Chapter 6: The brown talebearer

In the snow covered terrain, a steampunk carriage cut across moving through it like a mechanical beast. It's large, spoked wheels were reinforced with metal rims, their surfaces studded with small spikes to grip the ice ground.

A trail of steam was left behind leading to it, the snow it thawed refreezing almost immediately after it passed. The atmosphere was cold with snow flakes falling from the sky. However, there were no violent blizzards just a breeze that blew once in a while.

The carriage finally came to a stop, Eli, the stone edge alighted. His six feet, five inches self as stoic as he always was barely made a sound aside from the crunch of squashed snow. His posture was rigid and unyielding, as though the cold was beneath his notice.

A young gent by the name Micah followed, unfazed but with an air of quiet radiance. He seemed rather energetic, almost excited to be there. He was massive standing at seven feet tall, he casted a shadow as dense as night upon those around him. With the sleeves of his suit, he wiped the lenses of his mask to demist it. These dame sleeves had metal casings almost like an exoskeleton, leading upto his elbows.

Third came Aleck, a plague doctor with a crow mask. His left arm was quite a gizmo, a mechanical limb of brass and iron. The joints were exposed revealing a labyrinth of pistons, springs and gears that whirred and clicked with every movement though inaudible to the human ear. The hand was skeletal, each finger ending in a sharp, claw-like tip, yet he moved it with surprising precision. His chest however, was the most striking feature, where his heart should be. Through a jagged, circular opening in his suit, a mechanical heart pulsed with life. It was a compact steam engine, it's brass casing etched with intricate patterns and glowing faintly red from within.

A seven feet-five inches, female and muscular orc dropped next with two other male yet much younger, even child-like orcs. Her skin was a think earthy green, marked with faint scars. Despite her imposing frame, she had a softness to her - high cheek bones, full lips and piercing blue eyes. Her hair, a wild mane of black streaked with silver. She limped as she gave way for the other two orcs, her face expressing clear distaste while the other two expressed fear.

The elves followed after, one adult female with dark grey skin that seemed to shimmer slightly under the dim winter sunlight, his, a contrast to her piercing amber eyes. Her hair was long and silvery white, flowing down her back in a sleek cascade. Her posture was regal, her movements graceful as she led the other three teenage elves off the carriage. Two boys and a girl however, they were not dark elves like her. They were of the light race, basically Caucasian.

Finally, Hano stepped out with two residents before him, Kira and a gent named Neil. Hano was his usual grumpy self almost shoving the younger generation out the way. Kira was a carbon copy of Hano, at least in terms of character. She carried herself in high regard, just not as much as Hano did. Neil on the other hand, well, he stayed silent, there to learn from the veterans and experts and nothing more.The carriage turned and began driving back towards civilization, leaving the group behind, cold but relatively fine.

"We'll move north, deliver the orcs first. She's clearly injured, they take priority. Then we'll move down to the east, drop off the elves and..." Eli was breaking down his plan and approach when Hano butted in.

"A tactical approach however, orcs can be very hostile, aggressive. We may get attacked within their territory. If they injure any more of the cargo then we'd be slowed down, some could die," Hano claimed. He spoke with a tone that hovered between deference and subtle mockery, however one could not tell, this was very well within his nature. Underneath the veneer, however, there was a thread of respect. Almost outright admiration, a begrudgingly acknowledgement of Eli's capabilities and position.

"That orc is already injured, it'll slow us down anyway. The sooner we deliver it and it's kind, the easier we'll have it for the rest of this...escapade. We'll do as Eli said," said Aleck barely even acknowledging Hano's presence. His voice was rather dismissive. The two, both members of the board of surgeons were not the best of friends but then again, Hano was not the friendly type. That being said, since two of the figures of authority had come to an agreement, Hano had no other option but to comply.

And so they began traversing to the north. A formation was set forth as they navigated these snowlands. Eli and Kira took the front post walking in front of everyone else, Micah walked to the left next to the orcs and Neil, the last resident took the right. Hano and Aleck were forced to take the back together.

About seven hundred metres behind them, perched up high in the gnarled branches of an ancient pine tree, a plague doctor watched them silently. Her presence obscured by the shadow of the scarce forest she was in. Her iconic beaked mask, polished to a dull sheen, resembled a finch, it tilted slightly as she observed Eli and his group. The glass lenses reflecting the pale winter light. The mask's beak, a haunting silhouette against the haunting gray sky, occasionally released faint wisps of steam, as though it breathed in tandem with her. Her coat, a patch work of leather and frayed fabric blended seamlessly with the bark of the tree she had climbed, making her nearly invisible to the untrained eye.

In one gloved hand, she gripped the hilt of her chokuto blade, it's sleek straight design a stark contrast to the organic chaos of the forest. The sheathed blade rested on her right hip as her unwavering gaze tracking them trudging through the snow. She tilted her head again, the motion almost imperceptible, as if calculating their invisible path or perhaps their worth.

Back in Olstrum, in the soft glow of early morning, Adele descended the narrow, creaking staircase of her modest home. Her sleeping gown, a loose-fitting garment of ivory linen with delicate lace trim, swayed gently with each step. The fabric was slightly wrinkled, and the hem brushed against her bare feet as she moved. Her dark coiled hair, tousled from sleep, a few strands framing her face, which still carried the soft haze of drowsiness. Her eyes, though heavy-lidded, were warm and expressive , catching the faint sunlight that filtered through the brass-framed windows.

The house was a blend of industrial and homely charm, with exposed copper pipes running along the walls, their valves occasionally hissing faintly. The dim sunlight streamed through the windows, catching the motes of dust that floated lazily through the air, and illuminated the gears and cogs of a large ornate clock hanging on the wall.

At the bottom of the stairs Ayaan stopped in her tracks inside their small kitchen, bustling with purpose. She was tailored in a fitting outfit: a high collared-blouse with brass buttons, a fitted waistcoat and a long skirt with leather straps and buckles. Her hair was neatly tied up, she was ready for her day's work at the bakery. She moved with a determined energy.

Adele paused on the last step, leaning against the wooden banister and watching over her younger sibling with a mix of fondness and lingering sleepiness. "You seem like quiet the jovial character today," she lazily said to her sister noticing her shifted mood. Ever since her last bread delivery day, her mood had shifted, she was lively, happier, more enthusiastic on her approach to everything.

"Really? Well, I'm just excited to get to work at the bakery. The dough won't bake nor sell itself you know!" Boomed Ayaan, her voice rich and warm, like the aroma of freshly baked bread. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, sparkling with mirth, as if she was on the verge of sharing a delightful secret.

"You, excited to bake bread? I'm sorry who are you and what have you done with my baby sister? Wait, are you a mimic?" She asked, her voice trembling with mock fear, though the corners of her mouth twitched ever so slightly, betraying her true amusement. She clutched at an imaginary necklace, her fingers trembling for added effect, and her shoulders hunched as though she was bracing herself for some impending doom. A sly grin soon developed and spread across her face, blossoming into a full radiant smile.

"Haha, so funny. And yes you're right, I don't like baking bread, delivering it is better but I'd rather fight a dragur instead. Regardless, helping you is always worth it, no matter what it is, be it baking bread or selling it, for you it always is," she said smiling, her voice carrying a quiet vulnerability.

Adele was almost dumbfounded, those words touched her heart, she did not know what to say. Perhaps a bit surprised by the sudden shift in tone and atmosphere, she looked at Ayaan with curiosity and warmth. As for Ayaan, after a short pause she went on, "Anyway, I need to get to the bakery, you'll find me there."

She strode put of the house. For a brief moment, all Adele did was stare at her. A warm smile on her face, she was just happy her sister was happy. "Ohp, bye!" She yelled realising her baby sister was gone, almost like she was coming to.

She shook her head, her idea of shaking her the sleepiness off of her. Quickly she dashed back up stares, her bare feet padding quickly against the wooden stairs. Her sleeping gown billowed slightly as she moved. She reached her room, a cozy space filled with eclectic charm. Immediately she began her preparations for work at the bakery.

Her room wad a blend of functionality and whimsy. A wrought iron bed frame sat against one wall, it's sheets quickly tucked as she swiftly made it. A small vanity cluttered with small jars of ointment and powders occupied another corner. A large mirror with a copper frame hang above the vanity. The walls were adorned with shelves, holding an assortment of trinkets and books.

She moved with practiced efficiency, shedding her sleeping gown and pulling on her work attire. Her outfit a stylish yet practical ensemble suited for the bakery: a high necked blouse with lace trim, a fitted corset-like bodice in a deep, brown leather, and a long layered skirt with pockets sewn into the seams. She fastened the bodice with swift, precise movements, the buckles and straps clicking into place.

Her hair! She needed something for it, a ribbon maybe, she wanted to tie it into a bun but there seemed to be none present in her room. Her and Ayaan, having the same texture and generally type of hair, would share these ribbons. Ayaan had one on her before she left, thus her best cause of action would be to go to Ayaan's room and get one, that she did.

She walked into Ayaan's room, the door creaking softly as she walked in, the brass hinges groaning in protest. Ayaan's room was a chaotic symphony of steam-powered gadgets and half finished inventions.

Adele stepped inside, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. The walls were lined with shelves cluttered with gears, sprockets, and jars with mysterious liquids that glowed faintly in the dim light. A large drafting table dominated one corner covered with blueprints and sketches of fantastical machines. Ayaan's bed was neatly done, a testament to their blood relation.

Adele moved to the closet, she opened a drawer revealing a bunch of coiled up ribbons with a brown envelope amongst them. She picked it up, and out of curiosity opened it then pulled out it's contents, a letter.

"Due to your academic performance, the institution's administration is hereby forced to terminate your studies within this school..." She began to read.