Not too hot, not too cold. Perfect day to be wearing a huge cloak like this.

Fenn was making her way along a broad road through the middle of Imperia City. The path from Tall Tower, home of the Coven, to the Admiralty complex, home of the Navy, was the widest, straightest, and often busiest road in the entire city.

Maybe I can be slow on my way back. Get through the satchel of letters quickly and have time to laze in the park for a bit. Or beg a service and see if I can get something at the market.

The peaceful walk lasted for nearly half an hour before Fenn arrived at her destination: the Admiralty. It was a huge building, nearly as high as Tall Tower and far wider. Stone steps lead to the main gate. Huge, iron, and full of traffic. The gate had a gaggle of marines on guard duty who tried to organize all the movement in and out. Between all the blue navy uniforms and the muted colours of civilians, their bright yellow jackets and tall green hats stood out.

Fenn tried to wave to a guard as she got to the top of the steps.

“Business?” the guard asked, completely matter of fact.

“Letters from… err… dispatches. Dispatches from Tall Tower. Various addresses.” Fenn said as she opened up the satchel to show a stack of letters.

The marine put a hand in and pulled a letter out at random. “Address looks fine. Hand it all over and we’ll make sure it gets where it’s going.”

Fenn grabbed another letter from the bag. “This one requires hand delivery. I have to do it myself.”

The guard went to grab the envelope and Fenn pulled it back. He sighed and then leaned in to read it. “I’ll be damned, letter for the Admiral-Governor herself and by your hand only. Leave it to her to want to see another Alloci once in a while. Have you been in the Admiralty before?”

“Often,” Fenn replied.

The guard rolled his eyes. “I very much doubt that. You Alloci are a pest, even if you throw on robes and try to be one of the good ones in the Coven. Don’t steal anything here or we’ll take a hand. The courtyard is for officers only. Only use the edge path to get inside. Go straight to where you need to be. Don’t delay. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t make trouble.”

Get bent and take a mast in your ass, jerk.

“Understood,” Fenn replied.

She walked past the guards at the gate and into the Admiralty. The building was a massive horseshoe built around a courtyard in the centre. The gate would open directly into the courtyard if not for a fenced off path going to either side and blocking access. The Admiralty building itself was smooth stone, elegantly carved. Massive columns surrounded the outside of the building with many windows and ornate wooden frames.

Fenn tried to move quickly and avoid any more problems. She’d had her fill of Alloci-bashing for the day. The deliveries went smoothly and she kept her head down. In and out of each section quickly, talking to nobody. The building felt like a maze but Fenn had done the first floor many times.

Halfway done. Three stops on the second floor. One on the third. Five on the fourth. And then the big finish.

The staircase to the third floor was a pain and getting up to the fourth floor left Fenn winded. She stopped at the top of the stairs to catch her breath for a second and looked around to see if there was a sign or anything else to indicate which direction she was supposed to head.

“Lost again?”

Fenn turned to see who said it.

Navy boy.

“You know,” Naresh continued, “it’s a good thing you’re doing all the spells and magic because you can’t navigate to save your life.”

“Lieutenant Naresh, a pleasure.” Fenn was trying to keep formal. “And I’m just catching my breath a moment before finishing dispatches.”

Naresh laughed. “I didn’t realize that mail carrying was an essential part of the Coven’s service. But you aren’t going to find anything up here. Nothing is marked. Where are you going?”

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I have no clue but I’ll find it on my own.

“I’m quite alright on my own. Surely an officer has duties to attend to.” Fenn protested.

“If you knew where you were going you’d be there. Just let me help.”

Fine.

“I accept. There are two dispatches left. This one is for the assistant quartermaster of the Eastern Fleet. Directions are appreciated.”

Naresh laughed again. “You picked the completely wrong staircase. Eastern Fleet is in the other wing. I’ll walk you down there.”

I said directions, not escort.

Naresh carried on. “That staircase wrecked you, by the way. I always thought acolytes were in great shape because their tower is huge. You must be up and down stairs all day.”

I guess this is happening.

“It’s our own space,” Fenn replied. “The staircases are charmed to be light and easy. You can go top to bottom and back without feeling like taking a single step. It’s lovely but also makes regular staircases frustrating.”

“Huh,” Naresh said. “I guess you guys probably bewitch everything. If you have the magic, why not, right? Care to do our steps while you’re here?”

“It would be wasteful.” Fenn replied. “The dust that fuels the magic is limited. We don’t throw it around on every idle request.”

“Given how those stairs took the wind out of you, I think being idle is more your issue than mine.” Naresh said with a small laugh.

Is everything a joke to you?

As they walked through the corridor, another officer passed by the opposite direction and gave Fenn a glare.

Naresh went on. “So why not have more dust. Or find more dust. Or make more dust. What’s up with that dust anyway?”

I hope other navy officers aren’t as clueless as you.

“Nobody explained any of this in your training? You haven’t seen the acolytes on the ships you’ve served?”

“Gods no,” Naresh replied. “You acolytes are all secrets and mysteries. A lieutenant like me wouldn’t even try a conversation.”

Then why are you bothering me with this one now?

“I’m a human, Fenn. We already don’t talk to Alloci. And for the ones that join the Coven, you all just wander around in your big green cloaks wrapped up in your own… whatever it is you have your minds on. But here’s the eastern fleet. Quartermaster office over there.”

Fenn walked into the office. A few people noticed her and pretended like they hadn’t. After a few moments of waiting, she walked up to the nearest desk and held the letter out. A tired looking officer at the desk looked up and took the letter from her hand.

“Wrong desk but whatever. On your way.”

Fenn walked out of the office and Naresh was waiting for her. “Where next?” he asked.

“Last letter is for Southern Fleet.” Fenn answered. “The Admiral-Governor.”

Naresh’s eyes went a bit wide. He looked incredulous. “For real? I mean, I don’t think you’re a liar. That’s just a surprise. But, lost navigator, you found the right guy. I was transferred to the Southern Fleet a few weeks ago. I’ll take you right over.”

Naresh took off walking and Fenn followed a step behind. Naresh turned on his feet and started walking backwards so he could face Fenn.

“So what gets a person like you into the Coven, anyway?”

You never shut up, do you?

“Just want to serve on a ship,” Fenn replied. “See the world, tour all the islands, help people who are suffering. Nothing particularly interesting.”

“That all sounds plenty interesting.” Naresh said. “I’m always surprised that Alloci get dumped on here and some are generous enough to become acolytes and serve people.”

“It’s easier out on the islands,” Fenn said. “Imperia City is the worst. Navy ships respect acolytes. All the islands are usually more accepting.”

Alright, I guess it’s polite to exchange questions.

“So…” Fenn said, “What made you join the navy?”

Naresh lit up. “Exciting work, great pension, lots of reasons to join. But it’s the stories. My dad always told me stories growing up. He’d been a musician and travelled everywhere. He had a story about every island. Music is too chaotic of a lifestyle so I chose the navy for stability. Once I’m in long enough to get my pension I’ll hit the sails to sing and play from island to island. For now I’m building up my stock of stories though.”

“This is it,” Fenn said. “Southern Fleet. Thank you for the conversation, Lieutenant.”

Naresh stopped. “You know where Southern Fleet is? I should have figured. The Admiral-Governor is Alloci so this is probably the only place in the Admiralty where Alloci feel comfortable. Alright lady Fenn, this is your stop and I’ll leave you be.”

“The lord or lady or noble or whatever isn’t really a thing for acolytes. Just Fenn is fine.”

“At some point you’ll have to tell me your proper name. Otherwise I’ll keep calling you the lost navigator.” Naresh said with a smile.

“Have a good day, Lieutenant.” Fenn said as she turned and walked into the next set of offices.

And now, time to face the Admiral-Governor.