After registering her Eater status with the city, which Anjou was informed she would have to do every time she entered a new kingdom, she expected Venomgrin to take her to the castle. Instead, she was led through a gap in the wall that connected to the other spiral.
“This is the Sea Spiral,” Venomgrin explained, pointing down to the ocean. “The one we just came from is the Land Spiral. Both will lead you up to the castle tower, but we are headed towards the docks.” During registration, a guard had come up to Venomgrin and whispered something in her ear. Anjou assumed the change in destination had something to do with it.
Like with the roads and walls of the city, the docks were also made of the same white stone. All of the boats and ships were docked in the harbor except for one. It was a long, elegant boat that was halfway between a canoe and a parade float. It was made of a bright red wood and was covered in white and gold fabric that hung off on either side without touching the water. Where the mast of a ship would usually stand was a large umbrella that covered the entire boat and covered a small group of people underneath.
“Today’s a non-docking day,” Venomgrin said. “They close off the harbor to give the city a break. It also allows the family to enjoy the water if they want.”
Anjou scanned the docks. They were mostly empty of people except for a few pedestrians, an old fisherman with a wooden pole and a couple of children with their feet in the water.
“I’m surprised there aren’t more gawkers. I mean onlookers.” Anjou corrected herself at Venomgrin’s confused expression.
“Some people watch, but then they realize it’s not anything special. It’s just another boat. Come on, let's introduce you.”
Anjou gulped. “We’re not going to fly again, are we?”
—
Thankfully for Anjou’s heart they didn’t have to fly. Instead, they walked down to an unoccupied dock to wait. As they approached, without warning Venomgrin started running and jumped into the water, splashing some of it on Anjou’s legs. The water was cool and felt nice against the low heat of the day. She was contemplating putting her feet into the water when she looked down and was reminded that her clothes were still bloody and torn.
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Venomgrin said, resurfacing. “Eaters aren’t known for being…regal.”
Anjou sniffed herself and wrinkled her nose. “I should at least…”
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, once you're chosen, you’ll get cleaned up and a tailor will make your Eater outfit.”
“My what?”
Venomgrin didn’t answer. She climbed out of the water as the boat turned and headed towards the dock. From what Anjou could see, no one was steering the boat. There were five people in the boat. A woman, two children and a man holding a baby.
The man looked human except for his pointed ears and he wore a one to one replica of a dark gray tuxedo with a red bowtie which, with his combed back auburn hair and clean shaven face, made him look like an old school lounge singer. The name Frankie hung over his head which meant he was a Core Eater. To Anjou his face looked familiar, but she couldn’t figure out why.
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Next to Frankie was a woman who was leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed. Her golden hair hung over the back of the seat and she wore a simple light blue dress. The children behind her both wore shirts and trousers that matched the color of the dress. Their hair also matched the woman’s although the girl’s was longer than the boy’s. The boy was sitting on the side of the boat with a fishing pole while the girl was playing with some kind of stuffed toy.
The boat parked itself on the dock which neither the woman or the children seemed to notice. It wasn’t until Frankie whispered in the woman’s ear that she blinked her eyes open and yawned. The boy noticed the movement and looked up before turning towards the dock. As soon as he looked in Anjou and Venomgrin’s direction his eyes lit up.
“Venomgrin, you’re back.” The boy dropped the fishing pole and jumped off the boat towards Venomgrin who intercepted him mid-air and embraced him. “I missed you.”
“I was only gone for a couple of days,” Venomgrin let the boy down.
“I know but…” the boy noticed Anjou. “Who are you?”
Venomgrin put a hand on Anjou’s shoulder. “This is my new friend. Anjou, this is Lanric. First son of the Esterin Family and my Purpose as an Eater. Lanric, this is Anjou.”
“I am,” Anjou bowed.
Venomgrin bumped her. “You don’t need to do that.” She turned back to Lanric. “I brought her here for your sister.”
“For me?” The little girl sat on the edge of the boat with her feet dangling on the side and eyed Anjou. “If that’s true, why didn’t you show up for my ceremony.”
Anjou looked away. “I had some complications.”
The girl crossed her arms. “Oh, like that?”
“Cereza, don’t be rude.” The sleeping woman, who Anjou assumed was the mother, gracefully stepped off the boat followed by Frakie who continued to cradle the baby. She walked over and gave the Shellen gesture. “Hello and welcome to Esteris. I am Angeline.”
“Queen Angeline to you,” Cereza said.
Angeline sighed but continued to smile. “Please forgive her. She’s very outspoken, like her father, rest his soul.” The baby in the man’s arms began to stir so she took it from him. “And this is my personal guard Frankie.”
“How’s it going doll?” Frankie said in a casual tone. His voice was rugged but nasally and high pitched. It was when he spoke that recognition clicked in Anjou’s mind.
“Your No-Thankie Frankie,” Anjou blurted out.
Frankie smiled. “Well, well. You must be from Earth. Gotta say, that’s the first time anyone’s recognized me in this world.”
“You know him?” Lanric asked.
Anjou looked down. “He was a famous singer from our world. But he suddenly disappeared one day and no one knew what happened.”
Lanric’s eyes went wide. “That’s amazing.”
Frankie laughed. “Seems just like yesterday. I wonder how many years its been since that day.”
Anjou thought. “I’d say at least fifty. I only know about you because my trainer would play your music as a calm down exercise.”
“Oh, training for what?”
“I was a boxer.”
“What’s a boxer?” Lanric asked.
Anjou looked down at the boy. “It’s a sport where people punch each other.”
“You punch people for fun?” This time it was Cereza who spoke. The question was accusatory.
“I wouldn’t put it like that.”
Cereza gave Anjou a devilish grin. “I don’t care. I choose you.”