[b][i]Flashback, Abandoned Hillfort[/i][/b]

"One last thing," Malko spoke before he made to depart, handing Par, from his moccassin pockets, a set of forged papers. "What direction are you going on your journey? Southeast, right?*" This elicited a nod from the Merchant, who was only halfway through putting his clothes back on.

"Yeah, trying to avoid Azure Strand due to the increasing disorder - " the young Ex-Ebonfortian was saying before Malko loudly facepalmed, exasperated for once.

"Why?" Par was a little alarmed at his boyfriend's action, feeling as though he had done something wrong, which Malko's next words confirmed:

"Par, the disorder in Azure Strand is a [i]good[/i] thing," the Kvaren carefully explained. "The increased criminal activity not only distracts the Ebon Knights, but also creates possible allies if you're clever. And, Par, you [i]are[/i] clever, just...inexperienced." The Kvaren then looked at the merchant longingly, before saying:

"And with that, I have to go." And he loped off, with his pack, and left Par to consider his options...

[b][i]Present Day, 15 Saffra 301 DM[/i][/b]

Par had managed to get to the outskirts of Azure Watch, using speed and stealth and the relative emptiness of the poor land, in order to evade both Ebon Patrols and Bandits. On the rare occassions where he had to encounter authorities, he would then show his forged papers to the official in charge, saying:

"My name is Alexander Sky, a merchant's son who got disinherited when my brothers stole my share. I am on my way to Azure City to exchange spices for fish." And then he would show them his cargo, which would serve as additional 'proof'. And this managed to get him through any checkpoint, and now he hoped that he would not gain the wrong kind of attention from the watchman at the city gates. He didn't.

"Better be careful, kid," said the person running the gatehouse, a heavyset man with large jowls. "Thugs and footpads running about, and Ebon Knights aren't much better. Only silver lining is the ship about to leave, some fool voyage south of the desert. Then again, not like this place has anything to bait people except fish..." To all of this, Par would give his nod, before saying:

"What sort of ship? Exploration? Or..." Par realized something, "Trade?"

"Yeah!" the Gatekeeper said, "rumors of some large city or somesuch; I personally don't believe they'd find anything more than sand, but I clap for their efforts; it's the most exciting thing since, well, since the bad things that happened. Now, go, go, I personally don't have time to interrogate every small trader I meet."

And with that, Par left, using his memories of his trips with his father to guide his way to the docks, where he would then sight the unique merchant vessel, so different from the flatter-bottomed fishing boats that flanked it. [i]So, this is what a Galleon[/i] - he had heard that term in Azure Strand's streets on the way - [i]looks like,[/i] were his thoughts. He then rode his horse towards where, he presumed, its captain was, before finding out that there was a line. He would then dismount, then lead his horse by the reins to the end of the line, saying: 

"Hey, is there room for one more?! And no, I don't mean the Horse! I have Cloves and Cardamaom, both as cargo as well as payment to join, if you require any!"

No, it was not the most tactful of attempts to shove himself in, but time was running out; he had only found out about the ship just now, and it was apparently about to leave. 

"Anyway," Par continued, talking fast, "my name is Alexander Sky, a disinherited son of a merchant whose share was stolen by my brothers. All I have to my name is my horse, survival supplies, a light crossbow, and the cloves and cardamom I mentioned, which I've been taught were valuable trade goods. I am also a fast learner, being young, and while I'm not that strong, I can move pretty fast and get into tight spots." 

"Oh! And I can make gadgets, if needed, and fix and work on machines. I can pull my weight, I promise."

((*This is a minor Retcon with GM Permission.))