The sea, a vast expanse of slate-gray silk stretched out before them.
The water lapped gently against the hulls of fishing boats and cargo ships, whispering secrets of distant shores.
Seagulls, their wings dipped in the blush of sunrise, circled overhead, their cries echoing through the quietude.
Amanise felt stunned by the beauty of the sea.
She had never been at sea.
In her two lives.
And seeing this after experiencing hell in Mistorn was soul-purifying.
A warm hand touched her cheeks.
Flinching her head tilted to see Hamlin cleaning something wet from her face.
Half expecting it to be blood.
She shocked on discovering it to be tears instead.
Am I crying?
" Bring down your hood more. Crying makes your eyes look like jewels. We can't have people staring at them."
Feeling her face turn red she glared at him. Promptly bringing down her hood more.
A familiar maid, one of those who dressed her, walked towards them holding a tray that carried two mugs.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from them. Mingling with the briny perfume of seaweed.
Hamlin toke the mugs handing her one.
The maid quietly bowed leaving from where she came from.
Was he a noble?
"Thank you"
She muttered on receiving it.
Steam billowed from her mug to her face.
Her gaze strayed to the fishermen emerging from cabins far from hers.
Clad in oilskins, their faces etched with purpose and something else.
Fear.
They cast their nets into the water, their movements rhythmic and purposeful.
But their was an undeniable tension hidden in their bodies.
Was she being to sensitive?
One of the fishermen looked towards her.
Forcing her to look away, drinking her coffee.
"Let's go"
They drank their coffee while walking.
She got few coffee stains from the movement but Hamlin looked spotless as usual.
An annoying habit she was beginning to notice.
Subconsciously looking for Alaric, she looked around.
"Captain will not be seen with us yet. So you can stop wasting your energy and focus."
She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
The cloak was emerging to be more suffocating than she thought. Beads of sweat gathering at her chest.
They left the Black Port on foot.
She noticed that though they dressed extravagantly or to be more precise Hamlin.
Nobody turned to look at them.
As if they were invisible.
Maybe she was being too sensitive again.
They arrived at Bronze Cross street, standing close to the tracks of the Public horse carriages.
Sounds of wheels hitting the tracks approached from a distance.
A double-decker horse carriage with a golden sword crest emblem stopped Infront of the station at the Bronze Cross street.
Some memories flooded in on sighting the carriage.
The basic knowledge of the transportation system in Alvaron.
The public horse carriages were placed under 2 categories; without tracks and with tracks.
The former consisted of a carriage drawn by two horses and could sit approximately twenty people while taking into account of the top carriage.
Only a general route existed for them, without specific stations. It had flexible operations and could be hailed from any where except if full.
While the latter was operated by Oriental Works Carriage company owned by a Duke. She couldn't remember the name of.
A rail-like service device was laid on the main Street. The horses would move on the inner lane while the wheels ran on the tracks, making it easier and more labor-saving. This could this pull a double decker carriage that could contain fifty passengers.
However, the route and stations were fixed making many places inaccessible.
"Stop me at the Central Town's Square. That would be how much?"
"It should be at least three kilometres so two copper pennies each along with your companion."
The carriage driver explained to Hamlin regarding the route.
Hamlin nodded tossing four copper pennies to a worker in charge of money collection. Which he caught with expertly, precise swiftness.
He was short but had a clean face and clothes.
Amanise took languid powerful steps following him. Forcing her tensed muscles to relax in approaching unknown territory.
She entered the carriage sitting beside Hamlin who crossed his legs reading a newspaper.
Where did he even get that?
Ignoring him she looked around. There were not many passengers in the carriage even on the first floor.
On this floor, the men and women were well dressed though their were few in their work clothes, leisurely reading newspapers along with Hamlin.
Almost no one talked so every where was relatively quiet.
Amanise sighed noiselessly. Looking forward relaxing on the seat.
Mindlessly gazing outside the carriage's window.
She watched as the sun peeked over the edge of the world. Casting long shadows on the cobbled streets.
Before closing her eyes. Oblivious to the coming and going of passengers.
The carriage moved smoothly station after station.
She find herself enjoying the ride and the extra warmth emanating from Hamlin beside her.
Though the cloak was still hell annoying.
And she could feel some concerned prolonged gazes from passengers on her before moving away to something else.
"Central Town's Square."
The carriage driver announced.
Amanise opened her eyes. Looking up groggily to Hamlin.
Who had closed his newspaper.
Proceeding to alight the carriage. She followed after. Grudgingly leaving the comfort of the carriage's seat.
Her boot landed on the cobbled streets.
She tried to keep up with Hamlin's pace. Hating every second of it.
Almost tripping sometimes from the cloak's length.
In contrast to the quiet morning. The large Central Town's Square was rowdy. A large crowd forming infront of something.
She could feel the cauldron of chaotic emotions.
Riling up hers.
"What's going on?!"
She basically shouted so he could hear her from the drowning noise, doubting he could from the cacophony.
Somehow, he did.
But his voice was soothing and calm.
"You will soon see. Be patient."
Grabbing her hand he easily navigated his way in the crowd.
Which alone was a skilled art.
Leaving her in wonder.
Under the early morning sun, the air crackled with tension, thick with the acrid smell of fear and smoke.
Smoke? What is burning?
The crowd, a seething mass of humanity, pressed forward their faces twisted with a mix of anticipation and dread.
After few minutes of constantly moving in Hamlin's relaxed steps in the chaotic mess. Avoiding jabs or elbows and heated crushing body masses.
Amanise propelled body hit Hamlin's back as he stopped abruptly.
" Oww..If you are stopping you at least give me a headstart and..."
The rest of her words stumbled to an end. What was infront of her was much serious than the curses she was planning to sprout out from her mouth.
A wooden stake stood ominously in the center, a grim sentinel against the dawn sky.
And from the looks of it.
It wasn't there for play.