Free Web NovelChapter 90: Land Ho!
Those three words, "I see land" grabbed everyone’s attention. They scrambled to the sides of the boat, searching for the land he spoke of, crowding around. Some even jumped up to try and see over the others.
Finally, one of them pointed and shouted, "It’s over there! I see it!"
In the distance slowly approaching, was a large piece of land. What looked like docks and a town seemed to be on it too as smoke piers reached towards the sky.
Everyone began to cheer and whoop, their energy suddenly returning as their adrenaline rode high.
"WE’VE MADE IT!"
"WE’RE HERE!"
"FOOD!"
"LAND!"
It took them half a day to finally arrive, the moon was already high in the sky.
As they came up to the docks and set down their anchor. Marix headed to the front of the group with Eilownia, his hand on the small of her back as he rested his elbow on the side of the ship.
People on the docks stopped and stared up at the ship nervously, with a few running into a certain building, others shot each other odd glances.
"Should there be so many people here at this time?" Prav whispered to Captain Kam.
"I don’t know. Maybe they’re on a nightly stroll. Maybe this is their schedule. Who knows?" Captain Kam shrugged as he waited for further orders.
Marix stared down at the people below and squinted his eyes.
"Judging by how they’re looking at us like they’ve just seen a ghost, I’d say that we’ve reached Norain. Wait here."
He gently rubbed Eilownia’s back as he headed to their cabin and grabbed her bag full of Norain coins, tying it to his waistband before returning to the group.
"Everyone! Attention!"
The soldiers immediately stood tall and saluted him while the ship crew members turned to face him.
"It seems we’ve reached our destination, Norain. Eilownia and I will go into the town first, while the rest of you stay here."
The excited, hopeful looks on the soldier’s faces fell instantly as he told them to wait there.
"Can’t we wait on the docks?"
"Yeah! Can’t we at least go on land?!"
The group erupted into various complaints. Some yelled about how they’d been at sea for too long, others said they were starved and wanted a real meal, the rest said something along the lines of how they couldn’t stand to be on the ship another second longer – especially with land right there.
Marix held his hands up to quiet the crowd.
"I understand your concerns. However, Norain does not like foreigners. We have never set up trade with the North or fostered any relations with them. It is in the best interest and safety of everyone here for Eilownia and I to go first. We need to build up trust."
Eilownia took her place by his side and hooked her arm in his.
"Once I have confirmed it is safe for you all to come on shore, I will be back for you."
The soldier’s heads hung as they gave him solemn nods, departing from the deck to go get some sleep and dream of the meals they would have on shore.
Marix turned to Eilownia and rubbed her arm.
"Are you ready? Your whole life is about to change."
Eilownia nodded firmly, "Just get me off this ship."
As the ramp was lowered, he carefully guided her to the docks, where a man stood waiting for them.
He wore a hat with a badge, his arms clasped behind his back and a sword at his side.
As Marix and Eilownia arrived in front of him, Marix pushed Eilownia slowly behind himself.
"State your business." The man said, standing tall and not making eye contact.
"We’ve traveled a long way. I’d like my wife and I to have a meal and rest."
The man shook his head, "Proof of citizenship please."
"We don’t have any papers if that’s what you’re asking, but we do have these."
Marix reached into the pouch and pulled out a handful of the coins, showing them to the man in front of them. freewebnovёl.ƈom
He took a few of them and inspected them carefully, his eyebrows furrowing hard.
After a few mumbles and grunts, he handed them back and nodded before stepping aside and holding his arm out towards the town.
"Welcome to Norain. Enjoy your time."
Marix led Eilownia into the town, his hand on the small of her back. It looked like there was some sort of festival or celebration going on.
Streamers lined the buildings and patoons stood with bright, pastel colors. People laughed and danced in the town square around a large, beautiful fountain where a group of mermaids spouted water out of their mouths and hands.
"So that’s why so many people are up at this hour. Lucky for us, there should be restaurants open."
He guided her into one building with a fantastic smell wafting out of it.
Eilownia gulped hard as her mouth salivated.
The interior was dark wood, the light was dim and a tad smoky. It wasn’t too crowded, most people had probably already eaten earlier in the day.
A woman came up and guided them to a table before handing them menus. "I will be back for your order." She said before heading towards the back.
Eilownia looked through the menu and furrowed her eyebrows. "Are any of these fish? I don’t know what any of these are. Except for Bear? You can eat Bear?"
Marix raised his eyebrows and shrugged, "I suppose," He then pointed to an area of her menu, "All of this is fish."
The woman came back and handed them two waters.
"I’ll have the bison and she’ll have the deer." He said, handing her the menu. Eilownia nodded and handed hers over as well.
After their meal, Eilownia sat back in her seat licking her chops and rubbing her stomach. "Mmmm~ That was yummy~"
"Are you satisfied?" He asked, resting his head in his hands with a smile.
She nodded with a grin as the waitress returned.
"That’ll be 400 Percur."
Marix raised his eyebrows and pulled out a handful of their coins.
"I’m not sure how your currency works. How much is enough?"
The waitress’ eyes widened at the sight of the coins as she picked one up and examined it.
"Um.....about this many?" She grabbed two of the coins, "Let me double check," before heading back.
When she returned she nodded, "That was enough. Thank you for your business."
Marix raised his eyebrow and put the rest of the coins back before the two of them left in search of an inn.
Eilownia kept her arm locked with his as they walked, her head resting against his arm as she yawned.
"Just a little more, I’m sure there is an inn somewhere around here."
She nodded against him, her eyes heavy.
Finally, he found one and they headed in, getting a room and entering to find a large, plush looking bed.
Eilownia lay down on it on her back and let her eyes drift close. For a while, Marix gently massaged her legs before settling in next to her and falling asleep, his arm draped protectively around her and their unborn child.
Early the next morning, Marix gently shook Eilownia awake.
"Hmmm?" She groaned groggily without opening her eyes.
"Whin, I’m going to go. I’ll be back, I just have some business to attend to. Stay here and rest, alright?" He said as he pet the top of her head.
"Okay..." She said with a yawn as he kissed her temple.
Marix departed the inn and looked around, searching for the palace. It was difficult to see with how the town was set up and the morning fog wasn’t making it any easier.
Finally, he found a group who were beginning to set up their market stalls, probably for the next day of festivities.
"Excuse me. Do you know how I can get to the palace?"
The group shot each other weird glances before one spoke up, "Palace?"
Marix nodded, "Where the King and Queen reside."
"Oh! You mean the castle. It’s up that way." Another pointed towards a road that disappeared between a group of buildings. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Marix nodded and marched off, waving to them with a ’thank you," as he departed.
He wasn’t sure if the ’castle’ was far away or if there were just that many twists and turns in the labyrinth-like town, but eventually he made it.
Just like any housing of royalty, there were large doors that were guarded heavily.
Marix approached and bowed to the guards.
"I’d like to request an audience with the King and Queen."
"State your business."
"I’m here of official business regarding the royal blood line."
The guards raised their eyebrows and glanced at each other.
"Name and Title?"
Marix cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back, "Marix L’adore of Viraaz. General of the Viraaz Army and the 2nd Prince of the Viraaz Throne."
The guard nodded and then knocked on the door. A woman came out and listened to him relay the information before shutting the door behind her.
Marix waited a few minutes before she returned and whispered in the guard’s ear.
"Your request has been denied."
