Crimson Hail and the Secrets of Valour — Chapter 7.a: The disappearing act

Crimson swiftly ducked his head as a white flapping bird narrowly missed it. The owner apologised and placed it back in a cage with a few others. Sellers in stalls shouted at the top of their voices advertising what they had even though the neon lights and dancing machine outside their shops did the same. The floor was wooden, but it was difficult to get a good view being almost covered in litter and hundreds of muddy footprints.

‘Guess this is it, Forum Neptunum!’ Ronan announced as the group squeezed through the crowds. They had been in Scheva for almost two weeks now and had spent most of their time in the Sen-Egnatia factories. Although they hated it at first, they had become accustomed to the long hours and tough working conditions. Whatever free time they had during the week was spent tending to Zeik who was recovering at a good pace. The old man, whose name they later found out was Agabus, became a fast friend of theirs and told them everything there was to know about Valour. He had also mentioned a popular marketplace or forum, as the Valourians call it which they finally managed to visit.

‘Let me know if you spot a speaker around. Zeik told me he wanted to hear music,’ Nisbah said, almost bumping into a child.

‘I don’t think he spoke, and if he did, how are you the only one that heard it?’ asked Ronan with an expression of unbelief.