<div class="floatleft">(http://imgur.com/dwqLq.jpg)</div>Davor can see in the monk's eyes a glint of good-natured mischief, and he can practically taste the oak-aged wine on his tongue as the monk produces an unlabeled black-glassed bottle from the nearest case.  The monk's mock-chiding glance, he's sure, will be followed by an offer-- of course, it's possible that<i>one</i>bottle might have broken after a hard jolt, and if the seal be broken then the gods themselves couldn't blame the monast from turning this misfortune into enjoyment, could they?  His cheeks and nose, reddened and glistening with the thick sweat of the afternoon, hint that perhaps this has already been the case at least once on his long journey from the crags.<br/><br/>But as Ajax strides up, the monk's shining eyes widen ever-so-slightly and, without missing a beat, he conceals the momentary temptation.  "Ah, mister Ajax-- certainly."  He extends the bottle toward the noble-caste seeming man, "What better way to savor the approaching storms than with the fruit of their rains, hm?"  He places the cork-and-wax sealed neck into Ajax's hand and then grins over at Davor.  "Goodly met, and Tyr's blessings."  He grunts softly and hauls the cart upright again, setting it rolling over the crunching shells again on his way.<br/><br/>By the docks, several slanted, rough-hewn timber roofs provide shade for vendors and tradesmen, complete with sanded benches to provide good visibility over the black-sand slopes and still harbor, a clean vantage point to overlook the long piers like horizontal pallisades riddled with knotted ropes and canvas sand-bags.  Alternately, there's a good view of the piers and beach from the market, where the only competition for space would be a knot of loafing boys who've taken residence in the thatched-palm roof's shade to stare lustily at the piers.  It's obvious from their gestures and the occasional, unpracticed vulgarity from their mouths that they're seeing something female and enticing.<br/><br/>Five ships sit the harbor at present-- two are Hadiran naval clippers, built for agility and power, and are being re-crewed and re-stocked by a staggered line of glistening and lean soldiers in 'work armor'-- meaning gloves, boots, and loincloths-- overseen by a couple of sergeants in the cuirass, leather jerkin, and crested helmets chosen by imperial legionary officers.  Here, the sun or one's slowness of arm will kill faster than an arrow-- they're double-timing their work, chaining crates and bundles onto the deck by a gangplank and into the ships' compact holds.  The stirring breeze promises rain soon.<br/><br/>The priapic lads manage to keep their voices low enough not to draw the ire or overt notice of the busty woman in the harbor, but it's obvious she's the cause for their attention.   The dockhands used to her presence focus like zen monks at their work as they sing metered songs at the work, but there's little doubt that if they pass within her proximity they might have difficulty averting their gaze or suppressing a bitter scowl.  But there's plenty of work; the barge is laden with products from cool-weather, and all the transport ship's men are on their brief furlough, seeking replacements for their lost crew and appeasement for their confined appetites.  All but a few... a handful of hopefuls for a new life have set to wandering the streets, looking for dreams but likely to find only the bottle or the whip.<div class="floatright">(http://imgur.com/0EN5s.jpg)</div><br/>Among them, a cluster of four well-built figures huddles in the main square, discussing in hushed voices.  This group is different than the normal traveler-- these four are alien in a fashion... not salty dogs by any stretch, these few carry traveling gear and weapons.  They have no footmen, an oversight no traveling mainland noble would commit.  Three are armored, one is garbed in white silks and linen, sporting a broad-brimmed, veiled hat that shrouds him, or her, from the sun.  They leave the street and move toward the stairs up to The Devil Ray, a tavern and cantina currently bustling with fresh orders and surrounded with a broad porch shaded with palm thatch.