Irwin's Journey - The Cardsmith

"It's as big as the harbor at Fiverion," Greldo said, whistling appreciatively.

"Bigger," Rindiri said.

"It's weird," Irwin said, staring at the distant harbor. The three of them were standing on the hind deck while Zender was working to clean the sails, and Earila was standing on the prow, gaping at the distant harbor.

Like Fiverion's, it was built atop a large cluster of trees that had wrapped up and around it. Buildings were spread out throughout, creating a small city with a slightly chaotic, almost grown feeling to it.

I wonder how long it will take for Eluathar to look like that, Irwin thought.

"You said they have no adjacent worlds and barely any mining," he said. "I still don't understand how it can be this rich if there's just some old people coming here to spend the final days of their lives."

"It's not just some kind of old people," Rindiri said, making some minor adjustments to their course. "They are either the poorer sons and daughters of nobles or small-time merchants. In the central regions, they would be seen as barely middle-class, but here they are big-spenders."

They were sailing towards multi-layered docks, with clear signs on which ships were allowed. The largest portion was for the merchants, and a few dozen big-bellied merchant ships were being emptied and or loaded. One massive ship, easily ten times the girth of The Sonata, was docking far ahead of them.

The top docks, narrow and with nice carvings, were private. Family symbols were etched in the sides, and relaxed-looking guards walked across. Escort vessels seemed ready to prevent anyone from trying to claim a spot where they weren't allowed while beautiful ships lay moored everywhere.

A smaller area to the side had a large sign that read 'Public Docks', and that was where they were heading right now. Dozens of small ships, nearly all scouting class, were there.

"Where Fiverion is still reliant on its adjacent worlds and the mining and harvesting those bring, Tulpil has none of that. It's like a retreat, and most of the soulshards come from external sources. Because of this, there is no single owning factor. Instead, it's run by a council of representatives of the different bigger parties, the merchants, nobles, cardsmiths, and crafters," Rindiri said as she maneuvered them towards a free dock area.

A potbellied man with a gleaming thin sheet came walking from a building at the end of the docks. Two young men followed after him, looking bored and tired.

"Do we have to pay right away?" Irwin asked, slightly worried.

He only had a few thousand soulshards left, and he'd been hoping to use those to buy some simple quartz cards.

"Don't worry, it shouldn't be more than ten soulshards per day," Rindiri said. "I still have enough if you're out."

Irwin breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head. "No, then we are fine."

I guess that's why she didn't tell me before, he thought.

It took only a minute for Rindiri to properly align The Sonata.

"Zender, the ropes," Rindiri shouted.

"On it!"

Irwin watched as Zender tossed two ropes to the young men, who wound them around thick wooden poles before starting to pull the ship closer. Heads turning red from exertion and muscles bulging, it still took them only a minute to anchor The Sonata to the dock.

"Alright, let's go and pay the dock warden," Rindiri said. She turned to Greldo. "You are sure you want to stay here and watch the ship? We will be gone until tomorrow, and Zender can do it."

Irwin saw Zender grimace, but the boy nodded at Greldo, seeming ready to remain if he had to.

"No, it's fine," Greldo said with a yawn. "I'll remain here and rest a bit while Coal keeps an eye out."

"Alright, I'll bring you something to eat," Irwin said.

"You better! I'm about sick of nuts and dried vegetables and meat!"

Irwin readied the gangplank and then walked across, followed by two excitedly looking children and Rindiri.

The potbellied dock warden was looking at Rindiri with a frown before turning to Irwin.

"Name of the ship and the captain?"

"The Sonata and Captain Irwin."

The man looked at the thin crystal he was carrying and seemed happy with what he saw.

"It's twelve soulshards per cycle," he said, jabbing a thumb across his shoulder. "Three for the remainder, so fifteen upfront."

Irwin noticed a large hourglass that was mostly empty as he took out the required shards, handing them to the man.

The man nodded as he stuffed the small shards into the large pouch on his hip. Then he put the crystal tablet below his arm and looked at Irwin with a frown.

"Do remember that we don't allow Yuurindi on the planet. This counts for the older one and the children."

Irwin was surprised by the slight hostility in the man's voice, but he merely nodded. Rindiri had warned him about these things, and as odd as it seemed to him, he saw no reaction from her or her kids.

"Good. Make sure to remember it. Now, what is the purpose of your visit?"

Irwin indicated Rindiri, who stood beside him.

"Supplies and other necessities," she said. "We so want to take a look at some cards, see if we can get lucky. Can you suggest an inn close to the merchant's district?"

If the dock warden was surprised that she spoke up, he showed none of it.

"With the increase in traffic, many inns are full, but the Orange Hearth should have some space. It's close to Endahl's Card Emporium, though don't let that name trick you. It's not even half as grandiose as that blasted man wants you to believe. Still, he buys cards in bulk, so who knows."

The man made no attempt to even hide what he thought their chances were.

"If that was all, I need to return to more important things," he said, not even waiting for a response. He turned and walked away, followed by the two young men who were yawning.

Irwin was about to follow him to the distant harbor district when Rindiri beckoned him.

"Wait a moment," she said, turning to the others, pinning her children with a sudden cool look. "I've warned you already, but let me do it again. Whatever you do, don't pickpocket anyone here! If they catch you, you are going to be sold to a Forced Labor Merchant and brought to a mining world."

Forced Labor Merchant? Irwin thought, his eyebrows raising. Did she mean slavers?

"I won't," Zender said, sounding annoyed.

Earilia crossed her arms, sniffing loudly. "Do you think I don't know that?" she said, giving her mother a cool look.

"Some warnings can't be given enough," Rindiri said. "That being said. Captain, keep a hand on your purse. Those that do risk it here are usually very good and will have ways of finding out who has the most soulshards."

Irwin raised an eyebrow, then put the small leather sack from his pocket into the front of his vest, nestled against his stomach. Rindiri nodded appreciatively.

With a final wave at Greldo, who had been observing the happenings, they walked towards the harbor district.

"It has barely changed," Rindiri said, walking beside Irwin. "I know the inn he spoke about. It's run by an Ignitzion, and based on what you told me, you should enjoy it. She has two bar areas. One stoked hot enough to cause anyone not an Ignitzion to be unable to enter."

Irwin felt an immediate interest, and he wondered if they served any of the spicy drinks and food that Scintilla had given him back on Scour.

"Right, let's get rooms," he said with a grin.

It took them almost an hour to make their way from the docks, through and up the busy harbor district, along large warehouses, and finally to the district that had inns and restaurants.

Large numbers of people walked around the small stalls or sat outside the restaurants, creating a bustle of sounds, smells, and movement. Most were Humans or Da'xi, but there were a lot of other species Irwin remembered from Fiverion.

Zender and Earila were looking around, even Earila's seemingly perpetual frown replaced by wide-eyed wonder.

It took them a while longer to finally arrive at the square where Rindiri said the Orange Hearth would be. It was a small oval area nestled between larger buildings that gave it a cozy, hidden feel. A well-maintained wooden inn covered the entire back of the square, with tinted orange windows and an orange sign that read 'Hearth' showing they had found where they wanted to go.

To the left and right were a couple of small restaurants with empty terraces that stood around a twenty-foot-wide stone pot in the center of the square. It held a red-leafed tree, roughly twenty feet high, with branches that spread out across the nearest tables. Irwin was surprised to see it and even more so when he felt the temperature rapidly increase as they walked towards it.

"This reminds me of the trees from Scour," Irwin said.

"It's a Volcano tree. Those are pretty hard to keep alive out here," Rindiri said. "They absorb heat or, if there's none, ambient soulforce that then generates heat. With how little soulforce there is in the Portal Gallery, they need to be manually fed."

Irwin nodded slowly, and as they walked past the tree towards the Orange Hearth, he pulled in a slight amount of steam that he moved towards the tree. The thin fog hung below the leaves, and the orange leaves began glowing softly, illuminating the entire terrace in a soft light.

Zender and Earila were whispering in awe as they looked at the tree while Irwin wondered if he made a mistake.

Rindiri looked at him, eyebrows raised. "You did that?"

Irwin shrugged, then nodded. "I thought that I'd give it a bit of soulforce," he said.

"Which is greatly appreciated!" a voice called out from the other side of the terrace.

A young Ignitzion wearing an orange and black dress stood there, smiling and waving at them. She had a pale skirt with a few stains on it, with a pouch at the front from which a few folded-up papers stuck out.

"Come in quick! It's warm inside," she said before turning and disappearing into the inn.

Irwin felt a strange sense of joy as he saw the Ignitzion, and he walked out ahead of the others, holding open the door. Warmth roiled out, rippling around him, and as he stepped inside, he saw a few dozen patrons look at them.

"Hurry up and close the door!" someone shouted.

Irwin beckoned the others inside. Zender took a deep breath and looked around happily.

"It's nice in here!"

Irwin couldn't help but agree, though Earila and Rindiri were already taking off their coats. The young Ignitzion they had seen came walking towards them, wiping her hands on her pale skirt.

"So, how can I help you?" she asked, smiling at Irwin.

"We need two rooms for a night. We could also do with a bit of food," Irwin said, looking around the main inn room.

There was a large wooden shutter to one side with double sliding doors. Behind it, he saw a few faint shapes sitting at tables while two more volcano trees stood in the center.

"We can help you with both! Follow me, and I'll get you to a table!"

Irwin grinned at Rindiri, who was wiping a bit of sweat from her head, then followed the young waitress.

A short while later, they were sitting at a table, Irwin and Zender looking through the folded papers they had gotten. Some showed food meant for most species, others for Ignitzions.

"You are sure you want to try?" Irwin asked, looking at Zender.

"Yes!" Zender said. Although he had far less trouble with the heat than his mother and sister, he had finally removed his coat, showing he wasn't as impervious to it as Irwin.

Earila was doing the worst, puffing and waving air at herself. She had unsummoned all her Faerit as they had been making pained noises. "Why do we have to stay here?" she muttered, looking at Irwin. "Captain, can't we rest in a place that doesn't feel like its set on fire?"

"You heard what the waitress said," Zender said. "You two will get a room that's normal temperature."

"Then I think I'd rather go there. I'm not that hungry," Earila said, turning to Rindiri.

Rindiri shared a look with Irwin before nodding as she rose. "We can have a big breakfast somewhere else tomorrow," she said. "We will see you tomorrow, captain. And Zender? Behave."

Zender nodded, seeming absorbed by the menu.

Irwin waved as Rindiri and Earila left, getting directions from one of the waitresses.

A few minutes later, the young Ignitzion returned. "So, have you been able to choose something?"

Irwin nodded, pointing at a few dishes. He wasn't even going to attempt saying them out loud, his vocal cords not made for the sounds the Ignitions could make.

"And some Volcanic Honey," he said.

"Uh… you do know this is from the Ignition restaurant?" the waitress said, looking somewhat worried. "Also, that drink is very hot, even for us."

"I know," Irwin said. "I've had it before. Can you help my friend pick out the least spicy things?"

The waitress's eyes glittered like burning coals as she looked at him. After a few moments, she turned to Zender.

"Do you prefer meat or vegetables?"

Zender shrugged.

"Alright, I'll be right back."

Irwin saw the waitress look at him as she walked away, her eyes still glittering oddly.

"Captain, what cards are you going to look for?" Zender asked, leaning forward curiously.

Irwin turned to the young Yuurindi.

"I need shadow cards," he said. "Greldo needs a bit over half of his soulforce, so if we don't start now, it's going to take forever."

"Are we going to get some for me too?" Zender asked, eyes gleaming.

Irwin grinned. "Shouldn't you worry about your next three cards first?"

Zender nodded and seemed ready to say something when the waitress returned. She balanced four plates with ease, one of which had a small carafe and two glasses.

"Here you go!" she said, happy as she put two plates before Irwin, one before Zender then gave them both a glass.

Irwin picked up the carafe and sniffed the spicy liquor he hadn't had in a long time. The carafe only had a very small amount of liquid, far less than he had hoped for. Even then, the heat it caused in his throat told him it was the same.

"I'm not sure he can drink Volcanic Honey," he said.

"It's fine," the waitress said. "That's not for hi-"

She was interrupted as another slightly older Ignitzion waitress arrived with a large flask.

"Water," she said.

"Thank you," Irwin said. He was about to focus on the food when he noticed the two Ignitzions were still there, looking at him with gleaming eyes. "Can I help you?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes! We don't believe you can drink Volcanic Honey," the younger Ignitzion said with a wide grin.

Irwin looked at her, then the other Ignitzion. He suddenly noticed that there were a few more waitresses hovering in the distance, trying to be inconspicuous as they gazed at him and failed.

Irwin saw Zender look at him with gleaming eyes, seeming ready to watch him drink.

Fine...

With a sigh, Irwin filled his cup, emptying the entire carafe as he did. Not sure what to think of what was happening, he took a sip of the glass. Even with everyone watching him, when the hot, syrupy liquid wetted his tongue, his mind was suddenly drawn back to the time he had spent on Scour with Scintilla and the food and other things they had shared.

Smiling absently, Irwin barely realized he continued sipping the drink, enjoying the burning sensation as it trickled down his throat, creating a sensation as if he'd swallowed a hot coal in the pit of his stomach.

As he finished the last bit, he stared at the empty glass wistfully.

"You… you could have just taken one sip, and we would have believed you."

Irwin blinked as he looked up, realizing the two Ignitzions were still standing there. The young one was staring at him wide-eyed while the older one smiled.

"Sorry for the disturbance," she said. "We just don't get many other species here that can actually eat and drink our dishes. I'll bring you another flask of Volcanic Honey on the house. Full this time."

She smiled before walking away, pulling the other Ignitzion with her.

"This is incredible," Zender said.

Irwin saw that Zender was slowly tasting the different dishes, and although he had a bit of sweat on his forehead, he seemed perfectly able to eat it.

They continued for a while, and when most of the food was done, Zender was staring at a few scraps Irwin had left.

"Do you think I can try that?" he asked.

Irwin shook his head immediately. "No. What you just ate is considered mild and for children," he said. "This is hot," he said, quickly finishing up the remainder of what was on his plates.

Zender looked somewhat sad, but he nodded slowly. It didn't pass Irwin's notice that Zender's gaze locked onto his hand.

Why do I get the feeling he is going to ask for a firecard, Irwin thought. He was going to have to chat with Rindiri about this later.

They continued chatting for a bit before Zender couldn't stop yawning and went to their room.

Irwin remained behind as he wanted to check the hot area of the inn. After Zender was gone, he got up and walked to the dividing area. He barely reached it when the older waitress walked forward.

"I had guessed you were going to check this out," she said. "Don't take this the wrong way, but… are you sure you can handle it? It's not just the heat inside that's very high, but the air is also something that many other species consider toxic... This includes Loydin," she added belatedly.

Irwin hesitated, then shoved his worry away. Scintilla had told him he would be fine, and besides, he wasn't a Loydin. "I've been told that I should be able to handle it," he said.

The Ignitzion nodded, then beckoned him to follow her. She opened one part of the door, and Irwin was surprised to see that there was a small room followed by another door. There was glass on both sides and as they stepped inside, he felt the temperature rise again.

Still not as hot as Scour's desert, he thought.

Then, the other door opened up, and the temperature skyrocketed. The sound of laughter and hissing came as clouds of gas billowed across the ground and into the in-between room. Irwin quickly followed the Ignitzion waitress, who was looking at him closely. When he took a deep breath and smiled at her, she looked relieved and quickly closed the door.

Irwin looked around the room, which was smaller and filled with tables. Ignitzions sat everywhere, and besides the two larger Lavatrees, there were dozens of two-foot ones decorating the dark wooden area. A beautiful bar sat on one end, and two Ignitzion musicians were getting ready to start playing.

"Just take any free spot, and I'll get you something to drink," the waitress said as she walked towards the bar.

Irwin walked forward, noting a slight hush coming across the room as he entered it. Feeling slightly awkward, he searched for the nearest empty table when a loud voice called out.

"Finally! I was starting to think there were no real men in this obnoxious place!" a booming voice rattled the room.

Irwin looked to the side, where a massively wide, short, and charcoal-skinned man stood, leaning over his table. Two massive flagons of drink stood there together with a single cup.

"Come here, yah big lug of metal!"

He's like Yogog, Irwin thought, not sure how to react. He faintly knew Yogog was an Onyxian, a race whose world wasn't too far from Igniz.

He took a quick look around and noticed that the Igntizions had returned to their own conversations, with only a few staring at the Onyxian before walking towards the table. The man was beckoning Irwin, who sighed and headed towards the table.

"Good, good!" the man boomed as he sat back down. Linaida, bring us another cup and a flask of Burnem Wine!"

Irwin sat down on the heavy stone bench, which was only slightly bent under his weight.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," the man said, his voice loud enough to be heard throughout the inn. Even then, none of the Ignitzions seemed bothered, likely used to it by now.

"I'm Boohm, mercenary and merchant extraordinaire!"

Boohm? Irwin thought, unable to hold back a grin. Was that his real name or something people had given him due to his overbearing voice?

"Irwin, Captain of The Sonata," he said.

"Ohhhh, a captain, you say?" Boohm said just as the older waitress came and put two flasks and a new glass on the table.

"Where have you been hiding this one, Linaida?" Boohm asked, pointing at the Ignitzion. "He's going to be perfect to keep those sisters of yours at bay!"

Linaida shook her head, sighing audibly. "Boohm, I have told you before. If you stop feeding them, they will stop bothering you."

"Bah! Who can resist their sad eyes?" Boohm said, shaking his head as his monstrous hand wrapped around the flask, pouring his and then Irwin's glass full to the brim.

Irwin had the feeling they weren't talking about food.

"Now then, captain, let's have a drink to these beautiful lasses!" Boohm shouted, waving one hand around and taking a gulp from his glass, draining a fourth in one go.

Irwin laughed and took a small sip. Tasting the slightly spicy and bitter clear liquid, he took a larger drink.

"Good, I was about to wonder if you had no stomach," Boohm said. "Now, tell me! What brings you to this by Yilda forsaken place?"

Irwin nearly choked, barely able to stop from spraying the mouthful of wine across the table.

Yilda again, he thought. It had been a while since he'd last heard the name, and even now, it disturbed him that he didn't know why it kept popping up.

"What? Are you alright?" Boohm asked, looking surprised.

"Fine, fine," Irwin said as he wiped his lips before taking another sip. "Just surprised, that's all. We are just passing by on our way to the central region. You?"

Perhaps I can figure out something more about Yilda from Bhoom, Irwin thought.

Boohm rubbed his smooth chin while staring at Irwin's thick beard.

"I'm slowly working my way back home! Done with the cold and emptiness of these backwaters."

"Where is home?" Irwin asked.

"Charxian, of course," Boohm said, smiling so wide his white teeth seemed to separate his entire face in half. "I've been gone for nearly sixty years… I can't wait to swim in the Charred Guhl rivers and walk through the Blasted Woods."

"I've never heard of Charxian," Irwin said as he put his elbows on the table, sipping from his drink. "What's it like?"

--

An hour went by as Boohm spoke about his homeworld, his travels across the Portal Galery, and how he'd left his mercenary group a bit over a year ago. Irwin's questions about Yilda were met with shrugged surprise.

"Everyone says it out here," Boohm said. "I have no idea why, now that you mention it. Where do you know the name from?"

"The same," Irwin said, trying to wave it off. He drained the last of his whine and put his glass down. "Anyway, it's time for me to go. We're going to have a busy day tomorrow."

"Ah, right," Boohm said as he quickly drained the rest of his glass. "Say, I'd been wanting to ask, but you wouldn't happen to have room aboard, would you? I can pay, of course! Both in soulshards, stories, bargaining, and in case we encounter any, helping to fight off raiders!"

Irwin looked at the Onyxian, hesitating. If he brought someone else, that meant he'd have to be much more careful with his smithing and the other things he did, like taking out Ambraz. They also didn't really need it for the money, not yet anyway.

"I hadn't planned on bringing anyone else," he finally said, deciding to be honest.

"I can understand," Boohm said, rubbing his chin again. "Listen, think about it, and I'll ask again tomorrow, alright? I can help with many things!"

Irwin nodded as he got up. "I'll think about it," he promised.

Boohm nodded happily, refilling his glass and seeming intent on continuing his bender.

Irwin headed back to the large separation area, but Linaida intercepted him before he could leave.

"Let me help you with this," she said, pulling open the door and heading into the in-between room before him. She closed the door behind him, then turned to look at him.

"Thank you for keeping Boohm company," she said seriously. "He's been having a bad time recently, and he looked happier than he has in weeks."

"It's fine," Irwin said, watching as the steam in the narrow room was being sucked away into vents in the ground.

"Filtration moss," Linaida said, waving it away as if it were nothing. "Listen, I didn't mean to listen in, but…"

Irwin grimaced. "But Boohm makes it hard not to," he said.

Linaida smiled. "Right. I heard you are a captain, and… well, if you could take Boohm with you, that would be really great. If no Onyxian merchant vessel arrives, he is going to be stuck here for a really long time."

"Why is that?" Irwin asked, surprised.

"The same reason why my own people have a hard time finding work on anything but volcano or desert worlds," Linaida said. "He can't exit the cabin unless the ship is very close to a portal, meaning he is seen as useless out here. He has been trying to find a ship back to Charxian for over half a year, but none will take him, and he doesn't have the soulshards to pay for it."

Irwin looked at her, wondering why she thought that meant he would take the Onyxian.

"I heard you are looking for shadow cards, right?" Linaida said. "Are they for use or to fill a soullake?"

"Soullake," Irwin said, raising an eyebrow. He had the idea that he knew what she was going to say next.

"I know of a place where you can get those reasonably cheap," Linaida said, just as he had expected. "If you can take Boohm, even if it is only to a more central world so he has a chance for a merchant ship, I'll tell you where it is and even add a discount card I still have. You won't find it any other way, and even if you did, you would still have to pay a premium!"

Irwin only needed a moment to decide. "Alright, but I might have to let him off at the next large port," he said.

"That's fine," Linaida said quickly. "Alright, I'll get you that discount card tomorrow before you leave!"

Irwin followed her into the regular inn area, suppressing a shiver at the drop in temperature. A few moments later, he was walking to his room, pondering what had happened.

Why do I have the feeling they are trying to get rid of Boohm? he thought.