Spartacus (The White Stone Version), Sabinus/Castus and others
The ship is true to her word. She speeds across the waves as if they offer her no resistance, and soon Belesa sights the Bingtown harbour on the horizon. As the town comes into view, Sabinus is overcome with hope that this will be the land they are looking for. He has doubted that it really exists at times; how could a place only a few days away be unknown to Rome? Yet there it appears, rows of wooden houses in every colour, yellows and blues and pinks, and a single bright lavender one that stands out on the shore.
The ship finds her way to the dock and into an empty slip beside another ship. Sabinus wants to jump with excitement at the thought of meeting another Liveship. He forces himself to remain calm, even when the other ship greets them.
“Hello, dear.”
“Hello, Ophelia. You look well. Will you be in port long?”
“Only another day, I’m afraid. Just barely long enough to catch you up on all the gossip.”
The ships’ conversation is interrupted by several men running toward them. “Why, Liina!” one shouts. “It’s been ages since you were here. We were sure you’d been lost.”
At first, Sabinus isn’t sure who the men address. Then his ship replies. “Is that Trader Lavender? You wore boys’ trousers when last we met. How is your family?”
“They are well, Liina. Grandmother has missed you.”
As the ship exchanges pleasantries, Sabinus steps back. He feels out of place here—a familiar enough feeling, certainly, but this time borne entirely of his own action. Or inaction, in this case.
“Let me introduce my crew,” the ship says, and presents them to the Traders.
“Apologies. I never asked your name,” he thinks hard, hoping that this time the ship will hear.