The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 15 The Port of Shadows and Dreams

Űnin was abruptly jolted from his sleep by the sound of a heavy thud. He rubbed his bleary eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of his deep slumber. Peering through the dim light of the cabin, he saw Vaelon sprawled on the ground, struggling to regain his balance after being violently thrown from his hammock. Vaelon's expression was a mix of confusion and unease as the ship settled into an eerie stillness.

"I think we're here," Rhea whispered, her voice barely above a breath. Her eyes were wide with anticipation. Nearby, Rom continued to snore softly in her hammock, oblivious to the commotion.

Űnin exchanged a glance with Vaelon, both of them piecing together Rhea's words. The grogginess from their unexpected slumber quickly faded as they realized that their short nap had stretched into a full night's sleep. The ship had indeed arrived at its destination.

"We've made it," Űnin said, a grin spreading across his face. He felt a surge of excitement, a flutter of nerves that made his heart race. Vaelon nodded, a smile tugging at his lips despite the disorientation.

They quickly gathered their belongings, the anticipation building with every passing second. Űnin's mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. What would Verbahmut be like? What adventures awaited them?

Stepping onto the deck, they were greeted by the crisp, salt-tinged air of early morning. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling port below. The sight was nothing short of breathtaking. Űnin took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh, invigorating air.

Vaelon took in the scene, the myriad of sounds and smells hitting him all at once. The cries of seagulls, the murmur of voices, and the creaking of wooden ships created a lively symphony that filled the air. "It's incredible," he murmured, his eyes wide with wonder.

Űnin nodded in agreement, his heart pounding with excitement. The port was alive with activity, ships of all shapes and sizes arriving and departing. "This is it. Verbahmut," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else.

They could hardly wait to explore and discover all that Verbahmut had to offer. But before they could do that, they had to disembark the ship and find their way into the city. "Let's get moving," Űnin urged, leading the way down the gangplank. Rhea and Rom followed, Rom still rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she tried to wake up fully.

"Rise and shine, ye wee lads and lassies, time to shove off!" the Captain bellowed from the docks, his voice carrying over the morning bustle. The crew members they had met the day before were already busy, moving heavy barrels and crates from their ship, the Blood Hawk, to the docks.

Űnin stepped forward, his smile bright in the morning light. "Good morning, Captain," he greeted warmly. "We're ready to embark on our adventure in Verbahmut."

The Captain's eyes sparkled, and he returned the smile, his weathered face creasing with delight. "It be sad to see ye go, but we wish you all the best of luck on yer journey. Remember, you'll always have a home on the Blood Hawk. Ye be honorary members of me crew," he boomed, his broad chest swelling with pride.

The rest of the crew echoed the sentiment with a rousing chorus of "Ay!" that filled the air, making Űnin's heart soar. The camaraderie and spirit of the crew were infectious, and he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to live the life of a pirate on the Blood Hawk. The thought made him giddy with excitement.

"Thank you, Captain, and thank you all," Űnin replied, beaming with gratitude. "Before we leave, do you mind pointing us in the direction of the Order of Phoenix Watch?"

Jolnos, one of the crew members they had befriended, stepped forward and pointed down the busy main road with a confident gesture. "It's at the end of this street. You can't miss it," he said, his voice full of encouragement.