As the clattering dishes receded into the distance, Elara leaned back, a look of caution creeping onto her face.
"Ah, yes... Well, I suppose that's not the right time or place to discuss such matters," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's just say that... there are those who might be willing to help you in your endeavors."
Alex's curiosity was piqued, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully and continued to browse through the shelves.
As they chatted about everything from clockwork mechanisms to ancient mythology, Alex began to sense a pattern. Elara seemed to be steering him toward someone or something, hinting at secrets hidden beneath the surface of Everia's society.
"Tell me more about your friend," he said, trying to sound nonchalant despite his growing excitement. "The one who might know something about my... situation?"
Elara hesitated for a moment before nodding discreetly toward the back room of the shop.
"You'll find him in there, tinkering with some new design or another. His name is Finnley, and he's a genius when it comes to clockwork mechanisms."
Alex made his way through the narrow doorway, finding himself in a cramped workshop filled with tools, scraps of metal, and half-built contraptions.
A young man with a mop of unruly brown hair looked up from beneath a workbench, a look of concentration etched on his face. His eyes widened as he took in Alex's attire.
"Blazes! You're not from around here, are you?"
Alex smiled and shook his head. "Not exactly. I'm... visiting."
Finnley nodded thoughtfully before scrambling out from beneath the workbench. As they exchanged greetings, Elara slipped into the workshop behind them, a knowing look on her face.
"So, Finnley's told me about your expertise in clockwork mechanisms," Alex said, trying to sound casual despite his growing excitement.
Finnley's eyes sparkled as he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I've heard you're quite the expert. I've been working on some new designs that might interest you..."
As they delved into a discussion of gear ratios and camshafts, Elara slipped out of the workshop, leaving Alex with Finnley.
"...and what's more," Finnley whispered, his eyes glinting with excitement, "I think I can help you find a way to get back home."
Alex's heart skipped a beat as he exchanged a look of understanding with Finnley.
"You see, there's this place... hidden away in the city. A mysterious organization that might be willing to help you find your way back. They're called the Cogworkers' Guild..."
As Finnley's words hung suspended, Alex realized that he'd stumbled into something much bigger than himself. Something that could change the course of his life forever.
But what exactly was the Cogworkers' Guild, and how did they fit into Elara's whispered secret?