laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

After a week of quick travel northward, the duo finally arrived in the port city of Foyers which overlooked the Valga Sea. Walled, the stout fortifications had survived nearly three centuries of fighting as it's original keep had been founded by the Kuzomen barons. Seagulls cried as they drifted overhead in the breeze which smelled of fish; a pungent odor which made Lisa wish her veil was thicker. Once gaining lodging for the night, she walked quietly with Tess who headed through the crowded streets to the docks. As they rounded the gatehouse which stood as the strong defense to a seaborne invasion, they noticed a forest of masts quietly bobbing in the bay. Dodging richly attired merchants and their retinues of servants and baggage, apprehension began to fill her body. Lisa was never one who favored sea travel as food was too far away and she hated delving into the stocks within the pens downstairs for fear of discovery. But, this was the fastest way to get to their destination.

"Hello there," an elderly gentleman greeted, his pudgy fingers carressed a large, gold medallion hanging over a maroon jacket. "I take it that you're here for the spices that I've brought your master. He's late as usual but, if you have my gold, I can move on to more important business in town."

"Sorry," Tess immediately corrected. "We're not here for spices or anything else you're selling."

"Well," he huffed. "I expect my rank from you, peasant. I'll not be treated like a commoner here or anywhere else."

Lisa quickly grabbed Adgertesse's shoulders and maneuvered her from potential trouble. "We apologize, my lord. We've actually come to the dock seeking passage to the port of Skein. Sorry."

"Oh, well then. Be on your way," he dismissed, turning his attention beyond them, shifting his rotund weight as a bejeweled hand ran through his thick, curly greying hair.

Heading from the merchant, Tess finally dodged the forced evasion and turned to face her directly. "What was that? You going to allow that fat pig to treat us like dirt? I could gut him before he ever drew that puny knife from his belt."

Long fingers moved to cover the assassin's mouth. "You're going to get us into trouble. Quiet," she whispered as dockworkers carried large boxes beyond them. "Let's just find a ship heading north and get this journey over with."

The darkly clad face dodged left and back. "Don't treat me like a child. I'm not afraid of that pompous ass."

"Neither am I but, I don't want any more attention than what I've gained already, if you please."

Tess shook her head. "You should allow your natural abilities gain you respect, especially from people like him. What gives him the right to treat anyone not dressed in all that cloth like slaves? All it takes in the human world is a yard of silk and they're suddenly a noble? That's ridiculous."

Lisa chuckled, softening the mood. "You're not far from the truth, for sure. And I don't doubt there are many who would agree with you but, let's focus on getting a captain to allow us passage. There will be plenty of fighting where we're going, trust me. Save your aggression for the real enemy."

Sighing, her friend's hands went to her narrow hips. "You're right, of course. Where I'm from, no one has to watch their words, just back them up."

"Come on," she gently placed her hand on the armored shoulder. "Let's go before he changes his mind and calls the guards." As they moved, they finally noticed a shorter man holding a large book in his hands, talking to two other rugged men, backpacks and other gear hanging over their shoulders. As they approached, all three stopped and stared. "Would you be the port master," she asked.

His eyes remained transfixed for several moments, then he blinked. "Ah... yes. What can I do for you?"

"We need a ship heading north, hopefully to Skein. Do you have any vessels heading that direction?"

Brown eyes quickly moved to the organized pages and she noticed the two fighters both eyeing them, smiling. Mentally touching their surface thoughts, their predictable visions included various acts which she couldn't perform. Within a moment, she concentrated and hit each with a dose of guilt and they quickly backed. "Thank you for your help," one stated to the confused official as they walked away.

"Here it is," he began. "The Asten who's captain, Klemens, can take you there," his aged face rose and pointed to the merchant ship to the distant left. "There," he raised a knobbed finger to their destination.

"Thank you, sir." Lisa grinned and headed to the vessel, swallowing her nervousness as dark water lapped against hulls below.

"That was a nice trick," Tess mentioned. "I knew you had it in you."

Lisa turned as they walked. "What are you talking about?"

"The guilt on those two. Handsome though, for humans."

"Oh. I learned that some years ago. It's come in handy several times," she informed as they turned right and headed to the gangplank, now busy with men hauling casks up from a wagon parked nearby, it's horses nieghing nervously as the two girls approached. Lisa picked her way through the laborers up to the main deck, sunbleached and burned in some areas, the veteran vessel had obviously been in service for some time. Noticing an older man, skin leathery and creased, his steel-blue eyes turned at them as they walked up. His tall frame was lean and told of a combat tested sailor whose stories could at least compare to those of her own.

"If you're looking for Jurgen, he's been arrested finally and in the magistrate's dungeon," his deep voice informed.

"Who," Lisa asked.

A strong hand waved as he grinned. "Sorry, I thought you were from the Red Lancer. What do you want then?"

"We were told that you're headed to Skein and we were hoping to buy passage."

He nodded as he glanced to Adgertesse'. "Okay. Twenty gold apiece. It's just you two, no horses or anything?"

"Just us." Lisa turned to Tess. "Do you have that much?"

Blue eyes grinned, "Yes". Gloved fingers untied her money pouch and took out the gold coins, then handed them to the tanned, outstreched palm.

"Thank you. Berthing is downstairs and to the left, first door on the right. We're heading out this evening at high tide so don't be late."

"No problem," Lisa nodded, then turned and led Tess back off of the boat, allowing her heartbeat to ease somewhat as they approached dry land again. As she wiped sweat from her brow, Tess stepped up beside her.

"Why are you doing this if you hate sailing so much? There are other ways to travel."

"But not as fast. We have to get there as soon as possible and without horses, that's going to take us a lot longer than a straight voyage across the Valga."

Her dark brow furrowed. "You're paler than usual, are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. Just want to get this leg of the journey over with," she stated as a cold flush washed over her body.

"I hope these friends of yours are worth all the trouble."

"They are," Lisa stated without hesitation. "Do you have anyone that you would give your life for?"

Adgertesse' thought for a moment as they coursed through the traffic to the main gate. "You," she shrugged. "You spared my life, I owe you mine."

Lisa smiled as she wrapped her right arm around the narrow waist and hugged her new friend. "I would to the same for you," she stated, backing. "They released me from the prison that my birth father put me in to hide me from the world and we've come to be a family over the years. You're a part of that family now and I'm glad to know you."

Tess nodded and looked away, embarrassed, as they headed back to the inn for their things.