They made their way to the boat which had been docked on the Vardar River which the city flanked the southern side. Using the vein that brought life to the many farms that dotted the distant surrounds, fed by a unique irrigation system that would make any druid back home proud, Henares enjoyed a wealth beyond compare.
Kailee made her way along with Tess and Abdullah and three of his cousins down into the boat, hooded cloak held tightly as the sun rose in the east. Nights were very cool here, surprisingly and as they stepped into the moderate sized fishing boat, she began to worry about their ability to remain private while sleeping and their disguise would melt.
"Is there a storage room for the vessel," she finally asked as the trio of helping hands loaded food and water barrels.
"Yes," he motioned to a concealed door whose large, metal ring sat amidships. "You both will be able to rest there while we sail. No problem."
She nodded, relieved for that at least. Now to keep her hood over her hair so the boat didn't catch fire.
Alysia looked over her shoulder as she moved to the doorway as Abdullah pulled it open with a groan. "Oh no," she sighed. Kailee turned to see Brendan with his first mate and four others with him, carrying their own gear and armor as they dropped into the wooden interior.
"Good morning," he smiled at Abdullah. "I hope you took care of my guests last night," he glanced to Kailee as his companions set their packs in a heap near the mast.
"Of course I did," the Macau ship owner and fisherman replied. "Only those from the west have problems with keeping their words true."
"That's low, my friend. That time in Murska wasn't my fault and I got you out of trouble with the local vizier, as I recall." They laughed, sharing the recollection as Anthony straightened.
"We'll help keep a watch during this journey," he informed more to Kailee and Tess than the rest. "This river is a highway that carries great wealth which means it's also the target for many thieves also."
Anita nodded. "Okay, good to know." She glanced to Alysia who dropped down into the storage area, then disappeared forward to claim their spots and Anita followed suit as the men finished getting ready. Into the darker interior, she crouched and half-crawled past crates and barrels to find the mattress and blankets apparently used by more than one guest in the past. She set her backpack into the head of their simple accomodations and sat down as Tess roughly straightened everything around them.
"Hey," she called quietly. "It's going to be okay. Really."
Angry blue eyes turned to her as Tess neared, "He can't leave us alone, can he? What the hell does he think he's going to gain in this persistent attitude?"
"He's here to protect his friend while they take us upriver, that's all."
Tess shook her head in frustration, sighing loudly and sat down finally as the younger Macau crewmen finished stowing their provisions, then climbed back up to the deck. Soon they were under way and heading east. Eventually, Kailee allowed Tess to cool down and crawled topside and stretched. Beyond them, she noticed the river's traffic as the morning sun beat down, already warming the air. Beyond, farmland stretched for miles in all directions and was broken up by palm trees giving the area a very pleasant atmosphere.
"How long will it take us to get to Jucar," she inquired to Abdullah as the owner sat at the rudder.
"Four days, depending on traffic and the tides," he explained without hesitation as if knowing the route by heart.
She nodded and soon claimed a seat on the bench near the stern as Brendan and his crew helped keep the wind with the vessel's single lateen sail as well as keeping an eye on the other boats that passed them to the city. Wide, the Vardar seemed to be more like the Dovey back home. With the gentle current heading west, they enjoyed a swift ride with the shallow draft boat which also made it quite maneuverable.
Soon, Brendan approached and motioned to the bench next to her and she nodded. He sat and glanced towards the closed door to the lower deck. "She really hates me, doesn't she," he asked, then turned to her.
Kailee smiled. "She's had a very hard life and expects to be allowed her space. If she wishes your attention, she'll let you know. In the meantime, give her time to cool down and get used to having you around. She may find you acceptable or....not. That's up to you, really."
He nodded, then studied his tanned, rough hands. "I'm not here because I'm infatuated or in need of attention. She has a way about her and it's hard for me to forget her. Not sure what it is specifically. I guess it's many things all at once," he straightened as he realized his heart was open before a large group of men also.
Kailee knew that this pursuit was something that would only gain this man a broken heart in the end. "I'd allow time to temper your desires. She and I won't be here long and you have many more journey's ahead of you," she had already resigned herself to an uncertain end to this quest. No need in giving anyone false hopes. His brown eyes studied her for a long moment and she could sense that his curiousity was becoming a bit too intrusive.
"What is so important in Jucar that would draw you two through dangerous territory and risk your lives?"
"Absolutely nothing." An answer that furrowed his tanned brow which she knew it would.
"I don't understand."
"You have things that you've never told anyone, right?"
Brendan grinned and got the point. "I'm sorry," his eyes drifted towards the deck and the other men, then to their surroundings. "You're right, I need to let this go," he acquiesced then turned to her. "I vow my sword to your quest as long as you'll have me and beyond that, I pray Archantael blesses the rest of your trip."
"Thank you."