When he came to he found himself in a small room. His nostrils pulling in a soothing floral fragrance. Not as strong as the Lavender the Mayor reeked of, but a smell he didn't recognize, foriegn to these parts.
He found himself clothed on a bed that was large, even for him, covered in feathered quilts of maroon.
"What happened?" He asked himself.
"Not much," a voice chuckled. The boy turned frightfully, staring at a young woman with black hair that fell to her knees, eyes green as leaves, and a face white as milk. Vines and lizard tattoos covered all but her face. "You're in the Gentlemen's quarters."
Rynan scooted backwards, covering himself with the quilt, unaware he'd been fully dressed. "I-I remember you. You're that-"
"Whore. Names Sable Mushflower, least that's what they call me."
"Whore?" Rynan's eyes grew, "you mean? You and I..." He pointed between them, "we kissed? That's what whores do right? They kiss."
She laughed, leaning on an arm in gown that perked her breast thought Rynan kept his attention on her lips, awaiting her words.
"We talked," she said, "And I learned a lot about you. A thirteen-year-old boy pretending to be Yorksman." She laughed, "and you fooled them, that's impressive."
"You won't tell anybody, will ya?"
"Your secrets safe with me," she spoke with a trusting tone.
"Thank you..."
"Do you remember anything?"
Rynan began climbing to his feet, scratching his belly and head. "Not much," he said, "steam, the butler, and the Mayor being a eunuch," he said, casually. "I'm hungry. What time is it?"
"a quarter past three..."
"In the afternoon?"
"No, in the morning." The woman stared at him, concern wrinkled into her face, "you must not repeat that..."
He raised an eyebrow, "repeat what? That I'm hungry-"
"That the mayor is a eunuch..." Her words trembled, she shifted out of bed, pacing back and forth. "You were kind to me, though you may not remember." Rynan shook his head. "There are not many people out there like you...You must be careful."
"I don't understand."
"Men like The Mayor can not be trusted..." She mumbled, "Men like the mayor took my sister..."
Rynan shifted uncomfortably, And men are the ones that took the bear... "I must be going," He said, clutching her hand and giving her a wet kiss. She didn't seem to mind. "I hope you find your sister."
"I do too..."
"And I hope we meet again."
"As do I."
Rynan looked around the room finding a door to the back.
"Don't go that way..."
"Why?" He panted.
"That leads outside-"
Her words trailed as he stepped out into the street, still dizzy from the cocktails. He ran, fighting his mind. "I have to rescue her," he said.
Baxters was hidden in the sea of black. The torch light dead and smokeless. The woods silent and cold. Above him the moon sat half asleep, weary from watching over the land. Rynan got to the trail.
"Are you certain it was her," he heard a voice.
Rynan leaped into the thicket of woods, hidden behind a thick, black tree. His eyes finding their focus. It was dark, too dark to see.
"We promise, Zoar," the tribesmen said, "we would not bring you out here if we hadn't believed it ourselves."
Rynan saw furred, fagged heads bobbing above the brush. Five to be exact. Moving not like bears, but hunched like...tribesmen, he thought, seeing the men appear out of the night like beasts on the prowl. He recognized their leathery skin and tribal markings-they were the Cyoakians.
There was one he didn't recognize. One standing above the others, a youth to his face. His hair black as a mane, wrapping around his chins, and draping down his back like a mangy tail. His bear skull was the largest and agriests, while claws hung at his bare chest. He was no feather head. "The Chief?" Rynan said softly.
They were not the tribesmen he heard of in stories. Much scariers, eyes dark and angry. They had bows strapped to their backs with arrowheads that glowed colors fiery reds and sapphire blues. Spirit magic, Rynan knew. That's what the natives called Alchemy. But Spirit Magic had been banned long ago.
They can't go in there...
"Keep watch, my friends-"
Before Rynan knew what was happening he stepped out of the shadows, out from the bushes. "Chief," he said.
Bows drawn and slung, glowing arrows at the boys head.
"Please, I too am a friend."
Two of them spoke in nasty growls and snarls, nodding while their lips peeled back exposing their rotten teeth. A few sharp as fang.
"Your Brusk'Kab told me to warn you, you will die if you seek her...And the Princess. Please, Chief-"
"I am no Chief..."
"The boy lies," one tribesman growled, "we remember him. He was stuffing his face like a pig."
"Let's make him bleed," the largest growled.
The leanest tribesman smirked, "Kill him, Zoar. Slit his throat. He shall not be missed."
What was their names? Rynan snapped his fingers, "L-leofort...Lyseria...and" he snapped faster, his head still in a fog. The tall, young warrior looked at him with intrigue. "Lyolis," Rynan shouted. "If you free them they will kill of them. Please. You must leave your Brusk'Kab where she rests."
"It was her," Boomed the angriest looking tribesman.
"Wait, my friends-"
"We do not take orders from you," the thickest tribesman said. "Kill him, men."
"No, wait..."
Rynan took a deep breath, suddenly the world began to spin. Everything around him moving, swirling. And he felt sick. The cocktails? He remembered. Rynan shifted and something wooshed past his chest.
"My friends..."
Rynan took another breath and groaned, his eyes flashed red. "I warned you," He yelled. "Leave her alone!"
Arrows flew and so did the tribesmen.
The next morning, Rynan rose out of bed, scratching his head. A dream, he thought, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It was only a dream.
"'bout time you woke up," Boone said, "I've been yelling at you for ten minutes." He pointed to the window. "Pappy's come, and were headed for the train station."
"Train station?"
"Yup. We're going to Sundown City. Gonna watch the Iron Alchemist tournament." Boone waved a hand, "now get up. I'll meet you down stairs." Boone jolted out of the room.
Rynan stood to his feet, stretching and yawning, still in his trousers. He scratched his butt, feeling something against his leg. What is that- He drove a hand into his pocket, fingers rubbing something cold and firm. His digits wrapped around the object and removed it. He stared in disbelief. In his oversized hand was a long metal rod. The same one used to lock the bear cage.
Ryan swallowed and shook his head, "I'm in trouble," he said somberly. "Big trouble."