The Floating Province

Chapter Four

The following morning, the group met up in Kylius' room. They gathered around the desk to look at the big map Cherie had been carrying with her.

"The trip to Saint Cull from the airship docks will take about four days. On our way there we will have to ask anyone if they've seen that half-orc as well since he's still one of our priorities." Irdas says 

"I do hope that man is okay. His son was really upset and just wants him to come home." Cherie says

"I'm sure he's fine. We'll hopefully find him and get him back home safely." Otin replies

"Of course." Rosananlyn says "Also Irdas, do you have any way to contact Eirso?"

He looked up from the map and nodded. "I sent her a message last night and asked if she's still in Saint Cull since we're going there."

"What did she say?" Kylius asked

"She is. We'll be able to find her around the inn over there." Irdas replies

They continued discussing plans when there was a knock on the door. 

"Who is it?" Cherie asks

"The innkeeper! The chef had made you all your breakfasts and I'm here to deliver it."  They said

Otin opened the door and the innkeeper rolled in a little cart with drinks and hot steaming plates. 

"Rather than having you all come down to the bar I decided to bring it up. Enjoy!" they said before placing everything on the little coffee table and leaving with the cart and closing the door behind them

Otin picked up one of the glasses of juice to examine it. "That innkeeper...never done something like this before."

"Maybe they're being nice?" Cherie asked

"No I mean like, there's only stairs leading up to the second floor. How on earth did they bring up that cart" Otin says

"Either magic or there's a  ramp since there were a few wheelchair bound adventures." Rosanalyn says 

The group peaked out the door to see the innkeeper press a small button on the wall turning the stairs into a ramp.

"Well that explains it." Irdas says picking up what looked like a little bowl of the inn's famous hash

"I may be stupid-" Otin said

"Otin did you not notice the button?" Kylius asks

"It blends in with the wall and I'm also short." He replies

The two ladies let out a soft chuckle and Otin just shook his head before taking a sip of the juice. After everyone had eaten and packed up the supplies they headed downstairs. The innkeeper looked up from the bar and waved.

"Good luck out there." they say

The group nodded.

"Thank you for the breakfast." Cherie says 

"Before you head out please take these." The innkeeper says handing them a box of muffins and another box of sweet pastries "My partner who does a lot of the cooking here made these since they heard you guys are heading out to Saint Cull."

"Tell them we appreciate that." Cherie says picking up the two boxes

"Come on Cherie." Kylius says

"Coming!" she says turning around and heading to the door

They made their way to the airship docks when they ran into the queen who had a few knights with her.

"Mom? Mom what are you doing here?" Cherie asked shocked

"I had one of our airships brought here and  prepared for you and the travelers. Sweetie please stay safe I know your father has been teaching you to pilot the ship." she says  hugging her and then turned to look at the group

"You all better stay safe as well." She says with a soft smile "Good luck out there."

"Queen Sonia are you ready to return?" a knight asked

She nodded and waved to her daughter and the adventurers. "I'll tell your dad you're doing okay! Your older brother also sends his best regards!"

"Alright!" Cherie says

The group boarded the airship while Cherie did a once over to check the airship even if it was ready to go. Afterward she climbed in and  moved the plank with the help of Kylius and Otin.  

"Cherie I overheard you'd be the captain?" Rosanalyn asked

"Oh..no no my mom was just saying she knew that father had been teaching me how to pilot the airships. We may be royals but adventuring is deeply rooted in us so father thought it be best to teach my older brother and myself flying these airships." She replies "And besides I don't really know how to get to Saint Cull."

Irdas walked over to talk to the girls. "Cherie I can help navigate."

"Are you sure?" She asked

He nodded. "We're all working together as a team."

She clapped her hands together. "Well let's get going! Also don't forget to bring your items below deck and claim rooms!"

The sun was at it's highest point when the group finally departed Akkethra. Irdas was pointing Cherie in the right direction while the others brought their things below deck. Their adventure now truly begins.