Chapter 35: The Northern Port

Cassia didn't have much to pack most things were already taken out by Selene, but wrapped her remaining items in a cloth and carried her luggage out of the girls' chamber. Walking towards the exit, she comes face to face with Octavian.

"Cassia, let me take that for you." She gratefully hands over her luggage to Octavian and begins climbing up the ladder into Aurelia. As she stepped out, she noticed the familiar walls of the Inn. The Silver Viper Inn, She climbed out, into the warm dim lit common room. Octavian following suit behind her.

"Who knew this room had an underground tunnel in it. I always knew you were weird, Octavian but inns and underground tunnels spell trouble." Cassia softly spoke, looking to Octavian.

Octavian smirked, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted Cassia's luggage. "Weird? Cassia, I prefer the term mysteriously resourceful—it adds to my charm," he quipped, flashing a grin. He tapped the edge of a wooden beam with a knowing look. "Besides, trouble is just another word for adventure and I don't exactly specialize in knitting circles."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice with mock seriousness. "Though, if this place ever did have a knitting circle, I bet they'd be smuggling something in those yarn baskets." He straightened, feigning an innocent shrug. "And let's be honest, Cassia, wouldn't it be more suspicious if an inn didn't have an underground tunnel?"

Cassia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she gave him a look of amused disbelief. "Mysteriously resourceful? Octavian, you sound like a man trying to justify his bad life choices," she quipped, shaking her head.

She took a slow step forward, glancing at the beam he tapped. "And for the record, yes—it would be very suspicious if an inn didn't have an underground tunnel. Because that would mean you hadn't been here yet to dig one," she shot back, smirking.

Then, with a dramatic sigh, she placed a hand on her hip. "And a smuggling knitting circle? Now that's just terrifying. Imagine the sheer chaos of rogue grandmothers with enchanted scarves and deadly crochet needles. I'd rather take my chances with assassins." Unbeknownst to her, she's in the presence of an assassin, a Kleos Exilium assassin to be precise!

Lucius climbs up as well and shuts the door to the Underground Haven, signing off the beginning of journey to the port. Cassia couldn't help but notice, Octavian glaring at Lucius. With a small smile, she exited the common room towards the courtyard of the Inn. Upon stepping out, into the courtyard, she looked back and read the sign that adorned the front of the Inn, Silver Viper Inn. Chuckling, "Octavian, now that I think about it even the name of your inn sounds sketchy."

Octavian flashed her the brightest smile he could master with a wink, which caused Cassia to giggle, causing Octavian to earn a glare from Lucius. The roles were reversed for just that moment.

"Ohh Cassia!!!" Dorian sang as he waved at them from the gates of the Inn. Cassia turned while Octavian took this moment to close down the Inn.

"Octavian, you're coming with us?" Cassia inquired.

"Yes, I need to make sure you get to Eldoria safely. I simply can't trust whelps—to care for you." Lucius, looking anywhere but at Octavian, walked away from him to the twins by the gate. Seeing this, Cassia also began walking.

Octavian slid the heavy iron bolt into place, the quiet clank of the lock echoing through the dimly lit common room. With a satisfied nod, he dusted his hands off and turned to follow Cassia—until she muttered something under her breath, just loud enough for him to catch.

"It would be great to have you come with us. Maybe you can even tell me more about Aurelia."

His fingers froze on the lock.

He exhaled sharply through his nose, then turned his head, eyes locking onto Cassia's retreating figure. "What!?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Cassia, already a few steps ahead, instinctively halted mid-step, her back straightening as if she could feel the weight of his gaze pressing against her. Slowly, she turned, meeting his eyes.

Cassia narrowed her eyes at him, silently debating whether or not to take the bait. Instead, with a small shake of her head, she huffed, breaking eye contact first.

Without another word, she turned back, her pace steady as she made her way toward Dorian, Lucius, and Castor, leaving Octavian standing by the door, still wondering.

Once Octavian caught up with the crew by the gate they started off for the Northern port. The Northern Port of Aurelia stood in stark contrast to the bustling Eastern Port, where Cassia had previously boarded a ship to Lunareth. While the Eastern Port was a hub of commerce and diplomacy, filled with well-guarded merchant vessels, scholars, and envoys from the sister kingdoms, the Northern Port was raw, unforgiving, and steeped in a different kind of energy.

As they approached, the air turned sharper, the scent of brine and metal mingling in the cold northern winds. Unlike the structured piers and well-maintained docks of the Eastern Port, the Northern Port had jagged, uneven boardwalks, some patched hastily with mismatched planks. The ships docked here were not the grand, elegantly carved vessels of Zephyria's merchants or Lunareth's scholars but rather sturdy, battle-worn ships—many bearing scars from past encounters at sea.

This port belonged to mercenaries, bounty hunters, and ships carrying dangerous cargo. The people here moved with purpose and caution, some glancing over their shoulders, others disappearing into the shadows of the narrow alleyways between storage warehouses. The dockworkers were not the typical uniformed port hands found in the Eastern Port but a mix of hardened sailors, former soldiers, and exiles looking for passage to the north.

At the heart of the port stood the Iron Reef, a fortified docking station reinforced with dark stone and metal plating, its looming towers keeping watch over the unpredictable sea routes that led toward Drakhelm and the northern waters beyond. In the distance, thick fog rolled in from the sea, veiling the horizon and making it impossible to tell if an approaching ship was a friend or a foe until it was nearly upon the docks.

The Northern Port was not a place for the weak-willed. Here, deals were struck in whispers, weapons were drawn at the slightest offense, and secrets were buried beneath the creaking wooden planks of the piers. Unlike the Eastern Port, which functioned under strict trade laws and regulations, the Northern Port operated under a different code—one enforced by power, reputation, and coin.

As the crew stepped forward, Dorian let out a low whistle.

"Well, if this doesn't scream 'trouble,' I don't know what does," he muttered, eyeing a group of cloaked figures bartering over a crate of unmarked cargo.

Cassia glanced at Dorian and raised an eyebrow. "Wait… you guys haven't been to the ship yet?"

Dorian let out an exaggerated sigh, stretching his arms behind his head. "Nope. We were guarding the inn, you know? Making sure no one came snooping around while you were off sneaking through underground tunnels." His tone was light, but there was a hint of mischief in his grin.

Cassia rolled her eyes, adjusting her satchel as she scanned the ships docked at the port. "We just need to find the ship. We're not here to make enemies."

Octavian smirked, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he strolled beside them. "In a place like this, Cassia, not making enemies might be the hardest thing we do today."

The sound of waves crashing against the docks mixed with the distant murmur of bartering voices and the occasional clash of steel. The Northern Port pulsed with a different kind of danger, one that made Cassia instinctively tighten her grip on the hilt of her blade.

As Cassia scanned the port, her gaze caught a familiar figure standing near the edge of the docks—Selene. She was waving at them, her long coat billowing slightly in the cold sea breeze.

"There she is," Dorian noted, nudging Cassia lightly before making his way forward. The others followed suit, weaving through the bustling port, dodging hurried dockworkers and shifty-eyed merchants.

As they reached Selene, she crossed her arms, tilting her head with a smirk. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you got yourselves into trouble before even setting foot on the ship."

Octavian gave an exaggerated sigh. "Selene, you wound me. Have a little faith in us."

She raised an eyebrow. "I would, if it weren't for the fact that you look way too pleased for someone who's supposed to be keeping a low profile."

Cassia cut in before the banter could continue. "The ship?"

Selene gestured toward a sleek, dark-hulled vessel anchored at the far end of the port. "This way."

They followed her, moving quickly across the creaking planks of the dock. The ship, the Mystara, wasn't as grand as some of the merchant vessels, nor did it bear the heavy plating of a warship, but it was built for speed and resilience—perfect for getting them out of the Northern Port without unnecessary attention.

As they boarded, the ship's crew worked swiftly, securing ropes and preparing for departure. The salty wind filled the sails as the vessel began to drift away from the dock, rocking gently before picking up speed. The distant noise of the Northern Port faded, replaced by the rhythmic crashing of waves against the hull.

Cassia stood near the railing, gripping the wooden frame as she gazed out at the vast, endless sea ahead. The wind tugged at her cloak, and for a moment, she closed her eyes.

"Please... let this journey be safe."

The ship pressed forward, slicing through the waves, carrying them toward their next destination—and whatever awaited them beyond the horizon.

The journey was only just beginning.

13032025 PP