The Dragon Prince storyline altered

Chapter 84. Linopha

Zubeia hadn't arrived to pick them up, so they were going to have to find transportation on their own. Rayla was going to lead them somewhere.

Rayla: We need to beat Lepidolite, Viren, and Claudia to the Sea of the Castout. And without Zubeia. That means we need transportation. There's some stuff you should know about where we're going. When I was out searching for Viren, I had to look high and low, and this was the lowest. There aren't really laws here. This is a place where crooks and outcasts trade shady goods for shadier prices. Welcome to Bright Hope Cove or, as most call it... Scumport.

Scumport came into view as Rayla led them there.

Rayla: Okay. We're going to have to blend in. Act like you belong.

Soren: Ooh, alter ego. I got this.

Soren cleared his throat.

Soren: I'll be Smort Longpocket. Very handsome and very rich trader from the far west.

Callum: And I'll be your bodyguard, Glint Zaphand.

Soren: Heh, Smort doesn't need a bodyguard. I mean, look at Smort.

Rayla: Okay, how about we just try not to draw any attention at all? Ezran, that means taking off your crown.

Ezran: What?

Rayla: Not many kings come through Scumport. Sorry.

Linopha: I assume we're here to find a boat.

Callum: Maybe we can hitch a ride with a captain heading south. What about this one? It looks nice.

Callum pointed to the largest ship on the port.

Rayla: Oh, no, no, no. That one's off limits.

Callum: Why?

Rayla: That one belongs to Finnegrin. He's kind of the unofficial boss of this place, but he's not known for doing favors out of the goodness of his heart.

Ezran: It's not a favor. The fate of the world is at stake. I'm going to go talk to him.

Linopha: I'm coming too.

Callum looked over at Soren and Rayla.

Callum: I'll go with Linopha and Ezran while you two try the docks.

Rayla: Fine. We'll meet back here, but let's be quick. There's no telling how far Lepidolite, Claudia, and Viren are ahead of us right now.

When Linopha, Callum, and Ezran made it to Finnegrin's tower and requested an audience with him, they were outright refused by someone called Deadwood.

Deadwood: Nobody sees the boss unannounced.

Ezran: Please, it's important. We're on a mission that can't wait.

Deadwood: This glow toad yours?

Deadwood points at Bait.

Ezran: Uh, yes? This is Bait. Say hi, Bait.

Bait grumbles.

Deadwood: Bait. Good name. Ha! Very funny. You can see the boss. But only you.

Deadwood unlocked the door with three keys and then opened it, letting Ezran in. Linopha and Callum stayed outside.

Callum: Okay. I guess we're just waiting on Ezran.

Linopha: Yeah.

Linopha (thinking): There's no way Finnegrin is going to provide us transportation. And even if he does, he'll probably try and make a deal that Ezran won't like. Which is my perfect. I need to waste their time, slow them down as much as possible, and make sure Lepidolite's group gets there first.