Chapter two: Port City

It was Eric who broke the silence, offering to take his turn keeping watch.

Joa follows Liv below of deck to a small kitchen where they begin to prepare heavily salted fish. She lights the charcoal stove, and finishes up the rest of her chores.

Crew members begin to file into the kitchen, sitting at the small table. Many off their faces she recognizes from working years with her father. She remembers how Hugo carried her all the way home when she was five, after she puked all over the pier after eating too much pasta. Even though she knew them, it was still odd to be traveling with them.

Liv sets the platter of biscuits and fish onto the table.

Warm laughter fills the air, many off the men joking loudly.

“Do you think Ebony’ll try to invade Farca again?” One off the men asks gruffly

Joa recognizes him as the one they call Red. He wears a solid red cap, symbolizing his family line. Joa examines the hats worn by her brother and father. Bright red, with a singular white embroidered stripe. Joa absentmindedly runs her finger over the rim of her own hat, identical to her father and brother’s. She smiles. In a way it reminds her that she will always have a place here.

As they finish the meal her and Liv collect the dishes and scrub them shiny enough to notice her reflection, her stark blonde hair, pulled back in two braids, and suntanned skin from endless hours spent outside.

The following days she follows a similar routine, keeping watch, cooking, cleaning, and other odd jobs.

As they approach Farca, Eskor motions for her to come over.

“Why don’t you tie up the ship this time.” he suggests, “it’s just the same knot Dad taught us when we were little.”

“This rope is a lot bigger.” Joa comments uncertainly

“Ehh you’ll do great.” He says leaving, no doubt scouring for more food.

She casts out the rope, swinging it around the Dock post and secures it to the boat, twisting it until secured into a tight knot.

They prepare to unload the cargo, loading large crates onto carts. The only thing Joa could think about was exploring the new city.

After unloading the last of the crates they make their way through Port city.

One of the first things she notices is the shorter height of the people. Still taller than her, but it shorter than a typical Efrean. She also marveled at the range of hair colors, one woman walking in front of them has long orange hair, others have blonde. Joa had been the only one be on her island with blonde hair, everyone else had black hair. People on the street were clothed in different styles, a mix of many cultures, yet even in the diverse settings, her group seemed to stand out with brightly colored hats and white polar bear skin vests.

Smoke from taverns and shops puffed through the narrow cobblestone streets and hundreds off vendors set up their stands in front of buildings, offering different foods and goods.

Liv taps on Joa’s shoulder pointing over the crowd.

“That’s the Inn we’ll be staying at.”

The building is small with old wooden siding. A constant flow of people seem to be filing past.

The inside of the Inn is crowded. Her father explains the plans to leave in the afternoon tomorrow. Liv drags Joa to their room to put their things away, distracted by the bustling city outside.

“You sure seem happy about this.” Liv chuckles.

Joa flings herself onto the bed and lets out it a sigh.

“There’s just something about being able to experience all… all of this.”

she says closing her eyes.

“Well I’m gonna find some food. Wanna come?”

“No. I think I’m gonna check out some shops or something.”

“Ok. Don’t get lost or your Dad will kill me.”

“Got it.” Joa agrees

As she wanders outside and watches as two women dismissount From speckled brown horses. She steps into a bakery, staring longingly at the steaming rolls.

As she continues walking the streets she can’t help overhearing the conversation between three men. The held an unusually low tone and wore leather vests indicating them as ebony soilders

“How are we supposed to manage the trip all the way to Efrea without drawing attention to ourselves?”

“Their main port is small, besides they won’t see it coming.”

“I still thinking it’s a stupid plan.”

One of the knights interjectcts.

Joa freezes, fearing that any moment they would notice her and the information she had intercepted

“Shut up!” She hears the other knight yell annoyed.

Joa turns around, beggining at a fast pace r back towards the Inn, praying some of her crew members are still there.

Walking faster she pushes through the crowd, when suddenly she feels as if she is being watched. She quickly gazes up, scanning the roofs of the buildings. Suddenly she he meets ts contact with the eyes watching her. The rest off their Face is obscured by a black hood. She squints through there sun as the figure disappears.

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