Brokenly, Restored

Chapter #9

(Pete's POV)

After Matt ate that chocolate, I swear that I saw his expression change. It was only for a moment, but he was there.

This town doesn't actually have any docks. There's a wide, stone bridge that goes across the water to a small island. The island is GoldenEye's recipient for Liblicen trading ships. There's a river on the East coast that Kyladia uses. I learned a lot about both of the ports at school, but I'm sure Matt knows more.

We walk though the town and quickly reach the bridge. There's a lot of of people going up and down, but I bet it's always this busy. There's plenty of people on foot like us. Still, we get the most odd looks. My sickly green skin probably sticks out like a sore thumb. All the stares have always made me feel a little exposed. Still, it's not their fault that I'm like this. Most people are just curious. Choco walks at my side and leads the way. He looks friendlier and less scary then Matt does.

It only takes a few minute to walk across the stone arches. The entire island has been converted into one massive port. Wooden walkways extend far our into the water, and there are even buildings built up on stilts. The smaller ones are houses and the larger ones are inns and taverns. Choco says that I'm not allowed to go inside that one.

All the people here look like they're busy doing something. Massive wooden ships are docked as workers load and unload the cargo. Are we really riding on one of those? There are smaller boats, but they look like they're for fishing. This entire island smells like fish, actually.

Choco and I both stare when a hybrid walks past. Their skin is pale, and they have deep gray eyes and bone sticking out of their chests. I knew that there were hybrids in Liblicen, but I never pictured anyone as strange as us lab experiments. I spot more and more hybrids the further we walk down the docks. The stares and strange looks have stopped. With a jolt, I realize that we blend in here with all the hybrid traders. Choco is at a loss for words just like I am.

"Passage on a ship is recommended to cross the ocean", Matt's bland tone pulls my thoughts back into the present.

"Yeah, right", Choco snaps out of it, "We can't exactly pay our way for a ride, but maybe we could work for it? Do you know anything about sailing, Matt?".

"I do not, but I may be able to replicate what I see done", he answers.

"Good enough for me. There's gotta be someone around here who needs some extra sailors", Choco makes a funny voice, holding his hand like a pirate's metal hook. I laugh at him and join in on the voices.

"Aye, we'll be hunting for the treasure at the end of Matt's treasure map!", I giggle.

"I do not have a map", Matt looks between the two of us.

"Lighten up a bit", Choco elbows him in the side, "This is your adventure, after all. You should have more fun with it". Matt doesn't answer.

Choco ends up talking to a few different crew members of various ships. Most immediately refuse, saying that they don't need extra hands or that they'd have to pay a fee. I feel like a few also took one look at Matt and decided that they didn't want the trouble. It's wasn't unlit our fifth try that anyone would consider it. The ship was a little smaller, with only two sails instead of five of the biggest ones. The last of the cargo is being loaded up the ramp by the crew to set sail. There's a Zemrlt girl watching them and checking off items on a clipboard. Matt insisted that she was a captain with the way she's dressed. She notices us walking down the dock and lets the clipboard drop to her side.

"If you t-three are more tax collectors wanting my d-docking spot, then you can buzz off. I've already p-paid", she says, annoyed. The slight stutter in her voice should be out of place, but it suddenly seems very normal to me. In fact, I think that she should be having even more trouble speaking. I don't know why.

"Uh, oh, no! No, we're just wondering if you had more room on your ship for a few more?", Choco awkwardly starts, "We're trying to get across the ocean. I can't pay, but we're willing to work".

The captain tilts her head to the side, thinking. She looks back up at her ship to another Zemrlt leaning on the rails. He's not wearing a shirt, and I can see the black bone ribs lining his torso. He makes a few hand signals that the captain answers back with her own. I....... I can understand them.

"Um, miss?", I interrupt her silent conversation, "I swear that we're not thieves. There's no other ship that's going to come ambush you in the middle of the ocean. All we want is to cross. I promise!". Her mouth drops open in shock. A little hesitantly, she signs something else directed at me.

"You understand?".

It takes me a moment to figure out the right hand movements, but a sign back a shaky, "Yes. I understand".

"Pete? You can use Zemrlt sign?", Choco looks as shocked as I feel.

"Well, that's something y-you don't see every day!", the captain smiles. "Zemrlt sign is hardly used outside my o-own people. You must have known one to learn it". She looks Choco up and down, paying attention to the feathers. "And you must be a Caelum. Half? H-Heading back home? I've never seen one with feathers like that, or co-olored orange".

"Yeah, that's me. I'm heading back to my parents for a visit", Choco lies, looking uncomfortable.

"Call me Captain Zephra", she says, "Since the l-little one is a friend to Zemrlt, you ma-may com and work for your passage. J-Just tell that big human not to cause trouble".