Chapter Ten: Departing Once More
"Galaan, how are we getting out of here unnoticed?" Salena inquired. "You know this city best, since you grew up here. Kiresk should help, too. I've only been here three times."
"I know a few ways to get through to the ports, but the only one that won't be littered with guards is the south end market, but it will take time to get through all the people," Galaan explained.
"If we were to brave the storm ducts, we could reach the ports in a mere few hours, and most likely, ahead of the guards. I have but one question; how full are the ducts at this time?" Kiresk explained.
"Nevermind such details, Kiresk," Nairou told him. "we should take this chance or we may not survive."
"Follow me," Galaan signaled. "I know where the nearest way in is."
Galaan lead them to an old back alley, to the side entrance of an old stone building. He then began to fiddle with the doorknob for only a moment. It was surprisingly locked.
"Kiresk," Galaan called out. "Hand me the metal bar on the ground over there."
Kiresk handed a rusting piece of steel pipe to Galaan. He gripped it tightly and began to smash at the door. It then broke loose from the hinges and dropped to the floor, causing a cloud of dust to rise up. Galaan dropped the steel pipe and walked inside.
"Locked," Galaan laughed. "What a joke."
Kiresk follow Galaan inside and looked around. Zihera coughed, then held her hand to her mouth.
"Are you alright?" Nairou asked her. "Maybe you shouldn't breathe in too deeply, as I can tell you're allergic to the dust in the air."
"Thank you, Nairou," Zihera replied.
As Kiresk looked around the room some more, he saw an old staircase blocked by old boards and some rubble. Under the stairs, there was a doorway, which was missing it's door. He could barely make out an old brick wall lining some stairs leading down.
"Galaan, how did you remember about this place?" Kiresk asked.
"I'll tell you later, Kiresk," Galaan snickered. "For now, care to lead the way?"
"Alright. Everyone follow me," Kiresk ordered in a commanding tone.
Kiresk lead the others down the old stone stair case and into a hollowed out basement. Rushing water could be heard from behind one of the walls, and it sounded to be close. The sound echoed in their minds, as they walked closer. At the back wall there was an old wooden door. Kiresk opened it, and looked inside. Hundred of wine bottles filled the room, with only thin halls to get to each rack. Where there were no bottles, there were kegs. Galaan smiled as he passed the racks and racks of wine. Kiresk stopped in front of the back wall. It was pure cement from one end to the other. He promptly began to feel around a bit. When his hand stopped, he moved his hands away and began to push on the cement. After a few minutes, when he was done and had sat down to rest, he lead the group through. Salena looked below her feet and saw water pulling along stones and metal as if it were all cloth in the wind.
"Be sure to stay on the cement walks for now," Kiresk warned them. "The currents are pretty strong here, thanks to the end of the storm season. When we get further in, it should calm down, as the water gets redirected through different tunnels about half a mile in. Thankfully, though, we shouldn't have to worry about maintenance teams down here."
The five of them walked for most of the day, not resting even for a moment. None of them spoke a word, and kept listening to the streets above. After a seemingly endless walk through miles of water pulling along shattered stone, they stepped outside to see the heavens watching them through the stars, and the moon smiling on their weary bodies.
"It looks to me like the boats aren't moving 'til morning now," Salena commented. "We should find a place to rest until morning. But we're taking the first boat out, whether it's a cargo ship or a rich man's yacht."
Morning came upon a small camp site on the beaches, and the sun's wamr touch greeted a small group of people. The five of them awakened, broke camp and headed towards the ports.
"Ships? The only ship heading out today is headed for Dekar-nessen," the portmaster explained. "Yup, she's haulin' some goods from a wine export down south."
"That would be good," Nairou whispered to Galaan. "I have an idea as to where we can go on the west continents. I'll tell you about my plan when we're on the ship."
"We will be boarding," Galaan told the portmaster. "This is for your trouble."
Galaan smiled and handed the man a stack of coins that reached the man's fingertips. He then headed to the end of the pier. Salena followed him out.
"Did you have to kill them?" Salena inquired. "Why did they have to die?"
"Salena, you have to understand that they were going to kill you if I didn't do it," Galaan began. "They were rebel supporters. I saw a marking on their hand like the rebels that Calheth commanded. They know who you are."
Salena and Galaan looked to the horizon, to watch the sun finish rising.
"Kiresk? Nairou?" Zihera called. "Are you two sure about all this? I mean, aren't you the commander of the 7th Legion? They shouldn't do anything if you tell them what happened."
"Zihera, the guards are different from before," Kiresk clarified. "I was talking to them, and they seem different. I don't know how yet, but they are. Besides, we have to look for the holy places."
After boarding the boat, Galaan and Kiresk talked to the ship's captain. He told them they could rest in the cargo area, and would eat with the crew. They now had nothing but time to listen to the ocean's sweet song, and feel the breeze in their hair.