The team passed over the once traveled Freelands. Passing through the destroyed forest and terrain from the battle. Including the massive hole where Mount Culion once was. Even with the sun shining as bright as possible they were unable to see the bottom of the whole. Making them rethink the size of the being that emerged from it. They passed over it via an ice bridge provided by Grimm, one very sturdy enough for Ezra to not remember his fall.
Safely passed they moved past the line where the foliage and terrain were now undamaged. Past both Dustgarde and Fayspell. The team passed their memories of the Freelands one last time, and readied themselves to journey onward.
Reaching Port Foyun after nearly 8 hours of walking, they found it seemingly untouched by the battle. Yet it was no shining village. No bustling home of adventurers. Nor a home of culture and technology. The people had no magic staves or grand weapons. All they had were large ships, fish markets, and a few other shops for any passerby.
“Alright. We’re gonna need some supplies for our trip. I’m gonna be getting us a private ship. Benneb gave me a buttload of money before we left anyway so I might as well hook you guys up with your own.” He pulled some coins out from his pocket. Then turned to the 3 teenagers, and gave them each 20 silver setos. “Use these setos to gather yourselves any supplies, like books, weapon materials or clothes if you want. This ride is going to be long. It’ll give us enough time to discuss our plan of actions. Now go. You got 2 hours.” Grimm ordered the teens as they all looked down to the money, than to each other and took off. Ezra and Anabelle went in one direction. Nicholai in another, and Katreena in another as well.
Grimm left the young ones to their shopping, as he started to venture over to the docks. He approached the first man he believed to give him what he needs.
“Hey.” he called down to the man. The worker turned around, and looked up to the tall man.
“Hello there. Fancy seeing someone as mighty as you. What can I do for you my tall friend?”The worker spoke to Grimm the same as any other customer he could get on any day. For he had seen his diverse share of men similar to the one before him.
“I need a ship. Private cargo. One big enough to hold…” Grimm stopped himself and turned his head around. He thought of both Ezra and Katreena and how their sizes compared to his. And even Anabelle for she was close to Ezra in size. Lastly he looked down to himself. “10-12 people.”
‘Ah. Got a party wit’cha. Gonna have to give my apologies.”
“Why?” Grimm asked.
“Well lad. We have tons of ships for large cargo and people. But one such mistress has bought out our last vessel. And I say that vessel may be big enough to hold all ye.” The worker explained. Grimm gritted his teeth and cursed.
“What did this girl look like? Is she still in the town?” Grimm questioned.
“She should still be moving about. I think she’s a sorceress.”
“Cyan hair?”
“Naw. This was more burgundy than cyan. Maybe even a little rose.” The worker described the woman. Grimm started to look about. No redheads in sight.
“I’ll be back. If she returns, give me a holler. I need this boat.” Grimm worried.
“You sure about that big guy. I told the lass the same thing. Some of our ships ain't been returning. Those that do say it’s the work of some sea beast.” The worker informed Grimm.
“Sea beast?” Grimm wondered. Never had a sea monster been any of his worries. Especially when crossing between waters before. And If the creature was destroying ships, could he make it even with the others. Grimm wanted to possibly believe they would have a better time fighting it off than anything.
The mare and the swordsman walked into the marketplace of the port town. Which felt like a sudden mixture of the many places they had previously visited.
“So what are we gonna buy with the money Grimm gave us?” Anabelle pondered.
“Well I was thinking of you.” Ezra replied. Making the mare stare at him in awe and surprise. “Yeah. You’re the one who needs some necessities. Like a saddle, and a bag.”
“Oh. That sounds nice.” Anabelle approved as she followed Ezra around the market. Together they asked about any stores that sold the items they needed. And luckily were pointed in the right direction. An outside shop where they could find exactly what they needed.
“Welcome friends.” The shopkeeper greeted. Until he noticed Anebelle. The man went into an excited frenzy about the mare. “Is that....the fabled Crimson Mare?”
“Umm…” Ezra started while looking to Anabelle for some sort of approval. “Yeah.”
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“My goodness! This is unbelievable. The Crimson Mare before my very eyes.” The shopkeeper crept closer to Anabelle. Ezra placed his hand before her to stop the man's advances. “Oh. Forgive my manners. I’ve read so much about this magnificent mare. It’s just….so many come in search of it-”
“Her.” Ezra cut the man off. The shopkeeper then chuckled nervously to correct himself.
“Her. Right. Young man. You found her. That means you're here for some gear. Every horse needs a saddle.” The man quickly changed the conversation in favor of Ezra.
“And a saddlebag. Show me what you got.” Ezra said making the shopkeeper move quickly around his shop to showcase the various saddles, bags, and other things. However they were not the only ones lurking around the shop. For a light chuckle could be heard by the woman also searching through the items.
“You must be quite the adventurer. Finding her. After so many others have failed.” The woman remarked. Ezra turned to see her. A curling head of hair nearly the same color as his. Yet her skirt and long sleeved shirt were as white as snow.
“Well I mean. I was actually looking for her. Didn’t really know what would happen if I did.” Ezra boasted.
“And it seems your taking her away from the Freelands?” The woman asked.
“Pretty much. We’ve had our share of adventure here. It’s time to see the rest of the world.” The woman grew more interested in Ezra as he spoke. Especially as he cared for the Crimson Mare. The shopkeeper picked out a saddle and bag that suited the mares size and weight. Ezra lifted it and placed it on Anabelle’s back. Then mounted her himself to test it, and found it to be of perfect size for the mare. “It’s perfect! How much?”
“Oh! It’ll be 300 setos.” The shopkeeper answered. Ezra took out the coins and gave them to the man.
“Now this will get us places!” Ezra shouted. Anabelle cheered with him. “Thanks old man.”
“Wish you well on your travels.” The woman expressed her joy with the two.
“What brought you to the Freelands?” Ezra asked her.
“Oh. I was looking for someone. Turns out they aren’t here. Guess i’ll have to try my next option.” She answered. Ezra smiled in approval of the woman.
“Well then I wish you well on your travels as well.” The woman nodded to Ezra’s words. The swordsman and mare then rode off through the marketplace. Going forward to buy more supplies for their trip.
Nicholai helplessly carried some books over to the counter. The aged librarian stood at the counter watching him take every painful step there.
“Having fun dear.” The lady teased the young sorcerer. Nicholai chuckled her away.
“I would like to buy these. Please.” He uttered standing straight and taking some light breaths. The woman smiled and started to sort through the 3 books he brought over to buy.
“Oh. A potion making volume. Someone learning the basics?” She continued to tease him.
“In a way. I’m traveling with my friends. They’ll need these when we can get them. So I might as well learn how to.” Nicholai answered. Showcasing to the woman some of his knowledge. She became impressed by the young man quickly.
“Oh how thoughtful of you. And this one. A notebook filled with note sheets. You’re a musician?”
“Yeah. I’ve been playing ever since I was a kid.” Nicholai nervously answered. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone asked him about his music. Not even Ezra had asked, but he couldn’t get all the ideas for songs out of his head.
“Woah. And you picked up our last copy of Exotic Vegetables from Around the World.”
“That one is more of a personal one. I don’t eat meat. Unlike my friends. So our meals will be a bit different.” Nicholai explained. The woman tore off the price tags off the books and restacked them.
“Well this has truly been one of the more interesting set of books someone has brought to me. Also brought to me buy someone who is also so handsome.” The woman teased again. She clasped her fingers and rested her shoulders on the counter. Looking at the young man with a happy smile. Nicholai could only chuckled at her flattery.
“Thanks. I’ve been getting that alot. So how much for the books?” He wondered aloud.
“Oh. They’ll be 200 setos. For you dearie.” The old woman seductively said as Nicholai put the money on the counter. He then grabbed the books and tried to leave the situation as calmly and nicely as possible despite the books slowing him down.
The sorcerer traveled back to the meeting spot where he last saw Grimm. Ezra and Anabelle were approaching as well. Nicholai saw the new saddle and bag Anabelle was wearing filled with all sorts of materials and food.
“You seen Grimm?” Ezra asked, coming to his friend.
“I was gonna ask you that. But better question where the hell is Katreena? I wonder what she bought.” Nicholai wondered looking about, until a large bag was dumped right beside him. Katreena held on to the top of it. Nicholai turned to see the bag, for it was nearly as tall as her. “What the hell? Did you clear out the market?”
“She did. That’s why I had to pick up the scraps.” Ezra shouted in anger.
“First come.” Katreena boasted. The two young mean growled at the tall girl, before Grimm arrived. His hands were deep into his pockets, and his head was down in sorrow.
“Looks like we ran into a problem. All the ships are booked. Even one big enough for all of us.” grimm explained. Leaving the young ones in the same sorrow as him. “I tried looking for the woman who bought the last boat. But couldn’t find her anywhere.’
“Miss. Are you ready to depart?” A worker said. Grimm overheard and looked over. He then saw her. The woman with the red hair. Grimm perked up seeing her. The woman started to approach her vessel.
“Oh it’s you.” Ezra called out to her. “Lucky you got a boat before us.” The woman turned to see Ezra speaking to her.
“Oh. How nice to see you again? This must be the rest of your friends.” The woman greeted the whole party with a bow. “By the way I never got your name.”
“Oh it’s Ezra. You’ve met Anabelle. This is Nicholai, Katreena, and Grimm.” Ezra said.
“It’s so great to meet you all. My name is Garnet.” She introduced herself.
“So where are you headed off too?” Ezra asked curiously.
“The Serx Empire. That’s where I’ll be looking for my friend.” Ezra looked over to Grimm. Who nodded to him wanting to ask Garnet for any assistance.
“Hey. I know we just met, but I need a favor. We’re also trying to get to the Serx Empire. You see. We have to take Katreena back home since she got stranded here a few weeks ago. Can you lend a hand?” Ezra voiced their concerns to the woman. Garnet thought for a second. Then looked up to Grimm, who she believed to be the leader of this expedition.
“Mister Grimm. You seem like a sophisticated man? Can I trust Ezra and his friends?” She asked the tall man. Grimm didn’t spend much time thinking of his answer. Even so he would take as many cautions as possible to make sure that the young ones stayed on their best behavoir while in the company of someone who was willing to help them. Given he knew how to do that after years of practice.
“I assure you they’ll be on their best behavior, Miss Garnet. Isn’t that right?” Grimm strongly bellowed to the team.
“Yes sir!” They all affirmed. Garnet laughed at their reaction.
“Okay. Then it’s settled. My boat will be docking at a port in Dolsrin.” Garnet informed Grimm. She then turned back to the worker. “Mister. I’ll be bringing a few extra friends with me. That’s fine right?”
“Should be. Boats already paid for. The ship's captain may ask for some extra coin. That’ll be up to you.” The worker answered. Giving them the confirmation to board. Garnet turned and nodded to the whole team, exciting them all for the trip ahead. They all then board the vessel. Placing their food and supplies below in the cargo. Within the next hour they all were sailing away from the Freelands.
Ezra leaned on the edge of the boat as he watched the land go further away. He thought of how different it looked from when he first arrived. To now. His adventure was going way better than he hoped. Yet he sighed, thinking of one person.
“I wish you could be here with me. In this moment.”