310 With the Song Clan (1/2)

The Song Clan estate was more like a separate town than a housing compound. It had its own shops, its own hospital, and several restaurants all of whom were open to the public at the entrance plaza. It also had its own school, its own library, and its own herb farms, among other things, which were not open to the public.

In between what was open to public and what was not (sometimes physically) was the Song Estate Security Force. The captain of that security force was a grizzled veteran named Song Han.

This was the guy Song Chen told Remian to look for.

He eyed them with a frown. ”Oh? What brings you to the Song Estate Security Center? You're not just running in here from the rain, are you?”

”I rather like the rain, actually.” Remian mused. ”It's like it has its own thrumming melody.”

There was a short pause. Then, a small smile appeared on Song Han's face. ”Well, then, it seems little Song Chen has been making friends.”

”How did you know it was Song Chen?” Remian marveled. ”Does everyone have a different password?”

”Every branch has its own, and every generation has its variant. But Song Chen is the only heir of his generation within his branch, and thus, yours is rather specific to him.”

”I see. I'm Remian Vin. This is Xiao Yan.”

”Song Han, just as you asked for. Now, what can I do for you?”

”I want to join the next convoy to the Wildlands.”

”That… could be difficult.” Song Han scratched his head.

”I'll bring my own airship. I'll even help you take some cargo along.”

”Welcome aboard!” Song Han instantly concluded. ”The convoy leaves tomorrow morning. Please have your airship at our Song Estate docks ready to go by sunrise.”

”Wow, that's early.” Remian half-yawned thinking of how early he would need to wake up. Even after a week of sleep, he felt unusually groggy.

”It's a long trip to the Wildlands, and we plan to stop at the borders of the Empire for a night.” Song Han explained. ”Then the next day, we go around the middle east region, avoiding their land and their airspace. That way, we avoid conflicts, tolls and all sorts of complications.”

”A two day trip? Wow, that's fast.” Remian mused. It had taken him a week the first time he made the journey from the Commonwealth. Then again, his earlier ride had stopped many times to pick up and drop off passengers and cargo.

So agreeing to meet them the next day, Remian asked about airships. Song Han generously offered to bring Remian to the Nobles Shipyard.

It wasn't that simple, of course. There was this arrogant snob called Song Ming who was not at all fond of Song Chen, and he started to cause trouble for Remian…

But never mind. He went running off to the toilets in short order and was kept thus occupied for the better part of the day.

Meanwhile Remian went to buy airships. Among the things Xiao Yan had bought, there were a few things on his list that she simply could not get. Airships and sophisticated medical magic machinery were among them.

***

”This is the Kelpie.” Song Han introduced him to a sturdy red Frigate outfitted for putting out fires in a hurry.

They were at the Nobles Shipyard, the second best air shipwright in the Capital. Barring the Imperial Shipyard which served only the Imperial Family and its forces, the Nobles Shipyard was frequented by the ranking aristocracy, the richest private citizens, and the biggest companies and guilds.

Despite the name, however, the fact was the Nobles Shipyard was also owned by the Imperial Family. To be precise, it was owned by the Third Prince, Sior'khan-dras as was the Imperial Shipyard, and the Industrious Shipyard, which was a mass producer of simpler, cheaper designs, including the airlifted carriages actually never flew and relied on wheels. Within the Capital of the Dragon Empire, the Third Prince controlled all the shipyards.

The military? Why their airships were all built by the Imperial Shipyards, of course. All military forces in the Empire were directly under the control of the Emperor. Even the Imperial Police were directly under the Crown Prince Zar'khan-dras. Like the military, they too, bought their airships from the Imperial Shipyards.

Sior'khan-dras even owned a naval shipyard. The Dragon Empire actually had a small navy (small in comparison with its air force and ground armies, but much larger than anything the Eastern Sea People nearby could manage) which was the Naval Shipyard's biggest customer. Not many dared traverse the sea, but with Ti'ela-dras and Sel'ea-dras for an uncle and aunt, it sort of made sense that Sior'khan-dras wasn't as afraid of the sea as human sailors.