Chapter 574 – Flotsam

There was no 'mooring' at Flotsam. The Seductress and twenty Rown Company ships drew close to the floating town. They were then given heavy ropes to secure around the base of their masts and chains hooked into the cleats. Heavy posts wedged between vessels to keep them from drifting into each other. Finally, wide ramps were laid on top to connect everything together, permitting walkable access to adjacent ships.

As if on queue, the people of Flotsam made themselves welcome on their flotilla. They pulled carts of trade goods and some just wanted to say hello. It was beginning to feel a little like edirashems in Savir, but with a lot more rocking instead of a bumpy ride.

Kanae squeezed past with Hilde and Gretchen. The three eventually got fed up and lifted into the air. They flew into the city of amalgamated junk and parts. Flotsam residences went about their day like any other settlement. An unceasing hammering hadn't stopped since they arrived. The floating city looked to be under constant construction. Each building hadn't been built or repaired with a single uniform material, but with whatever they had on hand. Folks sat on the edge of the piers, catching any fish that came too close. Children swam in the waters or jumped from raft to raft.

It reminded Kanae of one giant jungle gym at a park, except not made to look pretty. They landed away from the crowds, and she was surprised by how stable the ground was on Flotsam compared to on a ship. Maybe the sheer weight and size of the city was the reason for that.

"I can't believe a place like this exists out here." Kanae marveled.

"Mmm…" Gretchen didn't seem to share the same sentiments.

"What's wrong? Not to your high elven liking?" she asked.

The half-succubus shook her head. "Most definitely not. Flotsam is a lawless place. When I was still Archbishop, Radevic and Ortesia would try to come up with a plan to rein these miscreants in. You must understand, because Flotsam does not fall under any countries' borders, they govern themselves. It runs rampant with drug and slave trafficking, illegal magical equipment trade, unsanctioned gambling, gladiatorial bloodsports, and more."

"It smells, too…" Hilde sulked, holding a handkerchief up to her nose.

Kanae rubbed her chin and frowned. She had definitely brought the people for the job. Edina, Renya, and Claudia would have loved Flotsam.

"Gods, my neck is killing me!" Vestrid cracked her neck coming through the crowds. She and Petyr were a sight for sore eyes, sticking out among the populace due to their heights. Some folks made a wide berth around them, too.

"Hmm. It just came to my attention that you two really look like you're from Ortesia when standing together," Kanae said.

Vestrid and Petyr looked at each other. The drakeling was only half a head taller than Petyr, as was normal for her race. However, Petyr being almost as tall as Vestrid made them appear terrifying for the average hooligan.

Or at least that was what Kanae thought. A quick look around them, and some unsavory rogues lurked in dark corners— of which there were plenty in Flotsam— who watched from afar.

"Amethyst Hall." Thedia marched up with a few worried men flanking her. "If you will follow me, I have an important matter to discuss with you. Stay close and do not wander off."

Kanae motioned everyone to fall into rank. They followed Thedia through the slum-like maze of Flotsam's inner depths. People walked above them on zigzagging rafters. Schools of fish drifted past underneath in the waters alongside trash and debris. Inside one building, a group cheered as two chained dire wolves tore each other to shreds.

They entered what appeared to be a merchant alley packed to the brim to the point of being shoulder to shoulder with someone. The winding corridor seemed like it stretched on forever.

Someone suddenly shoved a fistful of necklaces made with shells into Kanae's face.

"Would you like to buy? It's good luck to wear when you're out at sea!" A grimy hand pointed at one. "This ensures calm seas." The finger pointed at another. "This promises you bountiful catches!"

"N-No, thank you!" Kanae replied.

Thedia stopped in front of a stall manned by two muscular beastmen. They were selling foul-smelling fish that might not be so fresh anymore. Flies swarmed the carcasses, and Kanae swore she noticed squirming within the flesh.

"Your selection is lacking. I'd like to browse your fresh catches!" Thedia exclaimed over the ruckus, then stuck her tongue out.

The seated beastman nodded to the standing one, and he stepped aside from a curtain of strung beads. He pulled them away and gestured to everyone to go inside.

As soon as they entered, the commotion outside had diminished to a dull drone. Another guard at the end of the short hall opened the door for them. Kanae stepped in coughing. The air was smokey and tasted strangely of pineapples. Drapes had been pulled over the windows to keep as much of the fumes in. Lanterns hanging from the rafters illuminated a drug den. People were sprawled out on cushions, seated with their heads rolled back, and lounging within semi-private booths with only a torn piece of sail to hide behind.

Petyr growled and balled up two fists.

"Now this would've been a wonderland for Camilla." Vestrid sucked in a deep breath through her nose.

"No kidding," Kanae said, watching a woman blow glittering powder from both palms into the face of another. Some of the substance wafted over, and she breathed some of it in. Whatever it was took effect immediately. Her brain tingled warmly. Colors melted together. The room began to spin.

"Careful, my dear." Hilde grabbed Kanae's hand and steadied her.

"Ugh. What was that?" She winced.

"Most likely glitterbang. Made from a hallucinogenic mushroom from Toadstool Forest, dried and grounded, then laced with crushed crystallized mana. Fear not. It doesn't last very long," Thedia explained.

The effects subsided by the time they entered a meeting room of sorts. It was furnished with a long table that once looked to be a part of a ship's deck. Servants brought them food and refreshments. When one came in with a plate of powder that looked like glitterbang, Thedia shook her head and waved them off. Kanae was a little disappointed.

"Alright, why have we stopped at this shit hole? Nu-hauta is only a few more days away. We should be back on the ship and not wading through this… filth!" Petyr beat her fist into the table and cracked it.

"You speak ill of what you don't understand, Lady Stormcloud. Flotsam is vital to all seafarers. Including you. I wouldn't expect a short-minded princess like you to fathom why."

Everyone turned their heads to the door as an elderly elven man with streaks of gray in his blonde hair entered, aided by one servant and walking with a cane. He was dressed in a worn green naval uniform trench coat. His left eye was clouded, and a monocle over his remaining good eye peered at each one of them. At Petyr and Gretchen in particular.

"A DeSalle!" Petyr jumped to her feet, snarling.

"What?" Kanae gasped.

"Rubenard 'Fog-eyed' DeSalle. Your family thought you lost at sea," Gretchen said, eyeing the man suspiciously.

"Aye. I was, my lady Redbaron. A pleasure to see you again, my nephew's betrothed. So, the rumors are true that you're no longer Archbishop of Radevic and have since become a succubus. Which means the rumors that you've made a cuckold of Errenard must also be true." Rubenard DeSalle cackled softly.

Gretchen smirked and bowed.

"Everyone, Fog-eyed has no allegiance nor love for the Empire of Ortesia. He serves as Flotsam's unofficial governor and has been for the past ten years," Thedia explained.

"At your service!" Rubenard bowed.

"So, you're the one who's been giving our maritime trade grief." Gretchen sighed.

Petyr clicked her tongue and sat back down.

"Turn coat or not, the only good DeSalle is a drowned DeSalle." Petyr huffed.

"Why does Petyr hate House DeSalle so much?" Kanae leaned in and whispered to Gretchen.

"Aside from their piracy origins," Gretchen began after taking a deep breath, "House DeSalle and House Stormcloud feuded for centuries to be closer in line for the throne. This has resulted in many assassinations, attempts and successes, brutal political maneuverings to sabotage the other, and a head of House Stormcloud once famously offered their eldest daughter for a marriage pact to a DeSalle's eldest son, but the daughter turned out to be an actual pig."

"What the fuck is wrong with high elven society?" She groaned.

Rubenard cleared his throat.

"Let me guess: you brought us here because the raids on Flotsam are bad for the town, and you need our help to stop them," Kanae said.

The old captain nodded, flashing a smile to reveal a gold tooth. "To the point. I like this one! Yes, Flotsam runs on meager supplies and resources to begin with. We don't exactly have dirt roads to run wagons through. Flotsam relied on the regular passage of Ortesian, Radevic, and Nu-hauta voyagers, trading with their excess. In recent years, Radevic and Ortesia's falling out has impacted us. Nu-hauta's continued raids are like a hammering of the final nail in the coffin."

"And what do we get in return?"

"Is the eternal gratitude of Flotsam and its people not enough? Bah! I know the rules to a parlay. Speak your wants, succubus." He spat on the floor.

"You have Rubenard by his beard. Keep him in your pocket for now. If you make demands here, he will try to weasel out of them later when the job is already done. Collect your dues on your terms," Gretchen advised quietly.

"On second thought, we'll take a favor from you when we see fit," she explained.

Rubenard shot a knowing glare Gretchen's way, aware of what had happened. He accepted it anyway. The high elf walked over, spat a thick loogie into his palm, and extended his arm to shake on it. Kanae gagged.

"Gretchen, can… can you do it?" Kanae whispered, swallowing the urge to vomit.

"If it is your command, Your Majesty." Gretchen spat into her own hand and begrudgingly shook Rubenard's.

Thedia breathed a sigh of relief.

"Turn on us for any reason and Kanae's given me permission to introduce you to the same wrath I showed your nephews," Petyr threatened.

"I never gave you that kind of permission…" Kanae sighed.

Vestrid perked up. Her eyes flew to the entrance we had just come through. While Petyr and Rubenard exchanged patronizing pleasantries, the drakeling rose from her seat and wandered up to the door.

"Were you expecting company?" Vestrid asked.

"No, we're the only ones to be present. Even if some foolhardy rogue dares to enter, they would have to get through my security." Rubenard arched his brows.

"My Danger Sense is telling me otherwise," she said.

"Oh, great. It's probably just another attempt to overthrow me. Mutinies happen like twice a week here in Flotsam. That's what happens when there's no real law or authority in place. What a bother," he bemoaned like this was just another day at the pub.

"You're way too casual about this! Thedia, get Rubenard out of here," Kanae ordered.

Thedia did so without question. She and Rubenard's servant ushered the high elven man through where he had come. Vestrid pressed her back to the wall beside the door, both hands wielding twin maces. Kanae, Gretchen, Hilde, and Petyr readied their own weapons.

Someone burst through the door first. A large elven man tattooed from head to bare belly came in, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Where's the governor? Time's changing, old… man…?" He paused at the door and took a scared gander at them, then glanced over his shoulder. "Hey! You won't believe what's in 'ere! Three succubus and a high elf! Haha. It's like a bar joke waiting to—"

Vestrid smashed her mace into the elf's face. Teeth scattered to the ground. He stumbled back and fell backwards. She led the way back into the drug den, where the patrons and employees had ducked under tables, hid behind counters, and backed up to the corners of the room. Foul-faced thugs crowded the place instead.

"We'll deal with you cunts later. Step aside or give us the governor, and no one else has to get hurt," a cutthroat said, brandishing a large sharktooth dagger.

Petyr stomped hard and smashed her boot through the floorboards. The open waters splashed about below.

"Either you jump in of your own volition, or I shove you through myself. Make your choice," Petyr said.

They gulped at once.

"I, uh… don't s'pose it ain't too late to go back out the front door?" the closest man asked.

Kanae and Hilde casted Mass Charm to hold them all in place. Petyr and Vestrid proceeded to shove them through the hole in the floor. Their cries were short-lived until they hit the water and began the swim back to solid land.

"Wait." Kanae stopped Petyr before she tossed the last one in. "You wouldn't happen to be working with Nu-hautans, would you?"

"Aye? N-No," the thug answered honestly while charmed.

"I guess we'll have to start from scratch," she said, then nodded to the paladin.

Petyr let him fall through.