Isabella was most eager to encounter one of Spinner Island's elusive inhabitants, the squirrel-fox. Venturing into the forest was almost a daily occurrence for her, she paused at every twist and turn of the various paths; her heart quickening with the hope of catching a glimpse of the creature.
“How’d the hunt go today Miss Isabella?” Jack, a local fisherman keenly called out to her.
“No luck today I’m afraid”, she pouted slightly. “I’ll see one yet! How about you, did you boys catch anything good?”
Jack stood up making his way towards her accompanied by the hooting and hollering of his companions. “Good catch, we caught several 20lb white fin-backs, a 10lb black-maul and a dozen red-tails. Sam almost fell over the boat by himself, fortunately a few of us helped the poor fella along.” Jack grinned as the rest of the table roared with laughter. “Why don’t you join us next time we’re out? There is plenty of room for one more?” his voice almost noticeably excited at the prospect.
The tavern door opened as Aulfrick walked in, “Hey love, there’s a boat leaving for the mainland day after tomorrow.” Aulfrick made his way over to Isabella and Jack, “Hey Jack, how’s it going?”
Jack grinning back at Aulfrick, “Good, just telling the Miss about our catch today. You wouldn’t happen to be talking about the Red Octopus would you? Cause I’d avoid that one at all costs if I were you.”
“Really?” Aulfrick asked curiously, “How come? It looked like a good boat to me, not that I know much about boats and the Captain seemed capable if a little rough around the edges.”
Isabella put her hand around Aulfrick’s waist as Sam made his way towards the two. “It’s a good ship with a capable Captain for sure. What you don’t know is that it’s an Inquirer’s ship.” Sam voice sounded melodic despite the heavy accent. “Not Inquirer exactly, more like an associate.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The corners of Aulfrick’s mouth turned down just as Isabella spoke up, “What’s an Inquirer?”
“Inquirers, Miss Isabella are a group of people who stick their noses in places where they don’t belong.” Jack spoke and Sam continued. “They are a mix of different types. Some are treasure hunters searching for new and strange creatures, knowledge, things of value. Some hunt people, work as mercenaries, body guards, spies, chefs and even doctors.”
“Some of those sound like they have nothing to do with each other. Why is being an Inquirer so broad and can’t you do those things without becoming one?” Isabella’s eyes widened; her small body about to burst with thoughts and curiosity. “I’m sorry, I just have so many questions.” Her cheeks were as red as the richest roses.
Three of them roared with laughter as they looked at a pouting Isabella. Sam wiping a tear from his eye finally spoke up. “It’s not that you can’t do those things without being an Inquirer, it’s that Inquirers are given a lot more freedom. Say you’re a doctor and you want to do doctor things in the country next door. You got to save a lot of money, wait in line for months than take an expensive exam. If you’re an Inquire and a doctor, you can just skip all of that. Hell, if you’re an Inquirer, you get treated a lot better.”
“So how do you become an Inquirer and why isn’t everyone trying to become one?” At times her curiosity seemed insatiable almost flowing like an endless stream. Her mind ever the sponge soaking up every drop of knowledge and information it encountered.
“Everyone would ‘like’ to become an Inquirer” Sam interjected. “Even Jack here tried but didn’t make it past the Red Octopus”, Jack glared at Sam before he continued. “The Inquirer exam is tough with most of the candidates never making it to the main exam. The few that do either drop out early, end up crippled or dead.”
He let that sink in for a second, “Yes, it is that hard and the Inquirer’s organization has so much power that no one questions it. Being an Inquirer just isn’t worth the risk. Still there are more fools that try every year, so much so that the Inquirer organization chooses special associates that secretly screen out most of the candidates before they even get there.”
“If it’s so secret how did you find out about the associate?” Isabella gaze turned from Sam to Jack.
Jack smiled scratching the back of his palm, “Well you don’t work out of the docks for twelve years without learning a secret or two. No one knows where the actual exam is held as it changes every year. The Inquirer organization leave vague clues around the world that are either traps or hints to make sure you cross paths with an associate of theirs. If you pass their test, the associate will give you the next clue.”
“Thanks for the info guys, but it has been a long day and we better head off to bed”, Aulfrick yawned pulling on Isabella slightly.
“Night boys”, she yelled making her way up the stairs not noticing Jack lingering around just a little bit longer; a faint smile gracing his lips.