An Anima Journey [Part 10/End]

Part 10 / End

  Praza stays on the deck with Geralt as the crewman fetches the captain from his quarters. He returns with a rather sophisticated-looking man; definitely something Praza was not expecting to notice. The man addresses her. "My name is Captain Ezra. May I ask your name?"

  "Praza." She states. She sees the captain and crewman exchange a nod before the crewman leaves. Praza looks at Captain Ezra. "Is something wrong?"

  "No, no." Captain Ezra folds his arms. "My crewman just fears for your safety. He said he saw someone nearby that looked like they were ready to pounce on you." He sees Praza tense up. "Don't worry, you are safe up here. Now, what did you need?"

  "Passage off of Lannet." Praza states bluntly. "As long as your next station isn't Lannet or Shivat, I'll be fine. I just need to leave."

  The captain is speechless for a moment. "Well, I normally only take cargo, but a single passenger and horse shouldn't be too much of a problem. It will cost you though."

  "Name the price."

  "Ten gold." The captain quotes to her.

  Praza presses her lips together. She knew she had the gold, but she didn't want the captain and crew to know she had that much. In the end, it was an important matter. "Fine."

  Just as she wants to say more, she hears the crewman come back to his captain. "That creep has been following her." The crewman reports to Captain Ezra. "Ever since her last sighting at the market in that other city nearby. I've got people saying he's been asking about someone who looks like her. Claims that he needs to chat with her about her horse and her crochet work." He looks to Praza. "I can only imagine what you did to make him that crazed. I managed to send him away from the deck. I had to lie, but I think it was worth it. We don't need that type of hassle before we head off." He winks to the Captain. "Seems like this one will be good luck instead of bad luck to have around. She's a yarn weaver. Could be useful." Praza passes her gaze between the two men.

  Captain Ezra glances at her and around the ship. "I'll give you part of the cargo hold as a place to rest for you and your horse for an extra couple of coins. I don't want the rest of the crew hovering over you."

   Praza nods. "Fair enough. Twelve gold coins?"

  "Twelve gold coins." The captain agrees.

  A man paces the area beyond the docks, waiting. He wants to catch Praza; at least, that is what he heard her name was. It had to be her. It had to be the one he has been hunting down since she stole the yarn. He watches the last ship leave and curses himself for being lost in thought. Where was Praza? He looks around the dock and goes into a view bars and an inn. No one had seen her, but they said the crewman seemed relieved when the man hadn't found Praza yet. The man mutters curses to himself as he leaves to sit under the stars. "I will find you, Ms. Praza. You must pay for what you have done." He whispers into the night air.