Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🗡️ Perseverance [1/4] 🗡️

Tia's POV:

After our little dinner trip to Pyronica, I dropped my friends off by the floating island and sailed away.

I felt guilty for telling them that I was out running errands, but I really needed to see someone.

That someone was none other than King Arthur.

Days had passed, and I had finally arrived in Northwynd's harbor.

I donned my captain's cloak, covering my bandaged upper body and held my trident in my uninjured hand.

Even after my final exam, my wounds were not healing over properly, which was mildly concerning.

After hooking up my boat to the docks, I hopped onto the wooden platform, making my way over to the mainland.

Crowds of people bustled by; the port was very busy today with new shipments of cargo and other goods from different kingdoms.

Merchants advertised their products, calling out from their stands with their goods on

"Come get your salty seaweed crisps today! Only for a limited time!"

"Fresh mackerel, straight from Baywharf's purest lagoon! Caught sustainably and completely magic-free!"

"Need a new weapon? Try out one of our stainless steel tridents!"

Pfft. Stainless steel tridents? I tried out one of those when I was younger... They rusted up and broke within a few days. It's all a tourist scam for those who visit the kingdom, anyways.

As I continued my little stroll along the boardwalk, I took off my jacket, turning it into a scarf-like hood that I kept over my head.

Even though my bandaged body was almost fully exposed to the cold, crisp air, I didn't mind the feeling... It was welcoming, in a sort.

I pulled up my shorts, making sure my belt and its attachments were secure in place: a compass, a fishing knife, and a magical little pouch that Addison gifted me to store my trident when not in use.

Ah, Addison... She is quite the lovely friend.

I mean that platonically, weirdo.

"Uhm, hello ma'am!" A quiet voice piped up behind me. "Would you be interested in purchasing a couple candied apples?"

I tensed up, turning around, only to see no one in sight.

Then, I glanced down.

It was this short little boy, probably only six or seven years old.

He wore a leather tunic and a pair of baggy, oversized jeans; the standard for the commoners in Northwynd.

He attempted to make himself look decent by brushing back a stray black hair. "They're only two sand dollars each, ma'am."

I crouched down to meet him at eye level, rummaging through my pocket. "I'll take two, kid. That okay with you?"

The boy seemed intimidated, but he gave me a nod. "Yes ma'am! My name is River, by the way."

Once I had my currency in hand, I gave him ten sand dollars; Tiny coins shaped like real sand dollars at the beach. "Nice to meet you, River. It's been nice seeing you around."

He handed me the two candied apples, counting his pay. "Wait, ma'am, you gave me six too many... Do you need any more?"

I shook my head, patting him on the back and standing back up. "Keep the change, kid."

River gave me a look of gratitude before prancing off, continuing to advertise his treats to the public.

I couldn't help but smile... He didn't even know the war was going on around him.