“Why do we have to make this march on foot, shit-wizard?” Said Dale. “Are you also incapable of teleportation?”
Kailin did not answer the demon’s question. The answer should have been obvious from the multiple failed rituals that no, they did not know how to teleport. They could not fly either. At least not without the aid of a carpet, broom, or wings.
“You people are so primitive,” said Dale. “I can’t believe I’m stuck with you.”
“If you’re so powerful, why don’t you just teleport us there?” Kailin asked.
“I could,” said Dale. “If I hadn't been bound inside of a cage by a shit-wizard."
"Then shut your scream-hole until something useful comes from it, demon." Said Kailin, "Besides. All you need do is sit in your cage and look heinous. We'll reach the cave in due time."
Kailin's walk took them down to the port of Portsmouth. Outside of the fishing town, Kailin could see the great sign that declared such. "The Port of Portsmouth."
"You'd think that would be a bit on the nose. Seeing as how that's already the town's name." Said Dale.
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"Yes," they said. "You also might want to keep quiet. I can pass you off as a deformed owl if you don't speak. The English are a funny group. Talking animals don't sit well with the. A dog that walks like a man is fine, but the second it can talk, they don't like its opinions."
"Yes, because the talking dog is the one with all the power," Dale said.
Kailin ignored the demon and took them into town. It was market day, so the small town was bustling with people. Kailin went to the first stall. There was a human man working it, his face was a mess of scars, he slurred at them, "What do you want?"
"I'm looking for transport to the continent, is there a ferry or something of the sort?"
"Aye, there be a ferry. But it'll cost ya. Ten gold pieces."
"That's no big fortune," they said. "I'll give you seven."
"Eight."
"Seven."
"Eight."
This continued for a few more minutes until Kailin finally relented and gave the man eight gold pieces. The man told them that the ferry would leave in an hour and would take them straight to France.
"Well, that was easy enough." Said Dale. "I thought you said these humans were difficult to deal with."
"Hush your mouth, demon. We're not out of the woods yet. We still need to be on the boat with this man. Should something go wrong, he could try to kill me and toss you into the sea."
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"And why would he do that? He just got eight gold pieces from you."
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"Yes, but he can get more from me if I'm a corpse, now couldn't he?"
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"I see your point,” Dale said. "But I still don't understand why these humans are so difficult."
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"It's not because they're human. It's because they're English. If he were an orc or an elf, his defining trait would still be English."
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"You speak so poorly of them. You live here, don't you? Shouldn't that make you as English as they are?"
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"No, it simply makes me a resident," they said.
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"Then what are you if not English? Where are you from, shit-wizard?"
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This gave Kailin some pause. They'd thought of this question themselves, but they'd never found a satisfactory answer, "I suppose I'm an Elf of the Earth. A noble citizen of the universe."
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"A noble citizen who is also a satanic wizard?"
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"Yes. In truth, I've no idea where I come from. All I remember from my childhood is the woods and the hull of a boat. I can remember nothing else."
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"Not your father?" asked the demon.
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"No. I don't believe I ever knew my parents. why do you ask?"
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"No reason, shit-wizard."
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It was at that time that the dock master with the scarred face approached the demon and the wizard.
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"Are you ready, stranger?" he asked.
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"Yes, I am." They said.
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"Good. Then follow me."
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Kailin and Dale followed the man to the dock. He brought them out to a rowboat.
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"Alright, get in," he said.
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"I thought you said we were taking the ferry."
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"What do you think this is, ponce?" he said.
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"Nothing, nothing, it's just not quite what I had imagined." They said as they got into the boat.
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Kailin took a sea at the back of the boat. They were joined by the dock master who sat facing them as they took the oars in hand. "Seeing as how you dicked me out of two gold coins, I expect you to row when my arms tire."
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"Of course." They said.
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"And don't think about trying to kill me. I'll kill you first."
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"Right." They said.
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