Two weeks passed since the blast at the bridge and Pino had fully recovered from his injuries, the pain from his wounds fading into memory.
By this time, Tormund had already departed Bridgetown and returned to Adalan. As a parting gift and a symbol of his gratitude, he sent Pino a brand new set of shield and armor including a cuirass, pauldron, faulds and bracers, all made to fit his Werewolf frame. A gift worthy for someone who wanted to protect others.
The official report on the bridge incident declared that the explosion was a scheme orchestrated by a rebel group that operated in the slums. This was the reason why Adalan's army attacked and laid waste to nearly a quarter of the impoverished area. According to their account, a fierce battle was fought between the valiant soldiers and the vile rebels, brave men nobly fought for their kingdom against traitorous insurgents. In truth, it was no battle at all, but a massacre—a brutal display of power, its message written with blood: None may stand against the Crown.
Together, Eris' party numbered six in total: her, Straf, Lili, Pell, Pino and Karan. She felt satisfied with her members, each brought their own unique skills and expertise to the group. Their combined strenghts made for a 'complete' party capable of facing the challenges that may lie ahead.
It's time for another dungeon mission.
Together, they made their way to the guild house and inquired about available quests.
"Good day, miss Eris," Masa, the guild receptionist cheerfully greeted. "Um, are you perhaps mister Pino, the hero at the bridge?" her question directed at the large cloaked figure.
Pino nodded silently, still wary of attracting unwanted attention.
"Good day to you too, Masa. We were hoping you could assign us a dungeon mission," Eris asked politely, offering her a warm smile.
Masa ran her fingers through the pile of neatly stacked documents in her desk. "Let me see.. Oh, here. It looks like we do have one for a party of six. It's across River Nephar, south of Adalan," she replied, handing over the map and a magical compass to Eris. "If you'll go, I suggest taking the ferry. It's faster to travel by boat than to cross the land bridge."
After examining the details, Eris accepted the quest with a firm nod, "Thanks Masa. We'll take this one."
"Good luck to you, miss Eris—and your party!"
The group made their way to the north part of town where the port was situated. At the port, piers jutted into the water, each one lined with watercraft of every kind—large ferries that carried up to twenty passengers, weather-beaten fishing boats and stacked merchant vessels all rocking gently with the tide.
Cool breeze brushed across their skin, as the damp fishy smell of the river camped in their nostrils. River Nephar was named after the Water Mage of the First Party, Nepharia, who was believed to have helped her party cross the massive river. It was no mere stream but rather a vast expanse that looked like an endless sea, leaving no hint of the land beyond. Standing at its bank, one felt small—insignificant even, like a single drop of water to the ocean. Its presence was undeniable—a force of nature that shaped the lives of the Sha'ayan people, depending on its banks for nourishment and life.
Eris handed over seven silvers to the ferryman. Price for the passage was one silver for each of them, and an additional one for the huge Pino. They shuffled up the gangplank one after another, careful not to fall in the water as the old wood creaked under their weight. Other passengers had already occupied their own corners in the deck, all of them having their own purpose for going across the river—some for trade, others for hopes of a better life and a few, like Eris and her party, for adventures.
Instead of oars, the ferryman stood at the helm with his hands firmly gripped onto a steering wheel. He channeled Mana into the deep blue gemstone at the center of the structure, which is connected to the hull of the boat, allowing the ferryman to control the water below—one of the many practical applications of Ore Alchemy.
Accompanying the ferryman were two mages. They were the twins Kia and Kiyel, sworn to protect the vessel from river monsters or raiders. While other passengers squatted down, afraid of losing their balance, both mages stood firmly upon the deck, holding their ground against the restless currents—a mark of their veteran poise. Their cloaks fluterred in the river breeze, only hindered by the staffs at their back.
At the end of each staff gleamed a dark blue stone, similar to that of the ferry's wheel—a water stone, also known as Lazuli. Unlike Lili's staff that only aid in her Spellcasting, as she can cast spells even without it, mages relied solely on their staff for their abilities. Though similar in appearance, the two Lazuli staffs had different effects due to the nature of their construction. Kia had a more 'typical' one that granted her limited dominion over water, while Kiyel had a 'frost' variant that allowed him to harden the water into ice.
"Wow, look at that!" Eris exclaimed, her voice filled with awe as her eyes widened at the scenery—clear blue skies reflected in the sapphire waves below, Bridgetown becoming a mere silhouette in the distance with each passing moment. "We're really going to the other side, huh?" It was her first time travelling to the east.
"Nothing special there, really," Karan commented. "It's just the same place wherever you go."
Karan, Pell and Pino all had come from the east, each carrying painful memories from their past—Karan with his father, and Pell and Pino with the Wolf incident and the Holy Empire. As such, they did not carry the same excitement as Eris and the others had.
Even with the ferry's speed, the trip would last almost half a day. They departed the port early morning and was expected to arrive at their destination by dusk. It was a long journey, a reminder of the river's immense breadth.
For some time, the ferry glided steadily across the water's surface. The passengers had grown comfortable with some of them already sleeping on the deck. Lili, however, was not so fortunate. She sat hunched near the edge, her face pale and clammy, beads of sweat trickling from her forehead despite the cool breeze.
"Ugggghhh—are we.. there yet?" her stomach churned with every sway, the gentle rocking felt like a hammer to her head.
"Here take this, something for the river sickness," Straf pressed a small vial of tonic to Lili.
The weary girl lifted her droopy eyes, her hands trembling as she took the herbal mixture and downed it without hesitation. She winced at the bitter aftertaste, her face scrunched, coughing heavily as if to put the medicine back out. Soon after, the nausea eased, color returning to her face.
"—Aaaah," she groaned slightly, letting out a sigh of relief. "Um.. thanks.. I feel better now," muttering under her breath, her cheeks tinged pink. She felt awkward showing him gratitude, because for the most part of their time together, she had always met him with sharp words and fiery banter—though not as enemies, but more like cat and dog.
"Don't mention it," Straf replied, giving her a lopsided smile.
The day felt calm, uneventful—until it came.
THOOOM!!
A loud bang resounded in the air, as the ferry lurched violently. The force of the impact was enough to make some passengers stumble, knocking them off their feet.
"Get down!!" Kiyel roared, his voice cutting through the panicked screams.
Something had struck the hull—something huge.
Kia and Kiyel readied their staffs.
A large shadow stirred under the surface, subtle ripples broke against the current in an unnatural pattern. Then, the surface bulged forming a mound of water, slowly revealing what lay underneath.
"Brace yourselves!" Kia bellowed.