The city of Zenner stretched high into the air as the highest evaluated settlement in Belrea. Because of its general location it had become a hub for aircraft activity, thus making it a booming trade port between the continents. Maritza herself used to see first hand exactly what kinds of ‘freight’ could be passed between the two and sometimes shipments surprised her.

Beast collectors in both Belrea and Tendaji would pay high prices for the rarest specimens. She’d seen albino vedra being led off the docks with crystalline halters and Telmna decked out in more gold then she would ever be privy to touch. Even the handlers themselves usually had an air of importance about them, as if their entire lives had led to that moment. Of course, that was only a one way trip. When returning from Tendaji the creatures got a little stranger and now that she’d spent a few months being stationary in Belrea she’d all, but forgotten how completely horrific they could look.

Maritza had come to the shipyard for her monthly check in with her superiors, and had arrived just in time to see the latest shipment being walked off deck. At first she hadn’t known what to think. The massive scaled creature walked as if there were stones in it’s legs and every step down the ramp made booming thuds so loud it shook her spine. Each handler had the drooping ears of the yaeli, and despite their darkened skin they looked a little green. Air travel must not suit them.

Making sure to stay clear of the beasts, Maritza skirted around the platform and walked over to the dapper lightning man checking over ledgers. Captain Marrow was as pressed as ever in his three piece suit, but she knew the man beneath the pomp. The entire crew did. He only put on airs for the guests and his own superiors; beneath it all he was just as greasy and exhausted as his crew.

“Still pregnant, Miss Galway.” Even without looking up he seemed to notice her, but Maritza had grown used to the treatment.

“Keen eye, sir.” She quipped, placing a hand on her enlarged torso. Even if it had been recommended to her to stay home, or at least closer to it, in the coming months Maritza seemed only keen to follow her own orders. “Since when have we made trips Yael?”

“We haven’t.” A frown grew on his features and when the man looked up he sighed. “I was forced to dock for an extra two weeks in Sauti just waiting for this shipment of Limbara from Yael. Those damn yaeli; they knew when we were expected to arrive, the least they could do was show up on time.”

So that’s a Limbara. Maritza couldn’t say she knew the word; she’d never bothered to learn anything about the little island. The only thing noteworthy to come from Yael were their spectacles, and even that was rudimentary at best. Still, watching creature after creature being unloaded was a little...unnerving? Their long jaws put her in the mind of whirling gears and with a stature like that she could imagine how well they would do on a Geian farm.

“How big was the order?”

“Twenty-four. Thankfully the buyer paid for every cabin so I didn’t have to explain to the guests why they couldn’t bring as much luggage with them.” After giving the last page a good once over Captain Marrow passed the paperwork off onto a younger attendant.

Who needs twenty-four Limbara? Even from where she stood Maritza could see just how utterly massive they were. Customer confidentiality prevented Marrow from saying exactly who or why so many were being purchased, but dammit if she wasn’t curious. “What are they even used for on Yael?”

“Mounts, most generally. I’ve heard that the yaeli sometimes ride them into battle against the elaria.” Which meant by proxy that the elaria rode them as well, and yet, she couldn’t understand why. Their hides looked tough enough to withstand an attack but they looked too slow to be of much help otherwise. Any rider would be spotted from miles away!

When one of the creatures opened its massive jaw to yawn Maritza reflexively took a step back. Marrow must have seen it because as soon as she did he chuckled. “Don’t worry; wild Limbara have a nasty reputation, but these were hand raised. You’re fine.” With a nod of his head he motioned back to the building next door where his office resided. “Come along then.”

With one last look at the freakish beasts, Maritza turned to follow him.

[788]