ELEVEN: The Gulf’s Crown Jewel

"Wah! Look, Calix!!" 

Kel pressed her hands against the window excitedly.

"I promise you'll have time to see all of it," the Emperor chuckled, encouraging her to retake her seat.

"All the time in the world wouldn't be enough to see everything here," Kel breathed.

A large gap appeared between some of the buildings outside, revealing an unobscured view of the ocean that lay beyond.

The water stretched as far as she could see, with several ships sprinkled across the waves. For all the times she'd pictured the ocean, she'd never imagined it to be so vast. The awe of it took her breath away.

"Hey, Calix, lo-Urk!"

Kel grunted as Calix suddenly pulled her down into his lap.

While she'd been admiring the water, he'd switched to her side of the carriage and scooted himself right behind her.

"It's dangerous," he smiled.

"Ah.. r-right," Kel blushed, rapidly turning her attention back to the window.