To Warmer Plains, Chapter 2

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Ghost Town, Edda

Given that it was the closest major settlement to Denandsor, it came as no surprise to Kit that most of Edda's population did not count itself amongst the living.

Kit and Black Ice Shadow traversed the horizon's highest hilltop, bringing them into view of Edda, a thatchwork hamlet nestled snuggly in the swamp that had formed as a result of runoff from the surrounding hills. As they descended, the ground grew soft beneath their feet, and it became difficult to distinguish soil from grass. The whispered winds of grassland nights fell victim to the chorus of one thousand some odd crickets chirping into the emptiness above and around them. When they grew closer to a log bridge that had been erected at the point where the terrain became too soft to tread upon, Kit stayed a considerable distance behind Black Ice Shadow. Being that he was dressed as though he were heading to do battle at a funeral, she reasoned that of the two of them, he was better equipped to handle their introduction to Edda's ghostly majority.

Though she'd known in her mind what to expect, no amount of literature could have prepared her for the sight of Edda. She grew close enough to witness its happenings for herself, and nearly stopped dead in her tracks. Ghosts carried about their business freely, moving across wide wooden roads built between structures that rose from the swamp. They were quiet, ethereal creatures; Kit thought that in their mannerisms, they carried a hint of contentedness. Just as she was beginning to appreciate the hushed, intense beauty of the ghost town, Black Ice Shadow, who was crossing the bridge, shot Kit a glance over his right shoulder.

"Madame, if you could, we will be better received if it is apparent we are traveling together."

He spoke with the same quiet civility Kit had grown used to and, in a sense, even appreciate. She hastened her walk, catching up to him on the bridge. An old man sat at the far edge of the bridge, a fishing rod in his hands cast lazily into the swamp. He was one of the town's few mortals, and seemed to carry a knowing sadness behind his gaze that the town's ghosts did not. While Kit's ponderous mind debated the burden of life and the ennui of death, Black Ice Shadow broke the melodious silence, bowing slightly as he spoke.

"Sir, I must apologize for encroaching upon your leisure. My friend and I are travelers from anorth; we are passing through and hope for a place to seek refuge from the terrors of the wild while I establish contact with other companions of mine. Might you know of a place in Edda we'd be welcomed to stay?"

The old man, hazy in his age, blinked away the glaze from his eyes and looked sleepily to Black Ice Shadow. Kit thought he seemed as taken aback as she was at the considerable mismatch of the Sidereal's garb to his tone.

"Er... Well, you might have a spot of luck at the pub, but we don't get many travelers in these parts..." he replied.

Black Ice Shadow nodded his gratitude before speaking it. "Thank you."

He was curt in his reply as he stepped past the old man, beckoning with his right hand for Kit to follow suit. Kit walked past the old man, too shy and awed to speak with him, but nodded her head in appreciation of the information he'd shared with them.

The pair advanced into the center of town. It's central square was a large platform raised from the swamp and built of thick, though rotting cedar. Its easternmost side was occupied by a town hall, Edda's largest building by Kit's estimation. The central square's southern face also housed a few more buildings which seemed suited loosely to bureaucratic affairs, though a rather dilapidated tavern stood at its western corner. The pair quickly crossed the square and Black Ice Shadow purposefully pressed open the pub's rotten door. Before they'd fully entered, they were greeted by the aroma of wet wood and vegetation. Though Kit, having spent most of her life in the wilderness, was no stranger to nature's less pleasant aromas, she'd not yet fully placed her stock in this establishment as a safe asylum. The tavern was largely empty, though it did not seem to be without its patrons. The bartender was a ghost, though two of its six or so patrons still carried warmth in their blood.

Black Ice Shadow approached the bartender with his usual brevity, inquiring about sleeping accommodations for the evening. Kit, having stayed back somewhat, could not discern their exact dialog, but assumed the encounter had gone well when her companion left a small portion of silver for the barkeep. He returned to Kit, nodding as he spoke.

"We'll be able to sleep here for the night."

The two of them spent a moment straightening their belongings, at which point Black Ice Shadow's tone shifted slightly, gaining an edge to it that Kit found a bit discomforting. He bade Kit to make her way to their room and see to it that it was fit for their housing, and to unpack their belongings. Still ripe as an Exalt and teeming with newfound power, a part of her resented being relegated to such a juvenile task, though the concern in her guardian's voice silenced any inklings of rebellion she'd entertained.

The rackety tavern was almost taller than it was wide. The first floor consisted largely of the bar and its seating, though a few odd tables scattered the cramped floor, and a pair of booths crowded the two corners farthest from the bar. Black Ice Shadow slid quietly into one, eyeing in particular one of a few lowly patrons. The man was a downtrodden, older Southeasterner, and he wore a perpetual sneer on his face. Much of the top of his head was covered by a ratty, red bandanna, though what wasn't allowed matted brown hair to poke its way through weaknesses in the fabric barrier. He was a fairly despicable sight, though his worn expression, scarred arms, and sheathed blade alerted Black Ice Shadow that he was not merely a haunted mortal victim of Edda's proximity to the world of the dead. Black Ice Shadow's interest in the man was vague at this point; he'd been eyeing Kit off and on since they'd arrived, and had switched tables to move closer to the bar during Black Ice Shadow's conversation with the bartender. Just a pervert, perhaps, but his believability in that role made him all the better a candidate to tail the two of them; ironically, his degenerate appearance made him seem more innocuous as an intent observer. Still, Black Ice Shadow deemed him worth investigating.