They all introduced themselves to Dela, who had happily made Clyde's shoulder its new nest.
After walking a bit further, the platoon was finally out of Albeite Forest. That was an unexpectedly rough journey, but in front of them lay a straight path to the city of dreams, Port Aqmare. Port Aqmare was a much more modern city than Meridus. It had all sorts of entertainment and advancements like steam engines used in factories. Many of the richest industrialists of Magnar lived in Port Aqmare. It was also Magnar's main trading hub with empires on other continents. The platoon was eager to reach the city.
'Have you ever been to Port Aqmare?' Fini asked Clyde as they were closing in on the city. 'Never, but I have always wanted to come. It has so many fun things. New food to try from different continents, new people to meet. It's like a completely different world from Meridus. It even has a seaside market where we can buy products from the sea.' Fini's eyes widened when she heard that. 'We have to spend up to two days there, while waiting for General Ferrahn to reply to General Hearty's letter. We can spend that time around the coast.'
Tigris and Fini were delighted upon hearing that. Over a dune, in the distance, they saw massive gates. The city of dreams was in front of their eyes.
Clyde showed the envelope to the gatekeeper, which had the royal seal. The seal was proof of them being Warriors from Meridus, and they were let in. Before walking into the city, Clyde asked the gatekeeper about the location of Port Aqmare Royal Barracks, where General Hearty was likely to be found. The gatekeeper pointed towards a tall structure to the right. Clyde turned around and saw Tigris and Fini mesmerized by the city. 'You can roam around too if you want.' Clyde told Dela with a smile. 'Once we deliver this.' Dela looked a bit disappointed, but duty came first. 'Search for a building with this word on it.' Clyde ordered Dela, showing a piece of paper with 'Inn' written. Dela grasped the task immediately and flew away.
Clyde quickly returned his mind to the mission. 'Let's deliver this, then we can have fun.' Tigris and Fini agreed. Tigris had come to a city beyond Meridus for the first time ever. He asked Fini and Clyde to hurry to the Royal Barracks to meet General Ferrahn. They soon reached the tower the gatekeeper had pointed towards.
'Platoon of Clyde Robustus is here to deliver an envelope from General Hearty to General Ferrahn.' Clyde said in an unusually think voice to sound more serious to a woman who seemed to be working at the Barracks. 'Do you kids have a royal seal?' Clyde showed her the Seal, while simultaneously looking saddened that the woman called him a kid despite his attempt. 'So, you three are here with a letter from the capital. Follow me.' Clyde, Tigris, and Fini quietly followed the woman around the building till they reached a large room with a massive desk in the center. 'This room is so big!' Fini was amazed. A tall man with an aggressive moustache, wearing a government official uniform, came in from behind them. The honorific emblems indicated he was a general. His uniform's badge read 'Thevlin D. Ferrahn'.
'Aslinia!' the man said in a heavy tone after looking at three kids and his assistant in his office. 'How many times do I have to remind you not to let anyone in without asking me!' Aslinia simply bowed her head and softly replied 'But sire, they are here from Meridus, with a letter from General Hearty. It has a royal seal.' Clyde handed the letter over to General Ferrahn. 'From Meridus ay? Must have been a long journey, that too through Albeite Forest. It's dark as well. You kids get some rest for now. I will get back as soon as possible.' He spoke as he went back to his table and flipped through a large book. 'But general its urgen-' Clyde was cut off by General Ferrahn. 'You're dismissed for today.' They said 'Glory to Magnar' as they exited the room, and the building.
Clyde was a bit upset at the rudeness he faced, but Tigris and Fini cheered him on. The screech of an eagle was heard. Dela returned, and slowly navigated the platoon through the crowded streets of Port Aqmare to an inn. Tigris and Fini were surprised as how lively the city was, even at such a late hour.
They made it to a large military inn. Dela hopped right back onto Clyde's shoulder. 'Good job, Dela.' The platoon whispered to Dela. Clyde then politely asked Fini if she wanted a separate room. 'N-no it's fine, really.' Fini replied. 'Alright then, a room for three, Warriors from Meridus, as well as a cage for this eagle.' The lady at the reception guided them towards a room on the first floor. 'I didn't know they had facilities for a cage for Dela.' Fini told Clyde. 'Military inns have all the necessary facilities for Warriors and soldiers who travel across Magnar like ourselves. And it's all for free. The royal castlegrounds pay for this.' Fini loved the idea of staying at inns instead of camping out. They soon reached the cage room, where Dela was dropped off to rest for the night. After walking a bit further, they reached their room.
After taking off their royal badges and military scarfs, they went around to explore the room. Tigris opened the curtain and window. He was astonished at how few stars could be seen from the city skies, contrary to their outskirt upbringing. 'I can't wait to go to the ocean tomorrow.' Tigris mentioned. 'Then you must get up early.' Fini commented. Tigris immediately went to bed.
The room was small, but comfortable enough for one night. It had three small beds, each with a small table beside. 'There is a communal shower in the third corridor.' Clyde told Fini, looking at a map of the inn. 'That's great. I'll return in half an hour. This journey was so exhausting.' Fini spoke as she left the room.
Clyde stood by the window, looking outside. There really were no stars to be seen. Only small flickering street lamps. Clyde fell asleep at the windowsill.
The morning came with golden sunshine. Clyde asked Tigris and Fini to pack their bags and keep them ready to leave in an instance if required.
'Until we get any further orders from General Ferrahn, let's go to the ocean.' Tigris and Fini were delighted at that decision.
Port Aqmare had a large coast, with an even larger seaside market. The market sold a variety of products such as souvenirs, seafood, and fishing equipment. Tigris, Clyde, and Fini had never seen the ocean before. They quickly packed up their equipment. Though they decided against wearing their military scarfs, Clyde made sure to carry his badge if proof of them being Warriors was ever needed. They stopped by the cage room to check on Dela. Dela seemed to be dead to the world. After soaring for several Kilometers the day before, sleeping seemed justified for the bird. 'Let it out of the cage once it wakes up. It will be able to find us on its own.' Clyde instructed the person in charge.
The platoon made its way to the coast. Oddly, the streets were less packed than the previous night.
Tigris looked at the vast, blue ocean. The shiny surface of the water glistened under the sun. Waves, small and large, crashed against the manmade rock border. There was much noise of people speaking from the seaside market. While Tigris was inspired by the sea, Fini and Clyde marched towards the seaside market. The sounds were a mixture of men and women bargaining, some customers complaining, and some complimenting. It was wonderfully different from Meridus. Clyde and Fini stopped by a shop.
Fini spotted a brilliant golden bracelet in the back display. 'How much is that one over there?' Fini asked. Clyde just looked around curiously. After a few failed attempts at recognizing what Fini was pointing at, the shopkeeper said '60 akar for one. I have two of them. If you buy both, you can have them for 100 akar.' Though Fini claimed it was for the price, Clyde understood that Fini wanted to give it to Tigris. Fini brought out a 100 akar coin and handed it to the shopkeeper, who placed the two bracelets in Fini's hand.
'Did you want one too?' Fini asked Clyde out of politeness. 'I don't wear such things because they get in the way of my weapon. You should give it to Tigris.' Fini blushed a bit but didn't deny anything. 'I'll buy fish cutlets for all of us.' Clyde spoke and went off.
Tigris was still observing the ocean when Fini returned. 'Where's Clyde?' Tigris enquired. 'He is buying fish cutlets. I got something for you.' Tigris was a bit taken aback when he heard that. 'Because it was cheap, okay?!' Fini quickly appealed and handed over the bracelet to Tigris. 'I never thought I would like a gift from you. But this is beautiful. As golden as the sun.' Fini blushed and smiled at the same time. Just as Fini was about to bring up the topic of the ocean, Clyde returned with the food.
'The food here is too good. I want to take this back to Meridus.' Tigris uttered as he gobbled another bite of a fish cutlet. 'Meridus is two days away. This will be spoilt by the time we reach.' Fini replied jokingly. 'Did you get any message from General Ferrahn?' Fini questioned Clyde. 'Nothing yet. General Hearty said this was urgent, but no reply from General Ferrahn yet.' Just as those words came out of Clyde's mouth, Tigris spotted a woman running towards them in the distance. As she got closer, they recognised the woman.
General Ferrahn's assistant, Aslinia said she had been searching for them all over. 'What happened?' Clyde asked the huffing lady. 'The general has ordered you to report to the barracks immediately.' Aslinia stated as she struggled to keep her voice together.