When they arrive at the Wet district they suddenly realise that they did not think this through. Because all the roads in the district have been flooded Thomas cannot enter the district. He parks his carriage as close as possible and turns off his engine.
"End of the line I am afraid, squire. I'm not going to get any further than this."
Nillian gets out of the carriage and looks around.
"Drat, you are right. I didn't think about that. How are we going to visit these addresses?"
"Well, the Wet district has its own transports, squire. Just go over to that post and ring the bell. They will be able to get you all the way you want."
"Ah, right. Thanks for the tip. Hmm, in that case you'd better go home and pick me up at ... say four o'clock?"
"Right you are, squire."
Nillian turns around to walk off to the post when he sees that Lyxia is still sitting in the carriage.
"Are you coming, sis?"
"I don't think so. You might enjoy trudging around in this weather, but I don't. Thomas can take me back to the city, and I am going shopping."
A bit taken back by this outburst Nillian frowns and considers. He doesn't relish walking around in this rain alone, but he can understand Lyxia's point of view.
"Well, alright. It is supposed to be your holiday, so go and have fun. I will see you this evening."
Thomas turns his carriage back on, throwing some coals in the engine, and slowly rides off. Nillian watches them go, and walks off towards the post.
When he reaches it he immediately sees the bell Thomas mentioned and rings it. The sound of the bell echoes over the water, and slowly dies out. A few minutes later he can hear some splashing, and soon a small boat appears from behind the corner. The boat is oval, with a raised bow and stern. The boatman has a large pole which he uses to pull the boat forwards through the streets.
When the boat arrives at the post Nillian turns to the boatman and notices that it is fact a woman.
"Good morning, madame."
"Good morning. You are looking for a gondola?"
"Yes, yes. But I am afraid it is not entirely that easy. You see, I am looking for ... a certain building, but I do not know where it is. I have with me a list with addresses, and I would like to cater your services for this day to check out some of these addresses. Would that be possible?"
While Nillian is talking the woman begins to look uncertain, and after he is finished she considers for a moment, with a pained look on her face.
"That's a difficult request ... Yes, well, you see ... I am responsible for this area, I always return here when I'm finished with a ... when I have delivered the passenger. So I am afraid I cannot help you."
She pauses for a moment, thinking hard, then continues.
"You know what I can do? I can ask a colleague to take you wherever you want. I am not sure if he is available, so I don't guarantee anything, but if he is free he will take the job, I am sure."
"Alright, thank you."
The woman takes her pole and pushes off from the side, moving slowly away. When she is gone a small distance she uses the pole to turn the boat around, and she gains speed. Soon she disappears again round the corner, and the street becomes silent again.
It takes twenty minutes for the colleague to finally arrive, and Nillian is hunched miserably, still standing at the post. His clothes are wet and his morale is at a new low. Even so he straightens his back as the boat approaches, and he puts on a neutral face, not showing anything of his misery.
"Good morning."
"Mornin'. You wanting to look for houses?"
It takes Nillian a few seconds to translate what the man said, then nods.
"Yes, I have a list of addresses I would like to visit."
"Ok, get in."
Nillian takes a long look at the boatman, not sure if he can trust him. He looks unkempt, with stained clothing and tangled hair. But his skin looks clean, like he just had a bath, and the boat looks like it is in pristine condition. Not sure what to think he decides to chance it, and he climbs onboard. He gives the list with addresses to the man, who takes a look at it and shrugs.
"Can't read."
So Nillian reads the first address from the list aloud, and the man nods. He takes up his pole, and soon they are moving off into the district.
The man turns out to be very good at his job, and the morning slowly passes away with them checking out buildings and drifting through the district. As the morning wanes and the afternoon begins the weather improves, the clouds disappear and the sun creeps out. The temperature climbs and soon it feels like a nice autumn day.
Nillian and the gondolier have a quick lunch on their way, Nillian having bought some buns at a local market. The gondolier stays very quiet, sometimes grunting or shaking his head when Nillian ask him something. So they continue on, checking out buildings.
The afternoon also passes, and Nillian checks his watch. He notices that it already three o'clock, and soon it will be time to return.
"One more address, then I'll call it a day. Let me see ... ah, yes, Lindenbank 3."
The gondolier nods, and turns the corner towards the address.
The address is located on the edge of the district, and as they get near the buildings give way to large fields and small lakes. As they reach the building Nillian feels his hopes go down, the building looks like it was destroyed by fire a long time ago. But then the gondolier speaks up.
"House is haunted, say kids."
"Hmm, haunted? Why do they say that?"
"Strange noises in night. Seeing things, not there."
"Well, that is interesting. Thank you, I will check it out."
Nillian gets out of the boat, and begins to look around. There is not much left of the building, only three walls are remaining. He doesn't hear anything, so he walks around, trying to find anything. Suddenly he sees something glistening in the sun. He walks over, and reaches down to it. Just before his hand can grasp it he feels the ground under his feet give way, and he falls down into the dark.
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