Journeys with a stranger

The Black Hand

High above looking down from the clouds. A great mountain range surrounds this little peninsula. Close to the mountains, at the valley is a massively large rectangular structure overlooking the walls and fences of its surroundings. At the base of the fences, rocks covering in an arranged manner. Mausoleums and graves settle at one side of the peninsula. A port with many buildings and structures blanket the other side. The water around the port is light green that swirls like diluted pastel paints.

At the Horizon from the sea, a few specks moving toward the peninsula. As the specks get closer, it reveals to be ships. Each ship bears the same kind of flag. Each of the ships move and turn as if it was dancing towards the docks. They all try to avoid the hidden coral and sunken rocks that lay beneath the waves. The first ship arrives to its dock at the sound of cheers. Like ants, the people in the buildings pour into the streets. Many of them are The Black warriors and apprentices themselves. Some boys get off the ship and receive greetings. Others watch from the ship in awe. There are more ships coming in from the horizon. Each ship is greeted in a warm fashion. That is except for one. The last ship is the smallest. It glides over the water of the sea. In a reckless fashion, it turns and past the dock.

On board the ship, the Captain hollers at his crew to lower the sails. The Black Hand members and crew is hard at work to preparing to dock. Yet one face stood out looking at the dock as it comes and goes from view. "Tie down the sails, prepare the plank," The Captain commands. Shael' finishes his work at the sail. He sees the stranger. "You were looking at the port. What do you think? It is impressive," he yells. The stranger looks at him displeased. "That seems small to me. But compared to the villages, I guess so," Nicole replies. This statement catches Shael' by surprise. He never heard that the port being small before. Shael is in disbelief.

Raida is in the Captain's quarters when she hear the two talking. She is hard to work cleaning the window. The Captain still barks at his men. She stops and opens the cabin door to her the two better. "Are you saying you seen at larger port than this? That is hard to believe," Shael' questions. "Why is it hard to believe? I have been to so many places that you could never dream of," Nicole claims, "There is a bigger port that houses thousands if not tens of thousands of ships." Riada is trying to image ships pressing against each other at the docks.

The Captain walks in the cabin and see Riada. "Oh! Are you finished!" He looks at the window. Riada is shocked and said no. He thinks for a bit then say, "With those two bickering out loud it is no wonder that you stop. "Riada appreciates the understanding. "Go on, little one. We will land soon," He gestures Riada to go on deck. Riada seeing so many awaiting at the landing, she is excited.

"... I'm been to every sea and ocean child. Do not mock me," Shael' shouts at Nicole. "Mocking you. WHAT? You think I am lying to you," Nicole barks back to Shael'.

The spear man approaches Riada. He nods at Riada. Riada runs to Nicole as the ship suddenly stops at its dock. "Oh so you think you knows it all? I ..."Nicole suddenly stops as her attention is on Riada. The stranger then looks what Riada is looking. More Black Hand warriors and they have their weapons drawn. "So where is this port," Riada asks her nervously. And the stranger said reluctantly, "In an another ocean."

Ropes and lines fly pass each other onto the dock and the deck. The ship is pulled closer to the dock. When the boarding plank is lowered, all of the recruits run down it. The crew rapidly tie the ship down. A couple of The Black Hand members from the ship go and tell the other awaiting members of what happened. Riada and the stranger look worried at the situation. The Captain approaches Riada warmly, "You are not so eager to leave little one?" The stranger turns to him and said, "Maybe, this is a great ship and she might not want to leave it." Nicole's confidence returns. The Captain laughs. He is not expecting that compliment. He pats Riada on the head. "I am going to miss this hard working one. Take care little one." The Captain smiles and returns to the wheel. The spear man gets off and draws his spear towards Nicole.