Their ships docked on the port of Shanghai, China. It was the busiest port they’ve ever seen. Traders from different parts of the world bartered their goods with Chinese traders. The Chinese traders would trade their silk, spices, salt, sugar, tea, and porcelain with cotton, gold, silver, ivory, etc. to foreign merchants.
Captain Igor knocked on Queen Raya’s door.
“My queen, we have finally reach a dry land to dock our ships.”
“Are you sure there are no giants around the area?”
“We may not be 100% sure that there are no giants lurking in this country but we are 100% sure that there are so many human beings like us living in this country.”
“What is this place, Ahmad?” Queen Raya asked.
“We’ve reached the port of Shanghai, China.”
“What is their language?”
“Mandarin.”
“Do you know how to speak their language?”
“Yes, my queen.”
“God bless you, Ahmad. You are such a valuable treasure to us. You’re one of the most intelligent person I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you!”
“Same drill. I want to speak to their king.”
“Not a problem!”
Queen Raya was somehow relieved that she no longer see slaves being caged like chickens and sold like mere animals.
“Captain Igor, aren’t you tired of all these travels?”
“Our thousand miles journey may be tiring and exhausting but the memories we shared from our adventures are priceless. Not everyone are given a chance to see the different parts of the world. Thank you my queen for choosing us to accompany you in this journey. It is an honor. This journey will be written in the annals of our history.”
“I should be the one who must be grateful to all of you for accompanying me in this journey. You left your family to fulfill my dream of travelling the world. Not only that, you also risk your lives to protect me.”
“Don’t worry, my queen. We will go wherever you will go. We are willing to risk our lives to protect you. Yes, we miss our family and friends but we have a call of duty. We are doing this not only for our present survival but for the future of our family and to the next generation.”
“Thank you. I really wanted to travel around the world but I don’t think that is possible. Imagine, it took us six months to travel from Maharlika to Egypt. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life travelling around the world. It will take me a lifetime given that Yahweh will give me a long life to reach the ends of the earth. I don’t want to be an old maid. I also want to have a family of my own. I hope that someday we will be able to travel to another country in less than a day.”
'Well, that is already possible in this modern day. We can now travel to another part of the world in less than a day. We have even travelled the outer space and conquered the moon.' Rianna thought.
“We're here now!” Ahmad announced.
“That was quick! Have we already reach the Palace Gates?”
“Not yet. We just reached the entrance of the Great Wall of China.”
“Wow! Their gate is so massive. How long does it stretch?”
“The total length of the Great Wall of China built in different dynasties is 42,392 li (21,196 km).”
“Amazing! How did you know all of this?”
“Bribing a lad with a bar of gold will always give you the information you need.”
“You are so clever, Ahmad! Your wit will always bring you further in life.”
“Thank you, my queen.”
“You’re welcome. Shall we go inside?”
“Of course, my queen.”
They bribed the guards by giving each one of them one bar of gold to allow them entry.
Queen Raya was already tired and exhausted but she kept going on. She didn’t want to show her exhaustion to avoid discouraging her tired warriors. She tried to be as enthusiastic as possible to cheer them up.
“Ahmad, are we already near the palace gates.”
“We’re almost there, my queen.”
“Ahmad, these Great Wall of China is so massive. Don’t tell me that it was built by giants as well just like your Great Pyramid.”
“Well, that is something that we'll find out once we’ll meet their emperor.”
Even though Queen Raya was already very tired from traveling, she didn’t rest for a single moment for she was excited to meet the emperor in China. She’d get plenty of rest once she’d come back to her motherland.
While they were travelling towards the emperor’s palace, they saw a group of Chinese men and women arranged in an even formation while performing martial arts. Queen Raya was fascinated by their graceful movement as they moved in simultaneous motion.
“We’re finally here.” Ahmad announced their arrival at the palace gates.
“I can’t wait to meet their emperor. Everyone, I need your attention please. I know you are already tired and exhausted from our journey. Cheer Up! This will be the last country that we are going to explore. After we will learn their greatness, we will come back to our motherland and into the arms of our loved ones. Let’s make most of our time while it last. Please enjoy your stay.”
Everyone cheered upon hearing Queen Raya’s announcement. They were excited to explore China. Most of all, they were excited to go home and see their families and friends once again. They couldn’t wait to tell them their tales of exciting adventures.
As usual, Queen Raya gave a bar of gold to every guard guarding the palace so that they would allow them to see the emperor without asking them to leave their weapons behind.
YOU ARE READING
A Paradise Lost
Historical FictionRianna spent most of her time in the library during the last period of her class to avoid her boyfriend and her best friend who broke her heart. While scanning through the bookshelves, she accidentally discovered a pre-Spanish Philippine history boo...
