Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 548: The port of Matamis

Chapter 548: The port of Matamis

/Day 28 of the month of Eos/

The port of Matamis could perhaps be considered the biggest highlight of the independent city-state of Coswell, located to the far east of Ra’as, which caused it to share borders with Kastarus and Khucia.

The other would be the fish market located close to the harbor which was considered the largest in Ra’as and was responsible for the fishy smell that regulars of the city had come to accept as a natural scent.

The streets were filled with five sets of people; the first were traders seeking to sell their wares with some claiming to have brought treasures from faraway lands.

The second were the sailors who were giddy with excitement, after all, they would finally be able to set sail again after a most frightening winter.

The third were the beggars, also known as thieves that could be seen at almost every corner.

The fourth was Razans seeking to either purchase items or sell them to those from faraway lands.

Finally, there were the tourists or, rather, the fugitives seeking a new lease on life after escaping their fates elsewhere.

The Bloody Banquet, like every other place in Ra’as, had left the city in shambles but for some reason, it didn’t stop the usual routine, allowing things to return to normal quickly enough.

If one were to ask, perhaps the only difference was that the city streets were no longer as crowded as last year which was a relief, as it helped to reduce the air pollution the city was quite popular for.

It was into such a city that Alex entered with the aid of Aiden, who had provided an airship, and Lione,l, who helped to ensure that he would have a ship ready to take him to Henos.

Accompanying him were Ana and Ulysses, both of whom were quite excited to be embarking on an adventure, allowing them to take their minds off other matters.

With a general layout of the city provided by Ulysses who had an uncanny ability similar to a compass, the trio quickly made their way to the Sailors guild after dropping their luggage off at a reasonable tavern.

The guild was an unofficial entity that wished to infuse some level of order into the delicate art of seafaring.

The guild building was a modest two-floor affair with a bar on the first floor and an office on the second.

The bar, just like the streets outside, had people from all nationalities present, all joined together in their love for seafaring and a good old bottle of mead accompanied by meat.

Alex stepped up to the bar, where a female bartender was busy arranging cups.

Placing a gold coin along with a note on the table, Alex intoned in Razan. "I’m here to see Captain Jack."

The bartender glanced at him for a moment before reaching out to take the coin and note.

She perused the note’s contents before nodding. "He’s upstairs. Not sure if he’d want to see you but you can check."

"Thanks."

Turning to Ana and Ulysses, he asked them to wait while he handled things.

With that, Alex made his way up the stairs beside the bar before arriving at a modest wooden door that was currently ajar.

He pushed it open to find himself in a dirty office with a strong smell of mead and greasy meat.

The man he was looking for was currently seated at the desk with his head on the table.

He was unmoving, almost like he was dead, but Alex didn’t think that was the case as he pulled up a seat and sat down, waking up Captain Jac,k, who let out a grunt as he sat up on his chair.

Jack was a middle-aged man with bronze skin and a burly physique.

He had an eye patch on his left eye and was dressed in a shirt stained with alcohol and a pair of khaki shorts, revealing his rather hairy legs.

To think that this man’s ancestors had been the ones to captain the ship that brought the Family Heads from Emet to Ra’as.

Alex could only shake his head in disbelief.

Rubbing his cheek with the back of his rather large hand, Jack looked Alex over before inquiring in Razan. "What do you want?"

"I need a ship. I heard you are the man to get one for me."

"Who told you that?" Jack raised a brow.

"Isn’t it common knowledge?" Alex asked back, causing Jack to chuckle.

"Damn right." the man said with a hint of pride. "You came right on time; the winds are just about right, so a lot of sailors are planning on moving out soon."

"Happy to hear that."

"So where are you headed?"

"Henos." Alex calmly replied.

"I see." Jack nodded as he took out a ledger from a drawer in his desk and perused its contents. "Well, a few are going that way, but your options depend on how much coin you have to spare."

"Enough."

"Haha, good, good, well then, for you my friend, I will recommend the best," Jack remarked. "Captain Vissarion would be your best bet. His ship, Athena, is a sturdy one considering it’s one of the newer models made with steel."

"How much would it cost me?"

"That is something you’d discuss with him. All I do is expedite the meeting. To my knowledge, he should be leaving for Henos tomorrow. You can meet him at the docks by 8, I’d let him know that you are coming."

"Much appreciated," Alex remarked as he took out five gold coins and placed them on the desk.

Jack grinned. "Hehe, anytime my friend, anytime."

Alex was just about to take his leave when he paused, a sudden thought coming to mind.

Seeing him reach into his pocket, Jack hoped for more coins but was instead gifted with the drawing of a peculiar individual with green hair.

"Have you seen this man?" Alex asked. "He’s my height and isn’t much of a talker."

Jack scrutinized the image briefly before shaking his head. "Don’t recognize it. You can ask the bartender, Mara, she’s your best bet with regards to information."

"Alright." Alex nodded as he took back the picture and left the office.

He quickly returned downstairs to find that Ana had already become friends with those at the bar, joining them as they engaged in songs about the ocean while downing cup after cup of mead.

Ulysses was at a corner, studying what looked to be a map.

Seeing as they were not in any trouble, Alex moved to engage with the bartender.

"I’m looking for someone. I need to know if he passed by here." Alex remarked.

Mara glanced at him but said nothing, seemingly waiting for something.

Alex let out a sigh as he placed the picture and a gold coin on the counter.

Mara picked both up, pocketing the coin while scanning the image briefly after which she intoned. "It’s been a while. He left as soon as he arrived."

"Where is he now?"

"On a ship or the depths of the sea, either one, he’s long gone."

"Was he alone?"

"No. He was with a woman, a very strange one with a devilish aura. The woman got a ship to Emet, not here, but from among the outcasts."

"I see," Alex muttered as he turned to leave. "Thank you."

"You paid for the information."

Making his way to the entrance of the establishment, Alex snapped after which he sent a mental message to Ana and Ulysses.

Let’s go.

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