The Spider's Ballet

Chapter 002: Humble Valley

The vehicle weaved deftly through the valley as Leoris became visible in the distance. Several concrete pillars crumbled into disrepair, with the walls giving way to the hills and moss. Towering pines hung above the city proper and an open half dome lay open to greet the main road. It sheltered the port where the docks stretched out and were almost vacant outside of their immediate vicinity. The handful of parked vans looked like they had not moved for years.

The van slowed and settled of its own accord at the front of the dock. Emerging first from the entrance of the vehicle was Cherry, who held an unlit cigarette between her lips. She pulled on a black jacket and straightened her black tie against the white button up she wore before striking a match to light up.

Next out was Demalyn, who wore heavy brown boots, deep purple slacks, and a loose-fitting lavender tunic that accentuated the light tone of her eyes. She pulled out a matching conical hat with a sagging tip and pulled it over her wavy hair. She wore wood vines like a bracelet covering her right arm with a satchel tossed over her shoulder.

Desdin emerged last, wearing the same ragged cloak from the day before. He settled a short sword and its scabbard into his belt. He ran his hand across his stubble before stretching out.

A young man, clean shaven with short black hair, dressed in a uniform similar to the sheriff Walstaff, approached them with a dark green display screen before him. He tapped in frustration as his device appeared to not respond to any of his commands. He looked forward, half in embarrassment and half in greeting. Cherry waved a gloved hand at him. "Good morning. We were told a man named Yulsif would take us to meet with your sheriff regarding shelter for the winter."

The man gave up on his display and placed his hands behind his back. "I would be Yulsif. I'm not sure who else Walstaff thought would work on the docks. Everyone heard about the travelers who paid their respects at the funeral. Normally, the sheriff wouldn't handle an incoming party but..." Yulsif gazed across the almost vacant dock, "we are eager for some fresh faces and news from the world that isn't weeks old showing up on the hub. If you would follow me, please?" Yulsif gestured and led them away from the docks.

The cool breeze carried the scent of the pines surrounding the pines. It was still early morning, but many other vans' occupants were out setting up tables with various wares. Some offered skins, jerky, dried fruit. Others offered trinkets and clothing. And some advertised services befitting a market on the outskirts of town: fortune tellers, soothsayers, snake oil salespeople, and loose medical services for the tired body. Yulsif observed the trio taking in the sights. "Majority of the folks here are citizens of Leoris who make their living out here or out there on the land. There aren't many people traveling this route and few decide to stay for the winter. We get monthly automated transports from the capital as members of the Union. Those enormous vans provide us with additional necessities and supplies. We take our share, update the census and off it goes without a word. It has been years since we've seen anyone from the military and even longer since we've seen an actual engineer to advise us on keeping up repairs on the infrastructure here."

Yulsif brought them to a building built into the wall leading into the town proper. It displayed cracked and dusty windows at no certain level or floor. Some had officers peering out with curious glances at the strange travelers from abroad. Cherry snuffed out her cigarette into a receptacle right outside before following Yulsif inside. They walked past several offices before coming to Walstaff, sitting at his desk at the very end of the hall. A large window behind him previewed Leoris behind him. He was tapping away at the green displays on his desks. He swiped a few shut before greeting the visitors with the affable folds of his smile.

"Thanks, Yulsif. I'll take it from here. Patrol the dock and make sure no one is getting swindled more than normal if you would." Walstaff pointed to the seats before his desk where his company planted themselves with Cherry in the middle. "I take it you brought your credentials?" Cherry extended out a flat square object that would fit inside the palm of a hand. Walstaff took it and placed it on a similar shaped indentation on his desk. A display came to life before him. He scrolled through the dark green text, pausing at moments to take in a few details.