Ep.28: The Kingdom of Coatlicue, Part 2

The gate to Coatlicue is between the inner and outer marketplaces, with dedicated civilians working hard at the things they love.

“Fresh-cut meats! Get your fresh-cut meats!” Don the meat seller cries out over the crowd, which is busy as always.

“Trust me, sir. This remedy will clear that right up. It’s a tree sap that comes from the oldest trees in the forest.” Cau, with fox features, hails from the Onin clan and is always eager to help, if the price is right.

This is the Coatlicue’s outer marketplace. From the half-elf Sek selling fruits, to Gern the dwarf selling the finest bread in all of Apo, to aspiring scientists looking to make a name for themselves by selling their nature tech at a reasonable price; the outer marketplace has quite the varied populace. “Ahhh crap!” I look over at Maka and whisper to him, “We got to be careful around these people… always bleedin’ you dry.”

Maka quietly nods his head.

“Fresh fish for sale! Fresh fish for sale! Caught today in the Lake of Rejuvenation!” a young nymph shouts.

“Hoping to lure some poor sucker in, I bet.” Ramsey quips in my direction, then realizes I’m already gone and probably didn’t hear him.

“Wow! You don’t say? So, did you really catch them in the Lake of Rejuvenation?” I say with excitement.

“Annnnnd cue the poor sucker.” Ramsey looks at me with a defeated look as he sighs, “Come on, don’t be wasting our time.” Ramsey grabs me by the shirt.

“Leaf Rapper for sale! One of nature tech’s best sellers!” A scruffy-looking middle-aged man shouts.

“Hmm… this seems legit. I’ll take two!” I say, feeling sensible.

Ramsey slaps me upside the head. “Are you a complete idiot?! Keep moving!”

“Aqua Sensor for sale! New nature tech! Buy them at a low price!” Another of the Onin clan, this one with rhino features, seems to be selling some new devices.

“Ok, I’ve always wanted something that could do this,” I say, reaching to take the device from the seller.

“I’m sorry, sir, my friend is a complete idiot and cannot make decisions on his own.” Ramsey says, belittling my intelligence and pulling me beyond reach of the tech.

“Healing-Sap Drops! Brave warriors, looking for an edge in battle?! One drop can heal most wounds!” A female human with an eyepatch says while walking up to me.

“I see. I see. You noticed the bravery dripping off of me.” I say, all smug.

“Kai! We don’t have time for this! Remember what you said!” Maka pleads while pushing me onwards.

All types of people and wares can be found here at Coatlicue’s outer market.

“Wow!” My eyes light up as I look around, wondering what I should buy.

“Focus.” Ramsey says through his teeth as he glares at me.

As we approach Coatlicue’s massive gates, I remember something my Father once told me. “Fun fact:” I look at Ramsey with a smile, “They say that four Giant Mammoth Spiders abreast can march right through Coatlicue’s gate with ease.”

“Stop talking, would you?” Ramsey looks at me, exasperated. “I’m so exhausted.”

“Can we eat now?” Maka’s legs start to shake.

“Halt!” One of the royal guards stops us at the front gates.

“What are children doing outside the gates?!” Another guard says, noticing that we clearly don’t have adult supervision and walking over.

“Ummm…” Maka looks at Ramsey.

“Well…” Ramsey hesitates to answer, looking away.

“You see…” I look the guards straight in the eyes, “we were doing research…” I look at Ramsey, “right, guys?” I then look over at Maka. “…For our book report! Yes, that’s it!”

“How stupid do you think I look?!” One of the guards growls, getting in my face.

I begin to think about the question. “Hmmm… if I were a betting man, I would say-”

Ramsey slaps me upside the head while calmly looking at the guards. “You see, my father had me out on an errand,” Ramsey looks at Maka and winks at him. “And my father, being who he is, had these two escort me.” Ramsey quickly reveals something to the royal guards that results in them suddenly cooperating without hesitation.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I had no idea…” The royal guards look at each other. “Please, enter, and have a good day.”