Frost 84, 122
As Kalzasi began the transition into the upcoming spring season, much of the bitterness of the cold winds was losing its edge. It was still terribly cold by anyone of southern expectations, but even with the eclipse overhead still hanging in place, the air was getting slightly warmer by native’s standards.
On the morning of the 84th, many people would begin noticing early signs of spring coming. For some, the bread in their pantry suddenly had maggots that hadn’t appeared at all during winter. For others, their kids might come home with avian lice after playing outside. And for some, turning over a stone would reveal not just the usual worms and ants but also fat beetle grubs and centipedes.
And some would find this all terribly strange, as it seemed to be happening earlier than it should.
By midday, a clearly Fae man and his carriage were parked outside of Phoma’s. The carriage was ornately carved, deep red wood and appeared to still be alive if the branches that sprouted from the top of it still bearing green leaves were any indication. He was seated in a rocking chair beneath the shade of one of these branches, blowing purple and blue smoke rings from a pipe.
He waved at a pair of Avialae that were approaching, carrying a rather large fish between them, a deep water Udori Sturgeon. In a surprisingly high pitched voice, “Thank you, gents. Just put it in front of Gerdie. Stefan doesn’t share very well.” He thumbed to the front of the carriage where instead of horses or oxen were two terribly large horned beetles, deep cerulean in color and larger than either a horse or ox.
The two men looked at each other, then at the giant beetles, then slowly approached the beetle they hoped was Gerdie. They tossed the fish down before the giant creature, who promptly cut the fish in half with its horn, nudging one half over to Stefan. Then Gerdie snatched up her half and began chewing on the fish.
The smaller of the Avialae, with brightly colored wings reminiscent of a hummingbird, approached the man, who handed him a bag of coins. The young man flinched as a spider scurried up his arm from the bag, letting out a startled yelp. The Fae man cackled and spoke, “There’s some extra in there if you spread the word that Bertil’s cart is open for business. I’m selling and buying rare materials from foreign lands. Among other things.”
The larger Avialae with his grey pigeon wings peered past the old man into his cart. It was dark in the window but he could make out the movement of many vague and small things. He nodded as he paled in a sort of green way, “Sure…”
And the pair left as quickly as they could, as Bertil continued to smoke his pipe.
