Residue of Sorrow

"Oh, yes," Lapin replies, "I wouldn't want to row all that distance upstream unless you plan a leisurely cruise. A larger boat with a sail would be fastest but would naturally cost much more."

"It's a good boat. I'd say... sixty golden coins and it's yours to take." ... "You're not from here, are you?" Lapin clicks his tongue twice. "You don't ask whether negotiation is an option. Obviously, I should answer that the price is fixed. Or I'd at most suggest other means of payment are also optional after a comment like that." He pauses - a rare occasion. "Though there's nothing in particular we need right now. But you're right, it has been moored for longer than we'd like. Fifty-five golden coins."

"It depends on the boat," Lapin answers Bryn's question, "but I'd say... six days?" 

"Could be twelve," Tortue interjects. "They're going upstream. Depending on the wind, it could be twelve or it could be four. But I'd say seven is most likely."

"Ah, right. Hard to say. As for price, it really depends on what you find. Someone already going that way might charge less than someone who didn't plan to. The size of the boat matters too but I'd expect - you said three, right? - a price of about ten gold coins total. You'd have to polish your haggling skills a little though."

The boat is right outside, and the shipwrights don't mind Bryn and Arren taking a look. Moored outside is a small boat, designed for two people, but one that could accommodate three. Especially since neither of these three is particularly tall. One might have to sit on the luggage, though (imagine an average canoe). It's a rowboat, and you notice it lacks oars. Most likely kept inside the workshop to prevent easy theft. You can see that it's new, compared to the fisher's boat inside the workshop or other boats you've seen in the past. In excellent condition, needless to say. It's a very simplistic boat, functional for certain purposes. But as expected, it would take constant rowing to sail upstream, even though the river's water is mostly calm and slow.

Arren accepts Lapin's correction with a nod and a faint, appreciative smile. Not only is the Elf right, but he has offered advice that Arren will hopefully put to good use another time. At the very least, they have secured a small discount—even if it is for a means of transport they will most likely not use. Unless the wharf turns out to offer no viable alternative, for whatever reason.

What he is less pleased with is the estimate of four to twelve days. Once they take a look at the rowboat and set off toward the wharf, Arren glances toward Bryn.

"Both river options are quite expensive. Far more than the carriage," he says quietly. "I would have hoped that something more expensive would at least mean something faster. But in the end, we still depend on luck either way. Whether it's rain, wind, or currents, none of them seem reliable enough to make it in time."

He exhales lightly.

"Anyway. Let's see what they can tell us at the wharf."