, the guard left Eldin and Lumina alone with Inyoka. And continued his job inspecting the other travelers. “You made impressive time getting here. I had only received Commander Milli’s message the day before. You’re lucky I had decided to stroll by the front gate when I did.
Lumina stared with fascination at the unique individual before her. She wanted to reach out and touch the scales, but she could still feel the burning gazes of the other soldiers posted at the gate.
It was obvious that the gorgon before them was a friend of his mother. Anyone that referred to her as Commander Milli, had served under his mom back when she commanded the legendary mercenary group known as the Steel Sentinels.
The Steel Sentinels were a powerful mercenary group that was responsible for ridding the world of the infamous Crater Brigands as well as hunting down pirates and other unsavory organizations.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you uh… Mr. Inyoka?” Eldin replied eliciting a chuckle from the snake man.
"Can’t tell the difference in gender for Scaal yet? You have quite a bit to learn boy.” Looking over to Lumina he paused, “I had thought the commander was exaggerating, but the likeness to your mother is astounding. Follow me.”
With a wave of his clawed hand, the two followed Mr. Inyoka to the front gate. When the guards posted by protested, he put their minds to ease letting them know that he was going to take care of the Fereece.
The two followed Mr. Inyoka past the front gate and into Gildale. Lumina’s ears immediately began picking up on an innumerable number of sounds. It was as if someone had opened the floodgates as soon as they had passed through.
She could hear everything. The hammering of smiths in the distance. The constant banter of scores of people speaking. The pushy merchant advertising their wares, a local musician playing a song. All of it came in and bombarded her brain. She instinctively pulled her hood back up and pulled it down smothering her ears hoping to drown out even a small amount of sound.
The hood did little to reduce the noise as she continued to follow Eldin and Inyoka through the streets. “Too much sound from all the noise?” The snake chuckled again as he led them to a well-kept building on the corner of a street directly leading to the central marketplace. “Gorging Gorgon.” Eldin said aloud as he read the clearly written sign. I can guarantee that I offer the best prices for lodging and food around the central market.”
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Opening the door to his establishment, Inyoka slithered in garnering many greetings from various patrons sitting at a nearby table as well as a few girls dressed in simple but clean dresses who bowed as he passed by.
By the time Eldin and Lumina were actually able to see past Inyoka, they were surprised to find that all of the girls were Fereece. Odder still was that every single one of them had mouse ears and a simple choker around their necks. Eldin had learned that Fereece had more diversity than humans. Yet they were all mice.
Now standing behind the front desk just in front of the entrance, Inyoka pulled out a large book and started flipping through the pages. His long tongue occasionally flitting out before immediately retracting.
As they both waited for their guide to find a room, Lumina removed her cloak and began packing it back into her pack. She let out a sigh of relief now that her out of color cloak was gone and everything was quieter. Until she realized it was too quiet. Looking around, she could see at least half the patrons staring at her. Almost all of them confused. She picked up a few whispers from the crowd.
“Who’s the young elementalist?”
“Why is that Fereece not wearing a collar?”
Seeing that it might take some time, they left to find an empty table off to the side. Happy to give their legs a much-needed break after finding a seat. “Mr. Inyoka has a sick sense of humor. Hiring only mice Fereece to work here.” Eldin said as he leaned back in his chair.
“Do you think they’re slaves?” Lumina asked curiously as she occasionally locked eyes with whoever happened to be staring at the time. “There’s no way they’re slaves. Mom would’ve pummeled Mr. Inyoka into the ground if she ever caught wind of it. They’re more likely servants.”
As they conversed with each other, one of the girls approached their table. She spoke quietly yet clearly, “Welcome. My name is Meeka. Can I interest the two of you in some drinks while you wait?”
“What do you have?” Eldin asked.
As Meeka began explaining the drink choices, she couldn’t help but stare at Lumina. It wasn’t intentional, but it was easy to tell that she was struggling not to. “Is everything ok?” Lumina asked.
Meeka almost flinched at the sudden question, “Oh. No. Nothing at all. It’s just that I noticed you didn’t have a collar.”
“A collar?”
“This.” Meeka replied as she pointed to the choker around her neck. “I thought that was just part of your uniform.” Eldin said as he continued to listen. “It is. But it also lets other people know that we have an owner.”
“A what?” Lumina asked completely astonished.
“You know. Someone that owns you. That way people know you won’t cause trouble, and you won’t get hunted.” Meeka explained.
Lumina had the blankest stare on her face that Eldin had ever seen. “What?” She replied still unable to wrap her head around what Meeka had said. “Are you a wild Fereece?” The mouse asked, eliciting another, “What?” from Lumina.
Eldin was also very curious and was hoping that Meeka would go into further detail. “A wild Fereece is one that doesn’t have an owner. They are usually hunted until captured and sold at an auction.”
“I see.” Eldin said stealing Lumina’s chance at commenting, “Is there any paperwork involved in registering a wild Fereece?”
Meeka shuddered involuntarily as she spoke, “No paperwork. Usually, nobles are the only people rich enough to buy wild Fereece. Once bought, they brand us with their family crest.
Eldin was sorry he had asked. He had accidentally grabbed a sizzling pan before and got burned. He couldn’t imagine a red-hot brand searing into his flesh. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s not all that bad.” Meeka piped up, “Master Inyoka hired us as servants after saving us at an auction. We are given basic living accommodations with modest pay and food instead of slave labor. I need to go now. But please come get me if you need a drink.” She said curtly before scurrying away.
“Well that got grim rather quickly.” Eldin said as Lumina contemplated everything she had just heard. He did also see the snake-like owner in a better light after hearing Meeka’s story.
“Your room is ready.” Inyoka said in his usual calm but piercing voice. He didn’t elevate it, nor even looked in their direction. He just assumed that Lumina would manage to hear him.
“Seems we have a room.” Lumina told Eldin as she gathered her pack and made her way back to the front desk. A slightly confused Eldin following behind.
Upon reaching the desk, the two were once again greeted by Meeka, “This way please.” She said while ascending a set of nearby stairs. Lumina and Eldin quickly followed, walking up the worn wooden steps. The tell-tale squeaking of old stairs drowned out by the lively patrons.