Workers from the Chira quarry were scheduled to travel down river to Hattsu to deliver their mined goods to an Amaratese government agent, Cadaoir was offered to be taxied to the city and gratefully accepted. The journey was uneventful.

Stepping from the narrow boat on to the river dock, Cadaoir grumbled to see the city again so soon. But Chira could offer him no resupply, and with the journey south being so long, he could not take the lonely path without food or water.

Cadaoir walked the short distance to the southern entrance to snowy Hattsu. The sky was grey and the late afternoon had come. The city did not suffer for stock, so on the main street into Hattsu, Cadaoir entered the first shop that caught his eye.

It was a small store that had the invitingly warm glow of candlelight in its windows, set between two larger buildings. He pushed open the wooden door, its surface rough to the touch. Inside, an old woman stood behind a wooden counter with shelves surrounding her on each wall. Her smile was as pleasant a smile as Cadaoir had ever seen. He quickly negotiated the price of a new water skin and food rations for his journey. The new supplies, jerked meat, rice, dried beans and dried fruit, were packed into his backpack. The weight was comforting, it denoted life and safety. With thanks he left.

It was his hope to leave Hattsu as quickly as possible. Though even with his food supply, he would never reach Yatsu, his next destination, without struggling. It would mean travelling back to Chira without the ability to resupply before going south. Not a good plan, the distance was too much a risk. Instead, Cadaoir recalled the traders from the Chira quarry, that their coloured stones would be going to Hattsu and then taken south by ship. Perhaps he could do the same, find a ship to carry him. His best bet was the very same vessel that would transport the stones, though he did not know the time frame in which it would leave port.

Cadaoir hurried to the west side of the city, past the Soldier Academy, through the city centre, past players and NPCs alike. The coast came, as did the wind and sleet. Masts and sails appeared over the buildings in the distance, then he reached the busy docks.

Sail boats, trading ships, military vessels bristling with guns, all were docked and full of activity. Cadaoir was hard pressed to dodge the traffic. Sailors and travellers, military personnel and dockside workers, he was surrounded by them all. A constant stream, on and off ships, in and out of the dock to the city proper.

Not knowing where to start searching for his ship on his own, Cadaoir followed signs to the Harbour Masters office, hoping to find the information. Upon entry he was greeted by a sullen looking woman, black haired but greying, tall and slender and pretty, but without much grace.

Cadaoir stepped to the desk that she sat at, full of papers and two lit lanterns, a staircase leading to the upper floors behind her. 'Excuse me, I'm looking for the Harbour Master.'

The woman chose not to look up from the paperwork she was reading. 'Do you have an appointment?'

'No.'

'Then the Master is not able to see you right now. If you would like to ma-'

'I'm only looking for information on a ship, something to take me south.' The Monk interrupted.

The receptionist looked up at him, annoyed. 'No appointment. No meeting.' She was not without some help however. 'You may find what you need back outside, there are workers and dock hands who know everything there is to know about the vessels currently docked.'

'Can't I just get what I wan-'

'No. The Harbour Master can only give out that information by means of a scheduled meeting for official business, or by local government request. Thank you.' She looked back down at her work.

Cadaoir grumbled and then left. He walked back into the sea of workers, sailors, tourists and more. Who do I ask now? He wondered while making his way through the crowd.

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A large multi masted ship was being loaded with crates and people, standing near the gang plank on the dock side was a man with a writing board and a piece of sharpened charcoal. Cadaoir considered him to be someone of authority, so he approached. 'Excuse me?'

The man looked up from his board. 'Yes?'

'I'm looking for someone who can give me information. I need a ship.'

The man looked Cadaoir up and down, taking note of his tattered grey uniform and shoeless feet. 'I don't think you can afford to buy one!' He laughed and sputtered, but Cadaoir gave no sign of being amused. The man cleared his throat. 'Well, I'm not who you're looking for. Try the master of the dock.'

'The Harbour Master is no use, I've tried. Do you know of any ships going south, to Hothaven? Or anyone who might even have a stop near Yatsu?'

The man took note of a box leaving his ship. 'No one stops near Yatsu, they sail right on through until Hothaven. A military boat might head to Hagam, they go up river sometimes to Sundu Castle. But look for a smaller military boat for that, not one of those big war galleys.'

'Thank you.' Cadaoir walked away unsatisfied. Military ships meant military men, and military men were too eager to prove themselves. After Chira, Cadaoir wanted to stick to pre-organised duels only. He would try some other ship. After searching fruitlessly, talking to uncooperative or unable players, Cadaoir came across the traders from Chira. They were saying their goodbyes to an official looking man in red, making their way out of the docks. Cadaoir raised his hand to them, getting their attention. He was met with a smile.

'Ho!' A short man greeted, one of the traders. 'Fancy meeting you here.'

'I'm looking for a ship.' Cadaoir was as straight forward as he always was. 'I need to go south.'

'Is that why you came all the way down river with us?' The man laughed. 'You should have spoken up on the journey, we could have put a good word in for you with the Captain of this ship.' Cadaoir was silent. 'She's going to Hothaven with our stones.'

'Can they take me?'

'Possibly, for a price. It's a government ship, there's always a price.'

'I'll pay.' Cadaoir insisted.

The man laughed, as did his companions. 'This is Amaratsu's Government, Monk, that's not the kind of currency they deal in.'

There's always something more bothersome than what I'm after. 'That's fine. Introduce me to the Captain, I'll plead my case.'

'Sure sure, come with me.'

Cadaoir was led to the man in Amaratsu Red, the Captain of the ship. The short man had a quiet conversation with the trader and then waved goodbye when he left. The Captain approached Cadaoir and spoke boldly. 'So you are Six Hands? I've been told that you killed a Captain from the Hattsu Soldier Academy, Kainda.'

Cadaoir remained silent.

'Don't worry Monk, some things may linger with you, but some things do not. This is one of those do not times, when it concerns me anyway. I don't consider you as a threat to Amaratsu, I see you as someone who could help us.' He pointed to the people passing by. 'So many Amaratese citizens and fighters, so many loyal people, yet I can't find anyone willing to take care of a simple matter for their country.' The Captain in red, with red hair and a red eye patch and a red sheathed knife on his belt, motioned to his large wooden trade ship, its mast stretching up high. 'She's going south, but we head to the Floating City of Churash first. It's a great coincidence that you've come my way. I'm willing to take you with us if you take care of some business while we're there.'

'What kind of business?'

'This is something you must accept before I can tell you the details.' The Captain smiled.

Too risky. He thought. 'No.' Cadaoir made to walk away.

'Now now, don't be so hasty. If you treat a man so discourteously, you might find yourself being treated the same way.'

A threat? Cadaoir scowled at the man, who in return only smiled more friendly than ever.

'Come now, it is a simple job befitting your skills.' He motioned to the ship again. 'Come with me and see, this job will not interfere with your pilgrimage, in fact, it may well prove to be exactly what you need.'