The Mimic Becomes a Merchant King

And so it was, on the eve of his third week since speaking to Colony, that Coin was ready to go. LeBon had finished a myriad of tweaks and improvements to his boat, and though he still wished to do more he knew he lacked the time to do so.

They ensured the boat was loaded with fuel and food below deck, hitched it to a wheeled rig being pulled by a pair of mushiens, and then set about taking it westward. They settled on using the port town of Dorsal as the launching ground.

The sun was setting over the low and squat buildings of Dorsal by the time they had eased the boat into the water. Here, as with their test ride on the lake, they had drawn an inquisitive crowd eager to glimpse LeBon's queer steamboat.

Coin stood on the deck, his hands in the pockets of his flapping green coat, while his allies watched him from the dock. Even Scylla had come along to see him off.

"Well then," Coin said, placing a hand against the side of the cabin. "I suppose this is it. Don't know how long I'll be gone but... I'm hoping to be back within a week or two." Maybe it was just wishful thinking that he'd be back at all, given the risk that loomed ahead of him. He just had to hope Colony had higher aspirations than eating him.

"You still haven't told us what this is even about," Pearl said, giving him a wary look.

"It's... complicated," said Coin.

"Obscenely," Scylla added. She tried to wear her usual cryptic smile, but if one looked at her eyes they could see flickers of unease in her expression.

"I suppose I shouldn't be shocked that you of all people know all about this," Pearl said, heaving a weary sigh.

"I strive to be knowledgeable about many things."

"I'll do what I can to keep your people secure in your absence," Illyana said, nodding at the mimic. "So long as my allies and I are in Sentinel, at least."

"My thanks, Illyana."

Domajor gave his master an uneasy look. "Sailing off on your own is unwise. Even Ser DiVenture wouldn't be so foolhardy," he said.

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"Maybe not. But... I can't risk anyone else coming along." If Colony saw any of Coin's friends as potential snacks, it would turn the whole meeting into a catastrophe. "I've been doing my studying. I'll be fine. I can trust you and Essine to handle paperwork in my absence?"

"As you will, Ser."

Essine said nothing. She stood uneasy, fretting with her clawed hands. "Essine?" Coin asked. "Are you alright? I know it's daunting, but I plan on returning as soon as-"

The kobold, to the shock of all present, hopped onto the deck and rushed toward the mimic. Her hands gripped him by the collar, and she looked at him with fear and sorrow in her eyes. "This one has known so much loss in life. T-to lose you... to lose you would be a horrible blow."

"You won't lose me," he assured her.

"You don't know that!" she shouted, the sudden passion in her voice taking Coin aback. "Nobody... nobody knows that. Life does not give guarantees in that way, and death cares not for them in any case. Anything could happen, and you may well never return."

Coin frowned. "I'll do my best," he assured her.

"Even so... this one will not leave things unsaid." The kobold leaned in and suddenly pressed her lips to Coin's. The mimic froze. He had seen humans do this in public, he knew the gesture carried some clear weight to it. And, Coin would admit, it felt... nice.

"Heavens," Domajor said bluntly.

A few people in the crowd to see a kobold kiss a human. Pearl, similarly, let her jaw hang. Even Illyana seemed a touch flustered. While Scylla was content to smirk and stroke her chin, evidently intrigued.

When they parted, Essine looked away from him in shame. "Apologies," she said.

"No need," Coin said, smiling. "Guess you care about me as more than just a friend, then?"

"That is putting it mildly," said the kobold. She stiffened as Coin cupped the side of her face, stroking through her silken fur.

"Well, we can talk the particulars in the future. When I'm back. And... it would be nice to do that again." The mimic grinned broadly. "It was pretty great!"

Essine brightened, her ears pricking up. "This one is... glad." She turned and hastened back to the dock, pressing her furry palms to her cheeks.

As Coin turned and made for the boat, Pearl cleared her throat. "That night, when I was saved from those brigands... that was you who saved me, wasn't it?"

"Aha..." Coin smiled and scratched his neck. Now that took him back. It had been a chance encounter, and he had only been looking to secure a route for himself and Elijah. It had worked out for the best, in the end. "Indeed, I was."

Smiling, she ventured closer and pecked him on the lips. "My hero," she said. "Best come back in one piece, then."

Coin chuckled. "Of course," he said. With that he turned and made his way below deck, loading up coal for the boiler. He returned to the surface just as the flame started to take, securely closing the grate back up.

The dockside crowd gasped in wonder as the paddles gradually started to move, excited chatter breaking out between them. And, once the anchor was raised, the whirling paddles started to slowly guide the vessel out to sea.

Coin spared another look to his friends as they pulled further and further into the distance. He would see them again, he told himself. No matter how dangerous the situation seemed. "Wait for me!" he called out, "I'll be back before you know it!"

It was Pearl who called out to him just on the edge of hearing. "Damn you! You better come back in one piece!"

Coin smiled and continued steadily sailing onward, beneath the glow of the setting sun.