The System Seas

Chapter 66: Quill

“Sure,” Marco said. “Let’s go.”The two brothers led the way without further comment, their boots steady on the worn cobblestone paths that wound away from the busier part of the town. The road soon left the bustle of the docks and the market, stretching into quieter lanes where houses grew farther apart. There was more grass than buildings now. Marco thought about the fact that there were also fewer witnesses, then put those thoughts away. There had been no sign of aggression in this place yet. Careful was good. Paranoid wasn’t always bad, but it wasn’t called for yet.

For a time, no one in the party spoke. Marco took the opportunity to glance at the others, gauging their moods. Riv walked confidently, but Marco could see his eyes darting to every bush and tree like he was half-expecting an ambush. Elisa seemed to be quietly cataloguing every unfamiliar plant they passed, like she was building a trail of botanical landmarks to find their way back by. Aethe just followed his lead, watchful but not visibly stressed in any way he could tell.

Finally, Aethe sidled closer to Marco. “Do you think this is really an offer of work, or are we walking into trouble?”

“Could be both,” Marco whispered back, low enough that he doubted the brothers could hear him. “The mayor didn’t exactly look weak. We should at least consider the offer.”

Riv grunted softly from behind them. “If it’s work, I hope it’s something that pays. We’ve got chickens to feed now.”

The brothers ahead gave no sign they heard the exchange, though Marco suspected their ears were sharper than they let on. They kept the same pace, occasionally exchanging a glance but otherwise not giving any indication that they found this kind of escort to the mayor’s house unusual.. “You’ve been polite enough to invite us here instead of sending someone less friendly. That tells me you think we could be valuable. But I also haven't forgotten that the temple system wants us to put knives to each others throat, even if we aren't doing that.”

Quill’s smile darkened a bit, though he said nothing.

“Maybe we should start with you telling us exactly what you want done,” Marco said. “And we’ll tell you if we’re the right people for it.”

Quill nodded slowly, as if he’d expected no less. “Fair enough. There’s been trouble brewing east of here. We've had weaker ships going missing, fishermen returning with strange burns on their arms, and hulls scorched in ways no storm can manage. I want to know what’s doing it and, if possible, end it. You’ll get paid well if you can.”

Riv’s brow furrowed. “Scorched how? Fire? Acid? That's pretty vague for something they could just explain to you."

"And yet we don't know anything else. They all lose their memories. Anyone I send into that area either comes back completely fine if they are strong, mysteriously injured, or else doesn't come back at all. It's like the threat, whatever it is, can gauge the strength of those I send. Or else…"

He paused.

"Or else someone on this island is communicating with the threat, telling them where to find soft targets," Elisa pointed out. "Something like that."