يتنقل المدينة الميناء مع التجارة
The port city of Ketheer bustled with trade. Large, three-mast warships floated off the harbor like giants among the smaller skiffs and merchant galleys. Rows of bound slaves lined the docks, waiting to be loaded onto the slave ships. Consigned wizards levitated heavy crates and barrels to and from the bigger merchant vessels.
أبحر رنا الحسين طريقها حول الاحواض
Rana al Hassein navigated her way around the docks, looking for the ship her father had contacted for the trip to the Greenbelt. Rana approached one of the dock master podiums, "Excuse me, sir. Could you tell me where the Zephyr's Heart is docked?"
افتتح سيد قفص الاتهام فمه ليتكلم
The dock master opened his mouth to speak, but after a look at the fine clothes and jewels she wore, stifled whatever he was originally going to say and flipped through the mess of papers on the podium before him, "Zephyr's Heart, ah, found it. Let's see, they made port three weeks ago and hailed from Thuvia. Captained by one Baniti Dakara. Hrmm, they haven't paid their docking fee. Are you here to make the payment?"
لا، لا أعرف شيئا من أتعابهم، ولدي عمل مع الكابتن
"No, I know nothing of their fee, I have business with Captain Baniti." Rana pushed a lock of dark hair behind her ear. Well, at least now she knew why the captain of the merchant ship wanted such a large down payment.
ستجد لهم في الطرف الغربي من الاحواض
"You'll find them at the west end of the docks, port 113." The dock master yelled at her as she turned to leave, "... and tell Captain Baniti he has five days to pay up or the satrap will confiscate his ship!"
وجدت رنا القلب والنسيم العليل حيث كان من المفترض أن تكون
Rana found the Zephyr's Heart where it was supposed to be. It was a small, two-masted ship. A dark skinned man walked on deck, yelling orders. The first mate, she assumed. "You there, on the Zephyr, is the Captain on board?"
ايى، قائد أكون هنا
"Aye, the captain be here." She felt the man take in her body before meeting her eyes. He cracked a toothless smile. "He takes his women in the fore cabin," he laughed.
تحول وجه رنا الأحمر
Rana's face turned red, "That is not why I'm here. Please have the captain come out."
صاح الرجل والكابتن ظهر على سطح السفينة
The man yelled and Captain Baniti appeared on deck. He was a portly man, brown skinned and balding. He wore Osirin robes and large gold hoops in his ears. "Lady al Hassein, the Dawnflower bless you. Come, come aboard! Take a look around, everything will be to your satisfaction."
فتشت السفينة رنا
Rana inspected the ship. The space was more than enough for the crates of dark khave beans, and many of the goods and spices her father traded in: silks, dried dates and figs, cinnamon and coriander. A box of heatstones northerners covet would also be sent over. An assorted sample of goods to see what might sell in her brother's fledgling kingdom.
كل شيء يبدو في النظام، الكابتن
"Everything looks in order, captain. I will of course, need my own cabin on deck. Yours, most likely."
ابتسم النقيب وقدمت نصف القوس
The captain smiled and made a half bow, "Of course, for a small additonal fee I can give up my living space."
وهناك غيرها من السفن التي تلبي احتياجاتنا
Rana smiled back, "Captain Baniti, the price set with my father is more than generous. Besides, the dock master said the Zeypher's Heart is about to be confiscated," she narrowed her eyes. "...and there are other ships that meet our needs."
تلاشت ابتسامة الكابتن
The captain's smile faded, "Very well. My cabin is yours." He looked at her hopefully, "Do you have that down payment?"
