It overlooked the tiny creatures busying themselves all over the ti. One of the busiest pces was Duabalis Harbor without a doubt.
This vast harbor, which art of Duabalis City, facilitates trade for the entire Deavin O, home of most nephilim.
When Silver Bde, Watchful Eye, Fortune, Balm, and Bloody Edge arrived they couldn’t help but open their mouths in astonishment.
“Wow…”
Balm whispered, looking at the vast o, its shallow waves refleg the sun. It pushed into a bay area, creating a natural harbor. The nephilim made use of this geography, developing the bay with broad stone piers and tall warehouses.
Two main roads allowed the transportation of wares towards Duabalis or even other ships.
At the mouth of the bay two massive towers overlooked the o, ected to Saltae, the giant wall surrounding the isnd. Waves brandished against the magical struct, spreading white foam sparkling uhe sunlight.
“So impressive!”, excimed Balm.
“Yes. Quickstep would have loved it.”, agreed Silver Bde.
“Do you know the path?”, asked Bloody Edge.
“Acc te we o go all the way to the left.”
Standing on the broad main street leading into the harbor the party members searched the piers with their eyes.
But before they could find their target, a otion suddenly drew their attention. Waves rose and water spshed.
A painful roar shook the entire harbor. Looking towards the mouth of the bay one could only see a fsh of light as a spear shot out of the tower and into the water.
Blood dyed the water red. A massive, scaly back broke through the water surface, urgently leaving the harbor area.
A few moments ter a paratively small but fast ship departed from the harbor chasing after the foolish creature stalking other ships. The vessel of war was only manned by a few nephilim soldiers but none of them showed even a hint of fear.
The few pyers preseheir legs tremble, discussing amongst themselves. Balm had to gulp heavily.
“What… was this?”
“Looks like some kind of sea monster.”, said Silver Bde with a heavy voice.
“Do you think it’s dangerous? Should we leave the harbor?”
“o worry.”, stated Watchful Eye with a calm face.
Balm g him skeptically.
“How you keep calm like this?”
“As long as the natives don’t panic, why would we?”
Balm raised her brows, studying the surroundings.
Watchful Eye was indeed right. None of the natives showed aowards the sea monster. Some more or less drunk sailors sitting in front of a crowded taverurheir chairs to watch the show, cheering the soldiers on.
After a while the soldiers were out of view and the otion died down.
“Yes!”
Silver Bde and the others looked at Fortune who balled her fists, aed smile on her face. They quickly uood.
“Did you get a good shot?”
“You bet! This will be the opening for my video!
Dear viewers, here we are! Duabalis Harbor! Ready for our adventure. Will we be able to overe the monsters lingering at sea? Find out!”
Bloody Edge’s eyes twinkled. He saw his ce, speaking in a low, growling voice.
“Those beasts will flee in terror before my bde.”
“Good, good.”, nodded Fortune happily.
Silver Bde couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Ok guys. It’s time to go. Else we will never finish the quest.”
“Right.”
“Let’s go.”
The small party followed Silver Bde’s lead, strolling along the main street. Gradually their minds, exhausted from all the leveling, rekiheir spirits. With smiles on their faces, they looked at the surrounding shops exotic spices, rare fabric, or exquisite equipment.
It took them a while to reach the left side of the U-formed harbor. The piers here where mostly smaller and used by merts.
heless, the row of ships made for an impressive sight. Rolled up sails swayed in the wind. All sorts of fgs were attached to them, showing the ships’ ins, silently doting long journeys.
Silver Bde let her eyes wander, looking for a ship with a purely blue fg. Finally, she stopped close to the harbor’s end.
Whehers noticed the pce Silver Bde led them to, they showed puzzled expressions.
“Are you sure this is the right pce?”, asked Fortune carefully.
“Yes. Mirage told me it would be somewhat damaged…”
“Somewhat…”
The five people looked at the ship before them. It was a small vessel made of dark wood. A promi magical on pced on the deck drew most attention.
Magic glimmered on its hull, emitting a threatening air. However right now the ship couldn’t make even the smallest shrimp afraid.
Its hull was full of holes, its mast showing obvious cracks. The few crew members had various injuries. Some ran around with bandages around their heads.
A dwarf with a distressed expression ran up and down on the pier. His face was difficult to see between his rge bck captain’s hat and his thick, u beard. A bck coat hung from his shoulders, torn in various pces.
Silver Bde hesitated slightly before approag the dwarf.
“Are you Captain Huber?”
“Hm? What?”
The dwarf snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Silver Bde. Deep eyes shaped by a tumultuous life studied the newers.
“Adventurers? Bad timing!”
“Did something happen to your ship?”
“No, that’s how it always looks! Stupid question!”
The captain spoke in a rough voice, scoffing at Silver Bde. The female tank was surprised. Watchful Eye frowned heavily, staring at the dwarf.
“Watouth when talking to the young dy!”
“Hm? Got something to say?! Whatever…”
Silver Bde coughed awkwardly, not taking the NPC’s words to heart:
“Captain, we o travel to Red’or Isnd. Is there a way we help you with the repair?”
“You? Hmpf. My men know what they are doing. What could you…”
Suddenly the captain trailed of. An obvious struggle could be seen on his face. Gradually an ugly, strained smile formed, although it was mostly hidden by his beard.
“There is indeed something you could do.”
“Just tell us.”
“You see, we dwarves are the best craftsman in the world. Repairing this ship is easy as pie to me and my men. But…
I’m not the best when it es to magic.”
The dwarves voice turned awkward.
“You see. Since a few years ago these waters have been ied with sea monsters. Naturally hty dwarves could bomb them into pieces in no time at all.
But for a small ship like mine, we only use magic to fuse the beasts’ senses.
Unfortunately, we still bumped into a monster, leaving our ship badly damaged.
If you could help me engrave a new magic circle to defend the ship, I will drive you wherever you want to go. Deal?”
[
[Step one: Find the blueprint for a new magic circle.]
[Hint: The local army knows how to deal with sea monsters.]
“It’s a deal. We will be right back.”
“Thanks…”
The captain murmured into his beard. He go the side, seeing one of his men measuring a piece of wood.
“Sel! What are you doing? All wrong…”
Captain Huber threw his hands into the air, approached Sel, and took matters into his own hands.
The party looked at him strangely.
“Isn’t he just repeating the same movements?”, asked Balm with a fused expression.
“Yeah… whatever. Let’s ighat bad tempered dwarf.”
“Sure.”
“Are you talking about me?”
A familiar voice suddenly approached from behind. Silver Bde turned around with a weling smile.
“Braag! Don’t worry. We were talking about your brethrehere.”
“Hi, Braag.”
“Wele.”
Silver Bde and her friends greeted their new acquainta was no ce that he appeared here.
Knowing that Cye’s guild needed manpower, she ihe dwarf for this quest in an attempt to form a closer bond. Fortunately, Braag was more than happy to accept.
“That’s a relief. Is this dwarf the quest giver? Is he troubling you?”
“It’s alright, we already got the quest. Here, let me share it.”
Silver Bde quickly invited Braag into the party, sharing the quest. Now that everyone to speed the party didn’t waste time. Leaving the pier, they took the road towards the other side of the bay.
But before they could reach there, a otion attracted their attention. On an open space to the side a small crowd surrounded a provisional ring.
But what was surprising was the mix of bored sailors watg for some excitement and young girls staring with transfixed eyes, letting out anxious yelps from time to time.
The party observed for a few seds before turning away. However, just as they were about to go a scream made Silver Bde stop in pce.
“AH! Final Fend is so handsome! Villian, how dare you hit his face?!”