After the snake event, we made our way back with Finn to the caravan, and we all got back on the now cramped vehicle. We left for Aquamere, and on the way over, Aeolus stated, "Ah, I suppose I should separate from Finn for now." We all held our breath as a face appeared from Finn's shoulder, and then a small man materialized in front of us. He was very small, only about 7 inches in size, with short blonde hair and ethereal small wings on his back. His eyes were a bright green. Small cloth clothes covered his body, and he looked at us with a friendly smile, "Ah, this is my true form. Dazzling, aren't I?" Quinn spoke up, "Uh, when you said you were a god, I expected someone a bit, I don't know..." Aeolus frowned, "Hey look, buddy, this isn't exactly my idea of a form either. However, it is all I can manage in my weakened state."
Aeolus changed the subject, "I should also mention, well, we have the time to talk, Finn and I are contracted. Just like those creeps in the cult, but more of a pure relationship." Finn frowned, "Pure? Something like that. Yes, I found Aeolus a few weeks ago. I accidentally found where he was sealed when I was exploring that cave." Aeolus pouted, "You should tell them what actually happened. You were crying, and accidentally stumbled on my monument. Then I had to save you from that cave crawler." Finn pleaded, "Don't tell them that! I wasn't crying; I just needed some time to think."
Aeolus explained, "Yeah, his dad is a nice guy, but he really gets serious when it comes to blacksmithing. He has made Finn cry about it more than once." I questioned, "Blacksmithing?" Aeolus nodded, "Yeah, see the kid's armor? Kicks ass, doesn't it? His dad made that for Finn. He is also an excellent blacksmith, but his dad is pretty harsh when it comes to Finn's work." He pointed at Yuna, "It's why we could shatter the illusions you so desperately clung to. The armor is as solid as diamonds but as flexible as rubber. Truly a marvel that human is truly gifted." Yuna grunted, "Say that again, you little mosquito. Next time, I'll turn you into powder." Aeolus smiled, ignoring Yuna, "Finn is just as good though. His blacksmithing is truly next level." Finn frowned, "No, Aeolus. We've been over this; I will never compare to my father."
With that note, we just about arrived at the town. Lysandra jumped off the caravan effortlessly, "Enough talk; let's sniff these rats out." We parked the caravan at the stables and then followed Finn over to his house. The stables stood at the water's edge, and I gazed upon the small waterside town of Aquamere. The salty breeze tousled my hair, and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to the scene. Before me, the town unfolded, a charming canvas of wooden buildings and coastal simplicity.
The buildings, crafted from weathered wood, stood resilient against the elements. Each plank told a story, a testament to the town's endurance. The streets beneath my sandals were cobbled, winding gracefully through the heart of Aquamere. The structures, adorned in hues of maritime blues and sea greens, emitted a welcoming warmth that resonated with the natural beauty surrounding them. As I followed Finn through the town, the marketplace came alive with the bustling activity of fishermen and traders. Nets and fishing gear were on display, and the scent of saltwater mixed with the earthy aroma of aged wood. The distinct atmosphere of Aquamere embraced me, a blend of coastal simplicity and seafaring spirit.
Quaint shops lined the cobblestone streets, their weathered signs inviting exploration. Shutters creaked in the breeze, and windows framed glimpses of the sparkling waters beyond. The town's heartbeat echoed through the distant cries of seagulls, adding a touch of authenticity to the maritime scene. The heart of Aquamere unfolded in the taverns, where locals and visitors alike gathered. Lanterns cast a warm glow, illuminating the camaraderie and tales of the sea shared over hearty meals. The ambiance was palpable, a fusion of wooden structures and the timeless connection to the ocean.
We finally reached Finn's house, and the structure standing before me bore the distinct mark of a blacksmith's abode in Aquamere. The exterior, fashioned from sturdy weathered wood, had a solid, well-worn appearance that hinted at years of craftsmanship. The wooden beams, each meticulously carved and seasoned, spoke of the artisanal touch of a skilled blacksmith. The entrance boasted a hand-forged iron door, a testament to Finn's father's trade. Its intricate patterns, reminiscent of swirling waves and nautical motifs, reflected the seaside charm of Aquamere. The door, though heavy, swung open with a creak, revealing a glimpse of the warmth within.
Upon entering, the interior unfolded with a blend of practicality and artistic flair. The living space was adorned with handcrafted ironwork, showcasing the blacksmith's skill in shaping metal. A wrought iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow that danced off the polished surfaces of metal creations displayed on shelves and tables. The air carried a subtle hint of burning embers, a testament to the forge that likely resided nearby. Tools of the trade, from tongs to hammers, were neatly arranged, each bearing the marks of countless projects. The walls were adorned with metalwork art, depicting scenes of seafaring adventures and Aquamere's coastal beauty.
In the center of it all was a man with a grey beard and grey hair; he had sunken-in eyes that looked tired. Once he saw us, his eyes went wide, "Ah, Finn, you're back. Who are these guests? Friends?" Finn meekly stated, "Yes, father, they were helping me look for intruders. Is it fine if they stay for lunch? Maybe you could tell them a bit about the town?" Aeolus smiled, "Yeah, maybe you could make them some PB&Js, Tony?" Tony got up, his hands covered in grease, "Yeah, sure. Any friends of Finn are friends of mine. Even this little hummingbird has started growing on me. Don't know much about this cult thing or the gods, but I know how to treat guests." We went to the wooden table in the house; his father set us up with some good food and milk.
As we ate, he explained, "I have heard a bit about this cult. I imagine that is what you came here for? Stay as long as you'd like. Finn has explained how dangerous these cultists are; I want to get rid of them too. They are bad for business." Quinn asked, "Tell us a bit about this town. Is there anywhere to hide? Supposedly they are underground somewhere around here?" Tony sighed, "Yes, that is correct. Nobody has seen them, though. I would suggest two places you can look. There is an abandoned dig site a bit north of town; they could be hiding in there. Otherwise, the sea is a good bet; I could see someone using an underground water passage. Aquamere has always been a waterside town; we are right on the west coast of Luminora. I would suggest seeing if you can dig some information out of the local fishermen."
Once lunch was over, he nodded at Finn, "Boy, would you please fetch some water for later? If they plan on staying, we'll need to fill up the tub." I nodded, "We would be very grateful; I can give you some mints for the rooms." Once Finn left with Aeolus, Tony shrugged, "Ah, no worries. We have extra space since Finn's sister moved out on her own, and my wife... well, she's no longer with us." I frowned empathetically, "I am so sorry to hear that." Tony looked a bit distant, "No worries; she died when Finn was young after we bought the place." I didn't pry any further; instead, I asked, "Aeolus told us that Finn is also a blacksmith. He said you were his biggest critic." Lulith nudged me, "Lucius, jeez, at least try to be gentle." Tony frowned, "No, it's quite all right. Listen, young man, I need to be harsh with the boy. He will never grow to the craft if I baby him. I just want him to work to his potential."
Quinn added, "I can tell what you want, but maybe you could ease up with him a little?" Tony sighed, "Listen, I am gearing him up for the future. Come with me; I will show you." We followed Tony to the workroom again; he pointed at a sword on the far wall. He explained, "This is a sword I made a few days ago." The sword was flawless; it stood tall with a ruby in the center, and the silver was glittering in the daylight. He pointed at another sword; it was almost equally flawless, the same ruby in the center. Each of these blades was almost identical. Tony frowned, "See what I mean? As a father, I can't let my son fall into this trap." Lysandra frowned, "What's wrong with it? Looks fine to me." Lulith chimed in, "As a bit of a craftsman myself, I think I see the issue. They are identical almost. The one on the right was slightly more rough-looking, but otherwise, the blade is nearly the same."
Tony gave a slight smile, "Yes, exactly. As a father and teacher, my son's works are incredible; he can perfectly copy any of my works. There is one problem. Sure, we could sell this blade, but it lacks imagination. This work, it lacks any soul. I have told Finn this over and over, but he never seems to get it. Even when he tries to make his own work, it just ends up looking like a copy of something I designed. I don't think that will ever change until he finds something he actually wants to make. I just can't accept such work from my son."
Once Finn came back, everyone stopped talking. Finn spoke up, "Father, the water is filled up. Lucius, should we head out now?"He seemed to have taken his helmet off for now his red eyes glowing, as his short brown hair looked disheveled from the helmet. I nodded, "Yeah, sounds good. Alright, guys, we'll meet up with the other team later; let's check out that old dig site. Maybe we can find something of interest." Lysandra looked at Aeolus, "Wait a second, it just occurred to me if you are the god of runes, can't you hook shrimp up with some magic?" She slapped me on the back; huh, why didn't I think of that? I would imagine the god of runes would have tons of runes by memory. Aeolus smiled, "Nope! The goddess Seraphina stole those memories from me." Why did he smile as he said that? "Not a single one?" He nodded, "Nope, but I will probably be able to remember most of the ones we encounter along the way. I can at least tell you what they do if I see them again. That happened when I saw the rune for fire that Finn uses." With that new information in mind, we left Finn's house to make our way to the north end of town to the dig site.