Chapter 6 IC: Red Dawn
Yuu, Vanyra and Zelpuz set about surveying the docks of the town. Things appear largely as one would expect, with different sections set up for differing types of goods. To the trained eye these sections are temporary, in a constant state of flux given the never ending variety of goods that appear, and offer a stark contrast to the well settled and organized harbor district of the nearby capital.
After a short stint of meandering around heaping crates of vegetables, meats, linens and random widgets the trio enters the local tavern and inn district, and it is here that the obvious passenger liners have docked. The craft range from large, wide tour craft with private cabins all the way to small, narrow river runners. Given the distance to be traveled some level of comfort would be welcome, which leads them to a larger mid-sized vessel by the name of the Lark's Song.
The boat measures about 25m in length and 6m wide, with a covered roof over most of the it that provides passengers with shade. The cabin is divided into three main sections; the passenger seating area, a refreshments/bar area and the crew section. There are no masts or ports for oars, suggesting a nether-drive system of sorts, which should insure a smooth and quick ride. After approaching the vessel and a short discussion with a crewman the trio learns that any passengers must book through the travel agency, and provides directions to it.
Not wishing to put all their eggs in one basket, they thank the crewman, and continue along the docks for a way to inspect other possible ships. The travel agency is right where they had expected it to be and appears to be fairly busy, even at this later hour of the day. After some waiting in line the group reaches an agent and makes travel arrangements to Hasheli. The price for travel on the Lark's Song was a bit more than Yuu had expected, but they were able to recover some cost by booking travel via overnight train to the coast in economy class.
With the tickets booked, with the boat leaving tomorrow evening, Yuu, Zelpuz and Vanyra set off to rejoin Myria and Qwe at the beginning of the docks area. Qwe and Myria are waiting for them there, with news that accommodations have been acquired at an inn a few blocks away and off from the riverfront, and they are in turn informed about the travel plans over the next few days. With that the group sets off to their inn, some food and much needed rest.