Eyes Like Ours

As I studied the items before me, I began to doubt that they were the tools of a Paniscian spy. The only thing that could be considered a weapon was a stone knife, but its size and simplicity suggested it was less a weapon and more a practical tool. It was nothing like the one I had at my own hip, and it was clear that more time and care had been put into crafting the pouch beside it, which had intricate designs embroidered into the sturdy fabric. The food and items that were in the pouch, though odd in their design and variety, did not seem to pose a threat either.

My doubts were further justified as I looked over at the Paniscian across the room. The wary, frightened creature did not reflect the kind of trained individuals I saw amongst soldiers. Instead, his demeanor and possessions spoke more to a traveling trader, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. He most likely wandered into Troglodyte territory on accident, while trying to avoid Plagued land. That’s how it usually happens, at least.

Of course, I could have confirmed all of this if the Paniscian would have answered any of my questions. Yet all of my queries were met with fearful eyes and stone silence. It wasn’t surprising, to be fair. No matter what excuse the Paniscian gave, he seemed to know he wasn’t going free any time soon.

Feeling a bit self-conscious in the silence, despite being the interrogator, I began examining his bag’s content more closely. No matter what happened to the Paniscian, we likely wouldn’t keep any of it, despite the fact that if he was dumb enough to pick anything up from a Plagued area, he wouldn’t even be alive right now. Still, protocol is protocol.

Amongst the dried fruits and various baubles, one item caught my eye - a necklace with a broken chain and a detailed, with a pendent shaped like an arrowhead. Jewelry wasn’t out of place in a trader’s possessions, but what struck me was the material the jewelry was made of. Both the chain and heart were metal, though heavily tarnished with age and wear. I had only ever seen the most elite Troglodytes with any sort of metal weaponry, and nothing as intricately detailed as this. And as far as I was aware, Paniscian metalwork was even less sophisticated.

As I turned the pendent in my hand, I noticed a hinge on one side. I gently pried it open and was met with a tiny face, though it was neither a Paniscian nor a Troglodyte face. The nose protruded outwards, the mouth was small despite its smile, and the only visible hair was the long strands from the top of its head. It was a kind of face I had never seen before, but it still elicited a feeling of uncanniness.

The Paniscian murmured something from his corner, startling me. When I looked over to him, he seemed just as surprised by his sound. Still, he continued, “The Sapien. In the picture. I always thought her eyes looked a lot like ours…” His voice seemed to trail off, as if remembering who he was talking to.

“This is a Sapien?” I asked, receiving a nod in return, “So did a Sapien make this necklace, then?” His response was a half shrug.

My gaze fell back to the necklace. I had heard many stories of the Sapiens, from what we’d gathered from their ruins. I knew they were capable of building incredible things, metal weapons and tools Troglodytes could only dream of. They were the ones who created the Plague lands. I did not know they also used their metal to make… trinkets. They’d be similar to the Paniscians, if that were true.

I carefully placed the pendant in the pouch and closed the flap. Gathering the posessions, I turned to the Paniscian. “Thank you for your… cooperation. I’ll return when we’re ready for your sentencing.” The Paniscian was back to staring at me from his corner. With a final, awkward nod, I turned to exit the cell, locking the door behind me.