Chapter 2

“Sannan, one day you are going to have to organize everything in this room, or I will consider throwing stuff out.” Sastal grumbled as she maneuvered her way around a pair of geared cylinders lying near the doorway. With a start, Sannan made an effort to shove the cannon under his sleeping pallet to no avail.

His grandmother rolled her eyes. “No need to hide that from me. In all honesty, I have accepted that at this point you will always be inclined to do the opposite of what I say. I think what you need is some incentive.”

As she spoke she began picking up assorted machine parts lying around the room to dump into a pile across from where Khanrea sat. A tinge of guilt drove Sannan to assist her.

“You remember cousin Rayyas, don’t you?”

Sannan nodded eagerly whilst placing a dysfunctional automaton arm atop the growing pile. He really ought to get rid of that soon, although it was the only Giran X model part he had in his possession.

Sastal went on. “There is a high chance he will be stopping by Port Besaar later this year on his way to Alorria. Once he arrives, I will convince him to take you under his wing as an apprentice. So long as you sell that cannon as promised. I have a nagging suspicion you might try something funny with it, and I will have none of that.”

Yet again, guilt hit Sannan in the chest as hard as a brawler driving in a brass knuckle. Rayyas was the first to teach him advanced engineering, who delved into the intricacies of robotics and how to build automatons. It hurt to see Sastal going to such lengths to deter him from his planned course of action.

“Your father might whine about it. Rayyas himself might disapprove, but I will still try.” Sastal smiled reassuringly, which made the guilt that much worse. Once she was out the door, Sannan paced around his now tidier room, thoughts racing. In the end, whatever Rayyas could teach was only a fraction of what he could learn in the High City.

…

Of all the places to meet up with the smuggler, the merchant’s district was not what Sannan would have wanted. If anything, the bustling crowds of this district meant a greater likelihood someone would eavesdrop on their conversation. It was difficult enough to disguise his cannon and supply pack as a fish sack, and one look inside would prompt a dozen questions he wanted no part in answering. The district lay at a crossroads connecting the Jurand, Kerak, and Adah markets, a circular array of colorful buildings centered around a marble fountain depicting the Goddess Nereid. An intricate swirl of water ringed the statue, carved from rock brought in from afar that sparkled in an aquamarine hue. Sannan offered a silent prayer in hopes his journey would turn out well. Rows of nearby palm trees swayed in the wind, bearing fresh coconuts that were sold across almost every market space. Here the crowd was as densely packed as ever, a moving mass of bodies flowing in a wide assortment of colors. Olive skinned Zaran sporting elaborate jewelry intermingled with merchants from the city state of Alorria, what Sannan considered to be some of the tallest people he has ever seen. Wealthier local merchants stood out amongst the crowd, with the men sporting ornate silk coats and the women elaborate robes in a hue resembling mother of pearl. Everywhere they went, a retinue of guardsmen accompanied them such that the crowd was forced to make way.

An impatient Sarhidian jostled his way past Sannan, nearly making him lose balance from the weight of his sack. Without so much as a brief apology, the near shirtless man soon disappeared back into the crowd. Sannan grimaced, though his destination was not much farther ahead. Looming over the crowd, the Golden Catch was a slate roofed three story inn typically reserved for middle class merchants. At this time the inn was filled to the brim with patrons such that a towering enforcer had to stand by the entrance to ensure not just anyone could enter. Thankfully, Sannan only needed to wait by the entrance for the smuggler to show up at the appointed time.

By the time the smuggler arrived, Sannan was waiting by one of the abutments supporting an overhanging roof above the front entrance. Rahlif was just as he remembered from when they first met near the docks from what felt like ages ago. Portly and balding, Rahlif was much better dressed than he was then, in a rich green silk coat befitting a wealthy merchant. Upon noticing the young man, the smuggler gave a warm smile and motioned towards the front entrance. At first the beefy guard’s eyes widened when Rahlif informed him the fisherman’s son was with him, but in no time Sannan found himself seated in a table across from his client. The inn lobby was sparsely populated despite the swelling crowd outside, with rings of merchants gathered at roundtables conversing in hushed tones. All the inner walls were painted to resemble calm ocean waters, and even the floor was done up in a tile pattern that portrayed a majestic flying fish. Truth be told, Sannan felt he did not belong here as a simple fisherman’s helper. Rahlif did not seem to mind.

“Young lad, how have you been?” The smuggler grinned through his thick beard.

“Nice to see you too, Rahlif,” Sannan said. “Just helping catch fish. Usual business.” As a white aproned serving girl came along, Rahlif requested some drinks and sent her on her way.

“Speaking of business, let us get straight to the point. I am a man of my word. In exchange for passage to the High City of Osveta, you promised me a hundred gold tokens. Now usually that would not cut it for me, not for a trip like this. But the Lumix core that you claim to have,” Rahlif rubbed his hands in anticipation. “Who am I to pass up that kind of offer?”

Despite already having agreed to this bargain long ago, Sannan’s heart sank. He had always wanted to ensure he got to keep the Lumix core, but he needed to promise something valuable to keep the smuggler satiated. Sannan gave a nervous laugh.

“Oh yes, you will get your Lumix core once we reach the High City. I will show you once we get on board the ship of course.” In an instant, the smuggler’s demeanor completely shifted. Slamming a fist on the table, Rahlif growled, “I swear boy, you better not be lying to me. If I don’t have that core by the time we reach the High City, I will make you live to regret it!”

Sannan willed himself to return a confident smile, having no intention of appearing nervous in front of Rahlif. “I swear by my mother’s grave, you will not be disappointed sir.” He quickly rummaged through the fish sack and produced several packs of rations, a water canister, and a small toolbox.

“Would the hundred gold tokens cover the cost of bringing all these?” Rahlif waved his hand dismissively. “Of course not. For me, the hundred tokens is just a bonus and the core is all that matters.” At this point the serving girl arrived with two cups of chassqa, blood red and glistening under the light of the inn’s gilded chandelier.

The pungent scent from the wine made Sannan recoil. He shook his head. “Rahlif, my grandma would never let me try something like this.” In response, the portly man downed his cup in one setting. Rahlif wiped away some liquor that got on his beard and shrugged apologetically.

“Suit yourself,” was all he said, right before taking Sannan’s cup for himself. “I know you have something else in that sack of yours.” Sannan nodded and revealed just the tip of the cannon he had inside.

The smuggler chuckled, “expecting danger once we are out at sea? No worries kid, we have an elemental on board. And if that is not enough, my sailors are well trained to handle pirates. I must ask though, how did you get your hands on that?”

A sizable party of merchants entered the inn and situated themselves right behind the table Sannan shared with the smuggler. One of their guards was on high alert, scanning the other patrons of the inn with wary eyes. Upon noticing, Sannan hastily stuffed his items back into the fish sack and tied the top with a cord of rope. It was about time to leave. Besides, his father was probably wondering what was taking him so long to sell the fish he purportedly had in the sack.

“How about I tell you once we’re on the ship?” With that, Sannan took the sack and left the inn, trying his best to make sure he did not appear like he was leaving in a hurry. Even now he still regretted that he was going to have to give away the Lumix core. What good is that core though, if he could not even figure out how to put it to use?

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Perhaps the core reminded him of Emra and that once in a lifetime experience they had together. Well, once in a lifetime if he chose to stay in Port Besaar all his life. He promised himself he would find a way to meet up with her once he got to the High City, though the fact she was from a noble family presented some difficulties. As Sannan made his way back home through the dense crowd, the sun was climbing to its noonday peak. Once he got back, most certainly Sastal would force some additional chores onto him to compensate for taking his time selling the fish. Sastal… In a few days time he would be onboard the smuggler’s ship, and he knew he would miss her. Strict as she was, she did promise to teach him how to cook that grilled mackerel he was so fond of trying every weekend, among a dozen other skills. Not to mention that promise regarding Rayyas.

Most certainly Sannan regretted he would not be there to assist his father with fishing, though the thought that he would come back home from the High City one day with a contraption designed to catch any fish helped raise his spirits. A flock of albatross flew in from the Gulf of Kesaya amidst a cooling ocean breeze, no doubt satisfied with the bountiful shoals of fish present around the harbor. Tropical birds with colorful tail feathers and bizarre beaks fluttered about rambutan trees scattered throughout the port city. Oh what he would do to get his hands on a Kamera!

There was a time last summer where Tuahn took him out for a walk on a beach, only for them to stumble upon a shark carcass that had washed ashore. That had been the first time Sannan glimpsed an actual shark, and he very much wanted to take a snapshot of a live one, no matter the danger of getting close to one. Perhaps if he could hook a Kamera up onto an amphibious machine. Assuming it does not get eaten…

Sannan was still deep in thought by the time he arrived back at the fishermen’s ward, still bustling with activity around this time of day. Daydreaming about what contraptions he would design, at first Sannan had not noticed the commotion a few paces away.

“Thief! Somebody catch him!”

A lithe cutpurse nearly crashed into Sannan as he bolted down the wooden sidewalk. Shouts filled the air as a panicked fishmonger pursued the thief, though at the speed at which he ran it seemed a hopeless endeavor. Sannan would have made an attempt if not for his fish sack, but the chase was over in an instant. It all happened so fast, yet he could not believe his eyes. The cutpurse lay sprawled on his back and unconscious, with a charred area the size of a fist embedded on his cheek. His assailant stood over him with pupils glowing like the embers of a furnace and a mouth concealed by a black veil. Judging from the crimson sash across his bare chest and jisara mark on his forehead, the man was Sarhidian.

Those glowing pupils were now fixated on Sannan, who stood in stunned silence. A flame elemental. Sannan had witnessed the feats of elementals before, but never this close up. The fishmonger ran up to the cutpurse, and retrieved the basket of golden dragonfish that was dropped. He appeared just as surprised as Sannan upon noticing the elemental. Before the fishmonger could open his mouth to thank the man, however, he abruptly turned and disappeared down the sidewalk without a word.

…

The day of Sannan’s voyage began just like any other. Fishermen headed out to sea in droves to catch as much fish as possible before the shoals started to decline. Tuahn lay drunk in the living room muttering about unfair price hikes for pike congers. Unfortunately, as of late Sannan felt his father was giving in to excessive drinking, despite relentless scolding on Sastal’s part. The night following the encounter with the elemental, Tuahn did not even believe him when he told the story. Pulling out the letter he had revised over a dozen times, Sannan sincerely hoped his father was sober once he got around to reading it. Part of him wanted to say goodbye to his father in person, but the smuggler was setting sail soon, and only time will tell how long it would take Tuahn to sober up.

Sannan searched the docks for Rahlif’s ship, keeping his eyes peeled for a galleon with red stripes painted across the hull. He noticed several Kesani guards patrolling the docks, sporting their crested helmets and burnished breastplates over brown coats. Not too surprising given the reports of increased pirate raids, though Sannan hoped none of them would end up uncovering Rahlif’s smuggling operation. Further up he finally located the red striped galleon and hurried over as fast as he could manage carrying a heavy fish sack. It was even heavier this time round due to the added weight of Khanrea. All around the pier, dock workers labored to hoist barrels full of fish from fishing vessels and load up crates full of oysters to be transported throughout the continent. Nearby a furious pelican was fighting off a group of seagulls to secure some fish that must have fallen out of one of the barrels.

Rahlif’s galleon was decidedly unimpressive especially given the variety of ships Sannan has seen over his lifetime, but he never expected a smuggler’s ship to be one to draw attention. A crew of sailors in sleeveless coats were readying the square rigged sails and loading up several massive crates. Rahlif himself stood at the bow in a musty brown coat, shouting orders to the workmen. Upon noticing Sannan, the smuggler gave a wide smile and came down the wooden ramp leading up to the deck.

“Glad you could make it,” Rahlif exclaimed as he slapped Sannan on the shoulder. “And just in time, too. By the navigator’s estimation, we should reach the High City in six days' time. Being a fisherman’s helper, I don’t imagine you would get seasick. The last thing I want is you throwing up on my deck.”

Sannan smiled back. “I can assure you that will not be happening. Let’s get on the ship quickly. I really cannot afford to have one of the guards searching my bag.”

The interior of the ship reeked of a foul stench Sannan could not seem to identify. Well, this is the price to pay in order to visit the High City. Rays of sunlight shone through openings in the hull, though wall lamps could be found at regular intervals throughout the ship’s halls. Rahlif led Sannan to the captain’s cabin, wooden planks creaking beneath their boots. At the door, Rahlif held it open for him.

“After you.” Stacks of crates lined the right wall of the cabin, and the left was occupied by shelves displaying souvenirs Sannan assumed the smuggler had amassed during his travels to foreign lands. A shimmering pearl about the size of a fist, a talisman resembling a twisted ring, a rusty gauntlet, Sannan felt an urge to know which lands these items came from. He did recognize the small, oval shaped carpet though, worked in a marbled pattern evocative of the famed weavers of Indura. Rahlif took a seat behind a gilded desk with both chair and desk legs built into the cabin floor.

Clasping his hands together in front of him, Rahlif mused, “you never did tell me how you acquired that rocket launcher. For that matter, you haven’t even told me how you got your hands on a Lumix core. Either you’re just an amazing thief, or…” The smuggler grinned to reveal a set of crooked teeth. “You got some connections you’re not telling me about.”

Fetching the Lumix core from the sack, Sannan held it out for Rahlif to see. It pulsed rhythmically like a beating heart. “Would you believe me if I told you it was a gift?”

Rahlif chuckled, “I see how it is, a gift from some benevolent soul. I’m going to bet you will seek out a replacement once we get to Osveta. Anyhow, making a living there is tough for most outsiders. The city of progress they say? Bah! The High Council that runs the place is all about controlling what information gets out. What good is progress and innovation if just one city reaps most of the benefits?”

Sannan felt something inside him die. All his life he thought of the High City as a land where dreams were made reality, but what if it was mostly glorification? It was then where he heard the door open, and wheeled around to find the flame elemental he saw the other day enter the room. Those piercing eyes still sent chills down Sannan’s spine.

Rahlif growled, “I hear the pirates these days are getting more tenacious, Arakh. You better not let down my crew in case those scoundrels show up.”

Arakh briefly glanced over Sannan, then turned to the smuggler. With the veil off, he appeared surprisingly ordinary; no scars like how Sannan usually pictured mercenaries. His voice likewise was unusually soft. “I have dealt with pirates before, smuggler. But given what you are transporting though, I would not expect a fight with them to go smoothly. One of the crews affiliated with the Big Three might even show up.”

At the mention of the Big Three, Rahlif paled. “Well, the price of pearlseed has shot up in recent times, but have they become this valuable?”

Arakh’s expression never changed as he spoke, “let’s just say the pirates are discovering some new applications for pearlseed. You have been warned.”

The mercenary then casually went back out through the cabin door. Sannan had never heard the term “Big Three '' before, but he immediately knew what it meant. Throughout his life, he had heard fishermen and merchants gossip over three pirate lords with immense influence over all the world’s oceans. Two have a reputation so fearsome some even fear mentioning their names. All of a sudden, Sannan was starting to regret embarking on this trip.

Rahlif tried for a reassuring look. “Ah, don’t worry about it, kid. Arakh has got us covered. Go get some rest, for we have a long journey ahead of us.” Sannan was not even sure Rahlif was self assured himself.