Chapter 22

"Come on, we're nearly there." Said Nolan. They were very close to Reavestone, in fact it was easily seen from their position atop a dune. In the past week they had traveled from the Jiet and across the desert between there and the southern shore. Then they galloped down the coastline, stopping only to rest and refill their canisters. Once they had to remain in a single area for a whole day when a large contingent of Aroughian soldiers went marching in a circle around their hiding place.
Nolan recounted those events as they sped down the dune in an arc, sand rising behind them in a large, orange cloud. They slowly tilted horizontally as the dune straightened into a small plain. The city of Reavestone was smaller than Terim but was no where near as protected as the western port city. It had small buildings washed orange by constant sandstorms and the heat of the sun. A small wall encircled the city, with a portculis embedded in the stone. The wall opened up by the sea and extended into the ocean alongside the port.
Nolan and his companions trotted into Reavestone with their exhausted horses. After a quick rest at a small inn they continued towards the port where they hoped to find Xeno's friend. When they reached the port they were discouraged by what they saw. On the main entry came a tired old carriage, pulled by two tired old horses, rumbling onto the wharf, its creaky wheels bumping on the uneven planks. The rest of the port was covered with sailors and dockhands. Near the back of one ship fancily dressed people boarded via a ramp with a rope handrail. Toward the bow, some pigs and a cow were being led up a steep plank, followed by commoners. A large sign encrypted with a name, said The Legend. Austin wondered if that was their ship. His eyes were drawn to the ugly, skin of barnacles that encrusted the hull of the ship. Then he looked down the wharf and saw a much nicer looking and bigger ship, painted a shiny black. Its crew wore uniforms, unlike that of The Legend. It too was being loaded and seemed ready to set sail. As they made their way closer a thick, bald man in a grimy officer's uniform thumped down the gangplank of The Legend and approached the group. "Dempton, Silecse dempton, first officer, second in command of The Legend." The man made a sour face as if he had bitten into a rancid prune. It occured to Austin that Dempton didnt like being second in anything. He also kept a wary eye on the group. Reavestone probably doesn't get many visitors year-round. Nolan asked, "Nice to meet you, but we're looking for Koniky..." He was cut off by Dempton. "He's over there." The man appeared angry, but other wise pointed towards the nicer ship. "He is in command of The Charlotte."
Austin relaxed but didn't let it show for fear of offending Dempton. Nolan thanked the man then they walked off towards The Charlotte. Some soldiers were approaching it, carrying swords and crossbows. The soldiers wore crisp blue uniforms and black, shiny boots. They walked on either side of a horse-drawn cart that carried a collection of trunks, black, done all around with chains and padlocks. The Charlotte was in better condition with no frayed ropes, peeling paint, or no barnacles and green slime climbing the hull from the waterline.
When they reached The Charlotte a few sailors stopped them and asked questions. "What be your business 'ere." "We're looking for Captain Koniky brewer." Said Nolan.
The sailors nodded then pointed towards a tall, wealthy man in an expensive uniform. He was holding several documents with his left hand and issued orders, pointing with his right. He was in the middle of a conversation when Nolan approached and said. "Koniky."
"Aye, that be my name." Koniky replied turning around after dismissing the sailor he had been speaking with.
"Kvetha Fricai." Nolan whispered in the ancient language.
Koniky's eyes brightened when he heard the words. "Aha, I heard you'd all be coming, just didnt expect it to be so soon. Got the message just last night I did." He said holding up his left hand, in it were the documents Austin noticed earlier. "Ya, well we were pushing our horses as much as we could without killing 'em." Nolan pointed towards a post where their four mares were tied. Koniky nodded. "Well The Charlotte will be setting sail in a few minutes, its heading to Petrovya by lake Tüdosten. If you want you can board it, I can make an excuse for four extra guests."
"Will you be sailing with us?" Asked Trey, speaking up for the first time in several days.
Koniky shook his head. "I'm afraid I wont, there be another of my ships sailing in tomorrow and I have to be there to sort out paperwork and such. But dont worry, my first mate Wyle will be captain while I'm gone."
Koniky then walked up the gangplank of The Charlotte. Once on board they trotted aft on the bustling deck, dodging sailors making final preparations for casting off and getting under way. The forwad gangway had been detached, hauled aboard, and stowed; now sailors were working on the aft gangway. When they were done, there would be no way off the ship.
Koniky neared the aft gangway and stopped, looking for his first mate. Nolan motioned for his group to stop as well. Directly ahead, blocking their path, stood the first mate, Wyle, supervising the gangway crew. Just beyond that, a canvas drapped cargo was being hauled aboard by two clean shaven sailors. Koniky spoke with Wyle, who nodded with confirmation, then turned to Nolan. "He knows of your origins and has agreed to let you sleep in the first-class quarters." Nolan bowed slightly then said. "Sé mor'ranr ono finna"
Koniky bowed back then hurried down the aft gangway and onto the wharf.
Wyle stopped supervising and said to Nolan. "I'll escort you to your living quarters shall I."
"Thanks."
Soon they were below decks in a cabin along the starboard side of The Charlotte. When Wyle left they organized their belongings and Trey and Connor argued about who got the bed next to the port hole. But when the situation was settled, and Nolan nearly obliterated the bed, they went back onto the main deck.
"READY!" Shouted a random sailor. "HEAVE TO!"
The sailors grunted, and the gangway was raised up off the wharf and slid back onto deck. Wyle gave the order to cast off the lines. The bow, pushed by the tide, began to slowly swing away from the wharf. No getting off the ship now.
They stood atop the main deck watching as the shore sped away from them as the ship gained speed. Wyle was heard in the background shouting commands like, "CAST THE MAIN MIZZEN" or "RAISE THE TOPSAIL."
They spent the rest of the day like so, adoring the view of the ocean and the constant tumble as the ship rock up and down, the waves crashing agianst the hull. Seagulls flew overhead and often landed on the masts. Austin looked overboard and saw several fins rise out of the foamy wake of the hull as it dug into the water.
He squinted at the patch of dark where he thought he'd seen something, at the rightmost edge of the roiling wake. He jumped as a gray shape flowed from the water, forming a gracefull arc before disappearing agian beneath the surface. The shape was followed by another, then another. What are those things. He thought, leaning over the stern rail, then caught himself, feeling sort of foolish. Porpoises. Five of them, their sleek bodies keeping pace effortlessly with the lumbering ship. They suddenly jumped out of the water, squeaked, then turned, arced, sliced smoothly into the dark water, and disappeared. Author's note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if it was too short and had a slow moving plot. As always, review and enjoy. -7RON