A City Awake

The day began with the sounds of harbour work, although not a trace of dawn was yet visible above the water. Navren looked for the line he had left to dry the evening before. It was still wet with rain, but Granek's repaired splice held. Navren did not trust its colour: he turned it between his fingers from end to end. “If we waited for every rope to dry, we wouldn't sail until the seasons changed,” grumbled a porter. Navren tied the knot, tested the tension and merely replied, “Then we'd have more time to learn patience.” A boat at the next quay had already cast off. The delay felt enormous until Navren saw it disappear beyond the pier: only a few moments had passed. At sea, even a brief pause might prevent a careless mistake that someone would remember for generations.