You're either worth my time...
Fifty-Fifth of Spring, 516 AV
It was finally done. Fifty some odd days and Captain Novenem’s Precious was nearing to dock.
The merchant ship passed through what Captain Novenem told his crew was called the Seagates, a natural passageway formed from great mountains made of age old stone. Theo hung to the bow of Precious, elbowing off men who were trying to catch a glimpse of the rushing waters flowing from the waterfall. The torrent was ripped down the cliffside, rushing from the great height of The Blue Bell River into Plunge Pool Bay. The water was blue and transitioned to a white before becoming one again with the sea. It made for a wonderful first impression.
With his eyes set of the waterfall, Theo was nearly blinded by Syna’s reflection glaring from the bright stone that was glowing at the corners of his eyes. As they went further into the bay, he turned his head to see all of his comrade’s watching wide-eyed and soft-jawed. The cliffside had been completely redone by the Akalaks. Buildings made of white stone clung to the steep elevation with streams built to be a natural part of the infrastructure. Theo didn’t have to look hard to see streams of blue wandering the narrow passages, and he could tell it was not only water but the men of the city as well.
“My people.” Yelled Loken. “Is it beautiful like I have said?” He asked this knowing that agreement was unnecessary.
Captain Novenem steered the ship towards the port of Riverfal. Gently Precious coasted in under Novenem’s watchful eye. The port itself was even made from the same hard, white stone. One wrong turn would sink a ship without metal plating.
As they pulled in and settled Novenem gave Iron Eye, the new first mate, the cue to toss the anchor aside. At the same time the gangplank was dropped and a handful of men rushed from the boat. With the help of the native Akalaks the seamen quickly got the boat tied down. She was steady.
Walking over and grabbing Theo’s shoulder, Captain Novenem told the crew in a cheer, “You guys go have fun, I got coin if you need it for a drink, but for now enjoy yourselves, we can discuss the whole of payment after I push the goods off on some craven.”
Whistling past the portside, Theo was the first to hustle down the gangplank. No one was more anxious to be off the boat. But as soon as Theo was off Precious and into the blue city he felt different. He stood there looking at the cliffside carved in white that stood much taller than he had previously seen. It was sublime. A new place, a different time, people to meet. A sense of thrill was in the air.
First thing was first, Theo needed a drink. He looked, hoping to get tips from his compatriots, but they had all gone off on their own and were already a quarter mile into the city. They were more familiar to this sort of thing than Theo was. Theo looked around the stonee of the dock. Thee was plenty of ships but hardly any people. He thought it odd. Theo would have preferred to ask a blue man but the only person close to him was a short girl.
Theo was so caught in excitement he hadn’t even waited for her gaze as he walked towards. “Can ya point me to something that’ll burn my stomach? A drink would be nice as well.” Theo said with a half smirk, looking down at the side of the girls head.
...Or you're not.