The buildings that lined the shore on solid ground were tinted gray with grime and algae of many years passed. Dirt had been polished away from the windowpanes to make portholes to see out from. Lights glistened off the water and enough people moved about that Eira and Alyss could go easily with the flow without seeming out of place.
They found one small bookstore, but it was already closed for the night.
“We can try and come back during the day,” Eira offered.
“That might be too risky.” Alyss shook her head with a sigh, contradicting her earlier self when she said, “It’s all right, I don’t really need it.”
“We’ll find you one. Even if I have to win an individual game for you to get it,” Eira said, determined.
Alyss laughed. “What a request that would be. I almost want to see it.”
“Just you watch, then.”
A young boy ran up to them with a wedge of papers underneath his arm. “Miss, I saw you at Borkon’s Bookshop. It’s not a book but would you like a paper? Printed in Risen only a day ago. Freshest news you can find out here. Special price because…well, you can be one of my last customers of the night!”
Eira remembered the last time she’d read a paper from Risen…it ended with a public execution.
But Alyss didn’t have the same bad taste in her mouth as Eira did. “I suppose it’s better than nothing. It’s still printed words.” Alyss handed the boy his payment. “Is there a stationery shop nearby?”
“The best one in town is closed. But if you’re looking for something simple, there’s a sundries shop over there.” He pointed with one hand as he passed the paper with the other.
“Lovely, thank you.”
With that, the boy was off, no doubt to unload the last two papers tucked under his arm. He didn’t seem suspicious in the slightest by the Solaris-stamped coins. But, given how many tourists there were for the tournament from all walks of life, she suspected he might be getting all manner of odd payment.
Alyss folded the stack in half and forced it into her back pocket underneath her cloak.
“Not going to read it now?” Eira asked.
“I’m going to savor it before bed. It’s the closest thing I have to a new book, so I might as well.” Alyss started in the direction the boy had pointed.
“What do you need at the stationery shop?” Eira stayed in step with her friend.
“A thought has occurred to me; if I cannot have access to the books I love, then I shall write them myself.”
It took Eira almost an entire block to really have the words sink in. “You want to be an author?”
“Perhaps.” Alyss shrugged. “Or maybe I just want to dabble in story-craft for the time being. Either way, I think it will bring me joy in the now.”
“And that is more than enough.” Eira smiled and wrapped an arm around Alyss’s shoulders, giving her a squeeze. She’d always assumed Alyss would be a healer. It was what she’d done the most of and what her magic was inclined to. But just because Alyss had a talent for healing, didn’t mean that was the path shehad tofollow. Reading, stories, had been her friend’s one true, consistent passion. “I think this is a marvelous idea, and I will support you every step of the way.”
“I had no doubt.”
The sundries shop was small and simple. But it had a decent array of supplies at relatively reasonable prices. Eira waited outside while Alyss shopped; she didn’t want to risk the two of them together being noticed. But she still glanced in the window from time to time to make sure Alyss was all right.
“Did you find what you wanted?” Eira asked as Alyss emerged to the chime of the bell on the door.
“More or less.” Alyss held open a canvas satchel. Inside was an inkpot, fountain pen, and a journal larger than Eira had been expecting. “I think it’s supposed to be a ledger for ship captains, but it’ll work.”
“Good.” Eira beamed. “I can’t wait to read what you’ll write.”
“You’ll be the first I share it with…when it’s ready, of course.” Alyss slung the bag onto her shoulder. “Where are we heading to now? You said you had a lead?”
Eira nodded. She’d been keeping an eye out as they’d been traversing the docks, carefully watching all the boats that cameand went, who was on them, what they unloaded, and where. Specifically, she noticed one particular warehouse that had an abnormal amount of Lumeria’s tournament attendants lurking about it, still in their work clothes even at this late hour.
“Do you see that warehouse over there? The one with the large doors facing us?”
“Yes.” Alyss took a moment to scan the area before her gaze landed on the warehouse Eira was referring to.
