The party arrives at the harbor the midday sun clouded in the air. Still, it's no matter for the many men and women of the city. Their labor unimpeded by the sun's soft kiss.
"Why are we in the harbor? Are we going by boat?" Sol asks his emerald-colored eyes taking in the sight of rough waters crashing against the shore. Unlike "The Lake of Stillness" this sea feels alive awakening a desire to go for a swim inside the demon.
"We'll never get past Slaver's Neck pass. It's even more heavily guarded than their actual land." Hellas shuts down the idea as he continues to look around.
"Then what are we doing here?"
"Looking for our place to stay."
"Any tavern will do."
"Normally it would but this time we've arranged something special." Hellas says purposefully staying secretive.
Sol looks over to Gunnir who points toward the carriage. Sol looks under him and sees the normal-looking wooden carriage. He turns his sight back to Gunnir.
"I'm not psychic what are we looking for?" Sol asks showing annoyance.
"You'll see. We're not telling you on purpose." Hellas shuts down Sol and his search for answers.
"Fine." Sol replies as he lays himself in a comfortable position once again.
The party leaves the carriage at a stable located near the harbor. The stable seems to have the purpose of holding horses that were either brought in here via ship or are expected to leave. The grand duke pays the fee, still taking responsibility as an employer.
The party now walks across the harbor Cristal and Gunnir taking the lead as the other three surround the grand duke. Obscuring the elder from any onlookers, especially those with sinister intentions.
A short 5 minutes pass by, everyone is on high alert until they arrived at a large vessel of a ship. A colorful trading ship where wares are actively being imported and exported.
"How many fuuucking times? The amount was agreed with his highness." A very expressive voice says, especially expressing the cursing as he speaks. Still, rather than aggressive the voice is more like a kid complaining he has to do homework.
"As many times as I need to state that for transporting large amounts of Shiven "Sugyr" you need an official document of permission from his highness or the master of trade. At the moment you have neither and are claiming that his highness has given permission. Yet he is the one who imposed the ban in the first place." An administrative worker of the harbor replies, standing there surrounded by a few of the lesser armored soldiers.
"Well, I guess his highness changed his mind. It's only natural. You can't live life without the blessing of "Sugyr". That's like saying the paladins cannot pray." The merchant trying to get his merchandise into the harbor city replies, actively moving his arms whilst his deckhands are looking at him to please stop this discussion.
"Drugs and paladins acting on their beliefs seem like very different topics to me."
"With that kind of attitude, it is." The merchant replies, his arms crossed. Dissatisfied with the stingy administrative worker at the docks.
"Sodagar!" Cristall yells toward the 2 men in conversation. The merchant turns around, a bright smile appearing on his face.
The smiling merchant is a walking bomb of colors and accessories. The man wears around eight bracelets around each arm and has a ring on every finger. Gold and silver are the minima whilst the gems embedded in each accessory are different from other gems. His clothes are colorful as he wears a light purple overcoat with a white shirt. His pants are dark blue and his shoes black.
"Oh my, it seems the goddess smiles upon us! See I told you? Belief and drugs are not that far apart" The merchant gives a quick remark to the administrator before rushing toward the party.
He hugs cristal and gives her a kiss on each cheek and does the same to all the others. Even Gunnir, Sol, and the grand duke are not spared.
"My darlings it's been so long, and you're in quite the company." The outspoken merchant says looking at Sol and the grand duke.
"It's been a while, Sodagar." The grand duke says quietly and unclear.
"You-"
"Shuush." Cristal quickly shushes the talkative merchant.
"These are our companions Sol and Derick." Hellas quickly adds on whilst slowly nodding his head. Trying to convey their meaning.
"Aaaaah, but of course. Derick, it's been quite some time. I must be honest you look worse than last time my friend." The merchant says his attention focused on the grand duke.
"..." The grand duke is unresponsive, not even looking at the merchant any longer.
"Well, if you want something to cheer you up. I have some high-quality Shif "Sygur" ready to be bought. I was pllanning on selling it here. BUT SOMEONE DECIDED TO ACT STUCK UP AND DOESN'T LISTEN TO AN HONEST MAN!" The merchant yells the last sentence on purpose, his eyes shooting daggers at the administrator.
"You had permission from the grand duke of Witon?" Cristal asks the doubt in her voice evident.
"Well…. I had permission to trade here. He never said I was limited to do so."
"Wouldn't it make sense to at least check the laws before trying to sell?"
"Oh darling… If you follow the law then you're not making money. Well anyway, enough of my trade. What brings you all here?"
"Can we spend two nights on your ship? We need to resupply and are looking for a secure place to stay."
"Darlings, you could even stay there until my hairs turn gray if you so wished." The merchant who's in his thirties says. A man who would sooner color his hair than ever show even one string of gray hair.
Sodagar goes for another hug and kiss round with everyone before snapping his fingers and calling for some of his crew.
"Captain?" A young man, a deckhand comes rushing. Seeing his captain in need of something.
"Prepare 6 luxurious rooms for our guests, only the very best. Understood?"
"But sir everything i-" The young man tries to complain but goes quiet as soon as Sodagar raises his ring-adorned hand.
"Ligo, did I not tell you something?"
"Of course captain, I will see it done." The young man named Ligo replies as he runs toward the ship. Spreading the command, the groans of the crew are very audible as they seem to have received a harsh task.
"Now let us go to my quarters. Have a drink and celebrate this fond new day!" The colored merchant says as he leads the party onboard.
"What about the "Sygur" Sodagar?" The administrator who's still waiting there asks, trying to resolve the issue.
"I cannot trade them here right?"
"Indeed."
"Can I smoke them on my ship?"
"I don't think that is the intention of the ruling, but I'll allow it. Keep in mind I will make sure you're not trying to trade it."
"Then we have a deal. I hope you're ready darlings!" Sopgara yells with excitement.