Stell directed Taika through the streets until they emerged into a large, semi-circular-shaped plaza. Unlike Founder’s Square, this plaza was awash with dozens of shades of blue. It butted up against the edge of the cliff, where a guard rail made of whitewashed wrought iron ran along its entire length. A large, multi-leveled fountain in the middle of the plaza sprayed arcs of water into the air, adding its rushing sound to the general din that permeated the area. In line with the fountain, on the edge of the cliff, was a tall lighthouse carved of white stone.

Xan looked to his left, noting that all of the streets seemed to funnel into this plaza, radiating out like a large spider’s web. Merchants and shoppers alike were running about, some laden with goods and others pulling carts and wagons of all sizes. Many who entered the plaza immediately got into one of two lines on either side of the fountain. They milled about, slowly moving forward in waves like an enormous inchworm.

Xan followed the lines with his eyes to see that each was moving towards one of two large gates set into the guard rail on either side of the lighthouse. He watched as a broad platform rose up into view on the left side, stopping when it came even with the gate. The two platform operators unlocked the gate and slid it open. The people on the platform rushed to get off, then the people in line rushed to get on. Soon the platform was full again, and the operators had to close the gates. Then the platform lurched and slowly lowered out of sight. A minute later a similar platform appeared on the right side, and the process repeated all over again.

“Take the right one,” Stell said, gesturing with her small hand.

Taika guided the cart to the end of the line on the right. As the line slowly inched forward, Xan watched the platforms curiously. He’d seen them from afar before, but hadn’t had the opportunity to ride on them. Dee saw him watching and leaned forward.

“They run on Terra Sang,” she said.

“Really?” Xan responded. He knew that part already, but he felt like humoring the young Rodentian.

“Really, really. They’re the largest Terra Sang crystals in Ibora. They levitate the platforms up and down The Steps all day,” she said. Then she yelped as Shadow blinked onto the bench next to her. Shadow must not have expected to appear next to Dee either, because she squealed in alarm and dove under the bench. Xan laughed at the two of them.

“Now why would you do that?” he playfully chided Dee.

Dee quickly composed herself. Then she bent over to look under the bench at Shadow.

“Hey, there. It’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you,” she said.

She reached out a hand, but Shadow retreated even further under the bench. Then Dee reached into a pocket in her vest and pulled out a sweet biscuit.

“Here, want a treat?” she offered.

Shadow slowly came forward. She sniffed at the biscuit, then ventured a small bite. Her eyes lit up with wonder at its sweetness. Soon she was perched on Dee’s lap, gobbling up the pieces of biscuit Dee fed her.

“Looks like you’ve made a new friend,” Xan said.

“What is it?” Dee asked. She gently petted Shadow, lingering for a moment on her small, furry antennae.

“She’s my Shadow,” Xan said. Dee gave him an amused look.

“That doesn’t make sense,” she said.

“Why not? She follows me everywhere I go, just like a shadow,” Xan said.

Sage stirred in his crate, hooting grumpily like he was saying, would you please keep it down? Shadow briefly growled at him, then went back to eating more of Dee’s sweet biscuit. Taika looked back over her shoulder.

“Be nice,” she scolded Shadow.

“Is he always this grumpy in the morning?” Xan asked Taika as he sat forward.

Taika fixed Xan with an annoyed look. “Wouldn’t you be if someone was preventing you from getting your rest?”

Stolen novel; please report.

“Well, yeah, but I sleep at night,” Xan joked.

“He’s an owl,” Taika responded, sounding more annoyed.

“Pardon me, miss.”

They looked to see a city guard approaching their cart. His bushy eyebrows and well-trimmed mustache peeked out from underneath his helmet. He laid a hand on the side of their horse, giving it a pat.

“Might I ask how many you’ve got in your cart there?” the guard asked.

Before either of them could answer, Stell poked her head out of the front of the cart and waved.

“Morning, Stan!” she called. The guard’s face brightened when he saw her.

“Morning, Miss Stell! Are they with you?”

“Afraid so. How much for five?” Stell asked.

“For five and the cart, that’ll be… eight silver,” Stan said after doing a quick count.

Stell pulled out eight silver coins and handed them over. Stan placed them in the coin pouch at his belt, then waved the cart forward.

“You’re good to go,” he said.

“Thanks, Stan. Tell Sarah I said hello,” Stell said as the cart moved forward.

“Will do!” Stan called back as he moved to the next group in line.

“Is he a friend of yours?” Xan asked Stell.

“I suppose. He’s a good man. He’s usually the one who takes my toll, and I’ve been up and down The Steps enough times over the years that we’ve built up an acquaintanceship.”

The line inched forward again, and this time they were forced to stop the cart just short of the gate. As the platform slowly lowered away, Xan took a moment to look up at the lighthouse.

The side of the lighthouse that faced the harbor had a bas-relief sculpture of the goddess Hayle, Lady of Tides. Her long hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her flowing gown seemed to envelope the bottom of the lighthouse, turning into curling waves as it went. She carried a trident in her left hand, while her right hand was spread open in a gesture of welcome. Her face was serene, but her eyes belied a hidden wrath. Xan automatically put a hand on his heart and bowed his head towards the statue.

“You a follower of Hayle, kid?” Stell asked him.

“What? Oh, no. Force of habit,” Xan said.

Stell shook her head. “Pheh. A sailor, through and through,” she muttered.

“By the way, Stell,” Taika said as they sat and waited, “you really didn’t have to pay the toll for us—”

“Ah-ah, none of that,” Stell cut her off, waving a finger.

“But—”

“Just leave it,” Dee whispered to Taika. “There’s no use arguing with her when she gets like this.”

“When I get like what?” Stell asked.

“Nothing!” Dee quickly said, avoiding Stell’s gaze. Luckily for her, the platform arrived a moment later.

From the top of the platform they could see the rest of the city unfold before them. The cliffs below the upper part of the city had been carved out to form three wide shelfs, hence why they were called The Steps. At the bottom of The Steps lay the harbor, which surrounded a massive circular bay that Xan knew was called The Crescent. The cliffs wrapped around The Crescent like a curtain, ending at the entrance to the harbor, with was topped by a guard tower on either side. Stone walls stretched back from these guard towers to wrap around the entire city.

Xan’s stomach lurched as they felt the platform start to move underneath them. They slowly descended down the cliffside until the platform came even with the first shelf. One of the operators held up a hand, and the platform grinded to a halt.

“First Step: Domestic,” called the other operator as she opened up the platform gate.

Xan watched as a wave of people exited the platform, spreading out as they headed towards the dozens of double doors set into the cliff face. He remembered that the cliffs here in Vaimea had natural caverns that the city had appropriated into storehouses. Some of the doors looked small enough to only allow one person at a time, while others looked big enough to swallow a small airship.

A new wave of people rushed onto the platform, laden with all manner of goods. Then the first operator held up his hand again, and the platform started to lower down once more.

“Second Step: Marketplace,” called the second operator as they slowed to a halt. This shelf was wider than the others, and full of all manner of tents, booths, and stalls. The majority of the platform’s riders exited onto this shelf and fanned out in every direction. A smaller wave of people came onto the platform this time before it started to lower once more.

Xan looked up and to his left. The other platform was rising up as they were lowering down. From this vantage point he could easily see the enormous, bright green, spherical crystal that had been attached to the bottom of the platform. Its glow lit up the underside of the platform, and he could swear he heard it humming as it rose up and away.

The platform slowed to a halt once more, and the second operator called out, “Third Step: Foreign.”

This step was much the same as the first, with dozens of doors set into the cliffside. Xan could now see more people dressed in sailors’ garb as they moved about. In fact, a pair of sailors had settled into a waiting spot near their cart, and they were talking loudly.

“I’m telling you, she’s got the hots for me!”

“You say that about every woman who happens to bat an eye at you.”

“This time is different! She practically fell into my arms.”

“She tripped over your boot after you passed out at the bar. When are you gonna get that into your thick skull?”

“At least I have a chance, unlike you with your sour face. I don’t see dames swooning for you.”

“I wouldn’t look like this if I didn’t have to put up with another week in port.”

Just then the platform stopped, settling next to a stone ramp.

“Harborside. Everybody off!” the second operator called. All of the passengers on the platform moved as one to descend the ramp, including the little cart Taika was directing. As soon as they touched the paved stones of the harbor front, Stell pointed ahead to the west side of the harbor.

“We own the ones on the north-west corner. Head there first,” she said.