Headed by a Snake

Coraline peeked at the boarding list while the guardswoman was occupied.

It seemed that she was the only female elf on the flight-- and her unapologetically Elven name had revealed her identity.

"Thank you for your help, (little star.)" The woman sighed, "If you had not come, maybe little lordling would have accident-- falling off pier."

The dovahkiin guard used a term of endearment in the old Nemayan language. Most people assumed all elves were older than they were, so it was nice that Coraline was treated her age for once.

However... talking so casually about an 'accident' that would result in certain death was a little jarring. She glanced off the high pier-- a decision, she regretted immediately. It was a long way to the ground below... and the airship would climb far higher, in transit.

Scary.

She bared her teeth, trying to hide her discomfort, "Y-you're welcome, Miss. Can I please board the ship, now?"

"Yes, of course, honored guest." The guard gestured towards the boarding ramp with a light bow, "Please watch your step and enjoy your stay on the Golden Eagle."

...

Coraline had been on a ship once... a merchant's vessel, rather than a passenger ship.

That other ship was designed to sail on the water, though. Worst experience of her life, by far.

The insides of the Golden Eagle were comfortably decorated. Paintings hung on the walls and there were little tables with vases holding colored paper flowers. Glossy red-leather sitting chairs were placed in the strangest spots, as if passengers would randomly decide to sit and chat or read. The halls were also plenty spacious... not that she was large enough to worry about squeezing through anything.

She found her room easily enough, a private space set up for two people that she had all to herself.

The Golden Eagle used to be a luxury liner, pandering only to the wealthy elite. Something happened to it a few years ago-- and then it wasn't. She spent a sun in the Victrix city archives searching for an answer, but came up with nothing.

Still, it made her ticket cheap... as far as airship tickets went, anyroad.

Heading back home to the Eastern States had been a mostly lonely experience. The islands that made up Cersei's Rest would be the last stop before then.

The prospect wasn't really that exciting, visiting the holiest islands in Tyrion. All her coin went into travel expenses... which meant that she couldn't afford to do anything nice.

Maybe she could swallow her pride and flutter her pretty eyelashes at a handsome, wealthy noble who'd whisk her away to see the sights? It was a rare privilege, after all, to experience the wonderful charm of 'Miss Coraline Heartsong'~

Hmph... No way. Coraline would 'accident' herself off the ship before she'd put herself in such a stupid situation.

Traveling by sea would have saved her coinpurse from crying tears of injustice, but she was absolutely unwilling to sail through pirate-infested waters... again. When technology developed enough that sky pirates became commonplace, maybe she'd reconsider.

Wouldn't be anytime soon.

Coraline pomf'd down on the bed. What was supposed to be a mattress turned out to be a thin layer of hopes and well-wishes...

Maybe that was the Golden Eagle's terrible fate? To have their bedding cursed by an evil wizard to be as uncomfortable as possible.

She grabbed her bag and started to unpack. Maybe laying her bedroll on top of the joke-mattress would make something half-decent?

She doubted it.

A rolled-up scroll fell out, rolling underneath her bunk.

In retrieving it... her eyes caught a dark spot... a small hole bored into the section of wall.

And beside that hole... was a scattering of dark... beans.

Great...

Coraline sucked in air through her teeth.

Rats.

Even as an airship, the Golden Eagle had the failings of a seaborne ship.

Coraline no longer looked forward to sleeping. The humans probably won't mind, but her? She'd be kept up all night by their squeaking and scratching.

Sighing, she unrolled her scroll. It was a letter of recommendation her previous employer had transcribed and notarized.

The prospect of finding a new job was absolutely not something she looked forward to.

The missive was full of velvet daggers-- words and phrases that sounded nice, but were anything but.

'Miss Coraline does her work when prompted' sounded like she had to be constantly reminded to do her job.

'Miss Coraline often finds creative solutions to unique situations' made her out to be an idiot.

'Miss Coraline has great attention to detail, though sometimes at the cost of speed and efficiency.'

'Miss Coraline' was very glad she left her previous guild-- even though she was pretty much forced to resign.

'Miss Coraline outed her stupid boss in front of the whole guild, because he was embezzling coin to fund his alcohol and drug habits!'

But as much sleuthing work as she did... she didn't realize half of the guild was in on it-- the more influential half, of course.

And what 'Miss Coraline' was absolutely *not* was everyone's friend.

People can't be trusted. People lie.

Men, especially-- but talking about that was an entirely different set of complaints.

It was probably the number one reason she didn't want to find a new job. At least in her old guild, she knew for sure not to trust any of her companions... and which ones she'd avoid, even at the cost of appearing rude.

Coraline's ears twitched, hearing footsteps in the hallway. With a heavy sigh, she rolled up the letter and put it back in her bag. She'd lament her depressing, horribly mundane situation later.

Maybe the rats would come and laugh with her.

Ugh, no. That would be horrifying. Those things have diseases.

The person on the other side of the door gave the wood two polite raps, "Good evening, this is Captain Nikandros. The evening meal will be served in the dining hall shortly."

Was it that time already? She wasn't even hungry.

"I'll be out in a moment! Thank you."