It was the first time that Holden had ever taken in a lungful of sea air. It was refreshing, and it was something he could grow accustomed to. Before him was the port of Perona, the ‘Pilgrims’ Capital.’ With how lively it was, Holden wondered little about why. As he approached the gate between Perona and the mainland, a pair of guards motioned for him to halt.
“Are you nativeborn, or do you hail from elsewhere?” one of them asked Holden.
“Nativeborn, why do you ask?”
“Is this your first time visiting Perona?” the other guard asked. “It’s how things have always been run here. We try to keep track of immigrants, as to prevent attacks here by those loyal to their homeland. Now, state your name, and interest in leaving the mainland.”
“Holden d’Alnhart, and I am to report to Lieutenant Yerryn.” Holden folded his arms over his chest, watching one of the guards run through names in a logbook. With bandits and rebels already running amok within the mainland, it was almost redundant to run security at the port, at least to him.
“Alnhart, eh? There’s a name you don’t leave the pub without hearing. Let’s hope that heroism runs in the family.” The guard wrote something in the logbook, before motioning to Holden.
“You know, with your father,” he said, “and the stories about him with the rest of the original Sea Tigers.”
“Captain Thusk is the one to talk about those old war stories,” the other guard added. “He was the leader of the Sea Tigers at the time.”
The first guard cleared his throat, and motioned to Holden. “Alright, you’re allowed to head in. Best of luck to you, the lands overseas can be rough.”
“Thank you,” Holden said with a smile, “and the best of luck to yourselves.” As he walked through the gate, he was met with a dozen impressions at once. The scent of baked goods from a vendor’s stall mingled with the pungent smell of cooking meat -- which left Holden uneasy, to a degree -- that wafted from a tavern. From there, the laughter and roars of innebriated patrons carried out onto the streets to contest with the cries of merchants boasting the quality of their goods, and the begging of those preyed upon by misfortune. Some passerby would give an Angit or two, while others would simply move on. However, a sudden burst of commotion caught Holden’s attention as a particularly strange-dressed man -- a dwarf, as given away by having a child’s height and a man’s build blended into a stocky figure, in a golden-colored robe -- grabbed a beggar by the collar and started throttling him.
“Get off your arse and earn your keep instead of asking me for handouts, you impudent wretch!” The dwarf drew his fist back to slug the beggar in the face, before his arm was caught by who appeared to be a soldier, but was different. There was significantly less armor and -- aside from the cloth shirt underneath a studded leather tunic -- almost no blue to distinguish him as an On’hinian soldier. And when the soldier slammed his fist into the dwarf’s face, Holden doubted his validity. The soldier threw the dwarf to the ground, glaring down at him menacingly.
“Pick a fight with someone who will fight back,” he said, before turning to the beggar, and giving him a handful of Angits. “Go on and eat, find your way off the streets, friend.”
“Hino bless your soul,” the beggar said, “but I cannot work, nobody wants a man like me.”
“Head to the barracks,” said the soldier, “there’s always work and pay for those willing to do it.”
As Holden watched the beggar hurry down the busy street, a hand rested on his shoulder. Stepping away, he whirled around to find Yerryn standing there. She merely nodded in the direction of the soldier, and the dwarf writhing on the ground.
“Justice in Perona is dealt with at the soldiers’ discretion,” she explained, “since setting On’hino’s laws upon countless outsiders would only drive them away.” Yerryn beckoned for Holden to follow her, as she walked to a small building, with guards posted at the entrance. “Saul said you would make an excellent scout. That is a high honor, you should try your hardest to live up to that commendation.”
Holden nodded. “How do you and Saul know eachother?”
“Well, seeing as I was recently promoted to lead a unit of Sea Tigers, myself, I sought out former members for guidance in how to do so. He has been teaching me how to lead, and he has earned my respect in turn.”
“What must one know to lead Sea Tigers?”
“To start, you must understand and accept that you don’t lead them, in a traditional sense. You merely send them off in the direction of the enemy.” The guards salute Yerryn, and open the door. As she and Holden entered, she sat down behind a desk. “However, you’re not a Sea Tiger, not yet. So, don’t think you’ll get away with insubordination.” She motioned for Holden to sit down.
“I wasn’t counting on it.” Looking around the office, it was clear that her being stationed here was a more recent occurance. There were few personal effects in the otherwise empty quarters, namely a couple of paintings of the sea in a storm, and a twisted chunk of metal, reflecting light in a purple hue. “So, when do we start?” Holden asked, taking a seat in front of her desk.
“Well, your arrival is convenient. Those elves from the night before were not all defeated, but one of our patrol vessels spotted a ship leaving On’hino in an odd manner, here.” With a map rolled out on the desk, she tapped her finger on the endless span of blue surrounding On’hino. “Perona is supposed to be the only access point into the mainland. It helps prevent contraband, spies, and other undesirables from slipping by us. That said, if we are to believe that the spotted ship did leave Perona, it would have wasted time circling halfway around the mainland before setting off.”
“So you’re suggesting that the remaining elves took flight?” Holden asked. “What will we do now, then? They’re a ways from On’hino, and I doubt that they will be taking their time sailing away.”
“That is where you come in, Private.” Yerryn smirked, before trailing her finger on the map, to the coastline of Erelith’s mainland. “Here is Rnyrt. Attempts to negotiate diplomatic relations have ultimately crumbled, due to their disinterest in the outer world. However, it is known that Aradians are welcome to take solace in their homes. Should our fleeing elves be discovered there, we have His Majesty’s blessing to invade and annex Rnyrt to prevent further cooperation with potential enemies. But, that will be something else altogether. You only must find the boat and the elves. Understood?” When Holden nodded, Yerryn reached under the table. “I don’t know if you would want it, but when your father retired, he left behind something. It may prove to be a valuable tool when you’re out there.”
Holden raised a brow. “What is it?”
Yerryn lifted a longsword up, and set it on the table. Its scabbard was made of leather, clearly worn by time. “This is Yusil, as your father named it. He put down many foes with this, up until his grave wound. I can think of nobody more deserving of this than his own flesh and blood.”
“I’m flattered, really,” said Holden, “but I’m as familiar with swordplay as a painter is with botany.”
“Then pray you won’t need it for combat.” Yerryn gestured to the door. “I’d walk you out and bid you farewell, but it will be me who is in danger if I don’t have you documented as a soldier before the higher ups are acknowledged of the mission.” She smirked, and cleared her throat. “Just go down to the docks, there is a naval vessel named ‘the Goliath.’ Remember Sergeant Honler?”
“He was riding with you when we last met, yes.” Holden picked up Yusil, and attached the scabbard to his belt.
“He’s waiting down at the Goliath. You can ask him about any specifics on the mission, seeing as you’ll be accompanied by him. As much faith as I have in you I’d look a fool if you were sent on a mission like this alone, and as your first mission, on top of that.”
“I understand.” Holden got up, and went for the door.
“One more thing,” Yerryn said. “I know I’m sending Honler to bring you back alive, but do the same for him. I’m not keen on losing anyone.”
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