Belford's Heart

Chapter 14: A Seaside Bribery

With their bellies now full, Belford and Evelyn led Grifford to the start of the sands near the Seaside Sherry. They took a moment to enjoy the bright morning and the lovely view sprawling into the distance. The horizon was filled with ships that were no larger than the ends of Evelyn's fingers as she compared them. The ones furthest from them were veiled in a blue haze. Some were departing into the Northern sea, and others were just arriving at the shipyard that held a ship of the Sherman company somewhere within.

They decided to walk upon the sand as they approached. Belford was concerned about how different it felt than walking in snow. Snow would also compact and become solid with each step. The sand on that beach felt as though it would begin to swallow him whole if he did not step fast enough. Grifford did not appear to share in this concern, though he did quickly spit a mouthful of sand he took into his mouth for a taste.

The sand that had collected in their boots crunched beneath them as they stood upon the wooden platform leading to the expanding shipyard. The docks seemed to go on down the coast without end. Hundreds and hundreds of ships rested on the waters. Larger ships protruded past the platforms at their side, and others were small enough to be placed beside each other. Belford wished that he had asked where exactly this Sherman Company ship would normally be, or if they would even be back at this dock for the time of day. Unfortunately for him, he would have to speak to more strangers.

"I was foolish to think there would be ten ships waiting for us," Belford said. His heartbeat quickened in both of their chests and his breaths were stifled. "How are we to even find anything in this madness? This alone will take us the rest of the day, let alone actually finding the man himself."

Evelyn moved to place her hand upon his arm, but rejected the call of rebirth that would calm him. She pulled his arm, forcing him to turn and face her. "Belford." She took in a long breath and exhaled through her nose. "Slow your breathing. I cannot force calm upon you anymore."

Belford focused on her face. The warm embrace of her glow did not envelope him, but the sincerity in her eyes did. He saw them more clearly than ever before. The morning light accentuated the sharp lines that made up the violet iris around her pupils. In all their time of travel he tried his best not to linger on her face, but in the chaos of that shipyard it was the only thing to pull him from his worry. He took in one further breath in through his mouth and slowly exhaled all the air within him. The noise came to a balance in his head, and he smiled as he spoke. "The rice must have had more energy than expected. Where should we start?"

"I would assume someone would approach us if we just walk forward," Evelyn said, mirroring the joy in his face as he held his eyes onto her. "Surely there will be someone curious about the white-haired girl walking with a goliath and a griffon."

"Perhaps you should lead," Belford said. "It will be easier to keep an eye out if someone tries to take you."

"Between you and Grifford I may be the safest girl in this city," Evelyn said, nodding forward toward the bustling shipyard. "Leave the worry to them."

Evelyn leapt forward to begin walking down the endless platform before them. The ships closest to them had a woman painted on the side. Her hair flew from her head like an open flame. She wore a flowing wrapping over her chest, and her midsection was exposed before a dress overtook her legs and flowed along the remaining length of the ship like water. Above this flowing wrapping was the ship's name: Diana's Flame.

"It seems that most of the ships are clearly named," Evelyn said. "I doubt any will be as beautiful as that one." One of the crew walked quickly across the makeshift bridge connecting it to the platform. He wore a loose blouse tucked in to tight leather pants. His boots looked well worn, but they sounded into the wood beneath him with solid thuds. "Excuse me!" He turned, his eyes widening as Evelyn came into view. "Yes, you. I would like to ask you a question."