Chapter 4: A Long Way from Home

[Muskrat]

"So, let's find an inn," says Mei-Li. "Master Guang," she calls out, "can you tell us where we can find an inn, someplace clean and safe? Where the honest fishermen go as opposed to, well, some other sorts ?"

[TetNak]

Guang waves goodbye to the xia, giving them thanks again for saving his ailing sister. Mei-Li notices that they are making preparations to leave at once back up the river.

The trio make their way long the wharf square, here many sailors and fisherman can be seen. The day is far gone, and night has taken hold, making the place an unfortunately place to visit. After several wrong turns, they make their away from the wharf and into town.

The paper lanterns guide their way to the more populated streets where reputable inns can be found. There are few people on the side streets, but the light of the city funnels the xia to where more people, and places, exist.

[Muskrat]

Mei-Li stops a passerby and asks, "Tell me, can you suggest an inn to us, one where the local fishermen congregate? We may have business for them."

[Hayabusa]

When Mei-Li asks, Xun-Wen stands by her side, his eyes glancing over their surrounding. He tries to memorize the names and appearance of it all so he can tell about it when he is back home. The xia glances at the street vendors if there are any, curious how much their choice differs from that he saw in the other towns he's been to in the past weeks. He knows that it is not really far away from the kwoon but that doesn't diminish his curiosity about any new place the three visit anyway. His father has travelled a lot in his youth and Xun-Wen is glad that he is doing the same now too. Unfortunately there was nothing about a huge, looming threat for the land in those stories either. At least none he can remember.

[Shurijo]

Anming looks around at the city and while he can't see too far in the night, the lanterns provide some light for the monk to see. He waits to hear the response from Mei-Li's question.

[TetNak]

With the xia already leaving the wharf, the man they stop looks behind them. "Well, there are several inns that way where fisherman frequent."

He shrugs, "The other side of town as well, where the sea docks are located. Most the big boats are there."

[Muskrat]

"Thank you," says Mei-Li and heads in the direction of the inns frequented by the fishermen, looking for one that seems relatively clean and whose customers not acting too wildly.

[Shurijo]

Anming follows after Mei-Li as he watches the others. The monk has never been to a city of this size before, so he marvels at the structures in the harbor district. While it's dark and they group needs to find shelter for the night, the monk tries his best to keep up with the others as he tends to get distracted by many things.

[TetNak]

The wharf on the Seaside district is much larger than that of Riverside. These are the two names the xia have heard used to describe them. Seaside has more inns and more people. Those people do not seem overly rowdy, and for sailors, that is saying something. One inn, called the Saltwater, seems to beckon. Its warm lights shine out onto the street through the open windows. Laughter and music can be heard inside. These seems as good a place as any to find a boat.

[Muskrat]

"Shall we try this place?" Mei-Li asks the others. If they do not object, she heads in and looks around, trying to assess the place and looking to see if there are free spots at the bar, where they might talk to some of the locals.