Sam finally reached the right dock. It hadn’t taken her very long, but now she was out of breath. She skidded to a stop and panted for a second before running down the dock. It was packed with people loading supplies onto the ship, shouting orders, trying to sell things, or just sitting around. She stopped again halfway down the way and tried to look for someone who might be this Dolhov person. It was pretty crowded on this dock and it would take a while to find out. She would have to ask someone. She glanced up at the large ship, which hovered a few feet off the water. She had a strange feeling of comfort that she had not felt before, or at least not that she remembered. For some reason she could not stop staring at the ship.

“It’s a beauty, in’t it?” said a rough voice at her shoulder.

Sam looked up at the man that was now standing next to her. He was a rather large man with graying hair and a rough short beard. His nose and cheeks where sun burned and his face wind torn. He smiled revealing a row of yellow teeth.

“Ah….yeah,” Sam said still panting from the run here.

“Sorry. Name’s Daman Dolhov,” the man said extending a large rough hand.

“I’m Sam. You’re Dolhov? Like the guy on this flyer?” Sam held up the now crumpled paper. Dolhov gave a low chuckle and Sam caught a sent of alcohol.

“Ain’t you a bit young?” Dolhov asked with a sterner look on his face.

“I’ve traveled the world for as long as I can remember, alone. Don’t worry about my age.”

“All righ’, all righ’. Welcome aboard. But we only need extras. Yeh know, fer scouten an’ such. Main crews all full.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“All righ’ then,” Dolhov reached into his pocket, pulled out two pieces of paper, and pointed to each as he talked, “Fill tha’ one out an’ sign tha’ one. Jus’ for safety an’ what not. Oh an’,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a rather grimy looking slit of paper, “take tha’ to the town Tavern. Jus’ go ter dock ten an’ take a righ’. This’ll ge’ yeh a nigh’ an’ a meal. We’re leaven termorrow mornin. Don’ be late.”

“Thanks,” Sam said taking the papers. Then she started back down the dock, this time walking. She looked up at the airship as she did, not really watching where she was going. But as a man ran past her she turned to watch the stranger. She didn’t know what was odder about him; his blue hair or the eagle chasing after him. She laughed to herself and continued on her way.

*His hair. Defiantly his hair,* she thought.

__________________

[Sig made by me.][ Evil is just Live spelled backwards ]
[United we stand. Divided we still stand just further apart. ]
[I'm a member of the Din clan. Fear me.][Sam]