Pages | Chapter 8 | Map of the World

[marsgemwrites]

We a learn a little bit more about Erin's new found friends and venture back into Braestin.

BONUS CONTENT (including world map)

Chapter 8. Map of the World

Three days later they were walking through the streets of Braestin again, this time to get Chad and Vechs their time away from work. It was a warm day, although it always was on Skol Prida. Erin had, reluctantly, left her red coat at Vechs' in order to avoid heatstroke.

They had contacted Zaner using Erin's shell necklace and he'd said that they wouldn't be able to get back to Skol Prida for over a week. Luckily this meant the trio had time to do things like sorting out Chad and Vechs' work. Erin also hoped to see some of the sights in Skol Prida before she went off to a completely different country.

Due to the time and the day the streets weren't nearly as bustling and full, there was just the odd pedestrian here and there.

"So, what do you two do for a living?" Erin asked.

"Well, I'm a mapmaker, I chart the different countries and sell the maps. I'm just going to tell my boss that I'll be out to do charting for a while, I'm sure he won't mind." Vechs explained.

She turned her head to look at Chad, "I'm a journalist, I write for the Trabush paper; Trabush Daily."

"Trabush?"

"It's the name of the continent that consists of SP and Ucrasey. Anyway, my boss has been trying to get me to do some travel journalism, she likes my work and thinks I'm wasted here. She'll be happy about me taking time off to travel," he paused, "I wouldn't be surprised if she gives us money for expenses."

"Right, that's interesting. Convenient that you both have jobs that support travel," Erin said with a light chuckle.

"Yes, I guess it is. I don't know about Chad, but I love to travel, which is why I became a mapmaker." Vechs said as they turned into a building with maps on the windows.

"I like travelling as much as the next guy," Chad said, shutting the shop's door behind him, "I just don't do it very often, due to money and stuff."

They walked up to the counter, "Wait here, I'll be right back," Vechs said then walked around the counter and pushed open the door at the back.

Erin looked around, there were bulletin boards in three rows through the shop, all of which displayed maps. The walls also had maps on them. Erin went over to what appeared to be a world map. She studied it, intrigued, "We have a lot more countries and continents on earth." She said to Chad, who'd walked to stand just behind her.

"Oh really?"

"Mm, seven continents and over one-hundred countries, nearly two-hundred I think."

"Wow, that is a lot."

"Yeah, I couldn't name them all." Erin laughed.

"Well, we have a grand total of four continents and nine countries, all of which are really big." Chad explained, he pointed to the map, "see we're here, right by the equator, that's why it's so hot here. And we're going here," he drug his finger along the map up to the top of the country marked Athose.

"Right," she looked over the map, "Which of these countries have you been to?"

"Well, this one, obviously. I grew up on Shayston, I've been to Athose once or twice and I once went to Ucrasey. I've always wanted to go here," he pointed to a country in the upper left of the map, "Zopru. They're the ones who created the language we're speaking, Zoprish."

"On earth it's known as English," Erin said.

"Huh, cool. Over the years everyone started to speak Zoprish, mixing their native languages in with it to create a master, global language. It's pretty cool. I got off topic, where was I?"

"You were saying you wanted to go to Zopru?"

Chad nodded, "Right, yes. I want to go there, but they're a pretty hostile country to outsiders. Obrians have enough trouble crossing the border, let alone me, someone from another continent all together. They don't even have docks, just what they call "airports"."

"Airports? We have those!"

"Huh, really?" Chad said quizzically.

"Yep, they're for aeroplanes and helicopters," Erin explained, "I imagine you don't have those though, right?"

"No, never heard of either of those. They have airships."

"No way! That's awesome!"

"It is pretty cool," Erin and Chad turned to see Vechs walking over to them, "it seems History Cat doubles as Geography Cat." He teased.

Chad laughed, "Yeah, yeah. You don't live to one-hundred and thirty-seven and not learn things about the world."

"Fair enough," Vechs said with a shrug, "I've been to Zopru, it's a very cool place. Very advanced."

"Oh?" Chad said.

"Yeah, most of the world is really behind in comparison. There's so many awesome inventions."

They left the shop while Vechs told them about his adventures in Zopru. As far as Erin could gather it was very much like she always pictured a steampunk civilisation to be like. Vechs told them of the time he'd nearly been killed by Zoprish bandits. His ex, who he was with at the time, managed to beat them up and rescue Vechs.

"He sounds like a nice guy," Erin said with a smile.

"He was, I miss him," Vechs said gently. He shook his head, "no matter, what's done is done, right?"

Chad had a concerned look on his face, but if he had an opinion, he didn't voice it.

After about ten minutes of walking they reached a building that was much larger than the first one. When they stepped inside this one the atmosphere was very different to that of the map shop. This felt very professional and there was a buzz in the air. Chad nodded to the people who were walking around, going in and out of doors as they went to the front desk.

Behind the desk was a young, blonde woman who was writing furiously, "Hey Sylvie." Chad said cheerfully to the woman.

She looked up and smiled at Chad, "Hi, Mr Johnson,"

"I was wondering if Mrs Sheridan was around?" He asked.

The woman, Sylvie, nodded, "Yep, just head up to her office, she's not too busy today."

Chad said he'd be back in a minute then went off through one of the doors. Erin looked around the high ceilinged room that seemed to be the lobby of this newspaper head quarters.

"There are sofas over there," Sylvie said, "you can sit on them while you wait for Mr Johnson." Erin and Vechs nodded and sat down on the brown leather sofas.

"Mr Johnson." Vechs said mockingly, "I am so calling him that now."

Erin laughed and leaned back into a the sofa. The building she was in was very clean and rustic. It reminded her of Victorian houses she'd seen photos of. The pair had slipped into a comfortable silence.

Then, Erin suddenly spoke, "Why did you and Chad decide to help me? You could have just assumed that I was crazy and sent me away, or even left me naked in the woods."

"We're gentlemen, we didn't want to leave you there and have someone with bad intentions find you," Vechs explained, "then you were so freaked out by everything I didn't think you could be crazy. I kind of took pity on you."

"So you're doing this out of pity?"

"No! Not at all!" Vechs said hurriedly, "No, I don't know about Chad, but I'm doing this because I think you're a pretty great and I want you to get home safely."

Erin smiled, "Thanks, Vechs." They slipped back into the silence and moments later Chad appeared, following a short, slightly strange looking man. Erin and Vechs made to stand up but Chad held up a finger, signalling them to wait so they sat back down.

"Not to sound rude, but what was that with Chad?" Erin said quietly.

"A boglalc, they're barely trustworthy. I've only known them to be trustworthy with money. I guess that's where Chad's going. I've heard a bit about Mrs Sheridan, she's fairly fond of Chad, so I imagine she'd probably give him quite a bit for the trip." Vechs said, watching the door that Chad and the boglalc had gone through. Erin could only assume a boglalc was a goblin.

A few moments later Chad reappeared, with a small satchel in his hand. He said something to the boglalc and then walked over to his friends, "Hey, sorry about the wait, Mrs Sheridan likes to talk."

"It's alright," Erin said, standing up.

"What's in the bag?" Vechs asked curiously.

Chad grinned, "Roughly the equivalent to a thousand grokel."

"Holy shit! That's generous!" Vechs spluttered.

"Yeah, she really wants me to do travel journalism." Chad laughed.

"Well, let's get going I have some stuff I want to spend your money on for the trip," Vechs said.

"That being?" Chad asked incredulously.

 

"Not telling!" Vechs sing-songed as he left the building, Erin and Chad close behind.

Comments

[scara]

"it seems History Cat doubles as Geography Cat."

"Mr Johnson." Vechs said mockingly, "I am so calling him that now."

Love these quotes XD

"A boglalc, they're barely trustworthy. I've only known them to be trustworthy with money. I guess that's where Chad's going. I've heard a bit about Mrs Sheridan, she's fairly fond of Chad, so I imagine she'd probably give him quite a bit for the trip." Vechs said, watching the door that Chad and the boglalc had gone through. Erin could only assume a boglalc was a goblin.

Ooooo so the boglalc's of Sunreth are like the Goblin in Harry Potter :D

[marsgemwrites]

Yep! I am a Potterhead through and through ;D

[scara]

Yay for Potter fans! :D

[(Anonymous)]

I love the humor and how all of the conversations seem casual and normal. You're really good at making them feel like real, genuine people with interests and hopes. Keep up the good work! (::) (::) (::)
-Observing Anon

[marsgemwrites]

Excuse me while I implode from all the kind words!

[scara]

Please don't implode Mars, who would write the end of this awesome story?

[jiminee]

I really enjoyed this chapter, the peek at the wider world was awesome and you know I love the reference to Vechs' ex
Also I'm glad you like that song, it's great ;D