The Barrier: The Teorran of Time: Teen Fantasy Action Adventure Novel by Unknown

ever seen before. Large buildings stretched into the sky and seemed to disappear into the atmosphere. Some had square, hand-honed stones, and narrow arched triangular windows. The tops had several crenellations, as if they'd been perches in a time of war. Other buildings peaked at the tops, with highly polished stone work, and intricate carved details above the windows and doors. Waterways had been lifted high in order to allow for ships to pass freely underneath. Captain Yerild promised Shaz, that Mrs. Bailey made the best roast on this side of the barrier.
    "Excuse me." Shaz said.
    He maneuvered around people now starting to fill the boardwalk. 
    "Watch it." said an old man, hobbling with a cane.
    His bald scalp glistened in the bright morning sun.
    "Sorry."
    Shaz skidded around several small children, as they raced through the entrance to the working district. The fresh sea breeze became tainted with a hint of smoke, as he approached the outer ring of the city. The stench of melted ore filled his nose. A small fire burned in a steel barrel next to him. The little warmth it gave felt nonexistent and he wondered why it was even there. The sun had not yet reached the high point in the sky. Long shadows from the high aqueducts, and outer buildings, loomed the city floor.
    "Over here." a young man called from the waterway that was several feet below the cobble stone alley way.
    "Me?" Shaz asked pointing his finger at himself.
    "Yes, you." the young man called. He stood on the back of a long narrow boat, and wore shiny black shoes and dark pleated trousers. His long dark hair was pulled back. Shaz situated his pack on his shoulder and took the steps two at a time. "Do you need a ride?" the young man asked.
    "Sure" Shaz said,
    He hopped into the water craft. Three rows with two seats each filled the boat, leaving a platform in the back, presumably for luggage.
    "Where you headed?"
    "Umm," Shaz said.
    He pulled out the small crinkled paper and repeated the address . The boat boy took the long pole from the side, and pushed against the moldy moss covered stone. Shaz's nose wrinkled with the dank odor of the musky combination, but settled into a seat.
    "I knew you needed a ride because you aren't from around here." the young man said, "Where are you from?" he asked.
    Shaz wasn't exactly sure what to say. He was sure that no one would know where he was from. He decided that because he was from so far away, it wouldn't hurt telling him.
    "Turob." Shaz said.
    "Hum, I've never heard of that one, and I've heard and seen a lot." He said.
    A young woman wearing a deep purple cloak caught Shaz’s eye. Her hood was down exposing soft creamy skin. She carryied a small bag.
    "It's far to the east." Shaz said, turning in his seat so he could see her better.
    The boat moved in the opposite direction through the easy flowing water.
    The boat caddy saw the young woman, "Something you like?" he said.
    "Uh, No, it’s just-"
    "Uh huh." the boat boy said.
    Shaz looked over his shoulder and realized how that must have appeared. A warm sensation crept up under his cheeks. He was thankful for the coolness of the shade from a stone bridge. It wasn't so much that he thought she was pretty. All though thinking about it, she was. There was something different about her, something he couldn’t explain.
    "My name is Deagan."
    "I'm Shaz." Shaz said.
    He didn't really want to talk, but figured it was rude if he didn't.
    "So tell me about Turob?" Deagan asked, pushing the stick into the soft murky bottom.
    "Well, it's an island far from here. It's small, one could walk around it in a few days. It has lots of tall trees and inlets." Shaz said.
    "Sounds nice." Deagan said.
    Everyone knew there were no islands in the east. In fact there was nothing to the east, or the west. Come to think of it, the north as well. Shaz had to hold onto the side, as Deagan turned a corner sharply, as the little boat moved fairly quickly. The old run down doors and shops, were now