City in the Sky by Glynn Stewart Page B

possible.
    As they finished, a group of dock-hands arrived, led by a man in dark blue robes who Erik guessed to be the aligner responsible for the crystal magic of the dock. The aligner stepped up to the pylons and touched them in certain patterns. Erik watched carefully and saw beams of a dark blue light slide out from hexagonal crystals placed in the center of the pylons. Twelve beams touched the edge of the ship's hull and then seemed to somehow solidify. When they did, all motion of the ship – that, even with the lift crystals active and the ropes, had been shaking gently in the wind – stopped.
    Erik was stunned from his reverie by Ikeras clapping him on the shoulder. “That's that,” he said calmly. “Get your things, and I'll take you to meet your grandmother.”
    The young smith blanched. Between the busy activity of the journey, and then his awe at the sheer size and glory of the city, Erik had completely forgotten that he was supposed to be meeting his father's family.
     
     
     
    The neighborhood Ikeras took him to was located close enough to the docks that they walked rather than hiring one of the horse-drawn carriages that had seemed to materialize out of nowhere when the ship had been secured. Despite its proximity to the docks, it was clear that this , unlike most of the areas nearby, was not where the ship crews lived. This was a neighborhood for ships’ officers, captains and for merchants who wanted to keep in touch which the source of their wealth.
    The trees lining even the poorer streets in this entirely artificial environment were new to Erik – Vidran had parks, and the single Duredine city he'd visited had been built in trees, but that many trees – all of which had to have been imported – were still amazing to him.
    This neighborhood’s street was something else again, even beyond that. Where even in Garria, roads had simply been divided by a simple guide-rope, this street was fully split into two parts by an earthen divider lined with oak trees that were easily two or three hundred years old.
    The houses themselves, while seemingly smaller than many of the ones outside the cul-de-sac were set back from the road behind well-groomed lines of bushes unlike anything he'd seen before. Similar bushes appeared to divide the houses from each other.
    All of the greenery, combined with the imposing stone edifices of the houses, gave across a strong impression of wealth and arrogance. Unfortunately, for that impression, a group of children ranging in age from almost-toddlers clear up to teenagers was engaged in a rambunctious game involving large amounts of screaming, running, and tree-climbing.
    One of the older teens nearly ran clear into Erik, but managed to pull herself to a stop in time, grinning up at the half-blood, and froze as she saw Ikeras.
    “Uncle Harmon!” she shouted. Moments later, the doughty Aeraid found himself covered in excited kids demanding to know where he'd been, when he'd got back, and if he had anything for them.
    It took Ikeras a few minutes to detach himself, but he then produced a bag of sweets and handed them out, being careful to equitably distribute them before shooing the children on their way.
    Four of the older teens remained, looking strangely at Erik. Finally, the girl who'd first seen Ikeras spoke up. “Who's your friend, Uncle Ikeras?”
    Ikeras grinned. “Erik, be known to Shelli Norit, Bran Norit, Liki Shelt and Kir hept Dralon. All of their families are kep to sept Tarvarro. As,” he added with a shrug, “is my own, for that matter.” He turned back to the children. “This is Erik Tarverro, kids.”
    “ Tarverro ?” the boy introduced as Kir questioned. When Ikeras nodded, he turned to Erik and bowed deeply. The others, to Erik's consternation, followed suit. “Well come, my lord. Well come indeed.”
    Before Erik could reply, the four teens finished their bows and scampered off to try and bring the younger children under control.
    “What did