Sineater

The port market was as lively as always.

A high wall partitioned the city from the docks with only one gate that could be used to enter the city from this side. Some said it was to protect the city from attacks coming from the water. Others said it was another way for the Elves to exert some control. But what it did was create a space outside the city that was almost unregulated by the Elves. If you were cleared to land, then you were given the freedom to set up shop wherever you wanted along the docks, provided you paid the usage fee of course.

It was past noon, so a lot of the initial hustle was gone but that didn’t mean the shopkeepers were any less determined to make a sale.

“Ice Squid! Hauled from the ‘cap yesterday! Best in the whole city!” The black-furred Cat Sith purred as we walked by.

“Elk furs! From the Ilethy ranch!” The Centaur was holding up the furs to show off their quality.

“Magic stones!” The yellow eyed Yaga actually walked into the street to run her finger over my cheek. “I think that a special young man such as yourself could gain a lot from what I sell.”

Vin cleared his throat and looked down at the beautiful woman. She took a step back and almost tripped over a basket. Camadt weren’t known for their pleasant demeanor. Considering that Vin and I were a single step behind and on either side of Garm, we kind of looked like his bodyguards. Though it was pretty easy to miss Vin with the crates he was carrying that hid his face.

I looked down at the single wooden box in my hands. Vin could lift many times what I could without starting to sweat. Even Garm, almost two feet shorter than me, could carry more than I could lift. Compared to most races, Humans were fairly weak.

“Madam Rosa!” Garm put the crate he was carrying down so that he could take the woman’s hand. “We’re just old friends.” He smiled broadly. “You just keep getting more lovely every time I see you!”

“Garm Irongut! I didn’t know you were in port, so this must be Sectum?!” The green woman looked me over. “You can’t be Sectum, you’re far too handsome and grown up.”

I could feel my cheeks starting to burn as she batted her lashes at me. I knew that the woman in front of me was at least a hundred, but if you ignored her skin color and eyes, she could easily pass as a late twenties Human woman.

“Not for long.” Garm nodded at the crates he was carrying. “Got to get these things to Talia, then I’m sure she’ll send me off after something else.”

“You should work for me some time.” Madam Rosa batted her eyes. “It can be so dangerous for a woman to be traveling alone on these roads.”

“You’re a master level mage.” Garm started laughing. “The only thing that would scare you is a Cam!”

Madam Rosa looked over at Vin nervously. There were only two classifications of mage higher than master. Elder and Vita. Neither of the strongest two classes were kept on the planet, I was told it was because the anti-projection field that kept mages from portaling to a different planet couldn’t hold someone that powerful. That meant that Madam Rosa was among the strongest of mages on the planet. She was easily worth a small army by herself, but even she was scared of a lone Camadt.

Vin seemed perfectly content to ignore the conversation and tapped his foot impatient as our father talked.

“You might be sticking around longer than you think.” The Yaga nodded her head towards the city. “Regent Arkun announced that he and the princess are going to be wed the end of next week. Lots of important people coming in.” She sighed. “The docks are even being shut down for a few days.”

The Yaga looked me over and I felt like the shark-toothed smile she gave me had a secret meaning behind it.

“You might be right…” Garm began stroking his beard. “Might be best to get out of town for a moon or two.” He looked around. “Wouldn’t want to get caught up in any state business.”

She giggled and pushed his shoulder. “I haven’t cared about state business since Gravis died. Don’t know why I’d start again.”

King Gravis had reigned almost a hundred years ago. I’d heard Garm talk about it a little, but there was a sadness in his voice as he recalled the memories of over a hundred years before. I hadn’t realized that Madam Rosa was that old.

“You never know when the young ones will reignite that passion.” Garm looked over at Vin and myself. “Maybe you should get some of your own.”

“Garm Irongut, are you offering?” She giggled as she sat down.

“I like my women thicker and hairier.” The brown-haired Dwarf started laughing, then his face got serious. “But for a friend…” He winked. “I can make an exception.”

“Maybe someday then.” Madam Rosa laughed, but the discomfort was easy to hear in her voice. “But I’ve kept you fine men too long and I have wares I need to sell.” She nodded at us. “Until we meet again.”

“May your iron always be sharp.” Garm picked up his crates and started back down the road.