We quickly made it down to the docks. Most of the equipment had been mended already (I presumed by mages) but one or two cranes still seemed to be out of commission. Dock workers had gone right back to their business as usual, and almost no trace of what had happened remained.
It truly was strange.
*Clack, clack, clack.*
The cold, calloused salty breeze assaulted our senses while our footsteps snapped on the somewhat charming dark, damp planks as we walked along the waterline, searching for the HAS Tidedrifter that the letter had mentioned.
Eventually we found it and I sucked in a breath.
It was hidden amongst the titanic structures of moored navy and merchant ships crowding the dock, but the HAS Tidedrifter was no small vessel. Massive smokestacks rose above the superstructure, piping coal-black fumes into the air as a small lineup to board had already formed.
The ship itself was a daunting construct of black steel and grey that lounged proudly above the waterline. Above the bridge, a flag snapped in the wind, and I recognized the bright, chrysanthemum sigil that represented the academy.
Fritz handed me my bag as I slid in at the end of the line. "...Ready?"
"…Mhmn," I smiled.
I just nodded, but on second thought, maybe this wasn't the greatest idea…
Doubt rushed into my mind like icy water. This was all so sudden. Maybe I'd rushed my decision?
The others in line stared at us strangely as I shivered from the cold in the shadow of the massive iron beast of a ship. Notably, it was probably because… well, compared to all the other people in line, I was dressed rather… shabily.
Simple dress, jacket, cap, and all…
I glanced around as we moved forward at a snail's pace.
Flowing dresses brushed the dock while sharp suits caught the light. Some people even wore robes—apprentices, probably, already claimed by well-off ateliers. A few others looked closer to me, but even then, I felt like I'd shown up wearing the wrong uniform to the wrong place.
When it was finally my turn, a crewman—the quartermaster?—stopped me at the gangway. "Invitation," he said in a gruff, gravely voice.
My heart jumped and I fumbled with my bag before pulling out the letter. He scanned it, his eyes flicking to the seal, then back to me.
Eventually, he nodded. "Welcome aboard."
*Clack, clack, clack*
Heart pounding, I stepped onto the ship, boots thudding against metal. I turned around one last time. Fritz was still standing there, off to the side, their hands shoved into their pockets, trying to look casual and failing miserably. I smiled, lifted my hand and waved—probably a bit too hard.
They laughed and waved back, then gave me a small thumbs-up. I'd miss seeing Fritz.
On board the ship, everything smelled faintly of oil and steam. A young officer who was helping usher the students and passengers stopped me. "Alpha, beta, or omega?"
"Beta," I replied.
She pointed me down a narrow corridor. "Beta cabins are down below," she instructed. "Second deck, right down the stairs there. Drop your things and make yourself scarce—we're departing shortly."
I nodded, murmured a thank-you, and followed the signs until I found my cabin.
…well, it was pretty modest.
Just a small bunk, a locker, and enough room to turn around without bumping into something. At least the bunk was long enough and I could stretch.
"Attention all passengers and crew, we will be departing shortly. Crew to stations. Crew to stations. Crew to stations."
I almost jumped as the PA system crackled with the announcement.
I set my bag down, hesitated for half a second, then turned right back around. I didn't want to sit there alone while the ship left.
On my way back up, I passed the galley. The smell of bread and something fried drifted out, warm and comforting, and a stack of newspapers sat near the door, with a small slot for a dollar coin. On impulse, I grabbed one and tucked it under my arm before rummaging around for a coin to pay.
By the time I reached the front deck, the ship was already stirring to life. Lines were being pulled in and orders were called.
*Rumble*
With the sound of rolling thunder and a couple of blasts from the ship's horn, the ship began to push away, slowly at first, then faster, and faster, and faster until we were sliding into the bay.
I leaned against the railing and watched the water churn below, the gray waves breaking and folding into each other as the city pulled back into the distance. The air was cold, sharp in my lungs, and the wind tugged at my hair and cap like it was trying to drag me forward.
I could barely make out the families running along the dock, waving us farewell. Fritz smiled and gave me a thumbs up.
I looked away, glanced at the newspaper in my hands and unfolded it. The headline read: "Archmage's constabulary still investigating dock incident of Vaulnere port city, area deemed safe for now. Read the details below…"
Mn.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As the HAS Tidedrifter chugged off into the distance, the crowd that had gathered to see them go eventually scattered.
It was because of this that they didn't notice as several gray, sludgy creatures shaped like octopusses—with long, cylindrical shells—slithered and slipped into the water of the bay.
Their tentacle-like appendages swirling in the water, each one jetted off in the direction of the ship, pulsing darkly below the waves.