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"A la Seconde" (Rockaxe) The ship docked at the port in Rockaxe, and Karen quickly ran down the plank and onto the port, glad to be on solid ground. The whole world was rocking, and the seasickness was refusing to subside. The two who had saved her in Kuskus were off the ship and walking rapidly toward the castle, but Karen couldn't even gather the stamina to chase and thank them. "Oohh…" she moaned, clutching her stomach as waves of nausea passed over her. I hate boats. A young man laid a warm hand on her back and asked if she was all right. Karen nodded firmly, still feeling a little woozy, and walked toward the center of Rockaxe. She could hear music coming from the tavern, and the sound immediately lifted her spirits, though the thought of dancing made her a little ill. Slowly, she pushed the door open and went in, settling herself at a table. The barmaid immediately brought her some water. "You look a bit sick," she said apologetically. "Thank you, I appreciate it," Karen replied gratefully, sipping the water. The clay mug left a grainy aftertaste, but Karen was so thirsty it didn't matter. Feeling refreshed, she summoned the barmaid over and asked, "I don't know if you can help me, but I'm looking for my sister." "What's she look like?" "Sort of like me, I imagine. I haven't seen her in years." "Family quarrel, huh?" Karen shook her head. "No…she…disappeared." The barmaid looked startled, then flushed red. "Oh," she stammered, "I-I'm sorry." "It's all right," Karen replied quietly. "So what's her name?" "Kiara." The woman paused, then slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, honey, haven't heard of her." "That's all right," Karen repeated. "Say…I notice you have a stage. Are you hiring?" "You're an actress?" "Dancer." "Oh! Well…yeah, I'll talk to the boss about it. What's your name?" "It's Karen." "All right, Karen, I'll see what I can do. Come back in about an hour. While you've got a break, go up the street to the house on the corner. There's another woman who dances her, so you better take it up with her." "Thank you, I will," she said, rising from the table. "Thank you so much for all of your help." "Good luck, Karen," the woman said, gathered her tray, and went bouncing off toward the bar. Karen stepped out into the sunshine, admiring the fortress nearby and the sites of the town. While a bit stark for Karen's somewhat flamboyant tastes, the atmosphere was pleasing. She walked over to the house, startled by the array of bright flowers in pots surrounding the door. She paused to smell them before she knocked. "Just a minute!" Called a voice from within, and the door swung open. The woman was tall and lithe, her blond hair plaited into two braids with bright green ribbons. Her green silk dress swirled delicately around the floor. Karen's jaw dropped and she gasped, "Mina?"
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