Arthur's Point of View

The Slums Sky Dock

As it turned out, above the old barracks, there was a sky dock. Which explains why those airships were so quick in responding to Rudnurth's release. We were waiting for our ship to arrive. Greigh, Ziah, Cassidy, and I were all on standby. It was nice to see this side of things. Airships were new to me and fascinating, but I was also somewhat excited to be on one.

So, here we stood as I was decked out in my armor with Defiance on my back and some luggage for the trip. "So, why're you all here?" I asked as I looked at the three beside me on both sides.

"Ah'm here ta see Rennal. Heard she's comin in on the airship yer takin. She had business out along the coast."

"Ah. Your Elf lady friend." Before Cassidy could respond, I turned to my two officers. "And you two?"

Greigh shrugged. "This is usually expected of me when higher-ranked officers, or Nobles, leave or arrive." He answered simply. "Since it's you, I figured it'd be best to see you off myself and be present in case there were any last-minute details you wanted to tell me about."

My gaze then shifted to Ziah. "Me? I'm coming with you!" The female Zugal informed me. "Since I am directly under your command, and we've been working together for quite some time, I will be your go-between during our mission."

My head bobbed back and forth as I gave her an approving look. "I'm okay with that. You or Greigh have been a huge help. Having one of you with me will make things proceed much more smoothly. Are you sure you don't need her here?" I asked the Captain.

"It was on my suggestion that she is going with you. Handling construction is far easier than politics." He informed me with a small smirk and sideways glance.

"Besides, Ah'm here if he need help with anything. Kine, Ayda, and me will also be keeping an eye on things down here." Cassidy said before nudging me. "Just to make sure no one gets any funny ideas."

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Smirking at that, I looked out the mountain's window to see our airship approaching. "Sounds like things are well in hand." The ship docked as I turned to Cassidy once more and lifted a finger. "Keep an eye on Ayda and Kine as well. Those two-"

Cassidy didn't let me finish as she rolled her eyes. "Ah'm sure they won't mess anything up."

Leaning back to Greigh, I fake whispered to him so the group could hear. "See to it that they don't."

"Yes, Sir." Was my Captain's dull reply.

The previously mentioned Elf arrived and quickly, but still in a lady-like manner, ran to Cassidy. Rennal seemed quite excited to see her as Cassidy felt the same. A quick hug between the two that lasted a little too long to be considered appropriate made me quirk a brow over at Greigh and Ziah. Both of which were ignoring them entirely, which told me all I needed to know.

"Wow. You two are about as subtle as a hammer." I stated, and Ziah struggled not to giggle.

Rennal and Cassidy broke apart before the Elf greeted me. "Hello to you as well, Sir Arthur."

Rolling my eyes at that, I replied in a dry tone. "Yeah. Was standing here the whole time." Then I moved toward the ship. "Would love to walk and talk, but it would seem that there is someone else here for me."

Two Humans males were walking towards Greigh, Ziah, and I as we left behind the two obvious lovebirds to talk. "Sir Arthur, I presume?"

The man in front was older than I expected and marched my height. He appeared to be in his sixties with white hair that matched his aged face. Even with his well-kept ashen beard, you could see that there was experience behind his brown eyes. Purpura markings could be seen on his hands. Not too extreme, but enough to show his age. His clothes were that of an officer's attire that matched Greigh's usual uniform.

"You presume correctly. Who do I have the honor of addressing?" I replied as I held out my hand to the man.

He took it with a surprised but delighted smile. "Captain Adam White at your service! I'm the Captain of The Drunken Cloud."

I looked at him for a moment as he let go of my hand. "The Drunken Cloud?" I repeated to make sure I didn't hear him wrong.

"That's right!" Adam said cheerfully as he looked back to the airship. "One of the finest airships under Lestranian command!"

"I see. She looks beautiful." I told him, and he smirked.

"Doesn't she just!" The Captain then turned to the man next to him. "This is Sergeant Allen Harlow. My second in command and the best sailor I've ever had the pleasure of flying with!"

Sergeant Allen Harlow looked to be in his thirties. Brown hair, brown beard, with hazel eyes that seemed very honest, which surprised me. He was almost as tall as Adam and me, but not quite. His uniform was the male version of Ziah's, and he seemed quite built, which you could see through his uniform. Running around an airship would likely give most people a build if they took care of themselves.

Allen held out his hand to me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir. We've heard a lot about you."

Shaking his hand, I quirked a brow at that. "Is that so?"

Greigh then gestured to Adam. "Captain Adam and Sergeant Allen were supposed to be under your command instead of Ziah and myself."

My eyes widened in surprise at that. "I did not know that."

The Human Captain chuckled. "That's alright! It worked out better for us anyway! Our ship wasn't meant to stay in this hangar! She's meant to be out there on the wind!"

"Then I'm glad I picked Greigh and Ziah before I knew you two were supposed to work for me. They're much more convenient to have around." Then I pointed at Greigh. "What's the word?"

"Bird, Sir." Greigh replied in a dull tone.

"I'm glad it worked out for all of us!" The older Captain had a chuckle at that and then gestured to the ship. "Shall I show you aboard?"

"Lead the way." I told him.