The Oreans

Chapter 36

Chapter 36
The Welcome

"Here we are, Port of Govream," Adrien said as they stepped out from the ship lath unto solid land. The noise and bustle of the pier greeted them as the salty smell of the sea bid them farewell.

It was now the fifteenth day since they left Ratea, traveling by land for a day and then by sea. The journey had been Adrien's idea. Divan readily agreed as—Adrien had explained—it was the fastest way to get back to Florea next to going through the mystical tunnel in the forest, which he thought they could not easily find without Rafim.

Alen, though still feeling a little seasick, looked back at the vessel that had served as their home during their long voyage. It was not very large, having the capacity of fifty people only and made mostly of timber. He was thankful they had not encountered a storm, for he could not imagine how such a frail-looking thing could survive tempestuous winds and waves.

"Alen, don't you feel well still?" Divan asked him, sounding concerned.

"I do—I'm all right," Alen turned to him with a smile even if the ground still felt like it is waving to and fro as if he was on the ship's cabin. "Where do we go from here?"

"We'll have to look for new horses. But first we must eat."

"You're right. Anyway, it's still very early," Adrien said, looking at the orange-streaked sky over the low buildings before them.

"You're looking for a nice place to eat in?" an old man suddenly joined in. "There's a fine diner not far from here. And if I remember right, there's a stable near it that sells horses to travelers." The man then smiled wryly. "Sorry, but I overheard bits of your conversation."

The friends exchanged glances.

"Oh, here's my daughter at last," the old man said, pointing at the woman who just descended from the ship. "If you're willing to take my advice, you just look for the best-looking building just outside this pier. That'd be the place."

Before they could even thank the man, he was gone.

"Will we take his advice?" asked Divan.

"Why not?" Adrien replied. "Come on."

They then wound their way through the crowd of sailors, passengers and fishers about. Alen was thankful for Divan's arm about him, for his head was starting to swim again. Soon, they were out of the pier, this time feeling more the usual cold spring morning air as they left the warming bustle behind.

"That must be the place," Adrien said after walking pass several taverns, pointing to the most decent-looking in the long line of old two-story buildings in the area.

"I heard seaport cuisine isn't very fine," Divan remarked as he stopped to consider the place. "I hope it's not like that in there."

And he led the way into the building.

In Alen's opinion, it did not look in the least like a reputable diner as the old man had said. Before the counter, which was manned by a pretty brunette, several grubby wooden tables were scattered about the room, half of them occupied by groups of early idlers having a drink.

"I think we made a mistake," Adrien told them in a low voice. "Maybe we should have walked on a little further down the street."

Divan was already steering Alen out of the room when Adrien held them back.

"Why?" Divan asked.

"I thought I saw Rafim," Adrien answered, looking at a lonely cloaked figure near the window. Its back was on them so Alen could not see its face, but it certainly was of the same stature as Rafim.