To the left of the docks as one entered Abura, there stood an unimposing two-story clapboard building, painted a simple white. Its very normalcy made it look somewhat out of place in the technicolor dreamworld of the Akvatari town. This was explained, however, by the large sign in front, which read, ZELTIVAN SAILORS' GUILD, followed in smaller letters by Branch Office.
The Sailors' Guild, which handled all trade coming into and out of Abura, maintained a staff of thirty at the Branch Office. About half of these were stevedores and dockhands, a few others were the operations staff for Hospitality House, and the rest were mostly involved in purchasing, accounting, and maintenance.
The head of the Branch Office was a young blonde woman with striking green eyes. This was Teresa Wright Allwave, who had formerly been secretary to Jocylinda Wright, when Wright was the Senior Member of the Administrative Committee of the Sailors' Guild. After Wright -- who was also Allwave's mother -- had retired, Allwave had been sent here to manage affairs. As a perk of the job, the second floor of the Branch Office was also Allwave's personal living quarters, meaning she wasn't required to sleep in the bunkhouses behind the Office, where the rest of the Zeltivan contingent made their beds.
There were few visitors to the Office, and so there was no receptionist. The desk at the back of the first room belonged to Allwave herself, and she personally greeted anyone who did happen to stop by. The interior was spare, but still welcoming, with two large windows to the right, and a pair of large bookcases on the left.
The Sailors' Guild, which handled all trade coming into and out of Abura, maintained a staff of thirty at the Branch Office. About half of these were stevedores and dockhands, a few others were the operations staff for Hospitality House, and the rest were mostly involved in purchasing, accounting, and maintenance.
The head of the Branch Office was a young blonde woman with striking green eyes. This was Teresa Wright Allwave, who had formerly been secretary to Jocylinda Wright, when Wright was the Senior Member of the Administrative Committee of the Sailors' Guild. After Wright -- who was also Allwave's mother -- had retired, Allwave had been sent here to manage affairs. As a perk of the job, the second floor of the Branch Office was also Allwave's personal living quarters, meaning she wasn't required to sleep in the bunkhouses behind the Office, where the rest of the Zeltivan contingent made their beds.
There were few visitors to the Office, and so there was no receptionist. The desk at the back of the first room belonged to Allwave herself, and she personally greeted anyone who did happen to stop by. The interior was spare, but still welcoming, with two large windows to the right, and a pair of large bookcases on the left.
