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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ruined" data-source="post: 1224561" data-attributes="member: 113">6th of Chardot, yr. 150 A.V., continued When Gerad and Tréan returned, they found Surielle picking through the remains of their campsite in an attempt to clean up. Gerad could see the concern in her eyes.“What happened here?”  He approached the druid, relieved to see that she was unwounded.“A bounty hunter found the campsite. I hid and Snowmelt led them away.”“Them?”  Tréan asked.“He had a pack of hounds with him. Probably tracking our scent.”“We should strike camp, then,” Gerad said, looking at the tent and supplies that had been torn through by the hounds. “Any idea where he is now?”  Surielle shook her head. Dusk was approaching. They could return to Zamon, but given the conditions he and Tréan had left under, it did not seem a wise choice. Also, the city was a reasonable step for the bounty hunter to pursue. The group still wanted to seek passage along the river, but staying inside Zamon was out of the question.They packed the remnants of their camp and struck north. Gerad could see that Surielle was fearful for her wolf companion. He too had grown to care for the wolf in the days since they left Quelsk. It seemed odd moving without her.As night fell, the trio made their way towards the city. They took a path that led down to the river’s edge, where the docks of the city strutted out to meet it. Various vessels were berthed there, ranging from small fishers to heftier galleys that seemed out of place on the quiet river. Eventually they settled on a secluded spot underneath one of the higher piers. As they prepared for a cold camp, Snowmelt returned to the group, brightening everyone’s mood considerably. In the morning, Gerad and Tréan would return to the city and arrange for passage on one of the ships traveling further inland. Then they would be free of Zathiske and closer to their destination.7th of Chardot, yr. 150 A.V. The next excursion into Zamon lacked any threat of violence, and for that Tréan was pleased. She and Gerad walked along the docks while Surielle stayed out by the river’s edge. Tréan hoped that the druidess would one day move beyond her discomfort within city walls.They inspected many craft along the wharf, from tiny fishing boats to flat-bottomed trade ships. To their dismay, most of the vessels only kept to the route south on the Broadreach River. Those who would trade farther north mostly did so by land routes from here. The Broadreach did continue north, but many of the captains they spoke with considered it difficult to navigate, or less profitable, more the case. Gerad and Tréan spoke in hushed tones about offering coin to a reputable vessel for travel farther upstream, but they lacked both coins and sailors who inspired trust.As they neared the end of the wharf and their options, Gerad pointed out a distinctly different vessel to Tréan. She knew it to be of elven origin. It was a sleek vessel, with masts that curved back to the rear of the craft instead of the standard ones that reached for the skies. It was small compared to the neighboring vessels, but its elaborate construction hinted at a bold strength.“It does stand out a bit, don’t you think dear?” she asked as she scanned the vessel for crew. Gerad had a hand up shading his eyes to aid his inspection of the craft. “True. But who would suspect one this obvious?” “Well, I don’t suppose it would hurt to ask,” Tréan responded. The pair walked up to the ship, searching for a gangplank that did not exist. After a few moments of fruitless search, a voice called out to them from the deck.“Ahoy! How can I be of service?”Tréan looked up and found the speaker. She had not seen him working the deck because he was up among the rigging. A slender elven male scaled down the ropes to get a better view of the pair. Tréan spoke first, finding herself curious about the crew. Where would an elven ship such as this hail from?“We’d like to talk to the captain of this vessel.”“Sorry. Valanduros is about the city.” He leapt from the rigging, landing on the deck without nary a sound. “You can talk to me, however. I’m Mikkal, first mate of the Whispering Dragon.”  “We seek passage North up the Broadreach. Do you think you could accommodate us?”Forward, direct, and without any sense of guile. That was Gerad’s way, as Tréan had come to learn. It was preferable to the silken tongue of Silas, but sometimes she wished he would learn to hold some secrets close.Mikkal leaned forward, looking at both in turn. Tréan felt herself blush at the scrutiny, something she rarely did. “The course of the Dragon is known only to her captain. But if you speak with him, he may find common purpose with you.”They answered a few brief questions about destination and cargo, and were advised to come back at noon with the remainder of their party. Either the captain would offer them passage, or he would not, but Mikkal suggested they be ready to leave if his answer was yes. Excited with the possibility of travel, Tréan and Gerad returned to meet with Surielle.***When the group returned hours later, another elf leapt from the side of the Whispering Dragon to meet them. Tréan could see subtle signs in his face that made him appear older than Mikkal, something she did not expect in truth. Her own elven heritage made her appear ageless compared to the humans around her. She imagined that most other elves would look eternal, and yet she could discern the tests of time on Valdanduros’ face.He was affable, greeting them all with ease and charm. He even knelt to slide his fingers through the fur on Snowmelt’s back, quickly putting her (and Surielle) at ease. “Mikkal tells me you seek passage north up the Broadreach.”  He left the statement as an open question. Tréan answered quickly before Gerad could speak.“Yes. We wish to go north, perhaps as far as Three Moons.”  They had agreed upon this. None of the trio knew exactly where they were to head, save for north. Three Moons was a smaller river city within the Heteronomy of Virduk, which would take them out of Zathiske completely. “Unfortunately, we have little in the way of coin to offer you…”Valanduros’ gaze swept across them all, forming judgements known only to him.“Answer me this.” He pulled close to all of them. “Should I or my ship fear what it is you run from?”Tréan looked at Surielle with wide eyes. Was it that obvious that they were in flight from some evil? As if in answer, Surielle turned her eyes to Gerad. Tréan looked as well, and nodded to him. Valanduros would know the truth.“We run from the Calastians, friend. We have done no wrong, and yet they would see us dead. The faster we travel north and out of their lands, the better for us all.”“I have not been to Three Moons in years,” Valanduros responded after a few moments. “I would be honored if you would travel with Mikkal and I, and share stories to ease the nights.”  He called up to Mikkal to lower a gangplank for the group. “I do hope our days won’t be consumed teaching you all how to work aboard a ship.”</blockquote>

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