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I keep finding myself in one foreign place and another. I have not walked too far from the palace. I can turn back, retract my steps I think, but I do not want that. It is not easy to give up on what I seek. I need this walk, it shall do me good, I believe.
Ignoring the bothersome sandy ground, I use my thoughts and surrounding nature as my source of amusement, to reduce the time it would take me to reach the port.
My eyes wander and my mind follows. I glance below the rocks face and notice the shores here are calmer compared to Sapphire Island. The sky is more blue. I wonder how the prince's eyes stand out in the bright sun. I huff in frustration and snap myself out of my unnecessary thoughts. I shall only allow my eyes to wander this time, and my mind on pause.
I keep walking, and I realize the sun has soared higher than before, indicating a significant amount of time has passed since leaving the palace. I turn back to look at the distance I have crossed, the palace is no longer in my line of vision.
I see a carriage move past me in haste, and I remember. I am foolish, truly. How did I forget the royal carriage prepared for me. "Orders of the prince" I repeat in mock. I huff vigorously this time. How far is this port?
A few more steps and I am spontaneously led to a small yet very busy port. A collection of new and old ships and boats. Some on sand and some on water. People wanted to get to places, and you can tell from the unplanned disorder and crowd.
"You cannot do this! We need to get to places Captain" One man yelled. "I have issues I need to sort out in other Islands, you must let me go!" another man announced. "My sister has given birth, I need to go see her" A teenage girl declared. Something in this port seems very wrong. I do not think it is in this state in other days, but my luck, be that as it may, is not on my side today.
I asked the teenage girl about the issue, and she explained to me that all personal maritime transportation for the week has been postponed for next week.
By the Sea Devil's bones!.
I cannot be stranded here on this Island. I do not want to go back to the palace after all the undiscerned humiliation. I try to calm myself by reassuring myself that the morning is still young, for I will have time to think of what to do.
I exit the port from its other otherside, and I come face-to-face with a small lively village. I forget all my worries and make my way deeper.
As people bustle left and right, I catch their rhythm and walk among them. I pass from one kiosk to another. Each kiosk displays different merchandise and products from the next.
One kiosk carries unique and colorful fabrics with foreign patterns I have never seen before. Another kiosk had all sorts of tableware ranging in from silver cutlery to porcelain plates and bowls.
The next kiosk I passed by displayed a collection of fine shell based accessories. I am familiar with shell accessories, but nevertheless, my eye for accessories never gets tired.
"We mostly work with shells" The lady behind the table informed me "But we also have a limited collection brought in from other places you might find more to your liking" she continued and pulled out a wooden box with really just a few pieces. If I had currency with me, I would buy everything on display. So as I looked at the collection, I tried to brainstorm an excuse for not being able to buy anything. "Oh, there is also this one!" She drew a necklace from under the table and handed it to me. It was the only necklace out of the bunch that lacked shells. It was designed to look like a compass that can open and close. As I opened it, it read...
"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose the sight of the shore"
My initial reaction was to laugh, and my second reaction was silent and required my silent thoughts too.
What if I did lose sight of the shore, but unintendedly, got washed up on it.
I worry I have caused the kind lady concern for me, so I hand her the necklace and move on.
The scent of Islander spices creeps into my nose and my stomach begins to growl in hunger. I cannot recall the last time I had a filling meal. My feet make their way to the grill. All kinds of seafood lay on the hot grill, and I stood there unusually watching the fish cook.
"Trust me child, these are the best grills in the village" The old man behind the grill confirmed. "You know what, I'll give you the first plate free of charge, but you have to pay for the second one, double!" He laughed and handed me a plate. I could barely say thank you as I began devouring the hot meal. My eyes widened at him in response to the incredible flavor "I told you so" he told me before moving onto the next customer. No doubt, this must really be the best grill in the village.
With an empty plate and full stomach, I sit back and enjoy an unexpected dance composition erupt mid-village.
These villagers can dance. My eyes follow the dancers as a man, my age or so, pulls me from my seat and begins to dance with me. Unaware of the steps, I follow his lead in the hopes of a good dance. The music fills my ears, and I begin to follow in suit with every move. My partner twirls me to a younger boy, who is able to sing and dance simultaneously, so I begin to do the same. The young boy twirls me out, and toward the next person, whose grip on my hand feels rather intimate in comparison to the previous two. My eyes meet his ocean ones, and I bump into his chest in startlement, slightly losing my balance, I latch onto his shoulders whilst his hands hold me steady by the waist.
