Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 46
Sekali made his way northward through the main avenue of the city, pressing through a throng of people. He could see the masts of three ships and hoped one of them might be setting off for the Northern Lands in the near future. He did not wish to stay in this city long with matters as pressing as this.
He passed by a blacksmith dousing a blade into a large container of water. The steam billowed as he removed the steel as quickly as he had submersed it. Then, just as quickly, he stabbed it into a large container of sand.
A young girl offered him a sample of cake she was selling. He accepted it graciously and bought four more of them, to the delight of the young lady selling them. As he ate the cakes, he continued onward down the gradually sloping cobblestone avenue toward the shipyard.
All three were obviously trading vessels, and they were being loaded by men expert in their craft. Eyeing the men and women working, Sekali noticed that one of the three ships was much larger than the other two. Upon its front, just below the railing, was set a plaque which held the ship’s name – Harbringer. Sekali looked for anyone who seemed to be in charge. He spied out one woman who was pointing here and there, and noticing the laborers followed her instructions explicitly, approached her. As he neared, she turned on Sekali and held out a hand as if warning him to stop.
“You there, halt. I don’t know you.”
Sekali bowed, to which she stated flatly.
“Strange, the custom of bowing; seems a bit superficial. What do you want?”
Her flaming-red hair hung down almost to her hips, her brown-black eyes flashed sternly as her other hand rested upon one of two short swords at her belt. Sekali noticed the lithe nature and her muscular tone; she was a weathered warrior, or he was a fool.
Holding out both hands to show he had not drawn a weapon, he quickly told her, to the point, he and two of his companions’ needed passage to the North Lands, to which she laughed.
“The North Lands are where this ship is headed, but it is not a passenger ship. You will have to wait until you can book passage with the regular traveling ships; they do not arrive at these docks for another three days. Try another ship.”
With that, she half-turned, ignoring him. Sekali pulled out his bag of black gold and threw it to her. Without looking, she snatched it out of the air. In the same motion it was untied. She looked into the sack.
“We leave at sunrise on the morrow. I have a cabin adjacent to mine you can use. I usually keep it for personal guests. You will be my personal guests. Don’t be late, or I keep your money and sail.” She glared at Sekali. “Understand? And there will be no alcohol on my ship, no exceptions.”
Sekali nodded. “Yes, milady, thank you.”
He turned away from the docks, heading for the inn. Luckily there was passage; they did not have to wait.