The sound of laughter and general merriment reverberated throughout the street, mirroring the general upbeat atmosphere of the town. The smell of cooking food wafted down the close packed cobbled streets, adding to the sense of peace and serenity that lingered in the area. Kasui just ground her teeth a little and touched the heels of her boots to her horse. She heard Ryan click his tongue behind her, pushing his own horse onwards as well.
Kasui looked around the small fishing town, with a hint of jealously nagging at her heart as she rode through the sandstone and mud brick buildings and houses. The reddy brown shingle roofs sat at her head height, positioned in her saddle, and added a sort of homely feel to the entire place. This was not the sort of town or village that was to be found in her homeland. A place of rough, patchwork residences in humid jungles and searing deserts. Shaking her head and clearing her thoughts, Kasui continued riding down the hill, passing a number of locals, all talking amongst themselves in happy tones. They stepped aside for her, one even tipping his hat to her in a show of polite greeting, whilst his compatriots looked at her with curious glances.
"Don't mind her lads! It is hard to find good employees these days, no matter where they come from!" came Ryans loud sing song voice from behind and the looks of curiosity turned to looks of amusement. Kasui just pursed her lips and moved on, guiding her horse down the narrow, twisting streets.
At the base of the hill, Kasui could see the small docks caressing the shore, and a small number of fishing and whaling vessels moored for the evening, despite a few people still moving about on their decks, no doubt finishing off whatever business they had done during the day. Letting her gaze wander over the moored vessels, Kasui locked her gaze to a schooner, with a splash of red paint along its starboard railing. That was what she was looking for. So, she pushed her horse once more, guiding it down the hill, finally reaching the bottom of the hill a few minutes later.
Looking about the dock, Kasui settled her gaze on three sailors near the schooner, lounging against crates and lamp posts on the jetty. And all three of them were looking at her with quirked brows. As she approached, her horses hooves clattering against the timber of the jetty, one of the sailors stepped forward, a scrap of red cloth tied about his left bicep. She offered him a nod and pulled her horse to a halt as Ryan came up beside her, doing the same, their packhorse halting behind them also, with the youth awkwardly tied over the creature and wrapped up in blankets.
"The sun has a nice hue to it today doesn't it" Ryan spoke out, and Kasui recognised the code in his words instantly. She just let her gaze wander over the three sailors, and the one with the red scrap of cloth nodded.
"Aye, it really set off the first mates eyes" came the response and Kasui relaxed, her shoulders loosing all their tension. Good, that was the reply she wanted. She sensed Ryan relax as well, even as he slid off his horse. Kasui did the same, taking the reins in her left hand.
"Names Captain Jonathan. Just call me Jon. Come, we have been expecting you" the man with the red cloth stated and turned, walking back towards the schooners gangway. The other two sailors turned away and started going up and down the jetty, seemingly preparing the schooner for departure. Not wasting time, Ryan moved ahead first, guiding his horse via the reins, their packhorse's reins tied to Ryans saddle. He guided the pair up the gangway of the schooner, and Kasui followed, finding herself on the deck of the ship. Jonathan led them to a ramp that went down into the ships small hold, and they guided the horses down there, finding four stalls two on each side of the ship, and each with a sling hanging from the ceiling.
"Just take what you need from the horses and my crew will get them set up. Then follow me" Jonathan stated. Kasui nodded as did Ryan, and they spent a few minutes guiding the horses into the stalls, and taking their bags off of the creatures. Ryan untied the youth, and pulled the blanket tighter around him, before hoisting him over a shoulder. Then the pair followed Jonathan back up onto the deck and down to the stern of the ship and into the crew quarters below. Jonathan pointed out some hammocks on the left side of the compartment.
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"There is not much space, and you will have to share with the crew. The trip to the rendezvous will take about three days. You will hear the bell when meals are up. Please keep to yourselves and let the crew do their things" Jonathan stated and held out his hand. Ryan took it and shook it politely, Kasui doing the same a moment later. Jonathan gave them a final look up and down before turning and heading back up to the deck. Not long after Kasui heard shouts as the ship was made ready. She turned to the hammocks, and watched them gently swaying, then stepped up to one and hung her bag on a hook on the wall behind it. Then she just worked her way into a hammock, and watched Ryan putting the youth into one, before claiming his own.
Kasui just took a moment to look the youth over, focusing on his face. The lads eyes were cracked open, and he was clearly awake. He had more color in his face already, after barely a full days rest and food. She ground her teeth a little, wondering just what he had endured in that lab. Her eyes briefly went to her bag on the wall, and the books stashed in it. Perhaps she would discover that in some time. Seemingly sensing her train of thoughts, Ryan just scoffed.
"Don't be reading them Kasui. You know the rules. Just get some rest yeah" Ryan stated, eyes on her even as he claimed a hammock. She just scoffed in return.
"Fuck off mind reader" she stated with a roll of her eyes as she shifted in the hammock, and then closed her eyes, even as Ryan let out a slight chuckle.
*****
Prince Bradley strode onto the deck of his airship, his face clouded in anger. He glared about the deck, a few of his crew simply avoiding his gaze and hurrying about to do their work. Bradley curled his lip in disgust and stormed his way into the Captains quarters, and then threw himself down into his chair behind his desk, which was more comparable to a throne then a Captains seat. Fuming in silence, he just waited as his crew made ready for takeoff.
It didn’t take long for the shouts and calls to reach his ears, and the shudder beneath his feet to signal that the ship was taking off. Bradley continued to brood some more, before his eyes fell to a stack of ledgers placed upon his desk. No doubt placed there by one of his staff. Looking at the stack a few moments, he felt something in his gut. A feeling like instinct, pushing him to do something. A feeling he had experienced many times before. Pursing his lips, Bradley picked up the very first ledger and flipped it open. As his eyes browsed, he held it in his left hand, whilst he ran a finger down the page. It was a list of registered vessels, trading, fishing and cargo ships that all operated in his domain.
Bradley's finger came to a halt on a particular vessel that had entered the fishing town of Bargo three times in the last two days. It was registered as a trading vessel, to a company in the South Island Republic. Bradley furrowed his brow a moment, wondering why a trading vessel would visit a fishing town on numerous occasions, within a short period of time. Especially a fishing town that sold its all its produce to the inland settlements. The town itself was also the closest settlement to his mountain base, less than a days travel. Feeling that twist in his gut once more, Bradley stood up sharply, and closed the ledger with a snap, before striding out of his cabin, and onto the deck of his ship.
Instantly, he was met with bright, morning sunlight spearing into the into his vision, and lighting up the entire deck. Pursing his lips, Bradley looked out over the starboard side of the ship as it glided forward over the tree canopy below.
"My lord" one of Bradley's staff officers addressed him, standing off to the side with a rather nervous expression. Bradley just turned his gaze, a slight look of annoyance on his face as his eyes settled on the man.
"You have my attention. What is it?" Bradley asked, his gaze latched on the man's face with a rather haunting expression. The man just looked like he wanted to run then but stood his ground and sucked in a breath before answering the Gestonian prince.
"My lord, we have yet to be given a heading. Is there somewhere we should go?" came the man’s response as he stepped back, seemingly eager to leave the princes presence.
Bradley perked an eyebrow at the man's words and then lifted a hand to rub his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Direct the Watch Lieutenant to set course to the Town of Bargo. We will land briefly, and I will depart to verify something with the harbor master. Dismissed" Bradley ordered, his tone flat and level, portraying his comfort in command. As the officer made off to relay the orders, Bradley just returned to his cabin and slumped in his chair, his attitude becoming rather bored as he gazed out of the the nearby starboard window, catching more glimpses of the landscape. The landscape was nothing but hills, pockmarked by farmland and forests. Really nothing to write home about.
As the airship turned towards the west, Bradley just scowled softly, his mood turning sour as he thought about the conversation to be had with the harbormaster in near time.
