Wednesday night. The Silver Wave Guild's private dock.
That night, the dock felt silent, a contrast to the bustle of the city center. The light of the full moon reflected on the dark, calm surface of the sea. The only light source on the dock was a few magical lanterns mounted on wooden posts, their dim light creating long, swaying shadows. The air was filled with the scent of saltwater and wet wood.
Lord Emeric stood at the edge of the dock, his hands clasped behind his back. He was watching his first cargo ship, "The Hope," as it was being unloaded under the dark of night. The dockworkers moved under the lantern light, lifting crates from the ship's hold. This ship carried an order of expensive silk, a crucial first victory for their alliance.
On the ship, an alchemical steam-powered crane began to lift the last and largest wooden crate. The crane creaked as it lifted the heavy load into the air, swinging it slowly from the ship toward the dimly lit dock.