PARAGON

Paragon practiced Starport's breathing exercises, despite not needing to breathe. As a magical construct, she couldn't inhale or exhale. However, the motions still helped her calm down.

A decorative wooden serving bowl filled with rolls sat on the center of the table, the loaves of bread safely stored in the kitchen, minus a slice. Myrllen had eaten it as he was putting the bread away.

Paragon had to admit the rolls looked good, and she wished she could eat a roll. However, eating standard food items wasn't exactly in her design. She added a flower design to the bowl and plates, then added the same pattern as embroidery to the napkins. That should be enough.

Footsteps on the dock immediately grabbed Paragon's attention. "They're coming!" She telepathically called to her crew.

The liveship approached the gangplank as a group of four Ulven approached. She was glad she added a railing earlier when Myrllen and Travis left to get the bread.

As her crew emerged onto the deck and approached, Paragon smiled at the Ulven. "Welcome aboard the Paragon." She smiled and bowed slightly. "I am Paragon, the personification of the ship's consciousness." She motioned to her crew. "This is my captain, Woodgrain Travis, and my ship's mage, Estell Myrllen."

Travis and Myrllen nodded in turn. "It is nice to meet you." Travis politely bowed his head, and Myrllen similarly moved.

"We are gracious for your invitation." The eldest Ulven partially bowed, her long golden hair tied back in a braid. "I am Garduni Irisva, the matriarch of the Garduni family." The woman gracefully gestured to the younger Ulven behind her. "These are my children, Garduni Hibisca and Azolla-Garduni Aceroak and his wife, Azolla Salvi."

They each nodded in turn, though Hibisca looked much more excited than her stoic mother. However, the liveship could see a sparkle of fascination in their gazes.

Paragon motioned to the table. "My crew and I prepared a place for us to sit and talk, and there are fresh rolls as well."

"Thank you for your hospitality." Garduni Irisva nodded, then followed with her family to the prepared seating.

Paragon sat between Travis and Myrllen, while the Garduni matriarch sat directly opposite of her, with Hytha sitting next to Travis.

Irisva picked up a roll, taking in the delicious scent. "Did you bake these?"

"No," Myrllen spoke, "Travis and I bought them from Starlight Bakery."

There was a brief pause, and the Ulven glanced at Paragon as if she was going to scold Myrllen for speaking out of turn. However, Paragon was not going to punish her youngest crew member. They were all equals while on her decks. A ship couldn't sail alone.

"You have fine tastes in above-ground bakeries." Garduni Irisva nodded.

"Thank you." Travis smiled and nodded.

As Hibisca grabbed a roll for herself, the matriarch glanced around. "You are a quite beautiful vessel, Paragon, my daughter did you justice in her descriptions of you. Are you as fast as she says?"

"I can circle the planet in only a few weeks." Paragon nodded. "Especially if I don't have to make any major detours."

The Ulven slowly nodded as a pondering expression formed on her face. She took a bite of the roll in her bronzed hand.

"Is something the matter?" Paragon asked.

"From Hibisca's stories, I know your speed to be true." The matriarch nodded. "And the supplies you have brought will be a great help to the people here."

"I am glad to offer our aid to Ulvaria." Paragon smiled softly.

The woman slowly nodded."I will admit, I also want to ask for your help." Garduni Irsva hesitantly admitted. "My husband is severely ill, and the healers fear he only has a few more days to live." She briefly glanced down to the flowery plate, then to the vast ocean beyond the port, then refocused on the silver figurehead. "I have heard rumors Verona has herbs that could potentially heal him. The magic there is stronger."

Paragon paused, her mind going to her map. Verona was on a massive rift valley lake, but the issue was the narrow connecting river that ran between Iua and Kira. The channel was plenty deep, but some sections were barely wide enough for two average-sized ships to pass. Pirates guarded the twisting canyon, ready to capture any vessels that did not pay them for safe passage.

The Ulven matriarch hesitated, her voice nearly cracking as she continued. "I know it is dangerous—"

"I'll go," Paragon stated.

Garduni Irsva looked at Paragon in pure shock, her mouth agape with a word frozen in her throat. Her bewildered eyes stared into Paragon's face as if she was calculating the figurehead's sanity.

It took the matriarch a few moments to partially recover her composure. She stood and bowed lowly. "Thank you, Paragon. May the sun ever grace your deck."

"There is no need to bow, madam," Paragon promised. "I am doing what's right. I will have to adjust my plans, but I can leave as soon as you need. If you allow me to unload my hull, I can sail even faster."

"I'll buy all of it." The matriarch stated, her eyes filled with determined sparks. "Name your price; I'll pay for all of it and my passage to Verona."

Paragon blinked in surprise, then paused in thought. She initially planned to sell half of her materials in Rein, but she didn't mind adjusting her plans for a noble cause. She could always get more wood from Gracia, and the Garduni Matriarch needed her help. "Do you have a place to store the lumber and plants and people to water the young trees? As for price, 4,000 denari for everything, including passage to Verona."

The woman seemed surprised by the price as if it was lower and more reasonable than expected. "I have a wares yard not far from here. How fast can you unload?" Garduni Irsva continued as her eyes sparkled with hope while her gaze remained steadfast and determined.

"Seconds, if you show me where you need the materials transported." Myrllen spoke, "I can use my magic to teleport everything as long as I know where it needs to go."

"Mother, I can show them to the yard while you pack." Hibisca spoke, and I can go with you, I have not fully unpacked from my previous excursion."

"We can stay and handle Father and the estate," Azolla Salvi spoke as she put her arm around her husband's arm, "I am sure my matriarch will be fine with it, as long as you are."

"Thank you, all of you." Garduni Irsva spoke as she struggled to contain her composure.

"If you wish, we can discuss a formal trade agreement on the journey," Paragon smiled softly. "There will be plenty of time for negotiations."

"Yes, that sounds wonderful." The Ulven Matriarch nodded as she stood, then stooped into a low bow. "Thank you, all of you. Please, call me Irsva."

"Please Irsva, rise. You do not need to bow, I am only doing what's right," Paragon responded, then smiled as the woman straightened. "I will stay in port as long as you need." The figurehead faced Myrllen. "Myrllen, please go with them so you can transport everything to their storage. I will worry about payment at another time."

Myrllen nodded as he stood. "I can do that, Paragon."

Hibisca smiled to the Stellan, Estell Myrllen, I will gladly show you to our family's storage yard is."

"Thank you." Myrllen nodded. "And please, call me Myrllen. You don't need to use my clan name."

"Very well, Myrllen," Hibisca spoke in a tone as friendly as her smile. "You may call me Hibisca."

Myrllen smiled and nodded as he followed her to the gangplank.

As he stepped onto it, Paragon telepathically contacted the Stellan. "The spell to put the wares where you want them is very simple. Image everything moving from my hull to where you want them and say 'return.' Make sure you visualize everything neatly stacked in the space. I'd you need help, feel free to ask."

Myrllen glanced back and subtly nodded as he followed Hibisca.

"I will prepare rooms for you." Travis softly smiled with an assuring gaze.

"Thank you, all of you." Irsva's expression filled with hope. the liveship and her captain. "I will return shortly." Optimistic urgency filled her promising words as she hurried off the ship, her thoughts filled with what to prepare and pack and how long it would take.

"Thank you for your generosity in helping my mother." Azolla-Garduni Aceroak stood, then gratefully bowed.

"It is my pleasure to help those in need." Paragon nodded to the partially-armored Ulven. "The world is a better place when people help other people."

Azolla-Garduni Aceroak happily agreed with a nod.

Author Notes!
We're getting to see a lot of places! Do you like the world I've made so far?