Ashenport

The journey to Ashenport was long, the scenery shifting from rolling green hills to the rocky coastline that marked the edge of Veridian. The car rumbled over uneven roads, the scent of salt and brine growing stronger with each passing mile. Seagulls circled overhead, their cries blending with the distant crash of waves. Ashenport, a city built on the foundation of trade and fishing, loomed ahead, its stone walls weathered by the sea breeze. The harbor was alive with activity—sailors unloading crates, merchants haggling over the price of freshly caught fish, and children weaving through the crowds with baskets in hand.

Lucien leaned against the car window, watching the city come into view. His mind was restless. Ashenport was one of Veridian's key port cities, yet even from a distance, he could see signs of its decline. The docks weren't as busy as they should have been, and some ships bore tattered sails, a quiet testament to hard times.