“Well, we do need passage across the water, silly,” Kara reminded the rogue.
Faux’s shoulders snapped up and he leaped into the air happily. “Yes! Food for me!”
“From the looks of it, you must have been starving the poor boy,” Wevin Lo said with a laugh.
“How much does it cost for a ride across?” Ezekiel asked.
“Ah, quick to the money deal, eh? Simple enough…we’re looking around 10,000 gold pieces,” Reala Mei said.
“What do you say, Ezekiel? Is that a good price?” Kara whispered to the wise earth adept.
“For a passage across such dangerous waters at this time of year, we’re basically ripping them off,” Ezekiel said with a wink.
“Hey hey hey…no conniving over there!” Wevin Lo said with a mock glare.
“That sounds reasonable enough to me!” Kara said with a big smile. She walked over to Schiroi and plucked a purse tied to her pack. After counting the exact amount, she handed it all to Reala Mei.
“Ah, thank you kindly,” the water adepts said in unison.
“I bet you two think you’re getting a deal out of them…” Faux said, calming down. “I assure you, however, that 10,000 gold pieces for a simple boat ride is a fair deal to them.”
“He’s correct. This is the same price we run all year long, no matter what cargo or what season. We don’t find it right to charge extra for such stuff, for we get across the same way, and just about the same effort,” Wevin Lo said with a laugh.
“I see. Do you suppose you could share with me your tale of the Lesser Litean Ocean along the way?” Ezekiel asked Wevin Lo.
“Oh, yes of course! That sounds much like fun,” Wevin Lo agreed.
“So…when do we set off?” Faux asked.
“As soon as we eat lunch,” Reala Mei said, a wide smile forming on her face, for she knew that news would please the rogue greatly.
Sure enough, Reala Mei’s words sent the over-hungry Faux into the air once again.
The five went into the station and had a quick meal, which satisfied Faux enough to quiet down, and then set up the ship for sailing. Schiroi, though uneasy, made it onto the boat fairly easily and found a comfortable spot in the cargo area to rest.
Faux, excited to be back on the waters, stood at the front of the ship, peering at the opposite shores that rested far on the other side of the river.
Kara stayed relatively close to Reala Mei, who was busy checking the specifics.
Ezekiel found himself a seat next to Wevin Lo, who stood at the ship’s wheel.
So the ship soon set off for the other side. Along the way, Kara had a sudden thought, “What about Thalys?” This thought was quickly replaced by her reassurance that he’d meet up with these two eccentric water adepts. With this in mind, she turned to Reala Mei and asked, “If you happen to come across a nobleman from Maeltryst, named Thalys Ol’Calien, could you give him my greetings?”
“Of course. Is this Thalys a friend of yours?” Reala Mei asked.
“You could say that…” Kara said quietly.