How to describe the site of Dhora Karendar when arriving from the sea? Perhaps the lingering taste of your beloved after a passionate kiss? Maybe the calming scents of the famed healing pools of Corelesta? The prism of all colors seen at that dawn after a raging sea storm? It all seems so passe when written by one such as I to describe the awe inspiring reflections of the prismatic cliffs arising from the sea, surrounding the smooth waters of the port city.

Legends say that cliffs formed out of the volcanic embrace of the twins Aes and Thosi, Fates of Earth and Fire. As the rocks thrust upward out of the fire, they ran with colors of silver and gold, amethyst and turqouise, color on color, blending, burning, melting. They would have melted the world in their lust if not for the cooling embraces of their elder siblings, Airdree and Sashelas, Fates of the Air and Sea. Sashelas poured into the caverns from which the rocks arose, filling his sister with orgasmic tides as she wrapped him with cooling mists from the sky.

Whatever the truth, the four great temples still stand on the most prominent cliffs and the great mages and sorcerers, and the Kahinas of the four elements can call on all their powers to protect the new port of Dhora Karendar.

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Perhaps a great Shi’ar could sing a song of such beauty to describe the scene of parting mists filled with glittering color, but I only know what I remember.

Even in the face of such inspirational beauty, the mundane must be completed. We scurried to prep the ship for arrival, tacking slowly into the enormous caldera of the bay, turning to the southeast towards the pier of the Windstar clan.

As we neared the pier, I pointed out the highlights of the port to our passengers, and in conjunction with my excited gaze and actions, and nearly reverent voice, Dajeek and Valerik stood in stunned awe, and Terenal watched in appreciation. I pointed out the Wind Serpent, our fast courier ship, which trafficked only in the urgent messages or small, elite cargo, tied up alongside our clan wharf. Even its small size proved slightly longer, if far sleeker than the Sea Crawler. But we were bringing in an enormous cargo of bloodfish and associated goods, what should be the prize of the year for our clan. Rare indeed, successful indeed, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Waiting on the pier was a small group of people, several stewards bearing a stretcher, and a silver haired beautiful woman in dark robes of night.

As we tied up, Loricare watched approvingly as his well trained crew brought the fishing vessel alongside perfectly, with no help of wind or sea mage to guide it to its temporary rest. As a plank was thrown across to allow entry onto the ship, the robed woman approached and Loricare met her at the plank.

After a brief nod, she boarded, and he returned to supervising the activities. As she approached, her smile sparkled like the stars of deep night, and I grinned in response before embracing my sister in long silence. While we live long, eighteen months of absence is still a long enduring silence. Even though I had felt her when we neared the city in the night and knew she would be here, I was nearly ecstatic to be home.

After a few moments of locked gazes, and mental searches, I turned.

“Kahina Teresal, Fate of Law, please allow me to introduce Kahina Kaloryian, Fate of the Moon.”

Behind the stewards had arrived with their stretchers, and with murmurs among themselves carefully arranged the unconscious slave owner.

Teresal bowed gracefully to Kolaryian, who returned the gesture with equal grace. “May I inquire what you are doing with Tovar?”

“My apologies, Kahina,” returning to formality here in public, “with the arrival preparations, I did not have time to discuss with you, but Kolaryian is here to see your, um, friend to the Temple of the Moon. I have no doubt that she and the others will be able to assist your companion. While healings of the mind can be dangerous as you say, they are some of the foremost experts of our people.”

Perhaps it was my limited experience at the time, or maybe my innocence, or just my youthful arrogance, but I failed to note the tightening of her eyes.

“Perhaps I should go with them.”

Kolaryien knew more, or sensed more, but after a brief pause, “Of course, we can show you where he will be in care, and you can visit at any time that the healing rituals are not engaged. I am sure we can have him ready in a few days. After we get, I am sorry, what is his name?”

Reluctantly, Teresal replied, “Tovar Ajaka, merchant of Bhem Halem.”

“Of course, after we get Master Tovar settled, one of the stewards can you show you back. I am sure Tolaryian will have rooms prepared for you by then?”

I nodded my assent, and with a quick bow, guided the party off of the Sea Crawler and back onto the pier. I had much to do in the next couple of hours.