The eastern port of Stratta was loud and smelt of salt, dried seaweed, and fish. Seagulls and Sunspits flew through the air, mindless of the bustling activity below them. Bird droppings covered the wooden docks and stained the ground.

  Ships, often small mastered fishing vessels, were either moored next to each other with thick ropes or anchored close enough that a row boat could take the crew out.

  There were larger vessels too, with hulls of dark enchanted wood and scribed metal ribbing. Their central masts towered over their neighbours casting long shadows and their rigging creaked in the breeze. The ship's cultivators, often paid protection from the Hunters Guild, could be seen along the railing watching the people scurry about below.

  Sailors moved about, often in groups. Loading and unloading cargo, cheap goods, the days catch, and all other sorts of odds and ends. Loud words and louder cursing could be heard, often accompanied by the squawk of a startled Seagull.

  Lining the edge of the port and acting as a barrier before entering Stratta were lines of old worn buildings. The Harbour Master and security had the largest building. An old faded double story of brick and plaster. The windows had wooden shutters that creaked in the sea breeze and paint had begun to peel from the framing around its roof.

  Spreading out on either side of it, like soldiers next to their captain, were smaller buildings. Smaller, but equally as old. The foot traffic around these was more dense than the harbor masters. Signs with tankards and bowls marked most of the buildings as taverns and the crowd leaving often looked less steady on their feet than those entering.

  Edan stood with a hood over his head and a pack slung across his shoulder, taking it all in. He loved the port and its energy.

  “I say we grab something to eat while we wait,” Sanik said from his place next to Edan.

  Reema cast about, her eyes scanning the crowd. No one showed them any interest. “Fine, but don’t go far. I need to find Gem.”

  She slipped into the crowd and disappeared from sight. Sanik nudged Edan’s shoulder and nodded towards one of the taverns.

  “Want a beer?”

  “Hard pass.” Edan laughed. “Mum's already stressed out as it is. How about we grab some actual food.”

  Sandwiched between a tavern and what looked like a shipping company's office, was a small restaurant, though that may have been a bit of a stretch. Edan led the way, trying not to bang his knee on any of the chairs or tables that were crammed into the small space. At the back of the room was a counter manned by an old woman wearing a faded blue hat.

  A few customers crumbled into their food as Edan and then Sanik slid past them.

  “Haven’t seen you for a while.” The lady smiled at Edan before glancing at the tall figure behind him. “And whose this?” she purred.

  “I’ve been busy,” Edan said. “And this is my father. We were passing through and I figured why not stop for some of the best fish and chips in Stratta?”

  The lady smiled and held up two fingers. Edan nodded and she disappeared into the back, a beaded curtain falling closed behind her.

  Sanik cleared his throat and arched an eyebrow in question when Edan looked back.

  “Something you want to tell me son?”

  “Ew, no! I came here often when I needed to pick something up for Harvey. It really is the best fish and chips.”

  “Uh-huh.” Sanik didn’t look convinced.

  “I’m going to grab a seat outside,” Edan muttered, conveniently leaving Sanik to cover the bill.

  There were a few small benches out front. They weren’t as popular with the regulars, often sailors who spent their days in the sun didn’t want to do the same while enjoying a meal, but Edan found the warmth and breeze relaxing. Sliding his pack from his shoulder, he set it down gently on the ground and loosened the string tying it closed.

  Two little brown noses pocked out, sniffing at the air.

  Sanik joined him a moment later, a tray loaded high with food in his hands. Setting it down on the table, Sanik sat opposite Edan and picked a chip from his plate.

  “I think I got propositioned,” he said, sounding shell-shocked.

  “What?” Edan had just picked up a battered slice of fish when he paused and looked at his father. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing. It may be best we don’t let your mother come around here.”

  The pair fell into comfortable silence as they started in on an early lunch. The chips were crisp and lightly salted. A light dusting of seasoning turned the fried wedges of potato an off-red color. Sanik hummed his approval as he squeezed a slice of lemon on his stack of fish.

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  “Did Tali say what time she’s meeting us?” Edan asked as his bag started shifting. “Think I can let them out?”

  “Should be soon, though I don’t know how she plans on getting here unseen. She doesn’t exactly blend in.” Sanik popped a piece of fish into his mouth and chewed slowly. It was only after he swallowed that he answered Edan’s other question. “Go ahead, I doubt they’ll go far.”

  Edan had to nudge the questing snouts out of the way before he could open the pack. One of the cubs licked the salt and fish from his fingers.

  “I really should name them.” He muttered.

  Finally free from their confinement the two cubs burst out of the bag. The male came out in full battle mode, his teeth bared and a snarl ripping from his throat. The female yawned and licked her lips, her curious brown eyes tracking Edans hand and he guessed she was the one that had licked him. The sun shone on their dark green fur.

  Leaving them to adjust to the strange surroundings, Edan turned back to his father. Both of them kept the little cubs in their field of view though.

  “You said she was bringing Marcus, right?”

  “Her message said he was a friend and that he wanted to ask you a few questions.”

  “I don’t see what a Guild Head would want with me,” Edan admitted, though he guessed it would have something to do with Harvey, considering the last time he had met Marcus. “We trust this person?”

  “She seems to trust him. You really got to get your base Spirit up to one hundred so you can start using more of the System like the message function.”

  “I thought I had full access to it after I birthed it,” Edan grumbled. “Besides, my Spirit is over one hundred.”

  “Your base stat?”

  “Oh…no.”

  An increased Spirit and Perception stat also allows your Spirit Sense to work over a greater distance and with greater accuracy. It’s important, but not crucial.

  If Sanik and Kiba were both telling him the same thing, it might be worth listening.

  The cubs had shifted closer to Edan. Using the bench he sat on and his legs as cover. Their noses never stopped twitching even as their eyes darted all over the place tracking any and all movement.

  Stripping off a piece of fish, Edan handed it to them both. The male, in typical fashion, almost took Edan’s finger off with it. The female cub was more gentle.

  “Bacon and fish. Cubs are eating well.” Sanik laughed.

  Over the next couple of minutes Edan and Sanik, helped by the hungry cubs, demolished their massive plates of food. Reema could grab something when she was free. Edan took the time between bites to look out over the port and its many docks, watching crew and staff hustling about.

  A pair of cultivators in the City Watch uniform walked past, the golden badge on their chests glinting in the sun. They waved down a passing rickshaw and spent several moments talking to the driver. The portly passenger, a merchant, Edan assumed, started bickering with them. Edan slid a little lower in his seat.

  “So…Solaris?” he finally asked.

  “Solaris,” Sanik confirmed. “Lem and Gem are heading there already, you need to get there for the Proving Tournament, and while the Academy has sway in Stratta, they won't be able to look for us with the same zeal they have here. So yeah, Solaris.”

  "I thought the sects were helping? Don't they have a larger presence in Solaris?"

  "They do, but there's also a lot more people to blend in with. Whatever's tweaked their noses here, hopefully, isn't of interest to those in Solaris."

  “You trust Lem and Gem?”

  Sanik wiggled his hand back and forth. “I’ve never met them. Apparently, Reema and them go way back. Before I met her and we partied with your parents. I wouldn’t worry about it. Reema knows what she’s doing.”

  Edan nodded, stacking his empty plate on top of Sanik’s and sliding the tray to the side. The bear cubs had curled up around his legs like dogs and he enjoyed the rhythmic rise and fall of their bellies against his calf as they breathed.

  “I’m glad Tali is coming with us,” Edan added after a minute of silence. “I was a little worried she wouldn’t.”

  “Nah, the way I see it, she’s going anywhere you are. You’re important to her, even if she can't explain why.” Sanik scratched his beard and leaned back, stretching.

  —

  Vraga frowned. He did not like the way the day was going. He had been pleased when the Titan finally left the Traders Guild building, even if she was in the presence of the Guild Head. The pair had taken their time walking across the barren yard to the carriage shed.

  Drifting high overhead Vraga had watched as they entered a carriage, a bald-headed man appearing and hopping in the driver's seat. Following along slowly, Vraga kept a close eye on the carriage as it moved through the wealthier parts of Stratta and headed towards the port.

  Now though, their proximity to the port raised new concerns. Did the Titan seek to flee? The Traders Guild had several cargo vessels and barges that could presumably be used to smuggle someone out of the city.

  Vraga did not like that thought. Not at all. His was not a combat class and Vraga did not like the thought of fighting against the Titan on a vessel, should he go after her. He reached out mentally and felt the connection to one of his oldest pets.

  It was close. Very close. In fact, it was here.

  Perhaps he should wait and attack once she got on the vessel. He doubted she could best his pet. There was a chance she would drown or die though. His pets were not known for being gentle.

  Vraga looked at the carriage as it entered the port and made its way down the line of buildings.

  Reaching out to his other pets Vraga felt a cold smile tug at his lips. They too were close. Perhaps he need not wait.

  The Titan has been seen in the Northern Wilds. There is a camp near the outskirts. Take all you can.

  The message he sent to the City Watch was short and carried enough truths that no one would presume the message to be a distraction. Especially one they found the old camp.

  The others, those brought in by the Sects to help find the Titan and her accomplices, would flock to the location as well.

  Now, all Vraga had to do was give them time to get out of the city. Once he was sure no one would interfere Vraga would launch his attack. If his fellow Elders questioned him later, he would say he had been on the way to feed his pet when he stumbled across the Titan attempting to flee. Anything else was collateral damage and could be blamed on the violent urges of the Titan who resisted during apprehension.

  Vraga pulled at the threads connecting him to his pets.

  Out among the Islets, a patch of dark water turned rough and waves formed as something large began to move toward the shore.