Hello all~ I'm new here owo
This is also my first time on a writing forum, so I'm a bit nervous. D8
Err, anyway, this is a little excerpt for a story I'm working on. It's a rough draft so I apologize for any spelling/grammar/any other error in advance!
I know I should do something about that infodump in the beginning (this isn't where the story starts, it's probably about halfway or more than halfway through, so the reader will probably know a bit more about the situation and what's going on then you would, and I'm sorry for that too. XDD), but I don't how to make it..less infodump-y. I feel like that stuff should be said, but at the same time half of it/all of it is probably unnecessary. Help? XD
But enough talking on my part, I should let this little bit speak for itself C:>
"What we need to do is cross the sea," Kaze insisted again, just barely keeping pace with the half-mage's quick strides. "There is little for us here, you know we don't have much money left. Why are we in this town anyway?"
The town she was referring to was Antonus. Nestled against the ocean, it was a quaint, personal little town to the far west. It was one of the only remaining ports on the eastern continent. Most of the others were destroyed by the ruthless Valen Corps. Naturally, the Empire had let it happen, ignoring the troubles its own people were causing.
The Empire often traded with the Factions despite their strained relations. Westlanders were not supposed to have any contact with the east, but Valen Corps had special treatment from the Empire--they always did what they pleased, and in no time at all most the port towns were gone. So it soon became law that they could not bother with the ports any longer, for the eastern continent had materials the west desperately wanted. The Empire turned a blind eye whenever the rather defenseless town was attacked--as long as they could rebuild and continue trade, the Empire said nothing.
Antonus flourished only in the demise of the neighboring ports. It was a busy town, with people scrambling back and forth between houses, frantically running about to complete their various daily tasks. Kids were playing in the streets, jumping in puddles that stood as reminders of last night's rain. Others were fighting one another with small wooden swords and pretending they were strong warriors or skilled rogues. The loud noises followed them everywhere, from seaworthy men having a robust conversation to the peal of children's laughter.
Cathal stopped, finally, after constant shouting on the girl's part. "When Jericho and Naodia return with the supplies, we will be crossing the sea."
"How, pray tell, are we going to do that? We don't have enough to hire a ship, and even if we were to hire one or stow away, Valen Corps patrol the waters. They check the ships thoroughly, we'd be caught and killed!"
"That is why, my dear mage, we're not going to hire a ship." He grinned down at her, continuing onward once more, without explanation. She followed him with little choice in the matter.
They were soon at the docks. Seagulls cawed overhead, their cries almost drowned out by the sound of crashing waves against the beach. The ocean breeze lashed out at them, nipping at bits of exposed skin and raising goosebumps along their arms. Salty sea air was quite refreshing after the long day's travels, but now was not the time to enjoy such luxuries. The mage folded her arms and glared, waiting for Cathal to finally let her in on this plan of his.
"As I was saying, we're not going to hire a ship." He gestured over his shoulder to the plethora of boats waiting patiently for their next trip on open waters. He was grinning from ear to ear. "We're going to take one."
