They had trudged through muddy wildlands for several miles as they evaded the furthest reaches of the city, racing across the eastern pathway and traversing the trailless woods until they reached the southern road, now walking down it as Dance kept his hood low to hide his inhuman face. His short stature could have him mistaken for a child, so he strode alongside Nolfavrell to add to it.
"I'll be shy and mute if anyone asks." He reminded the boy, who nodded. "And my brother."
"Heh."

It was evening by the time the city itself became visible, white like bone as the walls stood guard like the soldiers patrolling them. It was clearly built defensively, impossible to overtake by any short siege. The only part of the city that rose higher than it's walls was a citadel and lighthouse.
"It's so big." Marvelled Nolfavrell.
Loring nodded slowly. "Aye, that it is."
"It sure looks fun." Dance said drily, glancing from the patrols to following Roran's gaze to the beautiful three-masted ship sitting at the docks. It was the only ship that looked capable of carrying the village.
Roran pointed at it. "That's what we need."
"We'd have to sell ourselves into slavery to afford passage on that m- beast." Birgit grumbled.
"Mmm." The skeleton contributed non-committally.

They hurried up, eager to get inside before the portcullis shut at sundown, only to be taken aback by the river of people entering and exiting the city.
They figured out how to use it to their advantage. Roran told Mandel to fall back and follow them a ways off as Birgit faced Dance and her son.
"You. You're still suspicious. My boy, can you carry him?"
"Carry?" Both asked at once.
"Yes, it'll help us. They won't expect a child to carry anyone other than family, and you'll appear all the more meek."
"I don't know how heavy-" "Kay. You got a point with that. And kid, I'm a skeleton. Just act like I'm a sack of potatoes." Dance snickered and jumped on the child's back. "Right, 'bro'?"
"You're like feathers!"
"Heh, thanks- but I'm a bag of bones."
Nolfavrell snickered softly before they continued.

Just act like a Whimsum. Dance told himself as they approached the gate, the boy hooking his hands under his legs.
...I miss Papy.
He peered around cautiously, looking as cautious as he possibly could while hiding his face. A soldier noticed him as Nolfavrell huddled close to his mother, hiding amongst the crowd. He quickly ducked his skull and shivered for effect. "One of them's looking at us." He whispered in explanation.
They made it through without confrontation.

They gathered near the corner of a house and Dance hopped off of Nolfavrell. "That was awkward." He shook his skull, glancing around as Roran replied. "And risky. You drew their attention."
"I can still be more convincing." Dance countered in a childlike voice. The man seemed put off by it, if only for a moment.
"Regardless of that," Loring began. "It seems that so far, so-" "Don't." Dance interrupted. "That always jinxes it when someone says that."
The human hesitated, then shook his head.
They made their way through Teirm, looking for a cheap place to stay as they took in the sights.

They stopped at a disgusting place called the Green Chestnut, and was aptly named, as it could make some people turn a little green. The only good thing about it was how cheap it was.
The group went without food and headed straight to their room, trusting their money to Dance and his inventory while huddling for protection, so no thieves could rob them or discover his identity as a being lacking flesh.

Dawn came and he redistributed the moneybags and they left, glad to be free of the tavern full of fleas.
"I have heard tell of a remarkable herbalist, Angela by name, who lives here and is supposed to work the most amazing cures, perhaps even a touch of magic. I would go to see her, for if anyone has what I seek, it would be she." Gertrude announced.
"You shouldn't go alone." Roran told her, facing Mandel. "Accompany Gertrude, help her with her purchases, and do your best to protect her if you are attacked. Your nerve may be tested at times, but do nothing to cause alarm, unless you would betray your friends and family."

Mandel tapped his fingers to his forehead on the lock of hair curling in front of it, nodding before the pair went off down a cross street, the rest of the group going on with their search.

Their hunt proved less than rewarding as they found no ship willing to carry them to Surda. The grand ship they discovered to be named the Dragon Wing, brand new and fully stocked for her very first voyage. Unfortunately, they could not even hope to afford the cheapest boats. And they couldn't take the barges they had now, as they didn't have the food to make the journey.
As they discussed their limited options, Dance shivered. They seemed to be trapped due to lack of money.

Afternoon came and they found a bakery, buying themselves rye bread and honey. As they made the transaction, Dance stared at a man out of the corner of his eyesocket as Roran mentioned their needs. The large human seemed to eavesdropping on them.

The stranger came forward and tapped Roran's shoulder, who turned a little too quickly.
"Pardon me for overhearing your parley with the young master, but if it's ships and such you be after, and at such a fair price, then I guess you'd want to attend the auction."
"What auction is this?"
"Ah, it's a sad story, it is, but all too common nowadays. One of our merchants, Jeod- Jeod Longshanks, as we call him out of hearing- has had the most abominable run of bad luck. In less than a year, he lost four of his ships, an' when he tried to send his goods over land, the caravan was ambushed and destroyed by some thieving outlaws. His investors forced him to declare bankruptcy, and now they're going to sell his property to recoup their losses. I don't know 'bout food, but you'd be sure to find most everything else you're looking for at the auction."

"When will the auction be held?" Roran asked hopefully. "Why, it's posted on every message board throughout the city. Day after tomorrow, to be sure."
"That explained why they didn't know. They'd been avoiding those to reduce the risk of Roran getting recognized from his posters.
"Thank you so much. You may have saved us a great deal of trouble."
"My pleasure, so it is."

They went out into the street as Roran prompted the rest of them. "Do you think we should look into this?"
"It's all we have to look into." Loring growled.
"It's worth a shot." Dance added.
"Birgit?" Their leader turned to the woman.
"You needn't ask me; it's obvious. We cannot wait until the day after tomorrow, though."
"No. I say we meet with this Jeod and see if we can strike a bargain with him before the auction opens. Are we agreed?"
They all agreed, so they went to find Jeod's place.

They found the mansion at the west side of the city, near the citadel and surrounded by great riches. Fountains spurted, statues decorated the place as well as beautiful iron gates. They all stared at the wonders in fascination.
Roran was the one to knock on the door.

A few seconds later a wide man with teeth almost as white as a skeleton's opened it. He studied their group suspiciously before speaking. "How may I help you, sirs and madam?"
"We would talk to Jeod, if he is free."
"Have you an appointment?"
"Our stay in Teirm is too brief to arrange a proper meeting."
"Ah, well, then I regret to say that your time would have been better spent elsewhere. My master has many matters to tend. He cannot devote himself to every group of ragged tramps that bangs on his door, asking for handouts." He made to shut the door.
"Wait!" Roran exclaimed. "It's not handouts we want; we have a business proposition for Jeod."
The butler raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Aye, it is. Please ask him if he will hear us. We've traveled more leagues than you'd care to know, and it's imperative we see Jeod today."
"May I inquire as to the nature of your proposition?"
"It's confidential."
"Very well, sir, I will convey your offer, but I warn you that Jeod is occupied at the moment, and I doubt he will wish to bother himself. By what name shall I announce you, sir?"
"You may call me Stronghammer."
The butler disappeared into the house with a faint twitch of his lips.

Loring spoke slowly out the side of his mouth. "If his head were any larger, 'e couldn't fit in the privy."
Nolfavrell burst with a sharp laugh as Dance snickered.
"Let's hope the servant doesn't imitate the master." Birgit murmured.

It was a few minutes before the butler returned. "Jeod has agreed to meet you in the study." He offered them inside, waving slightly. "This way."
They entered the building, in which the servant guided them through it's many halls and doors.
Dance found himself glancing around.
Why do I have such a funny feeling..?