A few hours into the next day's travel, as Eli had projected, they reached the edge of the redwood forest. The roots of the massive trees held up a tall embankment on the edge of a white-sand beach. The sun glistened off the gentle waves that lapped the shore, and the waters stretched out past the distant horizon. A single ship rested on the waves far off shore. The light breeze from over the water was a welcome break from the oppressive, stagnant humidity of the forest.
Though none of the adventurers would have any trouble reaching the beach below, Eli quickly forbade it. "This isn't a beach day, we'd be far too exposed down there. Look," he pointed out towards the beach, "there's already tracks, other groups have passed since the last tide. We stick to the forest's edge until we reach the city."
"You really do hate fun, don't you?" Autumn asked with a deadpan look.
"I'm with Eli this time," Victoria said, her grey eyes scanning the lake beyond, "there's something big out there."
Eli's attention snapped to the water to search for threats. His eyes lingered on a ship in the distance. "What can you tell me?" he asked.
"Not much," she replied, "but whatever it is, it's really, really big. About halfway between us and that ship. It doesn't seem interested in us, it might not even know we're here. Still, I wouldn't want to go near that water."
They continued along the embankment. Even as they watched the forest and beach move along on either side of them, the ship remained a constant fixture in the distance. Only Eli and Victoria had the keen sight necessary to make out the ship's flag, a black rectangle with a crude sketch of a shark's serrated maw.
"You know it?" Victoria asked quietly enough that the others, who were in conversation with each other, didn't notice.
"No," Eli replied, "but back in Tinton I heard some rumors about the Titans that might attend the Hunt. There's a man they call the Shark Titan."
Victoria eyed the ship wearily, "pirate?"
"Yeah," Eli said gravely, "at least from what I hear, though, he's more of the 'code of honor' kind of pirate than the 'pillage and burn' kind of pirate. Rumors are rumors, though, best we steer clear enough not to find out the truth."
"Agreed."
As the party rounded a patch of land that jutted out into the water, Autumn shouted out, "There it is! Look!" She rushed ahead, Titus jogged after her and Iris blipped close behind her where she stopped.
In the cradle of a massive bay sat an incomprehensibly large shard of rock jutted out over the lake. It looked as if a tall, skinny mountain had been slammed down on the shore, then tipped over until it was almost horizontal. Even at such an angle, the peak of the rock still rose above the tips of all but the tallest redwoods.
On the rock's back was a city of wood and rope. Buildings of all shapes and sizes were crammed together atop it, seemingly held together with ropes and scaffolds that filled every crack. From this distance Iris couldn't make out many of the smaller individual buildings, but several large structures could clearly be seen. Rising from the mass of haphazardly placed buildings were towers, spires, and what looked to be a small castle. Ropes and structures hung over the side of the rock, draping down towards the massive docks that filled the space below and around it on the shore.
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Several groups of people dotted the beach between them and the city, and small boats filled the water of the bay. Some looked to be traveling adventurers making their way to the city, while others were fishing, swimming, or even partying. More than a few groups were laid out on towels enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
Autumn turned to Eli and opened her mouth, but he spoke first.
"It's still not a beach day," he insisted, "we can all take leave soon, we've earned it, but today is about business."
Autumn looked annoyed and disappointed, but didn't argue.
"It's incredible," Iris said, her eyes wide and jaw agape.
"Some call it the Jewel of the Frontier. There's not a city like it in the world," Eli said, gazing out across the water as well, "everything so far was just the journey to get here, but this," he gestured with wide arms at the city and the bay beyond, "this is where the adventures really begin."
"Come on!" Autumn said, hurrying ahead, "the sooner we get to the city the sooner we can eat! And sleep in actual beds!"
"And get some new clothes," Victoria added wearily, looking down at her dirty garments.
"I just hope there's some decent armorers in this city," Titus added. His backplate still had the gashes sliced through it from the panther attack.
"I'll catch up," Eli said, notably more relaxed now that they were close to the city, "Iris, can you hang back for a second?"
"Sure, what's up?" she asked while the others went on ahead.
"I need to take what's left of Glimmer's packs, and her saddle, and put them in your bag."
"How come?" Iris asked with a worried look, "she's not staying here, is she?"
"I'm sure I could find stables for her in the city, but it wouldn't be fair to her. We'll be here a while, and I hate to think about her cramped in a little box with a bunch of other animals." He stroked the feathers on her neck and looked up at her with admiration as he spoke, "she's a smart one, she'll be alright out here, she can rejoin us when we set out for the hunt."
Iris still wasn't completely at ease with the creature, but for the most part she was comfortable around her and had even started to grow fond of her. "I'll miss you, girl," Iris said, petting the soft fur around her saddle as she undid the straps. Glimmer responded with a trilling chirp and a soft nudge with her head.
The remaining packs and saddle fit effortlessly into the bottomless bag as its opening stretched impossibly wide to accommodate them, then instantly shrunk back to size and cinched itself shut. Iris returned the bag to its usual place at her waist, said one final goodbye to Glimmer, then blipped away to leave Eli to say his goodbyes alone.
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Iris soon caught up to the others, who were moving at a leisurely pace along the beach. She glanced around in wonder at the variety of people on the beach. She had heard of the many different races that inhabited the world, but in her part of the empire it was rare to meet anyone who wasn't human. She had met a few elves, there was a halfling merchant that would visit her valley once every few years, and on one occasion as a child she had seen a dwarf from across the street during a rare visit to the city. On this beach alone, she saw countless elves, halflings, and dwarves, not to mention several orcs, a few people with crystalline skin and feathered wings, and at least one man who appeared to have skin made of stone. There were many different clothing styles on display, as well. Not just in regional fashion, but in purpose as well. There were people in full armor, bloodied and scarred, walking past others in robes and swimwear. A moment later the same person might walk by someone wearing an animal-skin loincloth or a fine silk cloak.
Regardless of their origin, clothing, or purpose on the beach that day, every head turned when screams echoed across the beach as several large somethings rose from the waters of the lake.