They made good time sailing to the nearest port of Algoma, with Elri adding as much wind to the sails as he safely could, and resting only as long as he needed. Two days after taking on the goats, Berk sailors, and pirate prisoners, they arrived at the coast of Algoma.

The harbor was large and deep, and the Gryphon was able to dock at an area seemingly reserved for the largest ships. Ships of every size crowded the docks, flying flags of Algoma, Phelin, Berk, Mahlon, Nairiume, and Orma. There were even a few flags he didn't recognize. People bustled about the docks, calling out to each other in every accent and language Li thought must exist.

"Istat is the largest coastal trade city in Algoma," Ardlac explained. "Though there are several other ports where Algoma's goods leave the country, this is where most of their imports come in. The crew will be so excited to see it again that Mond will need to give us at least a day or two of leave on shore."

Once the Gryphon was secured, Captain Mond sent for instructions on what to do with his livestock cargo. Several dockhands experienced with live cargo soon arrived to assist the crew in unloading the tired, bleating goats. They were herded to a pen close to the docks, and a healer with experience tending animals was awaiting them, as was food and water. Li was thankful they had lost no additional members of the flock during their dash to the coast.

Then, as had happened when they had brought their previous pirate prisoners to Berk, several serious and heavily armed guards in dark green uniforms arrived to escort the pirates off the Gryphon. Some of the Berk sailors jeered at them as they were led away.

Captain Mond, appearing amused by this, then called all the Berk sailors to speak with him and announced to the Gryphon's crew, "The usual watch and leave rotations. Don't be late returning to the ship for your watches."

"Come, then," Aricka demanded, appearing beside Li. "There's much to explore in a few hours."

Li followed her and Ardlac from the Gryphon and into the city. He noticed multiple taverns along the docks and vendors advertising various specialty fish dishes. The bustle and fishy scents faded as they walked deeper into the city, passing more taverns, inns, and houses boasting various forms of entertainment, including gambling and prostitution, but also music and dancing. One building even claimed to be a theater.

"'Course, the best entertainment is farther from the docks," Aricka explained. "This is for us lowly sailors who don't have much money because we spend it all every time we reach port."

"Speak for yourself," Ardlac replied, dodging a disheveled sailor vomiting outside a tavern.

"Some of us don't earn a full share," Li added. Captain Mond had ensured he received a small portion of his earnings the night before so he could visit the city, but he knew it was nothing compared to what he would have made as a genuine member of the Gryphon's crew.

Aricka shrugged. "Not my fault you're a cuffer."

Li almost argued that it wasn't his fault, either, but he took a deep breath and remained silent - then cringed at the smell of filth and alcohol he had just deeply inhaled. He noticed Ardlac give him a sympathetic look and he briefly squeezed Li's forearm.

Ahead of them loomed a large stone building, its slate roof adorned with large fish and sea creatures. The heavy wooden door was framed by two creatures that were half horse and half fish, horse head and forelegs stretching above the door and great fishy tails sweeping away from it.

"Istat also has the largest temple to Quelin of all the coastal areas," Ardlac explained. "Nearly all sailors visit it when they are here."

Aricka looked thoughtfully at them, then nodded to herself. "I've been there often enough. You can visit without me. I'll pay my own respects before we leave."

Ardlac shrugged and led Li to the door. Inside, they found numerous other people, some better dressed than others. Despite the large number of people, the temple was not terribly loud. He was surprised to see numerous vendor stands selling food, drinks, and other goods. All the vendors wore blue robes that seemed to shimmer in the light coming from the high windows, which were stained with blue.

"I haven't seen things sold inside a temple before," Li commented quietly.

"The vendors are all temple priests and initiates," Ardlac explained just as quietly. "What they sell allows the temple to provide assistance to sailors and their families. They operate an orphanage, a school, and offer assistance to spouses made widows and widowers by the sea. Everything they sell they produce themselves."

As they wandered the temple Li noted that the food being sold was simple, though it smelled wonderful. The drinks were juice and wine produced by a vineyard owned by the temple elsewhere in Algoma. Other booths sold miniature boats and sea animals carved from wood and painted, apparently meant to be toys for children. The same items were sold in more finely-detailed versions, and Li assumed they were not meant for children to play with but the more wealthy to display. There was even a detailed miniature ship inside a blue-tinted wine bottle that fascinated Li but that was far too expensive for the small sum of spending money Mond had given him. There were tapestries, rugs, and shawls woven with designs of sea creatures and mermaids, and small bells painted with the same designs. Jewelry with carved beads and polished and carved stones of all sizes and varieties showed the same iconography.

At one booth, Li was interested by a series of necklaces sporting small medallions depicting the same images. One, that of a merman holding a sword, caught his eye. He assumed it was meant to be Quilen, and he could not move on without thinking about it. The price was reasonable and affordable with the money he had with him, so he purchased it and allowed the blue-robed woman selling it to fasten it about his neck.

She then placed a hand on his forehead and said, "May the great Quelin protect you and may the sea offer you peace, abundance, and wonder." She finished by tracing a wave across his forehead, then smiled and thanked him for his purchase.

Ardlac joined him then from another booth, where he had purchased a blue stone carved into the likeness of a whale. The stone shone various hues of blue, and appeared nearly translucent in places. It was the size of Ardlac's palm and Li tried not to consider how much such a large, obviously semiprecious stone must have cost.

"We should pay our respects at the altar before we leave," Ardlac told him.

Li followed him to the large statue at the back of the temple room. It showed Quelin in another of his forms, that of a man riding on a sharp-toothed shark, spear in one hand and fishing net in the other, his hair wild sea-snakes and his neck lines with gills. Around the base of the statue were numerous coins of various nations, as well as countless seashells. Ardlac placed a small coin among the collection, and Li did the same.

He thought for a moment about what to say, gazing up at the calm yet powerful face of the god of the sea. Finally, he silently asked to be kept safe while he was serving his time on the Gryphon, and for peace and comfort for both himself and Ardlac.

When Ardlac turned to leave, Li followed. They spent the rest of their leave time exploring the city's areas close to the docks, eating a simple meal of fish and bread smothered in gravy, and being entertained by performers on the streets, including one who did magic tricks and one whose dog could retrieve anything regardless of how well hidden an item was.

The following morning, Captain Mond announced one more day of leave, and divided their earnings for their most recent cargo. They had been paid well for the capture of the pirates, though Li was given only a fraction of the pay each of his friends received. A livestock trader had purchased all the goats once the healer had dubbed them all healthy despite being underweight, though they had sold for less than they would have had they been better cared for. Li supposed any trader would expect a significant discount to compensate for the need to improve their condition before selling them for their full worth. Most of that payment had gone to the surviving Berk sailors for their troubles and because it had been their cargo originally. Two of the rescued sailors requested to join the crew of the Gryphon, while the others went on their way in search of new ships or transport back to Berk.

When they left the docks of Istat, they did so without Elri's assistance, and set out for their next prize.