The Unknown Realm #4 (Waverly Stump and The 7 Realms)

XVI

Morning came and yet the fog remained. The village of Lakerbein was shrouded in a thick cloak of white mist such that even fires were near impossible to pinpoint. It was a wonder how the people could move around or do anything at all as one could barely make out their own feet.

Waverly sat on her bed beside the window with her knees drawn up to her chest and stared out into the white village. Through all the blandness she could identity big objects still such as the numerous wooden poles that stood seven inches away from one another on the walkways that served as roads. They were Lakerbein's biggest sources of light and yet the flames inside each lantern was dim. Another thing she could espy were vendors trundling their carts out into the market, although where the market was located and how people could find their way there was mind boggling. She caught sight of a few boats afar off afloat on the river, stayed to short wooden poles by thick ropes. Houses were half shrouded by the fog and she considered it pure luck that every door and front step remained visible otherwise folks would waste reasonable time going into someone else's house by mistake.

"I wonder why it is so foggy here." She muttered, squinting at a long line of short and tall moving figures that held hands. She concluded that they were children being led by two adults; one from behind and the other in front.

"Do you think it will go away soon?" She continued, feeling the windowsill with her fingers. It was colder than the air.

"I think this place is experiencing an odd season; like the time back home when winter only stayed for a short while but this is quite the opposite. And there is no sign of snow or rain."

She lifted her eyes and peered out the window to look up at the sky but it was all obscured by mist.

"Odder than normal odd." She muttered and withdrew her head. "I wonder what time it is now."

"Past dawn." Came a weak, high pitched voice.

Waverly turned with a start and found an old man standing just by the door. Her eyes traveled quickly to Judson's bed but he was fast asleep. She did not even realize he had dosed off again right after wishing her a good morning only a few minutes ago.

"Who are you?" She bid the stranger, climbing down the awfully small yet comfortable bed. One of the watchmen had told her before they lodged that their room was the only one with beddings which was chiefly why she felt convinced to take it.

"I am Igor." The man introduced. He was pitifully small. Shrunk down by old age. His eyes were so red and lazy that Waverly doubted he could see a thing.

"Why have you come, Igor?"

"I was told to inform our guests that breakfast will be delayed because the head cook has misstepped on her way here and fallen into the river." Igor explained.

Waverly felt alarmed. "Is she alright?"

"Yes, yes." He replied dismissively. "Happens a lot, she is fine. My apologies but you will have to be patient for your second breakfast."

With that, Igor turned to leave. Waverly wondered how she had not heard him come in even though the door was shut behind him.

"Please wait, sir Igor." She called.

The old man turned slowly. "Just Igor."

"Igor." She corrected. "Is there a reason why your village is shrouded in mist?"

Igor's lazy eyes clocked sideways. "Why, yes. There is. And I am not a native of Lakerbein, I must point out."

"Oh." She exclaimed. "Tell me, why all this fog?"

"Lakerbein is cursed, dear stranger." He responded casually.

Waverly felt great unease at the old man's words but kept silent, urging him to go on.