Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 45
Sekali reached camp and packed up his belongings quickly.
“Up, Finyat! Up, Uther! We must go.” He shouldered his pack as he watched them rise without grumbling and cursing. This was the first time this had happened, and he thought it monumental.
They ate some food left over from the night before and quickly set out by the way they had come, traveling at a quick pace.
Sekali did want to say goodbye to Mabuhi. He hated leaving, but despised the words of farewell more than leaving without saying them. And so they departed, traveling by day, before the sun gave his light to the forest, and long after it had given way to the night. Sekali led them at a quick pace to the edge of the forest and out into and across the grasslands, until they found the main road that led directly to the City Port Navan.
After a time, they entered the main gates and stopped at one of the many provisional shops to stock up on supplies. Black-gold had been placed within all their packs by someone, Sekali suspected Mabuhi. It seemed as though they had thought of their expenses as well, and they were grateful for it.
Finyat volunteered to buy all the items needed for the journey. Uther snickered at him and approved, knowing full well what Finyat had in mind . . . a discount. Sekali was oblivious to the Shallant’s intentions, and nodded.
“I will go to the port and see when the next ship will be sailing north, and then I will meet you both at the Golden Feather.”
Uther nodded and grunted. “I’ll book us rooms for the night, and we will have an evening to eat and drink. I wish to do a bit of gambling.”
Sekali nodded and departed toward the docks as Finyat laughed jovially.
“Good times, eh, Uther?”
Uther nodded. “Yes my good friend, yes!” Uther departed to book rooms at the inn.
Finyat happily watched him go and then his face changed. Slyly he cracked his knuckles and headed into the provisions shop. As he entered, a look of total exhaustion overtook him and he staggered, as if struggling with too heavy a pack.