The sounds of sea gulls along the harbor could be heard for miles at the edge of East Port's docks. The sounds of bustling people of various races from gnomes to dragonborn and the occasional half giant traversed the city proper. The elven guards patrolled all over the city and near the palace itself. East Port was clearly elven in origin with its fine and natural habitats that made up for half of the scenery with a touch of fifteenth century London. The docks were the busiest with ships coming and going from the main port. Elven battle ships, magnificent, awe inspiring, and deadly to anyone foolish enough to engage one on the open sea. One elven ship equaled two human war ships when it came to the magical fire power of the vessel itself. High above not one but two airships from Asylum were tethered by two massive heavy reinforced ropes adjacent to one of the three watch towers that sat along the edge of the city.

"Wow!" Alyson and Quake said in unison.

"Impressive blend of nature and nobility in one," Madeous surveyed the city.

"It is beautiful!" Irzen confessed, "I can see why Prince Birch is more of a Bard than anything else. With such an environment to inspire him and so much leisure time on his hands, how can he not let his muse lead him where she desires?"

"Chef Hallas often spoke of this particular city during his travels before settling down in Asylum. He was thoroughly impressed by the grace, might, and splendor of the sea faring elves and their ships." Lazheros said as they walked towards the city gate.

"I wonder if this city is a lot like West Fall as far as the culture goes. I mean other than the ancient library that held the entire history of Northaven kingdom. I wonder what kind of shoppes they have here?" Alyson gazed upon the wonder of East Port.

"Well, there is only one way to find out," Serna beamed from ear to ear, "Whose up for a little exploring before we see the prince and princess?"

"I would surmise that this city reminds you of home, Irzen with the exception of the environment and contrast to the light of the area." Madeous gestured to the surrounding area.

"Nope! Not really." The Swordsman shook his head, "Don't get me wrong: This city is beautiful but Naermon Nithren is unique. There is no city in the Underdark quite like it, and in all my travels in the Surface World, I have found no city to be its equal."

"So you've yet to see a city that mirrors your home town, Irzen?" Alyson replied on a whim, "A city sitting on an island in the Underdark surrounded by a vast lake with an other worldly light that glows from the various lichens that grow there, right? Or am I wrong?"

"You're half right, Alyson," Irzen smiled wistfully, "Naermon Nithren is all of those things and yet so much more. There are four causeways hewn out of cavern rocks that connect the city to the cavern floor on the other side of the lake. There are the barges and triremes that sail to and fro upon the lake itself silently gliding by in the dark. And then there is Naermon Nithren itself. A city of hollowed out stalactites and stalagmites in the hundreds where my kinfolk dwell. Whether one is from Upper Naermon Nithren where the noble houses dwell or whether one is from Lower Naermon Nithren where the artisans and commoners dwell, we are free, we are Drow, we are Naermon Nithren!"

Caliaphy turned into the fairy and sat down on Serna's shoulder, "Actually this city reminds me of home. A mix of Asylum and the Ancient Oak. It's sooooooo beautiful."

"It is isn't it?" Serna agreed as she looked around, "And there are so many people here from so many places. It kind of reminds me more of Asylum than anything else."

"You're half right but my kin don't go into the city itself, Serna. Too many things to happen and one less thing for the Bronze Man not to be angry at."

"But you go into the city all the time," Serna corrected Caliaphy, "How is it that you get to do that and the rest of your kinfolk don't?"

"Cuz' I can do so as a cute little kitten or bird so I go unnoticed. No one pays attention to some random tiny creature that's part of the area." Caliaphy snapped her fingers and her wings became a cloak.

"True," Serna conceded, "I can see how a disguise would help."

Lazheros eyed Caliaphy warily, "I believe the Elder forbade it to keep the peace between the Fae wild and the normal folk lest you catch his ire."

The kurori waved both hands in protest, "Oh no, no, no! That would be very BAD to anger the Elder, very bad indeed!"

Quake smirked at the kurori's response turning her direction briefly and then back to the wonder of the East Port.

The platinum knight stayed next to the swordsman taking in the sights, sounds, diverse races, and all exits into and out of the city itself. Experience taught him early on to know who you meet, what they're capable of, and how to get out a situation should it go awry.

Irzen kept one hand on his sword and the other hand upon the token King Sunrider gave him that would grant him safe passage throughout his lands. The Swordsman knew he was walking into a city full of Surface Elves and knew that some of them may look ill upon a Drow entering their city. He was ready to either talk his way out of a bad situation with the token or fight his way out of it with his sword.

As the party reached the southern gate, a pair of elven guards approached them, "State your business here in East Port."

Irzen held up his hand with the Elven's king token for all to see, "We seek an audience with Prince Birch and Princess Cauladra. We are merely passing through your land and sought only to pay a visit upon our good friend, your prince, before we continued our journey."

One of them noticed the token in the swordsman hand, "They can pass. The drow has a token of the king, he must be one of the ones at the great battle of Arbor Haven."

A third elven guard in full plate stepped out from behind the two observing the group, "I heard there was a dark elf at Arbor Haven, are you the one Prince Birch spoke of?"

"I am," Irzen stated proudly, "My name is Dy'var Irzen, First Lord of House Sylvar, Captain of the Shadow Riders, mercenary company out of Naermon Nithren. In the Common tongue, my homeland is called Shadow Haven. In your tongue, it is called 'Daes ed' i' linae' or Shadows-By-The-Lake."

The bronze man stepped forward slightly, "All but two of our party were at the battle of North Haven. The others joined us only recently."

"I am Captain Talisen, guard captain of the southern gate and watchman of the region that borders this side of the city. Prince Birch spoke of three humans, and a dark elf." Talisen turned towards the platinum knight and the elemental, "And you are?"

"Madeous," The platinum knight replied.

*Quakeixenedardarastrix* The elemental quipped, "Quake for short."

Lazheros raised an eye brow suddenly at Quake abruptness and shook his head.

"Pray tell, Captain Talisen," Irzen inquired, "Is Good Prince Birch and Lady Cauladra in residence today? We long for their company and seek to pay them well wishes and greetings."