Tessera - Azure
The transport ship backed away from the quay, its imposing curved bow reaching up as the ship settled low in the water line filled with goods.
Qasim watched as a smaller ship headed for the quay. He signaled to the livestock handlers to bring the cattle. They bellowed as the herdsmen guided them down to the quay, bringing their stench with them.
Unlike amphorae filled with oil or wine or grain, livestock were unpredictable. That’s why Qasim liked to be present to make the loading as smooth as possible. Even if the herd leader was manageable, any animal could bolt causing a catastrophe. Worse was when they ran into the water. Qasim liked to time the arrival of the ship and the animals to coincide, so there was no delay.
There were only ten head of cattle, so this should
