Chapter 79: Kaerak City and Adventure
Masts stood like a forest in the bay, filled with sails, some white, some multicolored.
Large ships dropped anchor in the bay, sheltered by the headland and the breakwater.
Inside the harbor, small boats and skiffs were moored alongside wooden docks. Almost every space on the beach was occupied by ships—or the wreckage of ships.
Snow-white waves constantly lapped at the end of the headland, upon which stood a tall lighthouse. The tower was built of red and white bricks and was originally an elven ruin, later restored and used to this day.
The sorceress's portal took them directly to the docks of Kaerak City.
Kaerak City, the capital of the Kingdom of Kaerak, was divided into three separate and distinct areas, straddling both banks of the mouth of the Adalatte River.
On the left bank of the Adalatte River was a comprehensive port area.
It contained docks, industrial and commercial associations, a shipyard, several workshops and food processing plants, as well as warehouses, depots, and shops.
On the right bank was the Balmora district.
Here were the shacks and huts of laborers and the poor, the residences and stalls of small traders, slaughterhouses and butcher shops, as well as taverns and brothels that only came to life after nightfall.
Because the Balmora district also provided entertainment and illicit pleasures.
Basically, gentlemen and respectable people in the traditional sense would try to avoid the Balmora district.
Because it was easy to lose one's wallet there, or get a knife thrust between one's ribs.
The place where they more often lived was the Kaerak district.
The area with the same name as the country and the capital, which was the wealthy district.
The Kaerak district was full of narrow streets and alleys, with various houses lining the roads, including the residences of wealthy merchants and financiers, factories, banks, shoe stores, tailor shops, and shops of all sizes.
These buildings were also located on the left bank, but further away from the ocean, surrounded by a ring of tall, sturdy pointed wooden stakes.
There were also high-end hotels, coffee houses, and small taverns here, and some establishments also offered the kind of entertainment found in the Balmora district, only at a much higher price.
In the center of the district was a square city square, with the main buildings being the town hall, theater, courthouse, customs office, and the residences of the city's elite.
The statue of King Osmyk, the city's founder, stood on a pedestal in the center of the square, covered in bird droppings.
But in fact, this so-called "founder" was a complete lie.
The history of the Kingdom of Kaerak was quite short, only three generations long.
Long before Osmyk proclaimed himself king, this seaside town had already existed for a long time.
Afterwards, the throne was passed to his son, Berohen.
During this king's reign over Kaerak, although he gained considerable profits from shipbuilding, shipping, fishing, and the family's traditional piracy,
he was also a harsh and stingy king.
He ordered the great bell to be rung at noon and midnight every day, the purpose of which was specifically to torment his subjects and make them feel unhappy.
He was the same towards his children, always wary of them plotting to overthrow his rule, and even deprived all his legitimate sons of their inheritance rights.
Three people were waiting on the docks. When Lynn and Triss came through the portal to the docks of Kaerak City, these three people walked over.
Triss introduced them to Lynn.
"Lynn, this is Sir Wymer Royce, from a noble family. He will lead ten of his best men to accompany us."
Sir Wymer Royce looked to be no more than twenty years old.
He had gray eyes, elegant manners, but an arrogant expression.
He was as thin as a sharp knife, wearing a shining suit of armor, with a black cloak draped over it. While Triss introduced him to Lynn, the young knight impolitely sized up the witcher with an aggressive and belligerent gaze.
"And this is Tyrion, the leader of the 'Golden Lion' caravan, the royal caravan of Kaerak. He and his men will be responsible for providing us with the barge to cross the Adalatte River and the supplies we will need along the way."
Tyrion was a short man who looked quite old, but his stature was like that of a gnome.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see that he was actually human, not a gnome.
"Respected Witcher Master, my respects to you. Please take care of us along the way. My humble self and my caravan will do our utmost to serve the Witcher Master."
Tyrion took off his top hat, lowered his head, and bowed to Lynn.
"And finally, this is the bard Marillian."
The bard with a feather in his hat strummed his lute.
Lynn looked at him curiously.
"A poet? But if you're going to Temeria, why not go by sea? Isn't that safer?"
Marillian said in his sweet, high-pitched voice.
"But that way, I would miss a thrilling adventure, a grand epic expedition!"
"Just you wait, Witcher, you will be immortalized in my songs, the entire North will be shaken, girls will blush at the mere mention of your name, and men will tremble with fear at the sight of you."
"I look forward to it, Master Poet," Lynn nodded slightly to him. "May I ask, were you also a graduate of Oxenfurt Academy?"
"Indeed, but I haven't graduated yet. I'm currently on a study tour. Do you know what a study tour is? It's..."
Before the other party could start his lengthy explanation, Lynn interrupted him, "I know. Do you know Dandelion?"
Hearing this, Marillian immediately became emotional.
"He's my senior, my predecessor, my nemesis, the goal I swear to surpass!"
Lynn gave him an encouraging look. "I see, I understand. Then I wish you success, and I hope you can realize your dream soon."
"Our current location is here. It won't be long before we reach the source of the Adalatte River. We will disembark here then."
Inside the captain's cabin.
Sir Royce was pointing at a map spread out on the table, explaining to the witcher and the sorceress.
The short merchant and the bard also stood beside them, trying hard to widen their eyes and discern what Sir Royce had just said from the map.
Marillian, who had never been exposed to the study of cartography, really couldn't make out much.
King Berohen of Kaerak, although very suspicious, was not yet so昏庸 as to be muddled on such an important matter.
Putting aside Sir Wymer Royce's noble-specific arrogance, this young noble did have some ability.
"The barge can only take us to the source of the Adalatte River. We'll have to rely on ourselves for the rest of the way."
"It is estimated that crossing the northern forest of Brokilon will also take a few days, and then we will arrive in Temeria's Velen province."
"Witcher, what do you think awaits us in the forest?"Enter content here...