Ezra scooted to toward the shadow of a stone wall, and Bet gathered to his side.“So, what’s it gonna be?” he said to Will. 

“You mean with Swoop? Like, what do we do about a Mender?” 

“Yeah, exactly that.” 

“Well.” Will was actually torn. He didn’t want to go without Swoop, but this was important. He needed real help. His arm wasn’t something that he could afford to have fixed poorly. Also, what sort of plan from Ezra and Bet would have to be enacted to get the money to pay Shervin? He reached his uninjured hand up and toward Swoop. She leaned into him affectionately as Will met her black eyes. “I think we’re gonna have to hide you,” he said. “But we’ll find somewhere good, otherwise I won’t do it, I promise. Ok?” 

The bird seemed to droop in response to his choice. 

“I wish you knew how to Stow. If you could this would all be so much easier,” said Bet. 

“You don’t, do you?” Ezra’s eyes cut into Will, searching for the honest response. 

“No,” Will said. “I don’t.” 

Guilt was creeping up into Will from Swoop’s reaction and he wanted to make her feel better. Maybe do something for her, but what would she even want? Then he remembered the only thing she’d ever been truly be interested in. The pills. 

“Listen,” he said only to his bird. “After this is over, I’ll give you a treat, I promise.” 

Bet and Ezra both looked confused, but Swoop’s attitude seemed to warm from the idea. 

“Alright, so that’s settled. Listen, we need to cut cross town through the market,” Ezra said. From there things will calm a bit and we can get to some place less populated. Hopefully we can find a good place to hide your bird. The medical district is on the other side as well.”  

They began to move, and as they trickled there way in, they came upon the central square. Will’s was overwhelmed by the scene that played before him. The streets of Bezda were bustling and alive. 

Lining the dry and dusty plaza were all manner of market carts and small temporary shops. Most seemed only a table or two with all sorts of merchandise hung against strange metal fixtures or laid atop brightly colored blankets. The merchants barked at passersby. They waved interesting bits of food or delicately presented unique objects in order to make them seem of high value. As the three of them moved inward amongst the townsfolk, Will noticed the multiple strange animals that seemed to wander freely. But he knew what they were. These were Links.  

There were all sorts: tiny buzzing bees, white monkey-types with long tails and black faces, slow crawling lizards as well as other smaller animals like rats or geckos that scampered up and down their master’s backs, arm, or legs. Though not everyone had one, there were still too many to appropriately take in. As he looked further, he could see the larger Links stationary at opposite end of the square toward the wall. Some were tethered, while others seemed trained to stay and wait. Many of these were the strangest of all, and Will hoped they’d have a chance to go nearer for a better look.  

As the three of them slipped through the crowd, a particular vendor station caught his eye. It was finer than the rest. He could tell by the ornate blue and yellow blanket and the very calm nature of the woman who managed the merchandise. She didn’t worry herself to yell at strangers. Her attitude gave the impression that those who could pay would, and those who couldn’t, well… they wouldn’t be convinced by yelling. She instead sat in a chair, calmly swishing a red fan through the air to keep herself cool. She noticed Will’s eye and almost mockingly waved her hand over the table’s goods. 

Will squinted to see. 

“Come on, that’s nothing for you,” Ezra said when he noticed where Will’s focus had gone. 

“What is it? What’s she selling?” 

“Something high above your price range, come on. We need to keep moving.” 

Does Will go and see what she’s selling?

Yes

No

This Poll is Closed