Phen laughed.
"Just docks that stay dryer," he went on, shrugging in the direction he began to lead her. "This way, my lady. We can leave the fishing ladies behind." He called again to his dog and soon the beast joined his side, licking at his one free hand before circling around the pair as Pheonix guided Ember along on their little walk.
It was true, the docks, which seemed ought to have been a straight forward concept, were an interwoven connection of wooden paths over the shores. Some went over the beach side of the waters, which Phen now lead, and gestured towards the sparkling world around them.
"This is the dryer side of the Essyrni docks," Phen explained. "This is more for dock workers to travel, hence the traffic here is much lighter." He gestured towards where many smaller boats had been drug onto land, or had perched when the sea was at high tide, and many were resting or busy moving mules or camels.
"Careful of shit piles," Phen warned as they stepped over a more recent, steaming pile. He made a face but shrugged at the woman on his arm and studied her. She was rather exotic looking, now wasn't she? Or maybe he was just a sucker for a pretty face. Of course.. he had to wonder just where she had pocketed the gem....
If he were Ember, where might he pocket the thing? He looked away, thoughtfully, as they needed to step aside for a pair of mules moving heavy cargo. They were forced onto a narrow strip of wood, and the caravan passed by awfully close, but Phen ensured he was between Ember and the moving cargo, before they finally had room to breath as the movers passed.