You walk down the gangplank of the three-masted schooner, grateful to reach the deck. The crossing from the Borgonne was rough, and even when you reach land, it seems to tilt and lift beneath you.
You stand on a crescent shaped plaza paved with cobblestones. Behind you, ships unload their cargo at long piers that stretch out into Safe Haven Bay. The early morning sun warms your shoulders and the back of your neck, and you let your cloak slide down your back. A gentle breeze caresses your cheek, bringing a hint of salt, sea, and… is that cardamom?
“It will take the lads a bit to unload your crates.”
The captain of your ship, a giant named Durrella, points at the little tables in front of the three-story building across the square. “You can get coffee at the Silver Acorn.” She turns back to the pier, yelling, “Watch it, you louts!”
A man in a long apron steps out of the cafe, gesturing to the tables. You cross the plaza. “Where is that delicious smell coming from?”
The man lifts his pointy nose and sniffs. “IF you mean the excellent coffee, that’s ours. I’d be happy to get you a cup.”
“No, I’m talking about the cardamom,” you say.
He sniffs again, this time in contempt. “That’s from the bakery. We have some lovely cinnamon bread pudding, if you’re hungry. You can sit here and watch the sailors unload your luggage.”
Do you [[take a seat->The Cafe]]?
Or [[go to the bakery->The Bakery]]?You follow your nose up a narrow side street. The half-timbered houses lean toward each over over the street, but the effect is comforting, not threatening. Boxes of flowers hang below the windows, and a cat suns itself on a step, barely noticing as you pass.
You step out into another square. This one has a fountain in the center, with spouts that look perfectly placed to fill a bucket. People dressed in surprisingly fancy clothing mill about in the square, speaking in soft but excited voices. Children run and shout, chasing each other around the fountain. The adults all carry baskets or hampers that smell delicious. Wishing you'd taken the waiter up on his offer of bread pudding, you look for a place to purchase a snack.
The bakery appears to be closed. Across the square the tall doors to the blacksmith's forge open, and a family of giants come out. A cheer goes up, and the men in the square chant, "Nevan, Nevan, Nevan!"
You find a pair of women gossiping nearby. When they see you, they stop talking and bob curtseys. "Oravai!"
"Hello," you reply. "Is there somewhere to get a meal around here?"
"The bakery is closed due to the wedding," one of them tells you. "But [[the mercantile->The Mercantile]] might still be open."
"What's going on?" you ask.
"There's to be a handfasting at the tower. Nevan and Franisa. You should [[come to the party->Follow Int]]!"
"Sit anywhere.” The waiter gestures at the half-dozen wooden tables and hurries into the cafe. You pull out a chair and sit with your back to the half-timbered building. The sun is still low—it’s early. You shade your eyes with a hand and watch Durella’s crew. They use a winch to lower the bigger crates onto the wood deck.
A tall, slender man comes out of a building beyond the Silver Acorn. He almost seems to float rather than walk, and his silver blond hair is tied back in elaborate braids. He wears a white tunic over white pants, and a white cape with gold trim. As he gets closer, you spot his pointed ears and realize this is an elf.
The elf notices you watching and comes closer, bowing with an elaborate flourish. “Oravai! Did you arrive on the Starstruck Voyager? I’m Koni Erden, mayor of Safe Haven. Welcome.”
You ask him to join you, but he begs off. "I have a wedding to officiate. You're welcome to join us if you wish. It's out at FarPoint Tower. My son can show you the way." He nods at a young elven boy sitting on the steps of the building next door.
Do you go to [[the wedding->Follow Int]]?
Or [[explore the town on your own->The Mercantile]]?An elven boy of about 10 or 12, appears by your side. He wears white, although it's a bit dusty as if he's been playing in the dirt. He smooths down his messy blond hair. "My name is Intereph the Intrepid. You can call me Int. I'm supposed to take you to the handfasting."
"Lead the way, good sir." You gesture for him to take the lead.
As you walk into another pleasant cobblestone square, more excited people come out of their houses, many of them calling out greetings to your escort. He smiles and waves, but doesn't slow down. although he tells you some of their names. "That's Brenet and Vlina" He waves to a family of orcs. "And Romulus, my best friend. And that's the goodwives, Terman and Wrenright." He nods to a pair of elderly women. The tall and thin one glares at both of you, but the short, stout one gives a little finger wave. "Terman is terrifying but Wrenright is okay."
You walk past the mercantile. As you reach the edge of town, the cobblestones underfoot give way to a dirt path. Int gives you a shrewd look. "It's about [[an hour's walk to the tower->The Longer Path]], but I know [[a short cut]]."
You leave the little square and head down the lane the villagers indicated. It curves, then ends at another square. Across the cobblestone plaza, a large building bears a sign that says Terman Mercantile. The door is open, so you head that way.
On your left, a few tables and chairs sit in front of a tea shop. On the right, you pass a book store called Magic Words and Wings. You pause to peer through the dark windows. A purple sparkle catches your eye, and a tiny pixie buzzes through the room, sprinkling purple in her wake. She spots you and zooms straight toward the window. With a pop, she passes through the glass. A shower of purple falls onto your head and shoulders, disappearing as quickly as the pixie. All she leaves behind is a trail of giggles.
Next to the bookstore, you see a butcher shop. A huge orc opens the door as you pass, wearing a fine suit. He doffs his hat at you, revealing his nearly bald, green head. Despite his terrifying tusks, his smile is gentle. "Oravai, friend!"
"Oravai," you say back to him.
When you reach the mercantile, a short, stout woman stands in the doorway, a heavy key in her hand. "I'm sorry, dear, the store is closed for the handfasting."
Your stomach growls, loudly, and your cheeks go hot. "I just got off a ship from the Borgonne and was hoping to find a something to eat."
"You should [[come to the handfasting->Follow Int]]. There will be plenty of food." She looks over her shoulder, then leans close, her voice low. "Wait a second." She bustles into the store and returns a moment later, holding an apple. "Don't tell Goodwife Terman." She hands you the apple, then pushes you out of the building and shuts the door in your face.
"I think we'd better stick with the trail," you tell the elven boy.
"Aw. I can do the magic. My dad taught me."
"Maybe next time," you tell him.
You pause in the shade of the lane beside the mercantile. The sounds of a crowd reach you, growing louder. You look back to see the elf, Koni Erden, walking beside a dwarf. The little man holds the end of a rope tied to a donkey's bridal. It's not clear who is leading whom. The donkey pulls a cart laden with flowers and carrying a woman and small girl.
"Well met, friend!" Koni calls out. "You can walk with us."
You and Int fall in beside the elf. Trees close in around the path. The forest is thick, but it feels welcoming, not foreboding. Between the trees you catch sight of something white. It moves swiftly, so you can't see it clearly, but it's looks like a horse. Except for the golden horn.
You gasp and point. "Is that a unicorn?"
Koni peers through the trees. "Undoubtedly. The Fair One lives in these woods."
Before you can ask more, the trees fall away. "Here we are." Koni points up the hill.
The woods you thought would go on forever have disappeared. You turn to look back. Rolling hills, covered in dense forest stretch out behind you. The path you had been walking disappears into the trees. A high forested ridge rises on your left, and away to the right you can make out a glint of sea.
Turning around again, you see a rocky peninsula stretching out into the sparkling ocean. At the end of it stands a tall round tower that seems to grow out of a two-story house with a thatched roof. A silver-blue dragon sits on top of the tower, looking out to sea.
"Come on!" Int breaks into a run. "The dragons are home!"
As you hurry after the boy, the dragon turns, its silvery eyes focusing on you. "Welcome to FarPoint." The voice is deep but soft and you hear it inside your head.
Is the dragon talking to you?
Should you [[climb the tower to talk to the dragon->The Tower]] or [[follow the crowd into the courtyard->The Courtyard]]?Trees close in around the path. The forest is thick, but it feels welcoming, not foreboding. Between the trees you catch sight of something white. It moves swiftly, so you can't see it clearly, but it's looks like a horse. Except for the golden horn.
You grab Int's arm and point with your free hand. "Is that a unicorn?"
He barely glances the direction you indicate. "Yeah, probably. The Fair One lives in these woods."
Before you can ask more, the trees fall away. "Here we are." Int points up the hill.
The woods you thought would go on forever have disappeared. You turn to look back. Rolling hills, covered in dense forest stretch out behind you. The path you had been walking disappears into the trees. A high forested ridge rises on your left, and away to the right you can make out a glint of sea.
Turning around again, you see a rocky peninsula stretching out into the sparkling ocean. At the end of it stands a tall round tower that seems to grow out of a two-story house with a thatched roof. A silver-blue dragon sits on top of the tower, looking out to sea.
"Come on!" Int breaks into a run. "The dragons are home!"
As you hurry after the boy, the dragon turns, its silvery eyes focusing on you. "Welcome to FarPoint." The voice is deep but soft and you hear it inside your head.
Is the dragon talking to you?
Should you [[climb the tower to talk to the dragon->The Tower]] or [[follow the crowd into the courtyard->The Courtyard]]?The dragon is definitely talking to you. The crowd is streaming across the stone and through an arched opening in the wall on the left side of the tower building. But the door to the house is ajar. Checking to make sure no one notices, you slip through and into a dark vestibule. A door on either side is closed, but at the end of the long, narrow hall, there's an arched opening leading to a spiral staircase.
You climb the stairs, stopping at each of the windows to enjoy the view of the sea and of the village in the distance. After climbing the 72 steps--yes, you counted--you reach a small round room. You climb the ladder to a trap door in the ceiling.
When you push the door open, the wind whips it out of your hand, slamming it open on the roof of the little tower. You climb the rest of the way out and come face to face with a big blue dragon.
He spits a fine mist of water into your face.
"Did you talk to me?" you gasp. Your breath is coming fast, and your heart is pounding. Only you know if it's from the climb or from the exhilarating experience of meeting a dragon.
The dragon stares at you for a long moment, then nods.
"But you're not going to talk to me now?" You cross your arms in frustration. Why did you bother climbing all these steps if he's just going to ignore you?
The dragon's long neck snakes around you and pushes a pile of canvas and wood at you.
"What's that?" you ask.
He simply pushes it closer. Keeping one eye on the big beast, you investigate the pile. It's a folding chair. You carefully set it up near the center of the little tower."Is that for me?"
The dragon nudges the chair closer to the edge. Grabbing the low railing, you look over the side. Far below, the people from the village stream into the courtyard beside the house. A group of fiddlers play in one corner as people find their seats.
"You want me to watch the ceremony with you?" you ask.
The dragon nods again, then settles in beside you [[to watch.->ending]]
You follow the revelers into the courtyard. A low stage stands before the big wooden doors leading into the building--probably a stable. In one corner, a group of fiddlers play a jaunty tune. In another, a woman directs a group of people who are setting up a cask and tankards. The villagers deposit dishes and bundles on a long table across the right side of the courtyard then take seats among the tables filling the space.
Int waves to get your attention, then drags you to a seat near the little stage. He introduces you to a family of giants who tower over you. Instead of being intimidating, they're welcoming.
"Thank you for coming to the feast!" the woman says. "I'm Lilabeth Goodhammer. Mother of the groom! And this is his father, Derwin, and our youngest, Gebhard. Move over, Gebby, and [[give our new friend a seat->ending]]!"
After the wedding, Koni finds you. "Come, friend. We have things to discuss."
You follow Koni to the stony yard in front of the little house and tower. He takes you around the side, along a narrow path. The wall of the house gives way to a rougher stone wall. While Koni skips easily along the path, you cling to the wall, placing your feet carefully so you don't all down the hundred-foot drop to the beach below.
The wall ends, and you find yourself on a small triangle of land with the cliff on both sides and the wall at your back. Koni sits on the ground, leaning against the wall and pats the rock beside him.
You sit, facing the sea. The dragon atop the tower suddenly launches himself forward, diving past you to join a group of dragons playing in the water. Somehow you didn't notice them until this moment.
"Is it magic?" you wonder.
"Everything about Safe Haven is magic," Koni says. "And only those who belong here can ever find it. Would you like to stay?"
----
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[If you'd like to spend more time in Safe Haven, read the Dragons of Safe Haven. Book 1 is called //A Dragon Rider's Guide to Retirement//. We hope to see you there!
~ The End ~]