2202

The sea wind brought the taste of salt to his mouth, and the waves cradled him, whispering tales of the land he longed to meet. His hair was untied for once, as he wanted to feel it wave free behind him. And there he stood tall at the prow of an Abanye vessel, hoping to see with his own eyes the place he had heard so many wondrous tales about.

It had been hard leaving his people behind, for he knew no man was as capable of protecting them as himself, but he had something more important to do. There was a dream he had to chase. Besides, he would return a stronger man, and take back his place as ruler of the Gattainniu.

Getting used to the sea had been just as difficult, and he was sure the sailors had cracked many a joke at his meal going into the sea. Not to his face, mind, for he would have gutted the man who dared make fun of him, even if that meant his own death. After a few days, however, he got used to it, and now he could roam freely around the ship and try to learn the art of sailing from his hosts.

According to the Consanacci, they were close to their homeland, something they had been repeating for the past two days. He was starting to wonder whether that was another of their jokes. Yet it was true that something was forming on the horizon, and that could only be the Noragonsina.

When they reached the harbour, Niuoni had to refrain from looking like a small child. It was larger than any Miecan settlement, with Miegonnatsu being the only place capable of rivalling it. The place was full of fishing boats, and many foreigners speaking in tongues he had never heard sold their goods. The merchant who had allowed him into his ship did not lie; it was mesmerising.