[center][h1]Brown L. Cheeseman[/h1][/center]
The elongated boy had not uttered a peep since leaving the small pool. Entranced by the setting around him, he ambled slowly through the magnificent settlement. His mind was filled with thoughts and theories, only paying attention to the conversation. As he stumbled his way through crowds he found himself face to face with a short stocky creature. It grinned up at him with a wide mouth and a gleaming set of many eyes. Brown didn't get a chance to count due to the heaving crowds, but he sighted a great many eyes and a great many arms. It wordlessly thrust a great staff towards him. The body of the staff was sleek and simple, reminding him of a wizard's staff. It was easily taller than him by at least a foot and had a pleasant deep brown colour. It was bare except for a small grip hewn into it, approximately slightly below his should height, and topped with a crudely carved figure. Reminiscent of a gothic-era gargoyle. The creature sat squatting on top of the staff.

He suddenly realised he had been standing in thought, examining the staff for some time now. The grin of the creature slowly morphed into what appeared to be a look of confusion. He thrust it towards him again. Brown, realising the small creature was offering it to him gingerly plucked it, feeling the surprising lightweightness of the staff as he hefted it by his side. He watched the creature give some kind of joyous cackle before being whisked back into the ever-changing folds of the crowd. 

He peered over the heads of many creatures, searching for his entourage in desperation. It dawned on him that he appeared to have lost them, and so, he did the only thing he could think of doing. He continued in the direction the group was traveling: towards the opulent palace.