The next morning, the group reached the coast, where there was a beautiful city, small by the island's standards, but big enough in Vicente's eyes to cover part of the horizon.
As soon as they arrived in the city, the group crossed the main land route, arriving at the ocean avenue, from where they could see not only a beautiful beach with coconut palms but also several ships coming and going from one of the city's ports.
Light Cay was a technologically developed island, so transportation there drew a lot of attention, with many of the island's native creatures coming and going all around. The cultivation life wasn't the biggest concern for most people in a city like that.
Fishermen were only concerned with making a living for their families, while vendors sold their wares in stores throughout the city.
Children could be seen around the city, offering services that ranged from guiding to selling information and spying.
The group heading for the port ignored these approaches to them and much of the movement of the city to focus on the ships as big as buildings coming and going from the port ahead.
"Are we leaving straight away, or do you have something else to sort out locally before we leave?" Vicente asked Nan. He was already ready to leave.
Larissa looked at the little fairy next to her and heard from Nan, "Hervi and Garnot are going to get some supplies that my group ordered earlier, but that won't take long. We're already a few weeks behind schedule for the delivery of these resources."
"Our products are certainly waiting for us in some shed," the dwarf said with a smile on his old face.
"What about your crew?" Larissa asked Nan."We have the rest of our people on our ship. Otherwise, we're our own crew. Originally, we didn't come to Light Cay looking for allies like you, but for weapons. Since we weren't lucky enough to get any more companions for this trip, we don't have to wait for anyone else to join the group."
"Well, Larissa, Rex and I will wait for you to finish collecting your resources on the group's boat," Vicente said as he finished and went back to watching the square cobbled street, so well paved that their carriage didn't even shake.
Nan, Hervi, and Garnot said a few more things to each other until the group reached the port, an area as large as Ravengarde Airport, with a tranquil seaside area and a water mirror so large that one could get lost analyzing the beauty of the area.
In this place of clear water, a 12-storey building with a façade covered in mirrors welcomed Vicente's group, concurrently as many people, carriages, and other types of vehicles came and went through the area.
Most of the people and vehicles around the port had no off-island destinations. Most had destinations on other parts of the island, as the sea route was one of the best for transporting cargo around Light Cay.
Few people used boats to travel, as the planes common on the island were much faster. However, just like in any other place, there were individuals who dared to defy the norm and opted to travel by boat.
Minos, Larissa, and Rex saw the area for the first time, and watched with curiosity, also seeing the sailors returning from more distant fishing trips, with ships full of sea creatures that would be sold and consumed soon.
After passing the previous building, where there was something like a customs office, the group followed the path that would lead to where their boat was already docked waiting for them.
"This port is huge... I thought I'd seen it all, but this area we're passing looks like a city avenue, even though there are boats on either side of us," Larissa said, as she gazed at the grandiose ships of Light Cay. Most of the ships were so large that everyone in the carriage had to bend their necks to see the full height of those metallic marvels.
Vicente felt particularly good surrounded by so much metal, while Nan smiled as she explained to them. "All of Light Cay's mineral and food production travels by sea at some point on its journey of commercial exploitation. That's why there are so many cargo ships here. But some of them are deep-sea exploration ships, ships that arrive at the edge of the island's territorial sea, where the naval dangers begin.
These are some boats on our way, vehicles used by large groups of marine explorers looking for underwater riches."
"Are there underwater societies in the Sea os Stars?" Vicente asked. "I've studied a lot about Stonewall, but there's little information about what lies beyond the island. Some books I've read imply that what lies beyond the island's territorial sea is just death. But I don't believe that."
"You're right, there are underwater societies in the depths of the Sea of Stars. In fact, some of these societies are one of the three calamities that can victimize groups of travelers like ours," Nan said as the group stopped next to a green ship, her group's marine vehicle.
By this time, Hervi, and Garnot were no longer with the group, having left to go and collect the resources Nan had ordered earlier.
Nan continued while the rest of the men who had stayed behind with them transported their resources in the carriages to the ship. "Beyond the territorial sea of each island, there are underwater territories of unusual and extremely powerful races. It is possible to travel and explore these areas, especially near the territorial sea's limits. But this involves extreme danger, something for the strongest and most experienced, not a group trying to get home."
Vicente understood her message and said, "Don't worry, I want to get to Amae as much as you do. That's a question I have for the future. For now, I want to avoid unnecessary problems."
"Well, that will make our journey easier." She sighed.
"By the way," Larissa asked, "how common are groups like ours departing from islands such as Light Cay and Amae?"
"It's rare, but it's not so unique that people on the islands are shocked by foreigners. Groups like ours leave islands like Light Cay in the dozens every year. Most of them don't make it to their destination and most of those who do, don't make it back home. But everywhere in Anicane there are groups known for leaving their homelands, traveling across the Sea of Stars and returning to tell their stories."
"I hope our group is one of those." Larissa smiled at Vicente, genuinely interested to return in the future and see what happened to their faction and the sect.
They finally left their carriage, entering the large ship capable of carrying up to 100 people simultaneously in comfort.
They would wait there until mid-afternoon, when the rest of the group would return with their resources. After paying the toll to leave the port, they would begin their sea voyage at dusk!
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