93rd of Ashan, Arc 718 - Dusk
Voices rang out along the docks of Rharne as boatmen advertised passage to see a startling phenomenon. Their calls mingled into a cacophony of sound as tourists and a few daring locals milled around the water’s edge.
“Come one come all! Come see the island lights!” A woman cried, her brunette locks were tied back in a neat bun and she wore a commoners garb of hemp trousers and a maroon belted cotton tunic. She stood with an oar in hand at the edge of a dock where her careworn rowboat sat anchored.
“Only one gold nel for passage to Isle Vyrelle and the return trip!” she called as loudly as she could. Her voice was nearly hoarse from shouting, but she continued to do so, all for the hope of reaping some profit that night. A pair of washerwomen with threadbare clothing and half a dozen children paid the fare and slipped into her rowboat, their faces flush with delight. There were a few more seats available on the woman’s little boat, but it would certainly be a tight fit.
Nearby, a middle aged man in a fine blue wool coat with brass buttons and a squat captain’s hat advertised his services as well. His boat was a single masted sloop that looked quite new, with a fresh coat of gleaming white paint, comfortable padded seats on the deck along with a small cabin on board. He was no common ferryman, but instead ran a successful tourist business, selling passage on his ship, the Serenity for chartered trips around Lake Lovalus.
“My good people, I offer more than simple passage, let me take you to see the lights in style. Passage plus a glass of Starlight and a wonderful dinner will cost you naught but a mere eight gold nels!” His deep baritone voice echoed high above the other hastily shouted offers. Several well-dressed couples who were clearly residents of the esteemed Glass Quarter paid the fare and walked on boat where glittering glasses of wine were waiting for them on a tray. There was plenty of space left on the sloop, and within the small cabin the scent of roast chicken and honey glazed vegetables could be detected in the air.
Beyond the hubbub surrounding the Rharne docks, in the distance where the last glorious rays of sunlight vanished below the horizon was Isle Vyrelle. All around the island small colorful orbs of light danced on the waves surrounding its shores. It was vibrant with colors, pastel hues of green, blue and purple lazily drifted about. A stream of boats were already in transit with decks full of tourists, and as those boats neared the shores of the island the lights would drift toward the vessels, as if coaxing them closer before retreating back to the island. The boats followed, with transfixed and delighted passengers squealing with excitement.
Isle Vyrelle had always been a wondrous place, with its bioluminescent plants and lovely beaches, but few had ever ventured there at night. To-trial was the exception as nothing like these lights had ever been seen before. Sadly, tonight might well be the last night that anyone would have a chance at taking a proper look at the lights, since the Lightning Knights were scheduled to shut off the island to the public in the morning. A male tourist had gone missing a few trials prior and an investigation was to be launched.
This would be the last opportunity to see the phenomenon; Or at least that was the rumor milling around the city. Perhaps it was true, or perhaps it was not but the ferry-masters at the docks would sell whatever lie they could to fill their boats to the brim that night with paying customers.
Regardless of the truth, those who were interested in partaking in the journey across the water only had one choice; to ride there in style or to be crammed into the rowboat filled with paupers and commoners.
No matter their choice, it would be a night to remember.
“Come one come all! Come see the island lights!” A woman cried, her brunette locks were tied back in a neat bun and she wore a commoners garb of hemp trousers and a maroon belted cotton tunic. She stood with an oar in hand at the edge of a dock where her careworn rowboat sat anchored.
“Only one gold nel for passage to Isle Vyrelle and the return trip!” she called as loudly as she could. Her voice was nearly hoarse from shouting, but she continued to do so, all for the hope of reaping some profit that night. A pair of washerwomen with threadbare clothing and half a dozen children paid the fare and slipped into her rowboat, their faces flush with delight. There were a few more seats available on the woman’s little boat, but it would certainly be a tight fit.
Nearby, a middle aged man in a fine blue wool coat with brass buttons and a squat captain’s hat advertised his services as well. His boat was a single masted sloop that looked quite new, with a fresh coat of gleaming white paint, comfortable padded seats on the deck along with a small cabin on board. He was no common ferryman, but instead ran a successful tourist business, selling passage on his ship, the Serenity for chartered trips around Lake Lovalus.
“My good people, I offer more than simple passage, let me take you to see the lights in style. Passage plus a glass of Starlight and a wonderful dinner will cost you naught but a mere eight gold nels!” His deep baritone voice echoed high above the other hastily shouted offers. Several well-dressed couples who were clearly residents of the esteemed Glass Quarter paid the fare and walked on boat where glittering glasses of wine were waiting for them on a tray. There was plenty of space left on the sloop, and within the small cabin the scent of roast chicken and honey glazed vegetables could be detected in the air.
Beyond the hubbub surrounding the Rharne docks, in the distance where the last glorious rays of sunlight vanished below the horizon was Isle Vyrelle. All around the island small colorful orbs of light danced on the waves surrounding its shores. It was vibrant with colors, pastel hues of green, blue and purple lazily drifted about. A stream of boats were already in transit with decks full of tourists, and as those boats neared the shores of the island the lights would drift toward the vessels, as if coaxing them closer before retreating back to the island. The boats followed, with transfixed and delighted passengers squealing with excitement.
Isle Vyrelle had always been a wondrous place, with its bioluminescent plants and lovely beaches, but few had ever ventured there at night. To-trial was the exception as nothing like these lights had ever been seen before. Sadly, tonight might well be the last night that anyone would have a chance at taking a proper look at the lights, since the Lightning Knights were scheduled to shut off the island to the public in the morning. A male tourist had gone missing a few trials prior and an investigation was to be launched.
This would be the last opportunity to see the phenomenon; Or at least that was the rumor milling around the city. Perhaps it was true, or perhaps it was not but the ferry-masters at the docks would sell whatever lie they could to fill their boats to the brim that night with paying customers.
Regardless of the truth, those who were interested in partaking in the journey across the water only had one choice; to ride there in style or to be crammed into the rowboat filled with paupers and commoners.
No matter their choice, it would be a night to remember.
