The Gate Traveler

Chapter 42: Peaceful and Boring? Most of the Time

The docks were a symphony of pandemonium, a bustling nexus of activity that assaulted the senses from every angle. When I arrived, it looked like complete mayhem. People moved with purpose, though their paths seemed erratic, crisscrossing in a frantic dance of urgency. Shouts and bellows filled the air, creating a cacophony that was both disorienting and oddly rhythmic. Workers pushed hand carts laden with goods, navigating the narrow spaces with practiced ease, while others tossed crates to each other with a precision born of necessity.

The air was thick with the tang of saltwater, mingling with the earthy scent of various cargoes—spices, leather, and fresh produce, all blending into an olfactory tapestry that spoke of distant lands and exotic markets. Occasionally, a less pleasant odor would waft by—the unmistakable stench of rotting fish or refuse, adding an unwelcome note to the sensory overload.

Above the din, seagulls squawked, their cries piercing through the human noise, and the steady lapping of waves against the hulls of ships provided a constant, calming undercurrent. The docks themselves creaked and groaned under the weight of the activity, every plank and post contributing its own voice to the chaotic chorus.

Amidst this organized chaos, I noticed a man standing to the side, seemingly detached from the frenetic energy around him. He was writing on something resembling a clipboard, his focus intense despite the turmoil. His presence was an island of calm in the storm, and I made my way towards him, weaving through the crowd of workers and dodging an errant hand cart that threatened to clip my heels.

“Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me where I can inquire about a passage on a ship?”

He didn’t lift his head from his clipboard but pointed to the right and said, “That building over there.” I looked and located the building.

“Thank you.” He grunted in acknowledgment.

I went to the indicated building and looked inside. It had an open first floor with a long counter and three people working behind it. There was a long line of people, and every time one clerk finished with a customer, the next person in line approached. After the chaos outside, I also expected a mess here, but it was orderly and sedate. The air was cooler inside, carrying the scent of ink and parchment.

I waited in line until it was my turn, which took about half an hour. After I approached the counter, the clerk asked, without lifting his head from his papers, “How can I help you?”

“I’m looking to buy a passage on a ship to Talis. Do you know of any ships sailing that way?”

“We mostly know if the ships are going west or east, not specific destinations, especially not Talis, which is very far from here. You have two options: I can give you a list of ships heading west, and you can approach and ask the captains, or you can pay one silver for a dock runner that will go and ask for you.”

“I will pay.” I gave him a silver coin and added, “The passage is for me and my dog, so I need a ship on which I can take my dog with me.”

He lifted his head for the first time and said, “Some captains might have a problem with that; not all dogs can do their business in a chamber pot.”

“I assure you my dog can, and you can promise the captain.”

He wrote my information on a piece of paper and said, “Come back in two days.”

“Two days? Why so long?”

“It’s late afternoon already, and most runners will be heading home. Your runner will start working tomorrow. He needs a day for each side of the river.”

“Thank you. I’ll return in two days.” He nodded, and I left.

Now, I had to occupy myself for the next two days and maybe longer, depending on the ship. I returned to the inn, had an early dinner, and read a book in my room while scratching Stretch’s ears. The inn’s warmth and the fireplace’s quiet crackling created a cozy atmosphere. Stretch lay contentedly beside me, his soft fur warm under my fingers.

The following morning, I approached Loman, who was busy inspecting a shipment of goods. I cleared my throat to get his attention and asked, “Do you have pawn shops in the city?”

Loman looked up, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered my question. “Of course,” he replied, setting down his ledger. “What are you looking for?”

“I thought to go ask about jewelry,” I explained, shifting my weight from one foot to another.

He thought momentarily and said, “I can direct you to two pawn shops I’m familiar with, but if you’re looking for jewelry, I can pass the word between my customers. Many nobles sell their jewelry to buy new pieces.”

“Thank you,” I said, nodding appreciatively. “Please pass the word and direct me to the pawn shops.”

Loman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notebook. “Do you have paper and charcoal?” he asked, glancing around as if expecting to find some nearby.

I pulled a folded sheet of paper and a pen from my Storage and handed them to him. He took the pen, turning it over in his hand with a look of suspicion. “How do you use that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Smiling, I gently took the pen back and demonstrated, drawing a quick line on the paper. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he watched.

“Just write with it like with charcoal.” Now I understand why Rob, the bath owner, looked at me with such interest.

Loman drew a simple map and explained how to find the shops. I asked Stretch if he wanted to come with me and got a yawn in response. Message received, buddy. Message received.

The first pawn shop was everything I imagined when I looked for pawn shops on Earth. It was dark and dusty, with various unrelated stuff on the shelves—precisely what a pawn shop should look like. The air was musty, carrying the scent of aged wood and metal, a hint of decay that spoke of forgotten treasures and long-lost memories.

The owner saw me as I stepped into the shop, his eyes lighting up with a welcoming smile. “Hello, good sir, how can I help you today?” he greeted, his voice warm and inviting.

“I’m looking to buy jewelry,” I replied, glancing around at the various displays.

“Right away, good sir,” he said, nodding eagerly.

He went to the back to get the jewelry, and I looked at one shelf. It was a strange assortment of stuff. On the same shelf were three spoons and a knife that looked like they belonged to the same set made of silver. A pretty doll of cloth and wood made with fantastic craftsmanship. The doll’s face seemed almost lifelike. A tool that looked like a big scraper with raised edges; I was unsure of its purpose. A box with an empty ink well and three feather pens; one of them looked broken. A ring made of iron and an ugly glass bowl shaped like a clawing hand—weird stuff.

He returned carrying a small wooden box and said, “That is all I have right now.”

The box contained three rings with gems, hoop earrings, a medal with a relief of crossed swords and a bird, a delicate tiara with diamonds, and three brooches with gems. The jewelry was all made of gold. I appraised it, and the total was 317 gold.

“How much?” I asked him.

“250 gold if you take everything. Individual pieces will cost more.”

“I’ll take it.” Not even trying to haggle.

I also purchased some pieces at the other pawn shop. When I inquired about additional pawn shops at the second store, I received directions to another one. The proprietor said there were only three in the city.

I didn’t like the look and feel of the third shop; the owner felt wrong and a criminal. I didn’t know if it was my Sense Honesty, Perception, or Luck, but I didn’t want to have anything to do with him.

“Sorry, wrong shop,” I said and left.

When I returned to the inn, Loman told me some people would come to see me later. The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I spent a few hours in front of the fire with Stretch and witnessed firsthand how many pets and treats he was getting from the staff and the customers. He exuded smugness like body heat when I told him they were spoiling him rotten.

In the late afternoon, Loman approached me and said that the first seller was here but would prefer to meet with me in my room; I agreed and went up. In two minutes, there was a knock on my door, and when I opened it, I saw a pretty young woman.

“Hello, madam. Please come inside,” I said, stepping aside to allow her entrance.

She entered, eyes scanning the room before asking, “I heard you are buying jewelry. Is this true?”

“Yes.”

“Can you guarantee that no one will know about it?” she inquired, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Yes,” I reassured her. “I’m a traveling merchant and don’t know anybody in the city. I’m also leaving in the next few days.”

She relaxed visibly, her shoulders lowering as she produced a cloth pouch from her cloak. Carefully, she opened it and spilled its contents onto the table, revealing several lovely gold pieces. “Will you be interested in those?” she asked, her eyes

We left the city to the east, past the tanners’ area. While walking past it, I thought about checking again with the tanner but decided against it. It was his choice to pass the chance I gave him.

After about a kilometer, we stopped, and I started a fire. I cooked until I filled all my takeaway containers and had ready food in all my personal cooking pots and pans. I even made two pans of lasagna. The savory aroma of cooked meat and herbs filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest. We stayed out all night, and it was dawn already. I was still not tired, so I used one tank to fill all my empty water bottles and rearranged the coolers to see how much meat I had left. After organizing everything, I had three coolers of meat, two coolers of fish, and cooked food for two months for both of us, not including the cooked food I bought.

Additionally, I had an excessive quantity of alcohol that I neither used nor offered for sale. That gave me an idea, and I returned to the inn.

When Loman saw me, he looked worried for a minute, but I told him, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to ask for a room again. I forgot to show you something interesting to buy.”

I took out three crates of bourbon, took out one bottle, and said, “This one is a gift. Open it to taste the product.”

He tasted it, and his eyes widened. “What is that? It’s amazing.”

“A drink produced in my homeland. It will cost you five silver a bottle, and as a gesture of appreciation, I won’t offer it to any other inn.”

I don’t think he ever agreed so fast to anything.

After that, we returned to the warehouse, slept for a few hours, and went out again to refill the emptied water tank.

The next day, I talked with Stretch, “Listen, buddy. On the ship, there is no convenient bush or backyard to pee or poop. So, you will have to do it in a container.” I took out a big plastic bowl and showed him. “After you do your thing, I’ll throw it overboard and clean the bowl. It’s not a big deal if you have an accident, but tell me so I can clean it. But please try to do it in the bowl.”

He didn’t look pleased about the idea, but agreed.

I really love my dog.

I did a last check of everything in my Storage and a final warehouse sweep, and we left for the ship. The air was crisp, and the sky clear as we made our way to the docks, ready for the next leg of our journey.