Chapter 6

  "Whaddya want, Callan?", Loi asks the man who has interrupted the business talks. Callan's face is calm and stoic as always, but his walk is hinting at his confidence. Whereas everyone else would instinctively lower their heads in front of the captain, Callan walks upright, as if he is challenging him. Even his call earlier is closer to formality than honest appreciation.

  "This is about the escort request, right?", he asks already knowing the answer. He adjusts his glasses to make it appear as if he has just found out. The way Callan speaks appears more like he is talking to a colleague than a respected and decorated captain. He is either forcing himself up to Loi's level, or Loi down to his. Callan's sight is fixed on the captain and no one else, as if they weren't there.

  "What about it?" The captain is not hiding his annoyance, any shred of his former friendliness is gone.

  "What does the four-eyes want now?", Iv whispers to Minot. Both are having a bad feeling. They don't like how Callan keeps uninterrupted eye contact with the captain.

  After a short time of heightened tension and frayed nerves Callan sighs and lowers his shoulders. "Let's all come down, I am not here to start an argument." He speaks as if he is deescalating a tense situation and isn't the one that caused it. "Actually, I bring good news."

  "I trust this old shit as far as I can throw him", Minot mumbles. "And I would throw him straight into the ground."

  "Duly noted, and feeling's mutual, Minot", Callan replies. "Shut up and listen. This concerns you and your fairy friend." Minot and Iv raise an eyebrow, the same side's eyebrow in fact. Callan presents the document he is holding in his right hand to the group. It's a fancy paper decorated with Hesforian symbols. At the very top it reads: "Harbor Mission". At the bottom there is Callan's signature, that of Porto Branco's director and the Imperial seal. Captain Loi knows immediately where this is going, the others take a second to read.

  "no"

  "fucking"

  "WAY!"

  Iv screams in excitement and dances around in the air. Minot stands there in disbelief. Schalk needs a few seconds to process. Velophine is surprised and confused.

  "What're you up to, Callan?", Loi asks.

  "Exactly what's on the paper, Captain." Callan's voice struggles to cut through Iv's loud celebration so he moves closer. "The escort request has been promoted to an official Harbor Mission with Imperial Decree. I want you to take those two idiots-" he looks over to Minot and Iv, "I mean, the research team on the Cloudbreaker and to the island described in Miss Velophine's request and survey the area."

  The captain and Schalk both throw Callan a skeptical look. "Of course", Callan elaborates, "supplies for two additional passengers will be delivered. Since the Harbor Administration will cover the payment it is now triple of what she was offering you. Meaning she doesn't have to pay a Sol."

  He looks over to Velophine who can't believe what she is hearing. Iv flies around her and invites her to celebrate with her. "I'm going on the Cloudbreaker!! Yahooo!"

  A bit quieter he adds: "Suffice it to say that you also now have better insurance and legal coverage by doing a Harbor Mission. A win for everyone, no? All you have to do is just carry two more people."

  Loi thinks for a moment. Minot also looks over and thinks: 'How is a fuckin' harbor nerd able to do an official Mission this fast. AND with an Imperial seal?'

  "Just so you know", Callan continues as if he has felt this question, "the Empire has tasked me with researching something important. With Imperial Decree. They also have given me permission to expand it as I see necessary." Loi can't hide his surprise and raises a busy eyebrow.

  "How'd you get it done so fast then?", the captain asks, matching Callan's tone.

  "I am nothing but a bundle of connections, even into the harbor administration."

  "Hmm."

  Schalk moves closer to the captain and whispers: "This smells reeeeal fishy, Cap'n." He has to stand on his toes a bit to reach the captain's ear. In the background Iv is still celebrating.

  After a few more moments of deliberation Loi agrees. Satisfied Callan hands over the document, let's him sign it and politely thanks the captain. Callan moves over to discuss things with Minot and Iv, the "research team": "Alright, you two lil' shits. Iv, pipe down! The adult is talking." He glares at Velophine, signaling her to let the three discuss the matter. She takes her leave and moves over to Schalk and the captain.

  "Alright, Callan. What's the big deal?", Minot asks. Iv has calmed down but is still giddy, indicated by her hair antenna dancing around.

  "Exactly what I already said", Callan states. He repeats: "You two join the trip to the island on the Cloudbreaker and investigate the area. Just look around, write and sketch down how the area looks, especially the architecture, any writings and ancient objects you find."

  "You put a lot of trust in us for this mission", Iv comments sarcastically.

  "Way too much, but I prefer sending you two numbskulls than any of the other sailors that smell like fish and are as smart as one, too. Also," Callan leans forward a bit, making sure the two really listen to what he says next. He is staring daggers into both of them. "You two have knowledge about Imperial matters, the Cinzite Sword. I can't just let you run around with that unchecked, now can I?"

  Iv and Minot stare at Callan with wide eyes. They were planning to use that knowledge to get more pay from him in a future mission, but now he has erased that advantage. Any action that would put an Imperial Mission in jeopardy would be punished, especially since confidential information is involved. Iv's grinds her teeth: "Well played, scumbag." "You dirty rat", Minot adds.

  "I know. I expect confidentiality and proper documentation of your findings." Callan raises the pouch he has been holding all this time. It is light grey with dark seams and green decoration. A small emblem is on it which appears to be the Hesforian crest. "Take this, it's the artifact you brought me." He gives it to Minot. After a few seconds of thought he puts the pouch on his belt.

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  "The pouch is lined with Cinzite thread. That should keep any unwanted magical energy from spilling out", Callan explains. "Use it as a reference to check the island. Maybe you find more objects like that."

  Minot and Iv both don't feel too great about being roped into an Imperial Mission where Callan is definitely making them do his job for him. But on the other hand they get to sail on the Cloudbreaker with Velophine. That alone is enough to make Iv happy, but the thing Minot finds more interesting is seeing the storm beyond the Frontier first hand. He wants to know what it was that forced him and his parents to leave their home. Also he wants to understand what it would take to cross it. That thought alone excites him enough to just jump on deck and set sail. But the trip will have to wait until tomorrow.

  Velophine has looked over when Callan handed over the pouch to Minot. Something about the pouch made her curious.

  Callan takes his leave. The air gets lighter as he gets further away. Iv gets excited again. "See, Minot? I told ya I was smellin' a new mission comin'." Her antenna wiggles on her head. "It just came sooner than expected. And on the CLOUDBREAKER, TOO!" Minot can't help but smile. The fairy's good vibes are contagious.

  "That was an unexpected twist", Velophine says while walking over to the two again, "but a welcome one!"

  She is joined by Captain Loi. He still seems a bit annoyed, but his expression shows he has already accepted what happened and hopes no new twists will appear out of nowhere. The large man stands in front of them, sizing them up. "Present yourselves." His demand was as strict as it was sharp. No banter, all business.

  "Minot da Cova, Cap'n! I'm a fisherman of 4 years."

  "Iv! I'm a ship mechanic! I built my own ship, the 'Fairy Feather', that is anchored over there!"

  "We go fish together on that boat!"

  Iv pretends she hasn't heard that. The two stand straight, arms against their torso and legs pressed together, like Schalk and the other sailors before.

  "Cova, huh...", Captain Loi ponders. "Harbor orphan?" Minot nods. Da Cova is a name given to orphans that live and work at the harbor. It describes that those young people are stuck in a "pit" of which they can't crawl out. It literally translates to "from the pit/grave/hollow". It is a cruel name given to the orphans, but over time it became standard.

  Loi scans Minot some more. He notices his fit physique, the determination in his eyes, and the scar on his shoulder. He asks: "Can ya fight, swab?"

  Minot nods strongly. "I get into fights regularly. And I do win most of them!"

  The captain raises an eyebrow. Iv steps in, awkwardly laughing: "What he means to say is he can pull his weight when it comes to it, esteemed Captain Temperal!" With an angry look she hisses aggressively to Minot: "Don't ruin this for me, you algae brain! This is my chance to get on this ship." She turns around and smiles like the most innocent child the Sun's light has ever graced.

  With a heavy sigh the captain concludes the conversation. "We'll deal with this shit tomorrow." Louder he exclaims: "8 o'clock sharp! We got a high profile mission and I don't wanna see any slackers on deck!"

  "Aye!"

  The sun is close to vanishing behind the horizon, beyond the Frontier in the distance. Traffic at Porto Branco has significantly calmed. Most sailors are either already out for night fishing or on the first floor hitting the bars and restaurants. Despite the work for the day being done for most of them, the noise levels have hardly changed. Drunk workers yelling, several groups playing cards and hollering at each other about accusations of cheating, kitchen staff energetically working to serve the many hungry sailors. The symphony of disharmonious noise fills the second floor of the Rosavento. The streets won't calm down until hours later.

  The floor here is marginally cleaner than on the floor below. It is mostly made of wood held together by metal beams, bolts and braces. The lamps hang from the ceiling and walls and glow with warm orange light. There are some openings in the walls to allow natural light to enter, but there is hardly any sun left to illuminate the place. Almost all of the stores and food places are open and full of people. There is the café Fogueteiro who loves to do a light show every other week, the restaurant Andorinhas with their trademark swallow statue above the door, the Porto Branco bar and the Bar Justi?a next to one another. The owners of both bars often get into arguments.

  One of those restaurants is the "Os Quatro Ventos". It is smaller and a bit out of the way. Because of that it isn't too full or noisy. Perfect to go to dinner after such an eventful day.

  "Honestly, I don't mind!", Velophine reassures.

  "Nah, girl. Today's on us!", Iv retorts. They were arguing over who is inviting who. Velophine got to keep her payment for the escort request, and the two sailors got a good amount of money from today's haul.

  "You can invite us next time", Minot adds. "We wanna enjoy today's fruits of labor. It's the least we can do as a thanks."

  "Guys..." Velophine is flattered. "Thanks. Let's have a nice meal."

  "Right on!", Iv roars.

  The three enter the restaurant and search for an empty table to sit down at. The interior is cozy and simple. Wooden tables, wooden chairs with stuffed fabric seats, creaky floorboards and dim old school oil lamps. A few picture frames on the wall hold images of sailors and the owner's family members. The quality of the pictures has degraded over the years, they must be very old. From the kitchen two cooks can be heard joking around while preparing the meals. Iv points at a table next to a window. They sit down and check the menu. Minot and Iv already know what they want, Velophine takes some time to look through the card. A waitress walks over and takes their order.

  "One 'Prego no Prato' and a Fisherman's Rum, please", Minot orders.

  "Salmon and baked potatoes! And a lemon soda!", Iv excitedly asks. Minot move his index finger and thumb closer, signaling to the waitress to make a small portion for the fairy.

  "Uhm, I'll have a... number 17. And a still water", Velophine orders.

  The waitress notes it on her note block. "One 'Bacalhau com Broa' and a still water. Got it. Thank you for your order." She leaves.

  "Say, uh...", Velophine inquires, "I saw the fish the other sailors brought into the harbor. They don't look very appetizing compared to those caught on the islands. Do people cook them here?"

  "Honestly, dunno", Minot replies with a shrug. "Maybe some get eaten, but don't think I ever did. Or if I have I didn't notice anything different about them."

  "The fish are mostly caught for their bones", Iv elaborates. "The creatures' bones are used in manufacturing and engineering. But not sure about the fish meat."

  Velophine doesn't look particularly encouraged. She will just have to trust that the cooks know what they are doing.

  While they wait Iv and Velophine resume the conversation they had earlier. They had been talking about her travels and how she finances them. Especially the one on the Cloudbreaker. When questioned what she works as she simply replies with "I'm a scholar." Her trips are time limited and work-focused, so there is hardly any time for luxuries, including sweets.

  "For a scholar you seem to make enough money for those trips, no?", Minot asks.

  "I do research and get paid by the Scholar's Guild in Hesfor for my work. Mostly archaeological and historical topics", she explains. "But the trip beyond the Frontier had me scraping together all the money I had, hehe..." She scratches her cheek nervously. The work of a scholar isn't always well paid. Only big time laboratories and research groups can make a decent living off of it; a single scholar less so.

  Minot and Iv look at each other. They both have the same thought. "So you know a lot about history then?", he inquires further.

  Velophine nods. "I guess so." She looks at the two of them who have expressions of expectations on their faces. "Uh, what did Mister Callan task you with researching? I mean, if I may ask, since we are all the 'research team' of the mission now."

  Minot spends a few moments staring into Velophine's eyes. He is thinking about if he should tell her, but he guesses that since they kind of work together she should know. Velophine is visibly uncomfortable from the looks and the silence. Minot takes off the pouch on his belt and puts it on the table. Velophine stares at it.

  "This weird thing", Minot replies and opens the pouch. Inside is the golden artifact. "Do y'know what this is?"

  Velophine opens her eyes more as she sees the artifact. Her soft expression from before turned rigid and focused. Other than that her reaction is calm. Minot and Iv look at her even more expectantly.

  "Actually", she says in a quiet tone, "this is part of what I am looking for."