The Spider's Ballet

Chapter 007: Mongrel Architecture

The sun beamed through the cabin of the van onto Cherry, who lay at peace in the driver's seat. She stretched out before flipping a few switches. Steam emitted from below outside the van. Cherry looked out to see Demalyn setting up shop alongside Desdin. He looked up at Cherry, who gave a cheerful smile before glancing over at Demalyn, who said, "I hated having to wait until she woke up to finally turned on the water heater. I've felt gross since yesterday."

Cherry made her way to the showers before heading to her room. Her well made bed lacked any recent signs of being disturbed. Sitting in front of a mirror, she applied makeup and balm to her crew cut hair. Then she thumbed through her eye shadow before settling upon a darker shade of red. She dressed herself in a sharp sense before pulling a bag from her closet. She threw in several labeled ointments and medical supplies. Cherry paused at the safe in her closet before spinning the combination and opening it, revealing vials of glowing chrism alongside several pre-filled syringes. She thought back on Desdin' chance encounter with the Fallen and packed a few into a strap of leather and placed them in her bag.

As she exited the van, she noticed that Yulsif and Ensi had now joined in at the shop. Someone had dressed Yulsif's entire head in bandages. Cherry looked at him as an oddity. "Were you really hurt that badly?"

Yulsif went to answer when Demalyn, beaming with pride, interrupted enthusiastically, "I fixed him!"

Cherry let the moment go by before walking off towards town. "Have fun today. Don't break any rules!" A man crossed paths with her as was leaving and he was coming with long white hair and a thin black mustache. Cherry gave him the once over, noting his physique. She then noticed the cloaked hunters that were in tow behind him. She looked back at Desdin who could see her concerned look. He waved her off nonchalantly.

The chiseled old man stood before the table wearing the same expression from the night before when Desdin had taken the measure of him. Ensi looked at him with respect and approached him. He gestured with humility to him before speaking. "Master Keoma, what brings you to the docks this morning?"

Keoma pointed at Desdin. "That one. Let him know I want a word."

Ensi, for the first time, responded to something asked of him with urgency. He approached Desdin. "Master Keoma wishes to have a word with you."

Desdin shrugged, "Who?"

"Master Keoma. He teaches martial arts at the lodge and owns the town's weapon forge. Keoma and his students almost exclusively supply the town with their arms. He is a great man and sits on the council that governs Leoris alongside Walstaff, Vilsin, Hobe, the archivist Amise, and the head priest, Diapson."

Desdin took interest and walked up to greet Keoma. "Hey, how old are you? You look old, but way more in shape than any old man I've ever seen."

Ensi and the hunters behind Keoma looked taken aback by this introduction. Keoma replied. "Ensi, I meant for you to introduce us properly. You fail. But thank you. I'm sixty one." Desdin showed genuine amazement.

Keoma cracked his serious expression and smiled. "Excellent display last night. It reminded me of my time in the Farland. I sought to humble myself at their smithies. I watched them train and show their martial prowess. Seeing you in action brought back fond memories. Tall, strong female Farland women, even stronger spirits to guard against the bitter cold, and the warmth of the Dragon forge that never ceased sparking. You rekindled some youth in me. I'll do what I can to help bridge some understanding with the rest of the council so we can work together on the hunt. In the meantime, would you mind instructing some of my students?" He stuck a thumb behind him.

Desdin scratched the back of his head. "Sure I suppose. I won't be here long enough to teach any tangible skills, but I can show them the concept of the Farland weapon arts."