Treasure Hunting Pit Stop|Rivenway, Ronduin

"More crowded than it looks," Latai answered, "when you consider they build upward and not outward and look at how high some of these buildings go. Forces, I'd hate to have a room at the top. Great view would not be worth the long climb up the stairs. You'd think they'd all start growing Wind signs out of sheer necessity."

The adventurer rubbed her hands together a little. She liked Ronduin, though she wouldn't want to stay. The art here was lovely and the food - if you liked seafood - prepared in a variety of interesting ways. "There's farms, off on the outer edges of the Great River, though they struggle. The land isn't that good there, and it floods a lot. Most of Ronduin's food is supplemented by trades with the Beastlands and the farms and lands farther west. They put a great deal of money in anything that can be stored and hoarded over time. If you want fresh, you're better off eating the fish and like."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Listen to me ramble. We need to see about anyone willing to go out on the ocean with their boats. I heard it's a hard thing to arrange, these days. Back before New Morilanta showed up, there were a lot more rivers that led from the River to the ocean and Ronduin could go pretty freely out there. But it's too dangerous now and I'm not even sure if there's safe riverways to travel on. Might be we reach a bit of a dead end here and need to find some ships in - ugh - Khelek."

Latai laughed in amusement at that as well. "Ah, Mentis, I'd forgotten. I haven't actually been there, truth be told, so it slipped my mind completely. Good, good, we'll head there straightaway, though we might as top off our provisions here and admire the place a little, aye?"

Latai had to think about it a bit before conceded, "Well, all right. I am rather curious."

Once their provisions had been seen to and lodging secured, Latai led the way to one of the tall, towering buildings that housed several families and knocked on the door, giving the name of her family to the doorman. This building was particularly tall and so the doorman spoke through a long, tin horn contraption. The words spoken back were garbled and barely understandable, but the doorman gave a nod and gestured that they could proceed.

"Try not to fall down the stairs," Latai joked as she began climbing. "It's a long fall down."

"No, they live midway," Latai answered. "Still a bit of a climb but not as fearsome as it could be. We used to be near the top. Guess we moved down when some tenants moved out or died."

After a bit, Latai paused and glanced back over her shoulder at Grace. "Do you want me to go behind you?" she asked, trying not to chuckle. "Then if you fall I can catch you."

"Oh, well, I guess that makes sense," Latai murmured and pressed up against the side of the handrail as she gestured for Grace to go ahead of her.

"Naw, that's understandable," Latai assured Grace. "Could happen to anyone I'm sure." Though she had to suppress sudden tasteless 'dropped as a baby' jokes in her own head.

Once they'd reached her family's home without incident, Latai knocked on the door and was greeted by one of her sisters. "Hi Crishy!"

"Latty!" the girl squealed and hugged her abruptly. "Oooh! Come in come in!"

Latai laughed and stepped inside, gesturing to Grace. "Crishy this is a friend of mine named Grace. Grace, this is my sister Crishtei though we just call her Crishy."