"Here we are lil’ gal, you wanted the closest city that’ll lead to Extalia right?" The Ferryman grinned, resting his chin on the side of his spear. The boat rocked slightly before sliding onto the beach. Raising his lantern, the mist began to disperse. In the distance, the toll of a bell could be heard. "Welcome to the Port City Nethril. They call this the last bastion of fools and dreamers. Those that descend from the south anyways." He stabbed his spear into the sand and hopped off before gesturing for Alice to follow. She peered past the retreating mist and saw jagged towers piercing towards the night sky. Flickering windows of orange hues while lanterns lined the streets. Most of the city was veiled in fog so Alice couldn’t make out the details. With Alice now off the boat, The Ferryman prepared to leave. "Ah, actually, is there a way for me to meet you again? In case I want to visit the places you mentioned." Alice asked. It would be a shame to lose contact with such a man. "I wander where I wish. Drift along the seas with no destination in mind! If we are lucky, we will meet again." The Ferryman waved his hand without turning around. But since he made an exception for the Bard, it’s clear that he’s someone who prioritises whatever he finds amusing. If that was the case... "What if I have something that’ll definitely convince you?" Alice asked, folding her arms. "Even if your passenger is someone who’ll take over the Abyss? If you sail these waters, shouldn’t you pay some rent?" Alice conjured the three relics and the realm began to react. The Ferryman paused in his steps and glanced back. A small smile appeared on his face. Seeing the way the realm was reacting, it was similar to when he became a Lord. A clear favouritism. Though in this case, it was far stronger. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Abyss was bowing down to her. "I’ll be damned." He let out a laugh and brushed his hair back. Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a single golden coin with a skull on it. Placing it on his thumb, he flicked it towards Alice. "One time. That’s all I allow. More than that and I’ll even give up these waters that I enjoy sailing! So don’t push your luck lil’ gal!" He held up his index finger before jumping onto his boat. With a single push of his spear, his figure retreated into the mist. The song that the bard had given to him echoed faintly before silence descended on the beach. [Quite a strange fellow. Though I suppose he’s the kind that values his freedom over someone chaining him down. The fact that he gave you one exception could be respect towards your position.] Cayla folded her arms in amusement. ’True. Though I’m already grateful for one exception.’ Alice nodded. Tossing the coin up into the air, she caught it and threw it into her pouch. For now, she’ll stock up a little in this city before making her way to the surface. She couldn’t deny a part of it was so that she could delay going to the Zenia family for a little while. Entering the city from the beach, Alice could hear the shouts of Merchants standing around the streets. They hollered their wares, presenting all sorts of trinkets and merchandise to those that passed. Pearls from deep beneath the waves, premium goods from the surface. Whatever you want, one of them would have. In the distance, giant boats veiled in fog waited by the docks, each one bigger than even giant beasts that Alice had seen. Children dressed in different clothing darted past her. Some had outfits unique to the Abyss, partially practical merged with fashion. Leather wraps, belts around the waist with different components and tough yet flexible cloth. In some aspects, it reminded Alice of her first hunting attire. One that was given to her by Sera. But among these people were no shortage of those that had just arrived from the surface. They were pale faced and clearly not used to the faint hints of miasma that floated in the air. In some sense, it was similar to living in a heavily polluted city, lacking any form of clean air. Stuffy and uncomfortable for those who aren’t used to the environment. Alice paused at the sight of a tavern located just off the main road. A sign marked with a goblet and grapes on the side. She checked her pouch. Indeed, she was running a little low on mead. Lower than she preferred. Before even buying rations or other things that she may need, Alice decided to first restock on mead. As she stepped inside, she saw the bustling tables packed with customers. People drinking and laughing by the side, playing dice games and some messing around with cards. Some glanced over at the new arrival before carrying on with their day. Alice approached the barkeeper. A stout woman with dirty blonde hair tied up into a bun. "Gonna need some ID. Unless I’m wrong, I can’t be serving kids ’ere." She rested her arm over the counter and glanced down at Alice. Rummaging through her pouch, Alice eventually found the worn out ID that Allura had made for her a while back. The woman squinted, her gaze darting back and forth between Alice and the card. In the end, she accepted it and tapped her finger against the wooden board behind her. "Menu. Give me a shout when you want to order." After saying so, she moved over to one of the regulars. He grunted his order and she filled a jug with a strange, thick black mead. Almost tar like in viscosity yet the man’s eyes lit up like stars. Thanking the woman, he grabbed his drink and walked away. Alice decided to try the meads one by one. She wanted to find her favourite before buying in bulk. Not only that, but the taverns were the perfect place to hear about rumours. Since this is the closest city before reaching the surface, Alice guessed that there would be some news about the Zenia family. And even if there wasn’t, she should be able to get a rough idea of what the surface was like right now. The stories she overheard varied in nature. Most of it monotonous. The kind that spoke about day to day life. Wives meeting up with old friends, fishermen boasting about their catches. Mothers praising the success of their children and even ambitious young men who couldn’t wait to embark on their next hunt. Alice sipped on her mead, enjoying the flavours. The Mead of Nethril focused more on the... texture rather than taste. Of course, there were a few hidden gems that Alice made a mental note of. Since most of the chatter wasn’t useful, she decided it was about time to finalise her order before leaving. But right before she was about to order, she overheard an interesting rumour. "...I tell you, he’s no ordinary man. They say he laid his hands on a boy who accidentally dunked his foot in and the corruption disappeared like magic." "Yes way. No scars, no aftereffects. No invisible side effects either. The lad was unharmed, as if he never touched the waters in the first place." Alice raised her eyebrow. Now this was a tale worth listening to. She placed her lips on her mug and focused on their conversation. "They call him a divine healer, better than most. Enough where he could even rival the Gods themselves. A miracle worker who can fix you no matter what. Powers that no priest, no alchemist and no Hunter can perform." The man’s companion scoffed, clearly not buying the tale. "Bullsh*t. Isn’t that just heresy? Rival the Gods? Sounds to me he wants Solaris’ spear up his arse!" He rolled his eyes, finishing his drink. "The Abyss Waters are the worst corruption this realm can grant ye. It’s not something that can just be undone like that. Only mitigated but never undone." "You’re saying that but why do you think a bunch of people ’ave come ’ere? They’re looking for him, the healer. Heck, one even said a Lord is planning to visit." Their conversation later devolved into a conversation about Lords which Alice quickly lost interest. She placed her mug down, amusement on her face. [Hmm... it’s certainly an interesting one. It’s as the guy’s companion said, Abyss Water can only be mitigated not undone. You’re the first and only case aside from Velouria that can just shrug it off like nothing.] Cayla replied, intrigued by this ’divine healer’. ’Do you think it could have something to do with the Zenia family? They are trying to reproduce something with a similar potency to your blood after all.’ Alyss spoke up. ’No clue. But it’s worth checking out. Depending on who they are, I might even be able to recruit them as a healer that we need.’ Alice grinned, clearly optimistic. Finishing her drink, she placed a large order of her favourite mead from this establishment. Hearing the quantity that Alice was requesting, the barkeeper was sceptical but that doubt faded away instantly after Alice handed over the coin. "We’re almost there dear. Just hang on a little longer." A well dressed gentleman spoke while reading a book. He sat next to a bed, unbothered. Writhing under the covers, a woman dressed in bandages gripped the bedframe. She glared at him. Her mouth was disfigured, unable to speak a single word but her bloodshot eyes spoke a thousand. "Lord Merias, we’re about to reach the city." A guard spoke from outside the door. Closing his book, Theron Merias nodded. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N()velFire.net He had been searching for a potential cure for his wife’s condition after a little incident. Hopefully, after all this time, a solution will be found with this ’divine healer’.