After noticing the people Nillian immediately suggests sailing to the beach, to talk to the people there. But Lyxia quickly points out that before they can get close to that beach they will run into the ground, as the seabed is very shallow there. So they decide to take the sloop to the beach, to ask for directions towards the nearest city. Nillian and Ned get into the sloop, with Ned taking two of his rifles with him, "juist in case".
At the beach the people gather around the sloop, looking impressed. One of the group steps forward, and addresses Nillian.
"You're early. Weren't expecting you for few weeks. Probly wanted to show-off your new shuttle, right?"
"Hmm, you were expecting us? Oh, wait no, we aren't the shuttle, we are on an expedition from the University. This is a steam-powered ship, created by Dr. Biene."
The people on the beach look taken aback at that, then gape in wonder at the Dr Biene's Request. Nillian, seeing his chance, begins questioning the man who spoke first about the nearest city and why they are here on the beach.
"Joux? Just follow the coast west, until a large river. Go upstream, and you'll see it immediately. About a half day travels. And what we're doing? We've a village up ahead. We always greet the shuttle, as tradition. But the shuttle never stopped, so we were surprised."
Nillian nods at that, and thanks the man for the directions. He has to refuse an offer to visit the village, and explains that they would like to arrive in Joux before nightfall. So he and Ned get back in the sloop and row back to the Dr Biene's Request, while the villagers wave them goodbye.
***
During the day Nillian and the others often spend time at the railing, watching the coast of Apaga flow by. The cliffs are low, and often they have a clear view of how the inlands look like. There are a lot of forests, but pine forests, which are very rare in Kataria. Once or twice they had a clear view of the oxen that are indigenous of Apaga. They watch in wonder as they see the hairy cow like creatures move in herds, eating the tough moss and moving slowly over the large and barren plains.
At the end of the afternoon the ship arrives at the mouth of the river, and they enter the river. This takes a lot of careful manoeuvring, as the Dr Biene's Request is a bit wider then the shuttle, and therefore has more problems circumventing the twists and turns of the river. But with Nillian and Lyxia standing at the bow, shouting instructions at Ned at the helm they manage to avoid getting stuck. Finally, as the light is beginning to wane they see the city of Joux(*) in the distance, and they make their way to the docks, which lie a little distance of the city itself.
The docks are located in a bend of the river, where the winding of the river made a natural hollow. In the water there are two wooden mooring places, which look a bit out of repair. Some of the wooden planks are missing, and the second mooring place looks ready to fall apart at any moment. On the land there are two large warehouses, which are in slightly better repair. There are also some small buildings scattered over the docking grounds, and a large watchtower.
At the docks the Dr Biene's Request causes quite a stir. Several people come running out of the watch tower, some of them running of towards the city, others towards the mooring place. Ned and Nillian slowly sail the ship into the docks, and jump onto the quay to tie off the ship. The two men from the watchtower keep a distance, watching them intently, poised on the verge of running away. Unsure of this welcome Nillian shows his empty hands, and slowly walks towards the men.
"Hello over there! We come from Kataria, on an expedition for the University. Am I correct in assuming that these are the docks of Joux?"
His words seem to calm the men somewhat, and they both make a deep bow.
"Welcome visitors. These are indeed the docks of Joux. The Lord of the city will arrive soon, and will take care of ..., ehm, so please wait here."
The two men quickly bow again, and walk off a small distance, anxiously watching both Nillian and the road towards the city. As the sky begins to darken one of them runs towards the nearest building, and returns with a burning torch, with which he lights several lamps around the docks. He avoids coming close to Nillian and the Dr Biene's request, so the lamps closest to them remain unlit. After a minute Lyxia comes outside, sighs, and lights the lamps herself. Then she goes and stands next to Nillian, waiting to see what will happen.
It takes ten more minutes for something to happen, but then suddenly a coach rides into view, coming from the city. The coach is drawn by two black horses, and it has two lanterns attached to the sides, which are bouncing wildly as the coach rides over the bumpy road. The coach stops at the far end of the docks, and a well-dressed man steps out, with a manservant helping him out. The man walks over to the two men, and quietly exchanges some words.
Seemingly satisfied the man then turns towards Nillian and smiles.
"Dear mr. Luckett, I am Jasper Veloni, Lord of Joux. I am terribly sorry for this less than warm welcome. I am afraid that you took us a bit by surprise. Of course the University informed us of your coming, but we had not expected you to arrive so soon!"
"Dear Lord Veloni, no apologies are necessary, you had no way of knowing the exact date of our arrival. So that is quite alright."
During their conversation more people have arrived from the city, mostly guards in uniform, carrying thick pole arms. Behind Nillian Ned and Copper also disembark from the ship, and Nillian is reminded to his duties.
"Let me introduce to you the crew of the Dr Biene's Request, Lord Veloni. This Miss Luckett, my sister and navigator, Mr McHamish, taking care of security, and Dr. Breen, our engineer."
At the introduction of Copper a lot of murmurs arise from the people watching, which are immediately silenced by a severe look of Lord Veloni. It seems that human-hybrids are not very welcome here, or at least not a common sight.
But Lord Veloni smiles, and invites them all for a meal at his home. As he makes his invitation two more coaches arrive, solving the problem of getting everyone to the city. Nillian is then reassured by Lord Veloni that the docks are separate from the city, and that the guards will take care of guarding the Dr Biene's Request while they are away. Assured by the words of Lord Veloni they all board one of the coaches, and are taken into the city of Joux.
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