System Break

His faded red cap was tilted showing his near bald scalp beneath and his darkened skin was weathered from years on the sea. Kysandre's father, the captain of a large fishing vessel considered me while puffing on a pipe.

"I will take you to the ship builder," he said.

I nodded. "Thanks. Do you have time for a trip north?"

"No," he said. "But we will make time." He was short, wiry but deceptively strong. As he walked up the dry dock his gait made it seem like he was more accustomed to being on a rocking ship than stable land.

The ship builder's home was the largest on the docks. It stretched from the front of the dock all the way to the rear and was at the western most end. We entered through the wide door and I could see why. It was a home and workshop in one. 

In the centre was a type of drydock. It was empty at the moment, but a ship could be raised and lowered into the water beneath using pulleys and ropes. Slats of wood covered the gap sporadically and if you weren't careful you could fall through the floor into the water. Either side of the dry dock were normal boards which we walked down to find the ship builder.

"Fernando," the captain called.

An old man covered in sawdust appeared from the kitchen at the end of the workshop. There were stairs in the corner leading up to a second story which covered the rear section.

"Hola Captain," Fernando said, and peered at us. "I take it these are the forestfolk." 

He nodded. 

"What sort of ship do you want with your fine wood?"

I was surprised, I looked at the Captain who nodded. "We went north four days ago. We saw your docks and my daughters cabin, but she wasn't there. One of your people, Elred, told us the story and gave us wood to bring south."

"How did you get it back here?"

"Wood floats," the captain said dryly.

A young woman whisked down the stairs and said, "Father." She handed the ship builder a leather case. He opened it and pulled out a few sketches. He placed them on one of his several workbenches and spread them out.

"Take a look. These are my new designs."

There were large and small ships. Some were wide and low and looked like they were built to haul cargo. Another was a fishing vessel like the captains and then there was a long thin boat with a tall sail.

"Is this the fastest?" I asked.

"Si, it will be a fast one that. You can row if there is dead wind but there is not much space for cargo or fish."

"I think it will suit us," I said. "How many people can it carry."

He looked me up and down. "Four like you, six or seven regular folk."

"It looks like its perfect for rivers," I said.

"Si, she'll handle rivers beautifully. She turns on a coin only her length could be an issue on the smaller rivers."

"How much?" I asked.

Fernando looked at the captain who nodded.

"You pay in qi?"

"Yes."

"You provided the wood," he said. "It is too much wood, but I will need to purchase steel and cloth for the sails."

"We can provide the cloth if you give me a drawing," I said. 

"It has to be strong. It's not some flimsy dress."

I nodded. "I'm sure our artisans can make the strongest. They are just novices when it comes to sail design."

The captain leaned forward to look over the designs. "Light and strong is the best. It needs to last, and you need spares. A sail can rip in a storm, or if mistreated or some monster decides to claw at it."

Fernando nodded to his daughter. "Chica, bring a sail design to suit the longboat."

"Yes father." She nodded and ran back up the stairs.

"How long?" I asked.

"Thirty days and it will be perfect. I will not rush it so don't ask for faster."

"I like perfect."

I handed the drawing of the longboat to Gisael and she peered at it before passing it on to Peppin.

"Two pounds," Fernando said.

"Done," I replied and nodded to Gisael. She removed her pack and started placing qi cores on the workbench.

"Come," Fernando said when she finished. We followed him and he pulled the canvas cover from the wood in the centre of the drydock. "Do not fall," he said.

"This is Cedar and Oak. Oak is stronger and we will use it for the skeleton and the mast. Cedar is faster through the water, lighter and flexible. It will be the majority of the hull and deck. You will have a cabin you can use to store goods or sleep in but not much else. We can fit the deck with three sets of oars at the expense of sails."

"One rowing bench is enough, we want maximum sails," I said.

He nodded. "It will buck like a frisky bitch in high wind. I hope you can handle her."

I laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way." I wondered how Elred knew which lumber to choose. He was wise and we were lucky to have him. "I have a good feeling about this ship already."

"What will her name be?" Peppin asked.

I shrugged. "What do you think?" I asked Peppin and Gisael.

"You are Svartalfar and the ship is from the forest wood," Peppin said. "It's long and thin so I think Svelte is a good name for her."

Gisael nodded. 

"Okay, Svelte it is."

"That's a good name," the captain said with a smile. He packed his pipe and was about to light it again until Fernando put a hand on his arm.

"I'm covered in sawdust; you can wait until you're outside before you smoke."

The captain did not argue, he smiled sheepishly and put his pipe away. The young woman arrived back with a couple of drawings for the sails. I handed her the leather case with the treaties and she rolled them up carefully and slid them inside.

The captain looked towards the door. "We done here?"

I nodded and so did Fernando. We said our farewells and followed the captain to his ship.

"You may board," he said, and we followed him on. He set about ordering his crew and we pushed off within minutes.

"There's something I want you to see before we go." He looked east. "Wherever it is we're going." He was about to say more but was interrupted by a loud crash.

The docks themselves shook and smoke rose from the city.

"What was that?" he said. He looked around and his crew shrugged. They all peered towards the city.

I called on Demon Bird who was not too far to the east feasting.

"The monster?" Peppin said.

"We'll know soon enough."

The captain sighed. "This will delay our trip?"

"The city might be under attack," I said and glanced at him.

He shrugged. "When they tried to murder my daughter my heart and this city were parted. I don't care what happens to it."

"Demon Bird is on his way," I said. "We'll know soon enough."