The journey south to Massilia is in a pair of small transport vessels.

Transport craft fall into three classes.  The smallest are flat bottomed open topped craft that can be dragged across shallows and beaches (portages) by one or two men.  Able to bypass unnavigable portions that way, these craft are used on all rivers because they are very flexible and convenient.  They will easily founder in open seas, though.

The intermediate vessels cannot handle the smaller rivers, but can manage coastal water.

The largest are sea-worthy and seen from a cost per ton of cargo basis, the most efficient.  But they can only enter the largest rivers.

The party proceeds south in two "intermediate" ships.  There is only a small cargo space below the single planked over deck, and it's loaded with goods belonging to House Palantus and Einar.  These vessels normally do not travel continuously, especially on rivers, where they require dayling and eyesight not to ground on a shallows.  They have to stop along the banks and make camp at night.  It is a two week journey to Massilia, most of it through the Rhone valley, which is occupied by the Visigoths.  But House Palantus is still in good standing with them, and Einar and Titus have experience:  as long as the fees (and bribes) are paid, there should be no trouble.

As long as they don't see pointed ears.  That can set them off.


"Intermediate" would be the smaller of these two vessels.
 

Swift will look at Haakon as they start their trip. "Well, I would love a new dress, but are you really a dress maker and not just a flirt? she says with a smile.

Jestrynara enjoyed river travel, for the most part.  It made her think fondly of her selkie friend Ongriss, and her man Vincentas.  Though she was not overly religious, she might have whispered a prayer, just because it felt the right thing to do.  Something about the placidity and prettiness of the water.    Sadly, there were no river gods amongst either pantheon that her people worshiped.   She wondered if it had been an oversight, when gods were divvying up their domains?

There were river nymphs, however.  She'd not met one personally, but there'd been ample reports through the war.   That seemed fitting, so she said something short and appropriate for them.   Knowing well this was not elf friendly country, she kept her silver locks done up under her cloak's hood, which also concealed her ears. And kept a low profile.    If it came to passing a checkpoint, she knew a glamer  that would make her look human.   Either that, or she'd have to see if she could fit herself into the crowded hold below.

Haakon is of course thoroughly professional and shows Swift some of the samples he has made up already, saying.  "Of course, you could try one of these on but they are obviously not made to measure so unless you are exactly the same shape as my wife, they won't look as good on you as they do on her."

The trade goods had been offloaded from the longship and brought aboard the fatter trade craft in a short but busy procession of dwarves, who stowed the wares below and mostly out of sight. It was only after they had said their farewells with Einar that the merchant climbed aboard, waving as the crew returned to their own vessel, that their merchant turned to those that he would be making the journey back south with.

"A tailor then? or dresses in particular?" he asked Haakon, his Saxon accent giving an undulating quality to his words. "Einar" he offered a stubby hand. "You don't look like you're from this far south." he pointed out, as much a statement as a question.

Haakon shakes hands.  "Oh, I'm a tailor and a trapper but I specialise in dresses because a highly skilled dressmaker can make much more than an equally skilled tailor, and furthermore gains respect.  Also because women tend to like fur more than men, at least among Romans."

He smiles a self-deprecating smile.  "My folks come from Thuringia but I grew up in Burgundy.  Before I left home, I was Haakon der Schweiger - Haakon the Silent... because I talk so much."

"I am a scout and have some skill in diplomacy. I believe things should be settled though discussion before things come to blows" she says with a smile. "Oh, I like a soft natural green color, I prefer the wilderness to staying in towns but a dress might be good to have on this mission"