No king of Torchline could be unaware of smuggling - via sea, land, or sky - and it would be hard to find a better example of a very large pot calling a reasonably sized kettle black should he mention it. At least there was no overt smuggling going on while they ambled along the docks. What was going on covertly inside some of those cargo crates was anyone's guess, of course, but Hadama saw no reason to be suspicious of the normal trade activities of Torchline's merchants.
And in times of political upheaval and uncertainty, smugglers themselves might become patriots depending on what wares they brought in to a region. Flowers, for instance. Or deposed former royalty.
"It is enough that I now have two feet to walk upon the ground," he affirmed solemnly. He followed her gaze to the horizon, thoughtful even as his good humor lingered. "But... perhaps. If Safrin wills it." Though the thought did not excite him. Managing yet another new pair of limbs was... Well. It was a daunting possibility.
He nodded as she answered his question, accepting that her area of expertise lay elsewhere but appreciating her pride in her local pilots. "Indeed." They walked along the docks a little while longer, admiring the different carved figureheads and artistic designs painted on some of the sails. Some skyships were utilitarian, plain and functional, but others were works of art in their own right. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon until the sun began to shift west behind the clouds and Hadama glanced down to consult his stomach.
"Do you have a recommendation for where we could go for dinner?" As he spoke he began to head back into the city proper, though he paused once they reached the exit of the docks so that Lena could take the lead once more.
And in times of political upheaval and uncertainty, smugglers themselves might become patriots depending on what wares they brought in to a region. Flowers, for instance. Or deposed former royalty.
"It is enough that I now have two feet to walk upon the ground," he affirmed solemnly. He followed her gaze to the horizon, thoughtful even as his good humor lingered. "But... perhaps. If Safrin wills it." Though the thought did not excite him. Managing yet another new pair of limbs was... Well. It was a daunting possibility.
He nodded as she answered his question, accepting that her area of expertise lay elsewhere but appreciating her pride in her local pilots. "Indeed." They walked along the docks a little while longer, admiring the different carved figureheads and artistic designs painted on some of the sails. Some skyships were utilitarian, plain and functional, but others were works of art in their own right. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon until the sun began to shift west behind the clouds and Hadama glanced down to consult his stomach.
"Do you have a recommendation for where we could go for dinner?" As he spoke he began to head back into the city proper, though he paused once they reached the exit of the docks so that Lena could take the lead once more.
