Escaping the End of the World

316 Days Remaining

          The Leviathan made port in Nordallis on a clear afternoon on the third day.  I was on the Greater Deck when the ship descended upon the city.  I could see Nordallis sitting upon Amber Lake below (named so for its hue) and the River Norda flowing through the middle of the city and into the lake.   The city wrapped around the mouth of the lake, a couple miles wide.  The airship descended into the northeast corner of the city on the right side of the river where the Aeroport took up a massive amount of space for the platforms that were raised up a few hundred feet so that the airships could stay idle between voyages.

          I left the deck and returned to my room on the eleventh floor.  Agronok was sitting at the table when I entered.  His head turned in my direction.  "Oh good, I was just about to fetch you, little one.  We should be docking shortly.  Did you get to see Nordallis?"

          "Yes, it is beautiful from up here."  I told him, nodding.

          "Good afternoon fine patrons of the Leviathan,"  Captain Oliver's voice came over the speaker,  "We are currently descending onto Platform 3 A in the Nuverian National Aeroport of Nordallis for fuel and additional boarding passengers.  We should be taking off in two hours eastbound to Kom'vasch, our next stop.  You are free to move about the city until then."

         "Come."  Agronok said, standing and grabbing his pack.

         I followed him out the door.  "Where are we going?"  I asked as we went down the hall.  

        "Your travels will be long in North Nuveria, and there is not always a guarantee you will find an inn with a bed or ready-made food.  You must see to it that you have the essentials to live in the wilds."  Agronok told me,  "The market in Nordallis can sell to you all those things and more."

          We went down to the first floor and waited as the airship carefully made port on Platform 3 A.    When the staircase opened, Agronok and I went down the dark descent with a group of exiting patrons.  We came out to the familiar warmth that I was beginning to miss of the south.  A lady in a flight attendant's uniform smiled at us as we passed.  

           "How did you enjoy the airship so far?"  Agronok asked.

            "I am loving it.  Airships are so interesting!  In another life, I think I may have chosen to become and Aeropilot."  I said as we crossed the platform.

             "If we had traveled in a smaller pack, I could have rented smaller airship.  They move much faster than these large ones."  Agronok said,  "That's why sky pirates prefer to move in smaller vessels.  These larger ships were used back in times of war as Sky Fortresses.  They have a massive arsenal of firearms underneath the lesser and greater decks, and also on the underbelly."

             "Really!?"  I imagined in my mind's eye the possible destruction and havoc that could have made.  "Were you ever in a battle with an airship."  

             "Aye..."  He said.  "The destruction was massive, casualties on both sides.  When ships like The Leviathan entered a battle, it was never a clean one."

         The wide glass doors of the Aeroport slid open and we passed through into a hall much like the one back in Naldorami.  We walked across the eagle and crescent moon sigil and exited the Aeroport where the pack of patrons disbursed.  

           The city was not as elegant as Naldorami.  Buildings were constructed with wood instead of fine stone and metal and stood further apart from each other.  A cobblestone street led out from the Aeroport, heading straight for a distance, splitting in two directions at the River Norda.  Another path led out to my left that went on for the foreseeable distance and disappeared from my line of sight.  We took the path in front of us for some distance.