The twins reached the Docks. The crossroad between Man,and those who aren't. Where wealthy humans would purchace items from other species, just to keep up with the latest trends. The smell of salt water and fish filled the air. The docks were busy. On one half of the docks there were ferry ships. The other, cargo.
Sereen climbed down off of her horse and grabbed the harness and pulled it aside her as she walked along the moist wood of the board walk. Seldon soon did the same following her. She stared around. This has only been the second time shes been to the docks. The fist time was when she was very small. They live in the Mountain lands of Cano. Cano is extremely elevated lands and the wind is very strong.Thats how the people of Cano power there homes.Its all land mostly. The only water shes been close to in years was the water fall on the side of the Apia Mountains. Her eyes moved back and fourth searching for suitable transportation. She caught site of a ferry.It was a Large white boat, with a curled bow and red stripes on each of its 5 sails.
"There!" Sereen said "We"ll board that ferry there." She started to walk forward but Seldon moved quickly in front of her.
"Sereen you must think." He said pointing to his head
"Have we even got the right provisions for that ferry. I don't think we can afford it" He said. He turned and looked at the Ferry.
"I correct myself. I
know we cant afford it."
Sereen didn't believe her brother.She pulled her horse around him and went on towards the ferry.
"Sereen what are you doing!" Her brother said trying to follow after her through the crowd of people.
"Finding out if your right or wrong."she yelled back to him.
They were both finally out of the crowd. They were standing in front of the walk to the ferry. There was a Tall man standing there wearing a blue jumpsuit that barley covered his ankles, with a four cornered cap that covered half his bald head. He had a badge that looked like a smaller model of the ferry.Sereen knew from that he was a worker from the Ship.
"Excuse me"she said taking off her hood. "if i wanted to ride this ferry, how much do you think it will cost me?"
The man looked down to her. he smiled and showed his crooked
yellow teeth. But no matter how disgusting, Sereen kept a faint smile.While Seldon smirked behind her back.
" bout 700 curencies darling " the man said
Sereen's smile faded completely. It hit her. Seldon was right they'd be lucky if it was 300 curencies. All she had was 75. She let it hit her again. Seldon was right. She turned around to her amused brother.
"Alright Seldon it seems you were right,you can stop your laughing now." Seldon stopped laughing and followed his sister back into the crowd.
" I told you I was right I'm always right."
"Fine
mister always right what do we do now!" Sereen said irritated.
"well...." Seldon said serious "We may have to take drastic measures.....and sell the horses and some of our belongings keep whats important but sell everything else."
"If it gets us better transportation alright." Sereen said agreeing.
They sold there horses and a few of there possessions to a merchant on the board walk.It got them 275 curencies.
"what ferry would take this for the both of us. I'm starting to think that that merchant ripped us off! " Sereen said angrily.
"Calm down, Calm down." Seldon said counting the money for a third time.
He looked around then his eyes widened.
"Sereen wait here a moment I'll be right back." And with that Seldon ran off into the crowd.
"Wait Seldon what are you ahh... never mind."
Sereen sat on a crate in front of a merchants shop.She watched as busy people moved around handling business. She then started to look at the amulet. It was strange because the more she looked at it, the deeper into thought she fell about her journey ahead.One by one the sounds around her faded out.She could only hear the amulet but it wasn't speaking at all. She was linked to it some how.Then she heard what it was trying to say to her.
"Change " she said troubled.
"Change what" Seldon said
And all at once reality's sound came back to her ears. The Amulet was just an amulet again. And she could no longer hear it.
"Sereen" Seldon said "Are you feeling alright?"
Sereen looked at her brother then the amulet. She felt uneasy. But she couldn't tell her brother that.
"I'm fine" She said standing up
"Where did you go!" She yelled at him.
"Yeah" he said "I got a ride."
He pointed to an Old cargo ship sitting at the docking bay with the letters R and N in fading paint on the side. The ship looked poorly taken care of. Sereen looked at Seldon
"Are
you felling alright" she said
"I know it looks bad but Ive talked to the captain and he says this is as safe as they come."
Sereen hesitated before walking very slowly.
"Come on" Seldon said pushing her forward.
Sereen and Seldon sat aboard the cargo ship. Men who are or used to be up to no good work on the ship, it seemed no other captain would hire them. The upper deck was just about the only place on the ship that didn't smell.The Twins sat on the crates nearest to the ocean and watched the shore get smaller and smaller as they sailed further and further away.
"So that amulet is the Star of Freedom, well part of it anyway." Seldon asked.
"Yes" Sereen said looking at it. She had told her twin brother The full Story about their grandmother said to her. He looked around at the workers below, who From time to time would be caught staring at them,or much rather Sereen.
"Why do you think Grandmother Tonia Gave you that sword?" she asked
Seldon picked up the sword and stared at the black handle with the silver symbol etched into it.
"I have no idea but i think Ill put it to good use."
It was getting dark.
"Well we wont be at Shorm until tomorrow." Seldon said."Get some sleep." He said
"I'll stay awake I don't really feel comfortable on this ship."Seldon said looking at the workers again.
"Neither do I." She said laying on Seldon shoulder.
"I trust you completely" she said and closed her eyes.
Sereen Had a weird dream she was floating in the air and she could see nothing but white. Then everything went black in an instant and all of these feelings of doubt and confusion caused her to fall and she kept falling but know one was there to help her.
The next morning someone was nudging her awake.
"Sereen" her brother whispered "wake up we've arrived."
Sereen opened her eyes and saw The blue sky she could smell the ocean and the forest by the shore.She stood up to see miniature people with pointy ears.She knew she was in Shorm.Halfings were all over the place.Seldon and Sereen stepped off ship they walk across the docks to a great wooden gate .
"your business here" a voice said. Seldon and Sereen bent down to the small window in the booth. a Halfling man with huge Eye brows said again your business here.
"We are visiting a friend."Sereen said.
The weird man looked at her then at her brother."Alright" the little man said.
A ray of light came from his hand he stretched it and pressed the center.It began to blink green and the gate began to open. The twins thanked the man and walked inside.
"Remember this day sis. ."Seldon said.
Sereen looked at him.
"we've just witnessed Halfling Magic."
"Hmmp" Sereen said "consider this day remembered."
They were about the only beings there over 4 ft . The gate was not the only thing operated by magic.There were carts that did not need horses to pull them.There were lights but no fire was visable. Halflings are very well known for there Magic.Its also how they make a living, selling there magical inventions to others.
"How are we supposed to find the other keeper Sereen." Seldon said to Her.
"Do you see a book store anywhere."she said.
"No Sereen. I know you like your history and the Halfling history should be interesting but-"
"Silly brother" Sereen said."I want to look up where the Halfling Keeper was in these lands and by doing that I can probably trace the new keeper to where ever she is."
"Okay "Seldon said "Smart plan,I think thats a books Store there." He said pointing to a small shop with Books in the front window.They went inside they saw many books on lots of shelves. Sereen went straight to work. She found out one of the keepers used to live on the far side of Shorm.
"But do you think shes there?" Seldon asked.
"Maybe I don't know." Sereen said "But we have to find out."
They rode one of the carriages that doesn't need a horse to pull it .They came to a small village outside of the city. It was really peaceful.Small children were chasing birds and elderly women sat and watched.Then Sereen got a feeling. The amulet was talking to her again telling her to walk. She went walking down the road.There was a girl with long black hair,sitting on a log fence,humming just starring at what looked like a silver leaf shaped amulet.
"Excuse me" Sereen said. She had a feeling so she spoke.
"I am a human and I am meeting a Halfling half way."
The girl looked at Sereen.Then saw her amulet. She smiled then said
"'Then I am the Halfling you've come to meet."
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