Decision (Part two)

The sky was azure, with no seagulls soaring freely overhead. A sailor on the lookout tower let out a cheer.

A swift boat headed straight toward them. It was the harbor pilot boat.

Captain Dysenge stood at the bow, waving in greeting, then ordered his ship toward the dock.

The dock was paved with wooden planks that creaked underfoot.

A dock supervisor came forward and waited for the ship to berth. "Sir, where have you come from? What cargo are you carrying?"

"I come from the Aisk Kingdom, and all our cargo is grain!" Dysenge said proudly, waving a hand. "We serve Viscount Tatexiao. We've brought three ships this time!"

With the Demon Calamity over in the Aisk Kingdom, the entire country had finally begun restoring production. The winter wheat harvest that June had eased the kingdom's food shortage.

The Tatshaw Territory, of course, had enjoyed bumper harvests for several years. Apart from what it kept for its own needs, its grain was sold elsewhere in the kingdom. Romon had only been away for a year, and the seeds were only on their second planting, so the territory had enjoyed another abundant harvest.

On the lady of the territory's orders, the three ships had sailed all this way to deliver their grain to the local Pilgrimage Trading Guild.

These ships belonged to a viscount, and they were carrying grain at that. The supervisor immediately grew more respectful, removing his hat and bowing. "Welcome to our port. Please come in!"

Several broad roads led from the docks to the city. Dysenge finished the formalities, and someone was sent to notify the Pilgrimage Trading Guild. He ordered the sailors to rotate watch duty and shore leave in groups of one-third, then looked around the dock district himself.

To his surprise, the place