Middlethem

Noise. The outskirts of the undercity were much more quiet than its centre. The cave that was once just cold had become so much more unpleasant. People surrounded them, each with their own unique and grating sounds. Lore was certain that they were speaking some form of language but the overlapping noise made everything undiscernible. Everything painful. As the noise level and temperature rose, so did the smells. Food cooked on improvised grills in street restaurants, livestock and raw meats being traded and stalls rammed with incense assaulted their senses. Lore’s head burned. It was a pain they hadn’t felt for a while and suddenly, silence. The commotion stopped. The outside world was there but drained of colour, smell, sound. There it was. Through the motionless crowds, on a fabric sheet on the floor it glimmered. One of the only things that did. Lore turned to Char who was also frozen in time. She was a lighthouse in the sea around them. Lore paddled towards her and placed their hand in hers. Time restarted.
“How did you get there?” Char was shocked by their sudden appearance but welcomed it. She looked down at Lore who was gesturing towards a small stall. Char pulled Lore in wrapping her arm around them. “I know. Let’s just get through this and we can leave.” Lore tried to smile.
“Over here!” Magpie, who had somehow fallen behind pointed out the same vendor Lore had. Char gave him a nod before slowly and gently moving Lore closer to their target.
The sea became a puddle as they neared the edges of the market. Magpie looked rather pleased with himself as he gestured at the stall.
“I’ll go find the shop keep then we’ll be in business.” He smirked, stepping over the mat.
Silently, Lore squatted to examine the curios and relics before them. They didn’t know what had been shining but they felt that they would probably know it when they saw it. All of the merchandise was labelled with small tags affixed with twine. Lore ran their fingers along what appeared to be a part of a firearm. They giggled to themselves. It was quiet but Char heard and awkwardly shuffled closer.
“What you got there?” She held out her hand. Lore placed the slide gently, saying nothing. “This looks like it’s the from a similar model to the one I caught you with in that alley. Gods, feels like ages ago now.” Char checked her watch. “Nope, fortnight.” She looked surprised. “Feels like longer.” Lore nodded returning the slide to its rightful place.
Magpie returned.
“Here we are. Artie. One of the few Middlethem who can get you stuff that’s worth anything.”
“Middlethem?” Char squinted as she stood to meet Artie’s gaze.
“Yeah, Middlethem. The police come through here every so often and they called us merchants Middlethem as a joke, you know like Middlemen and to annoy them, we made sure it stuck. Plus I like a good pun.” Artie smiled. “So, how can I help you?” They turned to Lore.
“We’re looking for information regarding the Reapers Wings?” Char speaking threw Artie off. Although Lore refusing eye contact should have tipped them off.
“Well, nothing like a ventriloquist. I don’t know who took the wings but I can help.” Char drew Lore closer burying their face in her sleeve. They got comfortable as Artie scanned their rug. “Here we are.” They produced a necklace. It was old and green in places but it looked solid enough. “This here’ll help you find the wings. If you’re meant to find them.” They smiled a false smile.
“Meant?” Char looked to Lore.
“The wings can only be used by those whom they were made for. The necklace was designed to ensure the two remained a pair.” Lore spoke in a whisper, nursing their head. “How much?”
“What’s it worth?” They said snapping the label.
“I’ll give you…” They checked their pockets. “150 for it.”
“150. One Fifty?” Char looked to Lore confused.
“Deal.” Lore handed Artie the contents of their purse in exchange for the necklace. Lore ran their fingers around its circumference, feeling its runed surface before continuing on.
“Fair bit of cash to be handing out. You lot made of money? Course you are, you bought an army.” Magpie started with purpose but ended up answering his own questions.
“We’re less of a target now. Between us we could just afford the two Rel toll to use the loo. Plus, they’ve got mouths to feed.” Lore unclasped the necklace and put it to their throat. They let it fall to their chest. Nothing. Char touched the medallion, readjusting it to centre it better on Lore’s torso. The runes began to glow. Time once again took a break but this time, Char was joining Lore.
“Woah.” Char spun on the spot. “So this is what it’s like.”
“Sorry what?”
“When you get really overwhelmed, we’re talking full on sensory overload, your perception of time changes. I never knew it was like this.” She had a smile from ear to ear. “Amazing.”
“Over there.” Lore, moving closer to the light source, pointed deeper into the cave. The glowing gap was tight. Barely enough room for Char, plenty for Lore but there was no way Magpie was coming too. Time clocked back on as Magpie frantically searched for his commander.
“I’m not going to ask. What’s with the crack?” He chuckled.
“We’re going in.” He continued to laugh.
“Be a darling and make sure we’re not followed.” Char tapped his shoulder as she began to wiggle her way into the wall after Lore.
The distance between the walls varied but even when they opened it did little for Lore’s claustrophobia Char on the other hand was thankful for the respite. Deeper.