38: Reaching The Selve Port

Reaching The Selve Port

The merchant convoy soon reached the city of Selve, and Oriana's nose that had grown used to the terrible stench of leather welcomed the refreshing breeze of the sea.1

A port city!

A city by the sea!

Oriana had once lived in a town by a lake, but it was nothing compared to the vastness of the sea. This was the first time she had personally been to the coastline. The boundless blue waters were mesmerizing, and the warmer southern region gave off a different feel compared to the North. She would have loved to take a stroll in such a lively city, but she was not given a chance to enjoy her first visit in Selve.

On the very day of their arrival, Ron and his group boarded a ship for Azures Island. It was a huge cargo ship that belonged to some big merchant group. The ship was used to carry the goods as well as transport people towards Megaris, and one of its stops was precisely Azures Island.

Oriana had long left the wagon before they arrived on the pier area.

"Fare for Azures Island, please."

"Oh, you not a local, aye? Funny you be the second person calling Port Hope 'Azures Island' today," the man chirped. Just as Oriana was about to get her coin pouch, the sailor shook his head. "Sorry, lad. Board the next ship tomorrow."

"Is something wrong, mister?"

The sailor then called over another man to explain.

"What? They are no longer accepting passengers?" she exclaimed.

The one in charge of the ship scratched his stubbly chin. "Aye, lad. It be a full board, leavin' first thing in the morning. Capt'n says we ain't accepting more people."

Oriana tried to bribe the sailor, but got refused. She felt suspicious, wondering why she was refused but those behind her were allowed to embark. She mixed up with the group of other merchants and got herself hired as a temporary porter without any trouble. 

Just like that, Oriana experienced her first sea voyage.

Till now, the trip was relatively easy although there had been mishaps. Perhaps the hardest part was going to start now— and that was getting to the seller before Ron acquired all the goods.

A single stalk of black nightshade could cost around eight silvers in the black market of Jerusha, that meant the person from Azures Island should only sell it for around five silvers.

With the silver Arlan gave her, Oriana was willing to offer as high as ten silvers per stalk and aimed to buy at least six stalks. Any normal smuggler would not refuse such a sky-high offer.

'If they don't sell it, I don't mind stealing it.'

While being on that cargo ship, Oriana made sure to keep an eye on Ron and his group. At one point, she even changed into an unassuming servant's attire to bring in food inside their cabin and eavesdrop into their conversation. 

"...since we are yet to find a replacement for Oisin, Master hopes you don't mind personally escorting the goods."

The man in charge of passengers, the same man who refused Oriana from boarding, was talking to Ron. As the ship was owned by the merchant group owned by Finn, no wonder the sailors were involved with smuggling as well. 

"As long as he pays well, I don't mind," Ron replied. "However, this Connor sure is careful. In such a remote island, he only agreed to meet and transact in the middle of the night when no one is around." 

"Mister, you jest. Even though Port Hope is far from the mainland, it is often visited by important figures traveling by sea. Any passing noble can destroy our livelihood, thus, it became a norm that as soon as we exchange goods, we board a new ship the day after back to Selve."

"I understand. But are you sure bribing the officials in Selve is enough? They won't check for smuggled items?"

"Do not worry.  Master Finn has been in the smuggling business for a long time. Besides, we are officially transporting medicinal herbs on record, while the banned herbs will be hidden between them. Those officials, can they even distinguish a cabbage from a lettuce? With crates upon crates of herbs, no one will know."

"Alright."

As the sea was calm and the wind was in their favor, their ship reached the island faster than expected. There was a growing dot in the distance, an island far though still somewhat visible from the ship.

"All passengers, Capt'n says we will be docking in Port Hope in two hours. I repeat, the ship will be docking in Port Hope in two hours! Passengers who are disembarking in Azures Island, make sure you return to the ship in three days if your next destination is—"

It was late in the afternoon when the cargo ship finally threw down the anchor on the pier and let down the gangway for the disembarking passengers. Changing back into her all black outfit, Oriana made sure to closely follow Ron. 

One part of the island was covered in greenery, while there was a long beach on the other. The blue waters were especially eye-catching, hence the official name of 'Azures' meaning blue, although the experienced seafarers and locals preferred calling the place Port Hope. A handful of boats and ships were docked on the harbors, and it appeared that there was only a single town in the entire island.

Ron went to eat at a pub by the harbor while the porters loaded their cargo on carts. Oriana observed that though small, Port Hope was rather lively because of the constant flow of sailors and outsiders, not to the extent of the city of Selve or Jerusha, but rather similar to the town of Gerona where Luke's family often sell their hunts. 

After a half an hour, the crates were all loaded into open carts. Oriana did not sneak into the carts this time, but used that chance to follow them while familiarizing herself with the town. She was cautious by nature. She wanted to ensure she had an escape route, regardless of success.

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