Chapter 5: Inpostura (I)

The journey had stretched into its second day, and the road behind them was now nothing but a distant memory. The forest had slowly given way to rolling fields, and in the distance, nestled between gentle hills, stood a town. The rooftops, kissed by the afternoon sun, glowed warmly, and the scent of fresh bread and earth filled the air as they neared the settlement.

Harriet, eager to shake off the boredom of travel, approached the first person he saw—a middle-aged man stacking crates beside a market stall. "Hey, mister," Harriet called, flashing his usual grin. "What's this town called?"

The man paused, wiping his brow with the back of his sleeve. "Langdale," he said simply, giving the two of them a quick once-over. "You two travelers?"

"Something like that," Harriet replied, glancing back at Geschicht, who was already flipping open his journal, scribbling down the name.

Langdale. Their next stop.

As they stepped past the town's wooden gates, Langdale greeted them with an overwhelming liveliness. The streets bustled with merchants calling out their wares, children weaving between carts and stalls, and the occasional clang of a blacksmith hammering away at his forge. The air carried a mix of scents—freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and sweet pastries, all tempting enough to make Harriet's stomach grumble.

"Ah, finally! Civilization!" Harriet stretched his arms—or at least the space where his arms should've been—and took a deep breath. "Man, I can already tell this town's got some good food. We should try something!"

Geschicht shot him a knowing look. "We still have food," he reminded, adjusting the straps of his bag. "Plenty of it. If we don't eat what we have first, it'll go to waste."

Harriet groaned, clearly not thrilled with the logic. "But come on, that smell—don't you at least want to try a little something?"

Geschicht shook his head. "No. We eat what we have. Then we'll see."

Harriet sighed dramatically, his floating backpack shifting behind him as if sharing in his disappointment. "You're cruel, you know that?"

"Practical," Geschicht corrected. "Big difference."

With a defeated huff, Harriet muttered, "Fine, fine," but his golden eyes still wandered longingly toward the nearest food stall.

As they wandered through Langdale's bustling streets, Harriet's grumbling gradually gave way to curiosity. "Alright, if we're not spending money on food yet, we should at least find a place to stay first," he said, scanning the buildings around them.

Geschicht nodded. "Agreed. We've been walking for two days straight. A proper roof over our heads for the night wouldn't hurt."

It didn't take long before they stumbled upon a promising sight—a large, lively inn with a wooden sign swinging above the entrance, depicting a frothing mug and a crescent moon. Laughter and music spilled from inside, and the warm glow of lanterns illuminated the windows, contrasting the approaching evening outside.

"Now this," Harriet grinned, "is my kind of place."

They stepped inside, greeted immediately by a wave of warmth and the rich scent of ale and roasted meat. The inn was alive with travelers, merchants, and locals alike. A bard strummed his lute in the corner, his melody blending with the sound of clinking mugs and hearty conversation. Barmaids weaved through the crowded tables, balancing trays of drinks and plates stacked with steaming food.

Geschicht glanced around, taking in the atmosphere. "Seems popular," he noted.

"Which means the rooms are probably decent," Harriet added. Then, wasting no time, he made his way toward the counter where the innkeeper stood, polishing a wooden mug. "Excuse me! You got any rooms left?"

The innkeeper, a stout man with a thick beard and a friendly grin, nodded. "Aye, plenty of rooms left. How long you boys planning to stay?"

"Just the night for now," Geschicht replied. "How much?"

"100 Doh per night for a room with two beds," the innkeeper said, wiping his hands on his apron. "Meals not included, but the pub's got the best food in town if you're willing to spend extra."

Harriet grinned. "Sounds fair. We'll take it."

After handing over the coins, the innkeeper placed a heavy iron key on the counter and pointed toward the stairs. "Second floor, third door on the left. Bath's down the hall—just let me know if you need fresh towels."

The boys made their way up, finding their room to be small but cozy. The wooden floor creaked under their steps, and the scent of old timber filled the air. Two beds sat against opposite walls, with a small table and a single oil lamp in between. A narrow window overlooked the bustling streets below, where merchants called out their wares and townsfolk moved about their daily business.

Harriet immediately tossed his bag onto one of the beds and stretched. "Finally, a real bed!" He flopped down onto the mattress with a satisfied sigh.

Geschicht chuckled and set his things down neatly. "Let's take turns using the bath. I'll go first," he said, grabbing a towel and heading out.

By the time both had washed away the dirt and exhaustion of travel, the sun was still high in the sky, casting warm light through the window. The sounds of the town remained lively, with the chatter of people and the occasional clatter of carts on cobblestone streets. Harriet leaned back on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. "So... what now?" he asked.

Geschicht, who was seated by the window, watching the town below, smirked. "Now? We figure out how to spend the rest of the day without wasting money."

Harriet groaned. "You really won't let me try the food here, huh?"

"We still have plenty of food left," Geschicht reminded him. "We should eat what we have before we start spending extra."

Harriet sighed dramatically but didn't argue. "Fine. But once we run out, I'm picking where we eat."

Geschicht only smiled in response. "We'll see."

As they stepped out of the inn, the warm afternoon air greeted them. For a while, they walked without a destination, letting their curiosity guide them. Eventually, their steps led them toward a small river that ran through the heart of the town. A wooden bridge arched over the clear waters, where small fish darted between smooth river stones. Trees lined the banks, their purple-tinted leaves rustling gently in the breeze.

Near the water's edge, a small figure crouched, sifting through the stones with deliberate care. The figure's features were mostly hidden by a deep hood, but stray locks of red and white hair peeked out. Pointed ears twitched slightly beneath the fabric, and sharp, glinting eyes flickered up as Geschicht and Harriet approached.

Without hesitation, the figure spoke in a curious, almost demanding tone.

"Humans, have you seen any shiny stones around here?"

Geschicht and Harriet exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to the small figure standing before them. Pointed ears peeked through strands of striking red and white hair, and a pair of sharp, curious eyes studied them expectantly. The question still lingered in the air.

"Human, do you see any shiny stones around here?"

Harriet tilted his head, his golden eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Shiny stones? You mean like gems or polished rocks?"

The figure huffed, crossing their arms. "No, no, not just any stone. It has to be special—bright, smooth, and full of light!"

Geschicht raised an eyebrow, flipping open his journal and scribbling something down. "Full of light? That's an odd way to describe a stone. What do you need it for?"

The small figure hesitated, glancing between the two boys before answering. "It's important. Very important."

Harriet smirked. "Important for what?"

Instead of answering, the figure merely scowled and stomped a foot on the ground. "Just tell me if you've seen one or not!"

Geschicht chuckled under his breath. "Can't say we have. But if we knew what we were looking for, maybe we could help?"

The small figure gave them a long, assessing look before clicking their tongue. "Tch. Useless humans." Then, without another word, they turned and walked off toward the riverbank, muttering to themselves.

Harriet leaned toward Geschicht and whispered, "What was that about?"

Geschicht shook his head. "No idea, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing them again."

Harriet grinned. "Guess we better keep an eye out for shiny stones then."

With that, the two continued their walk through town, but the odd encounter stayed in their minds.

As the afternoon sun bathed Langdale in golden light, Geschicht and Harriet naturally fell into their own rhythms.

Geschicht, ever the inquisitive one, decided to approach the locals, striking up conversations with merchants, craftsmen, and anyone who seemed willing to chat. He asked about the town, its history, and any peculiar happenings—his journal always at the ready to record anything of interest.

Meanwhile, Harriet, unable to stand still for too long, was already darting through the streets, finding small ways to be of use. He spotted an elderly woman struggling to lift a heavy crate outside her shop and quickly used his unseen hands to lift it for her. The woman gasped at the floating crate, but before she could question it, Harriet flashed a grin and hurried off.

Not long after, he saw a child chasing after a runaway ball that had rolled into a busy street. Without hesitation, Harriet dashed forward, using his telekinetic grip to stop the ball midair before it rolled under a cart. The child's eyes widened in amazement, but Harriet just ruffled their hair before jogging away.

As he continued his impromptu acts of kindness, Geschicht, on the other hand, found himself engaged in a rather interesting discussion with an old tanner who spoke of recent strange occurrences in Langdale—rumors of things disappearing, whispers of odd creatures spotted at night.

When the two regrouped later, Harriet was grinning ear to ear. "I've been running all over town helping folks. Feels good, y'know?"

Geschicht, flipping through his notes, smirked. "And I've been learning. There's something strange going on in this town."

Harriet raised an eyebrow. "Strange how?"

Geschicht closed his journal with a thoughtful expression. "Something about things disappearing. And we just met someone looking for shiny stones, didn't we?"

Harriet's grin faded slightly. "You think it's connected?"

Geschicht didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced toward the riverbank, where they had last seen the small figure with red and white hair.

"I think we should start paying closer attention."

As the evening settled over Langdale, Harriet and Geschicht made their way back to the inn. The day had been full of movement, and exhaustion finally caught up with Harriet the moment he hit the bed. He didn't even bother getting under the blanket—he simply flopped onto the mattress and was out within seconds.

Geschicht, however, wasn't quite ready to sleep yet. Something about the small figure they had met earlier still nagged at his mind. He had recorded the encounter in his journal, but that wasn't enough. He wanted answers.

Slipping out of the room, he made his way downstairs to the pub attached to the inn. It was still lively, with travelers and locals alike sharing drinks and laughter. The scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air, and the warm glow of lanterns gave the place a comforting atmosphere.

The innkeeper, a broad-shouldered man with a well-kept beard, stood behind the counter, wiping down mugs. Geschicht took a seat and waited for a moment when the man wasn't too busy.

"Still up, lad?" the innkeeper asked, setting down a clean mug.

"Yeah, not tired yet," Geschicht admitted. "Wanted to ask something, actually."

The innkeeper raised an eyebrow. "Ask away."

Geschicht leaned forward slightly. "Earlier today, by the river, I met someone… small, pointy ears, red and white hair. They were looking for shiny stones. Know anyone like that?"

The innkeeper's hand paused for the briefest moment before he resumed cleaning the mug. "Can't say I do," he said, but there was something guarded in his tone.

Geschicht narrowed his eyes. "You hesitated."

The innkeeper let out a deep chuckle. "Sharp one, aren't ya? Listen, lad. If you've met a small folk with that kind of look, best not go stickin' your nose too deep. Some things in Langdale come and go like the wind. Not all of 'em like being noticed."

That only made Geschicht more curious. "So, you have seen something like it before?"

The innkeeper sighed, setting the mug down and leaning on the counter. "Now and then, travelers talk about strange figures in the woods or near the river. Never causing harm, just… searching for something. Some folk say they're spirits, others think they're just wanderers. But if you're smart, you let 'em be."

Geschicht frowned, tapping his fingers against his journal. The small figure hadn't seemed dangerous, just… peculiar. What were they really looking for? And why did the town seem to have an unspoken rule about not questioning it?

Before he could ask more, the innkeeper straightened up. "Look, lad, no sense in losing sleep over it. Whatever it was, if it wanted you to know more, you'd already know."

Geschicht considered that for a moment, then sighed. Maybe he was overthinking it. With one final glance at his journal, he closed it and stood up. "Thanks for the talk."

"Anytime, lad. You fancy yourself a drink tonight, then?"

Geschicht shook his head. "Not tonight"

The innkeeper chuckled. "Suit yourself."

Geschicht made his way back upstairs. Harriet was still fast asleep, breathing softly. He lay down on his own bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind still full of questions.

Geschicht couldn't shake the unease that lingered after his conversation with the innkeeper. Something about the way the man spoke—like he knew more than he was letting on—left an itch in the back of his mind.

Lying in bed, he turned onto his side, facing the window. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the quiet town. Most of the streets were empty now, save for the occasional lantern swaying in the breeze.

Then, his breath caught.

Just outside the inn, near the river's edge, stood the small figure from earlier. The same pointy ears, the same red and white hair. But something about them was different in the night. The moonlight made their presence feel almost unreal, as if they were part of the shadows and light at the same time.

They weren't searching the ground anymore. Instead, they were staring straight at him.

A chill ran down Geschicht's spine. Had they noticed him watching them earlier? Or had they been watching him all along?

For a moment, neither of them moved. The figure's expression was unreadable from this distance, but there was no hostility in their stance—only quiet observation. Then, slowly, as if satisfied with something, they turned away and disappeared into the darkened streets.

Geschicht sat up, his heartbeat a little quicker than before. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or more unsettled.

Geschicht's body tensed as the figure disappeared into the darkness. Before he could fully process what he had just seen, a loud noise echoed through the night. It wasn't the usual bustle of the town or the distant chatter of drunkards leaving the pub—it was something heavier, something that made the wooden walls of the inn tremble slightly.

His instincts kicked in. He threw off his blanket and rushed to Harriet's bed, shaking his friend's shoulder.

"Harriet, wake up," he whispered urgently.

Harriet groaned, turning onto his side. "Mm… five more minutes," he mumbled.

Another crash sounded from outside, this time followed by startled shouts.

Geschicht didn't wait. He grabbed Harriet's blanket and yanked it off. "Get up. Now."

Harriet grumbled but finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Geschicht admitted, already moving toward the door. "But we're about to find out."

Still half-asleep, Harriet stumbled to his feet and followed. They hurried down the stairs, past the dimly lit pub where a few late drinkers were starting to stir from the noise. When they pushed open the inn's front door, the cold night air greeted them—along with the sight of several townspeople gathered in the street, all looking in the same direction.

And there, illuminated by the flickering glow of lanterns, was the small figure from before. But this time, they were facing the shadows, a look of intense focus on their face. Their small frame was lithe and quick as they moved, dodging and weaving around unseen threats.

From the darkness, something seemed to shift—shadows coiled and writhed, their shapes barely distinguishable. But it was clear now: the figure wasn't running from the shadows, they were fighting them. Swift movements, quick strikes—each motion seemed deliberate, as if the small figure had faced this type of danger before.

Geschicht and Harriet didn't hesitate. In an instant, they rushed toward the small figure, pushing through the night air with urgency. The sound of their footsteps seemed distant against the clash of movement ahead. Harriet was the first to reach the figure, his instincts kicking in as he tried to assess the situation. Geschicht followed closely, his heart racing with both concern and curiosity.

The small figure's swift movements and focused energy barely faltered as they continued to battle whatever unseen forces were attacking. Their skill was impressive, but it was clear they were at their limit. Harriet's eyes scanned the area, trying to spot the source of the threat, while Geschicht instinctively pulled out his journal, preparing to record whatever he could understand.

The shadows, formless and eerie, swirled around the small figure, striking with unnatural precision. They lashed out at her hood, tearing it away, revealing her delicate features—a striking face framed by her red and white hair, shimmering faintly under the moonlight. Her beauty was momentarily unsettling, but there was no time to linger on it.

One of the shadows lunged, aiming straight for her exposed face, its intent clear and malicious.

Harriet, moving faster than either Geschicht or the small figure could register, leapt forward with a swift motion. His outstretched hand caught the shadow in a split-second before it made contact, halting the attack mere inches from her skin. The shadow recoiled, writhing in the air as though frustrated by the interruption, but Harriet's telekinetic grip held it back.

The small figure, her expression unreadable, glanced at him with surprise.

"Human, why are you here?"

The small figure's voice was sharp, yet there was an undertone of something else—curiosity, perhaps, or caution. She remained facing the shadows, her posture poised and ready for whatever they would throw at her next.

Geschicht, still catching his breath from the sudden rush, looked at her with wide eyes. Harriet, still holding the shadow back with his spectral hands, was the first to answer.

"We were just passing through," Harriet said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We saw you fighting... and we couldn't just stand by."

The figure turned her gaze to them, her red and white hair swaying slightly as she adjusted herself against the shadows that still threatened to encircle her. "You shouldn't have. This is not your fight."

Geschicht, unable to contain his curiosity, stepped forward. "Who—what are you?" he asked, his words tumbling out despite the danger. "Why are you fighting these... things?"

The small figure's eyes flickered with something—amusement, annoyance, or maybe something darker—and she seemed to consider his question for a long moment.

"Curiosity," she murmured, almost to herself. "It is a dangerous thing for humans." She glanced at the shadows that continued to writhe around her, then back at Geschicht. "But... since you're here, you might as well know. I am SuriGami. And this...," she gestured to the dark forms around her, "is a consequence of a broken balance. These shadows? They are not of this world."

The shadows hissed in the air, as though in response to her words, and for a moment, their dark forms seemed to grow restless. Harriet's grip tightened.

"Why are they after you?" Geschicht asked, his voice firm despite the confusion swirling in his mind.

SuriGami didn't immediately answer. She simply stood tall, her hands hovering just above her side, ready to fight again if necessary. "I don't know much," she finally said, her tone laced with frustration. "But I intend to find out."

Harriet blinked in surprise, but before he could answer, SuriGami's voice cut through the air once again. "You're different," she remarked, her tone softer now. She wiped away some blood from her cheek where a shadow had managed to graze her. "Most would've run by now."

Geschicht stepped closer, keeping his gaze fixed on the mysterious figure. "We saw what happened... What are those things? And why were they attacking you?"

SuriGami looked at them, her red and white hair glowing faintly in the moonlight, her expression hardening. "This place... it's cursed," she said, her voice carrying a hint of unease. "Something dark is tied to it, something that attracts these shadows. They're drawn to the land itself, not to me. I just... happen to be caught in it." She glanced toward the woods, her eyes narrowing as if she could feel the ominous presence lurking there. "Whatever it is, it's been here far longer than I have, and it won't let anyone near it. Not without a price."

Harriet, his curiosity piqued, stepped forward. "Are you okay? You're hurt."

SuriGami nodded, brushing off his concern. "I'm fine. They don't kill, just... torment."

"Why are you here, then?" Geschicht asked, his voice softening. "What brings you to Langdale?"

SuriGami hesitated, casting a long glance toward the shadows gathering in the distance. "I'm looking for something... or rather, someone. I can't let them get to me before I find what I need."

SuriGami stood with her arms crossed, a pout on her face as she glared at the shadows. "I can't do anything without my shiny stone," she muttered, her voice a mixture of annoyance and frustration. "I need that stone to use my power, but of course, it's always gone when I need it most!"

The shadows, seemingly unaffected by the small figure's words, writhed around the area like living tendrils of darkness. They were not merely shadows; they were something much more menacing—part of the stone structure of the house nearby. Without warning, one of the shadows detached itself and shot a jagged rock toward the crowd gathered near the inn. The rocks were flying aimlessly, ricocheting off walls and scattering like deadly projectiles.

Harriet's eyes widened as one of the rocks careened dangerously close to an elderly woman standing near the edge of the crowd. Without thinking, he reached out, summoning his power to halt the incoming rocks. His spectral hands reached into the air, catching and gently stopping most of the rocks mid-flight, but a few still managed to pass through his grasp, narrowly missing the people around him. Harriet's heart raced in his chest, a pang of fear sinking deep. "I— I couldn't stop them all!" he muttered under his breath, panic creeping in.

Geschicht, who had been watching the chaos unfold, didn't waste a moment. He dashed forward without a second thought. His mind was too full of concern for the safety of the people to think of his next move. As one of the rocks flew toward a young girl, he instinctively reached for his waist, where he normally carried his journal. In a flash of light, the book seemed to come alive in his hands, and before he could even process what had happened, a gleaming sword materialized in his grip.

With a swift motion, Geschicht swung the sword with precision, cleaving the rock in half before it could harm the young girl. The pieces of rock tumbled harmlessly to the ground, and the crowd around them gasped in astonishment.

"What just happened?" Harriet asked, staring wide-eyed at Geschicht, who stood holding the sword, his heart racing from the sudden surge of power.

Geschicht's hand trembled slightly as he lowered the sword. "I... I don't know," he said, his voice unsure. "But I couldn't just let her get hit."

SuriGami, who had been watching the scene unfold, raised an eyebrow. "Huh. So, you're one of those, huh?" she said, a smirk forming on her face. "Well, that's one way to deal with rocks. You guys aren't half bad."

Harriet looked from SuriGami to Geschicht, confusion clear in his eyes. "What... what just happened? How did that sword come out of nowhere?"

Geschicht shook his head slowly, still trying to make sense of it. "I think... I think it's my journal. It just... reacted, somehow."

SuriGami chuckled softly, clearly amused by the situation. "Well, whatever it is, I guess it worked. Though I still don't have my shiny stone, so we're pretty much all stuck here for now." She huffed, crossing her arms again. "Great. I hate when things don't go according to plan."

Harriet looked to the small figure. "What's going on, then? Why are these shadows attacking you?"

SuriGami just shrugged, her expression turning a little more serious. "Beats me," she muttered. "I'm just trying to find my stone. Without it, I'm pretty much useless. Those shadows? They're drawn to it... but without it, I can't stop them."

Geschicht, still processing everything that had just happened, stepped forward. "So, the shadows are after this stone you're looking for... but you can't do anything without it?"

"Exactly," SuriGami said, a little too matter-of-factly for her own good. "Can't fight them, can't control them, nothing. I need my shiny stone, and until I find it, I'm just going to keep getting attacked by these things. Great fun, huh?" She rolled her eyes dramatically.

Harriet took a deep breath, his mind racing. "Then we have to help you find it, right? I mean... it's the only way we can stop these shadows, isn't it?"

SuriGami shot him a look, as if surprised by the suggestion. "I was planning on doing it myself, but I guess you're not totally useless after all. Fine, let's work together. But you better keep those rocks from hitting me again, okay?" she added with a teasing grin.

Harriet, his confidence growing after his success in stopping most of the rocks, nodded determinedly. "You got it. Just... don't make me stop all the rocks, okay? That's a lot of pressure."

Geschicht, still holding the sword and feeling a strange sense of responsibility after his unexpected action, smiled softly. "We'll figure this out. Let's go find your stone, SuriGami."

With that, the three of them stood amidst the swirling shadows, the tension still thick in the air. They were no longer just bystanders in a strange, chaotic situation. They had a goal now. And with the mystery of the shadows, the stone, and SuriGami's powers on the line, they would find a way forward—no matter what it took.