Embers by Embers (epub)

Author:Embers (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2022-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Dravos noticed the sun was sinking below the bay, and still, the closing bell hadn’t rung. He thought about leaving early, but he remembered the ear full he got from Overseer Martin the last time he snuck off early. The docks were busier than ever, now that winter had fully set in, making shipping goods across land a slow, miserable process. Not that it was much better on the docks. Icy winds from the sea had swept across the city, and mixtures of snow, sleet, and ice had peppered the rooftops, making his meetings with Sophie few and far between. By chance, the weather this evening was perfect, the worst of the winter storms taking a reprieve. The chill in the air could be easily fended off by a small fire and an evening by Silver Pond. If the docks would ever close, that is.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the workday. Dravos rushed past Overseer Martin, who shouted after him, “You forgot to collect your wages!”

“No time!” replied Dravos. “I’ll get them tomorrow!”

“I’m not a damn banker, you know!” Martin shouted in return.

Dravos really hoped that was an option and that the Overseer wouldn’t just pocket the coin himself. He ran full speed around the corner, through the dock entrance, and slammed into a worker carrying a basket of fish. They both tumbled to the ground. Freshly gutted bluegills littered the street and covered both of the men in guts. “I’m so sorry,” Dravos said as the man looked back at him furiously. As Dravos spoke, the smell of fish flooded his senses, and he nearly gagged. In his lap, the lifeless stare of a shiny, blue-scaled fish looked up at him. He stood and attempted to wipe the fish parts from his clothes but pulled back fingers covered in a thin slime.

“That was a whole day’s catch!” the fisherman finally managed to stammer in anger.

Dravos started grabbing fish from the road and tossing them back into the basket. “Don’t worry. Just wash them a little and they will be good as new. See, this one isn’t even that dirty,” Dravos said optimistically. The fisherman started to retort, but Dravos was already off again, running as fast as he could to meet Sophie.

***

“I thought you were going to stand me up,” Sophie said. “To think if I snuck this food from the Academy’s kitchen for nothing.”

“You know I would never leave you waiting longer than I can help it,” Dravos said.

“Well, I’m thankful it wasn’t a moment longer.” She stopped as she got close to him. “Jorah’s grace, what happened to you? That smell, is um… interesting?”

Dravos’ cheeks turned red with embarrassment. “Sorry. I had a bit of an accident as I was leaving the docks and didn’t have time to change. Is it bad?” Dravos wasn’t sure why he asked the question because he already knew the answer. The smell wasn’t just bad. It was terrible.”

“No, no it’s fine,” Sophie said, trying her best to smile. “But we have plenty of time if you wanted to go wash up a bit.

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