Chapter 26
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"ALL ABOARD!"
"Wooooot... Hooo..."
A small figure was hopping on the river bank, trying to jump up to board the ship but he tripped on a huge rock in his path. The rock flew while the boy--
"Ling! What are you doing? Come on, we can get on the boats now."
The boy turned to the call, stopping his play figures from moving. He grinned at his father as he looked up, "I was bored waiting so I got this from my pack. I'll just put it back then let me sit on your shoulder again to check if I can see the other side of the river."
Since there were no other children his age who joined the trade, Ling was playing alone while the adults were getting ready for their travel in the river. There were four boats, which could load fifteen person each, already in the water while the villagers were slowly bording together with their luggage.
The Mal'it Clan trading group always travelled via carriages for almost a day from their village to a spot in the river where the current slowed down. With this, their travel will be faster with the help of the downstream current while the men were controlling the boats on turns, taking the whole trip to the nearest village a week.
Most of the villagers were accustomed to this type of travel now. To make the preparations faster, the wood from the carriages were constructed to be used to build the boats and vice versa.
After hours of sailing, on the deck of the leading boat, a few men were peering from the railing, looking at the water. Suddenly, a huge shadow was seen underneath the water, swimming fast near the surface.
When it jumped out of the water, the men were ready with their spears to catch it. The boats on the river were protected only on the part under the water so as not to be attacked by the creatures in the river in a place where the men could not see. However, the top part was exposed, making the fishes able to detect the food and people in their territory.
The fishes in the shallow part were small, able to be caught by a fishing rod. Meanwhile, in these deep areas, the fishes looked like monsters with big bodies, strong jaws and sharp teeth. Nevertheless, these were the main food of the travellers as these were more nutritious which they need for the long trip.
The first fish was followed by another, arching on top of the boat. The shadow casted by the fish almost the size of an adult was enough to cover a fifth of the deck. The group below already had their arrows ready and soon enough, the fish fell, flapping on the floor.
Suddenly, several splash sounds were heard from the water, alerting the men aboard. "Ready!"
A small figure was running up the stairs from below deck to check the commotion. However, the sudden movement of the water vehicle due to the activities outside turned his stomach. Disappointed, he ran back to the rooms below, found his bucket and casted out his breakfast that day.
Ling was still disappointed that he wasn't able to see the big fishes before it was cooked. The dish was now in front of him, however, he was frowning since it was not one he had caught like the other men. He felt like the food would be more delicious if he fought it too.
After a while of staring at his plate, he heard his father call him, "Ling, come out here. We can already see the village."
Hearing this, Ling left the table. But, since they were still in the water and he hadn't recovered yet, the green-faced lad walked slowly up the stairs.
What Ling saw amazed him. It was a lot different than the home he was used to. The boats were slowly entering the village, with the river passing through most areas around the place. The water was coming from different directions then converging on the general area of the village like the arms of a giant spider.
With the green of the nearby forest, the blue of the water and other colors of the houses and people around, the place looked vibrant. Islands were formed because of the river and these were connected by several bridges while there were small boats in the canals for water transportation.
This is the Tub'ig Village, named after the structure and not the clan residing here. It was also because there were many clans, big or small, living here, with no assigned leadership. This village was the meeting place of the nearby villages every year during trading since most would have to pass here to get to the main port, the Dag'at Port, for the larger trade.
With the current slowing down, the noises from the village could be heard. There were people shouting their offered products, some animals were joining the cacophony and a song was being broadcasted near the entrance.
~Water here, water there
The river is seen everywhere
A lady here, a lady there
Happiness is available for any sir
.
What a great welcome, this sight
Too bad I am on my flight
What happened to my life full of light
When all I can see is night
.
I am but a poor poet
A traveller by force
But if this is the view offered
To experience is the best choice~
"Stop that, Tula! You're going to make the visitors run away!"
"There is that bastard! He ate and run from my store! Chase him!"
"He also hasn't paid for his stay at my inn!"
"Come back here, you bastard!"
Ignoring the current drama unfolding, the Mal'it Clan docked their boats in the village port near the entrance. Majority of the trading would not occur in this village but a few clans would be meeting here to go together to the Dag'at Port near the ocean.
Together with some men, Shaman Matnaad went to the village council hall for the clan meeting while the other men could explore the village and some had to stay with the boats as guards. Bobo took the chance to tour Ling around the place.
Once they stepped on land, Ling felt slightly better. However, he was sitting on his father's shoulders again, the movements making him nauseous.
"Wait, Father, d-don't move around," he inhaled sharply while holding onto his father's hair for support, "too much. Stop walking first."
His father stopped walking but laughed at him, "How can you go on more adventures if you can't travel by water?"
The shaking from the laughter was still making him uncomfortable but Ling managed to answer, "I can't get seasick when on land or sky! You can put me down now. I'm already big enough not to be carried anyways."
When Ling was finally on land, he felt better but since his father was still laughing at him, he puffed up his face and stomped ahead, complaining, "I thought you will tour me around. I'll tell on you to mother!"
His father's reply was another laugh while they proceeded with their tour.
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"ALL ABOARD!"
"Wooooot... Hooo..."
A small figure was hopping on the river bank, trying to jump up to board the ship but he tripped on a huge rock in his path. The rock flew while the boy--
"Ling! What are you doing? Come on, we can get on the boats now."
The boy turned to the call, stopping his play figures from moving. He grinned at his father as he looked up, "I was bored waiting so I got this from my pack. I'll just put it back then let me sit on your shoulder again to check if I can see the other side of the river."
Since there were no other children his age who joined the trade, Ling was playing alone while the adults were getting ready for their travel in the river. There were four boats, which could load fifteen person each, already in the water while the villagers were slowly bording together with their luggage.
The Mal'it Clan trading group always travelled via carriages for almost a day from their village to a spot in the river where the current slowed down. With this, their travel will be faster with the help of the downstream current while the men were controlling the boats on turns, taking the whole trip to the nearest village a week.
Most of the villagers were accustomed to this type of travel now. To make the preparations faster, the wood from the carriages were constructed to be used to build the boats and vice versa.
After hours of sailing, on the deck of the leading boat, a few men were peering from the railing, looking at the water. Suddenly, a huge shadow was seen underneath the water, swimming fast near the surface.
When it jumped out of the water, the men were ready with their spears to catch it. The boats on the river were protected only on the part under the water so as not to be attacked by the creatures in the river in a place where the men could not see. However, the top part was exposed, making the fishes able to detect the food and people in their territory.
The fishes in the shallow part were small, able to be caught by a fishing rod. Meanwhile, in these deep areas, the fishes looked like monsters with big bodies, strong jaws and sharp teeth. Nevertheless, these were the main food of the travellers as these were more nutritious which they need for the long trip.
The first fish was followed by another, arching on top of the boat. The shadow casted by the fish almost the size of an adult was enough to cover a fifth of the deck. The group below already had their arrows ready and soon enough, the fish fell, flapping on the floor.
Suddenly, several splash sounds were heard from the water, alerting the men aboard. "Ready!"
A small figure was running up the stairs from below deck to check the commotion. However, the sudden movement of the water vehicle due to the activities outside turned his stomach. Disappointed, he ran back to the rooms below, found his bucket and casted out his breakfast that day.
Ling was still disappointed that he wasn't able to see the big fishes before it was cooked. The dish was now in front of him, however, he was frowning since it was not one he had caught like the other men. He felt like the food would be more delicious if he fought it too.
After a while of staring at his plate, he heard his father call him, "Ling, come out here. We can already see the village."
Hearing this, Ling left the table. But, since they were still in the water and he hadn't recovered yet, the green-faced lad walked slowly up the stairs.
What Ling saw amazed him. It was a lot different than the home he was used to. The boats were slowly entering the village, with the river passing through most areas around the place. The water was coming from different directions then converging on the general area of the village like the arms of a giant spider.
With the green of the nearby forest, the blue of the water and other colors of the houses and people around, the place looked vibrant. Islands were formed because of the river and these were connected by several bridges while there were small boats in the canals for water transportation.
This is the Tub'ig Village, named after the structure and not the clan residing here. It was also because there were many clans, big or small, living here, with no assigned leadership. This village was the meeting place of the nearby villages every year during trading since most would have to pass here to get to the main port, the Dag'at Port, for the larger trade.
With the current slowing down, the noises from the village could be heard. There were people shouting their offered products, some animals were joining the cacophony and a song was being broadcasted near the entrance.
~Water here, water there
The river is seen everywhere
A lady here, a lady there
Happiness is available for any sir
.
What a great welcome, this sight
Too bad I am on my flight
What happened to my life full of light
When all I can see is night
.
I am but a poor poet
A traveller by force
But if this is the view offered
To experience is the best choice~
"Stop that, Tula! You're going to make the visitors run away!"
"There is that bastard! He ate and run from my store! Chase him!"
"He also hasn't paid for his stay at my inn!"
"Come back here, you bastard!"
Ignoring the current drama unfolding, the Mal'it Clan docked their boats in the village port near the entrance. Majority of the trading would not occur in this village but a few clans would be meeting here to go together to the Dag'at Port near the ocean.
Together with some men, Shaman Matnaad went to the village council hall for the clan meeting while the other men could explore the village and some had to stay with the boats as guards. Bobo took the chance to tour Ling around the place.
Once they stepped on land, Ling felt slightly better. However, he was sitting on his father's shoulders again, the movements making him nauseous.
"Wait, Father, d-don't move around," he inhaled sharply while holding onto his father's hair for support, "too much. Stop walking first."
His father stopped walking but laughed at him, "How can you go on more adventures if you can't travel by water?"
The shaking from the laughter was still making him uncomfortable but Ling managed to answer, "I can't get seasick when on land or sky! You can put me down now. I'm already big enough not to be carried anyways."
When Ling was finally on land, he felt better but since his father was still laughing at him, he puffed up his face and stomped ahead, complaining, "I thought you will tour me around. I'll tell on you to mother!"
His father's reply was another laugh while they proceeded with their tour.
"ALL ABOARD!""Wooooot... Hooo..."A small figure was hopping on the river bank, trying to jump up to board the ship but he tripped on a huge rock in his path. The rock flew while the boy--"Ling! What are you doing? Come on, we can get on the boats now."The boy turned to the call, stopping his play figures from moving. He grinned at his father as he looked up, "I was bored waiting so I got this from my pack. I'll just put it back then let me sit on your shoulder again to check if I can see the other side of the river."Since there were no other children his age who joined the trade, Ling was playing alone while the adults were getting ready for their travel in the river. There were four boats, which could load fifteen person each, already in the water while the villagers were slowly bording together with their luggage.The Mal'it Clan trading group always travelled via carriages for almost a day from their village to a spot in the river where the current slowed down. With this, their travel will be faster with the help of the downstream current while the men were controlling the boats on turns, taking the whole trip to the nearest village a week.Most of the villagers were accustomed to this type of travel now. To make the preparations faster, the wood from the carriages were constructed to be used to build the boats and vice versa.After hours of sailing, on the deck of the leading boat, a few men were peering from the railing, looking at the water. Suddenly, a huge shadow was seen underneath the water, swimming fast near the surface.When it jumped out of the water, the men were ready with their spears to catch it. The boats on the river were protected only on the part under the water so as not to be attacked by the creatures in the river in a place where the men could not see. However, the top part was exposed, making the fishes able to detect the food and people in their territory.The fishes in the shallow part were small, able to be caught by a fishing rod. Meanwhile, in these deep areas, the fishes looked like monsters with big bodies, strong jaws and sharp teeth. Nevertheless, these were the main food of the travellers as these were more nutritious which they need for the long trip.The first fish was followed by another, arching on top of the boat. The shadow casted by the fish almost the size of an adult was enough to cover a fifth of the deck. The group below already had their arrows ready and soon enough, the fish fell, flapping on the floor.Suddenly, several splash sounds were heard from the water, alerting the men aboard. "Ready!"A small figure was running up the stairs from below deck to check the commotion. However, the sudden movement of the water vehicle due to the activities outside turned his stomach. Disappointed, he ran back to the rooms below, found his bucket and casted out his breakfast that day.Ling was still disappointed that he wasn't able to see the big fishes before it was cooked. The dish was now in front of him, however, he was frowning since it was not one he had caught like the other men. He felt like the food would be more delicious if he fought it too.After a while of staring at his plate, he heard his father call him, "Ling, come out here. We can already see the village."Hearing this, Ling left the table. But, since they were still in the water and he hadn't recovered yet, the green-faced lad walked slowly up the stairs.What Ling saw amazed him. It was a lot different than the home he was used to. The boats were slowly entering the village, with the river passing through most areas around the place. The water was coming from different directions then converging on the general area of the village like the arms of a giant spider.With the green of the nearby forest, the blue of the water and other colors of the houses and people around, the place looked vibrant. Islands were formed because of the river and these were connected by several bridges while there were small boats in the canals for water transportation.This is the Tub'ig Village, named after the structure and not the clan residing here. It was also because there were many clans, big or small, living here, with no assigned leadership. This village was the meeting place of the nearby villages every year during trading since most would have to pass here to get to the main port, the Dag'at Port, for the larger trade.With the current slowing down, the noises from the village could be heard. There were people shouting their offered products, some animals were joining the cacophony and a song was being broadcasted near the entrance.~Water here, water thereThe river is seen everywhereA lady here, a lady thereHappiness is available for any sir.What a great welcome, this sightToo bad I am on my flightWhat happened to my life full of lightWhen all I can see is night.I am but a poor poetA traveller by forceBut if this is the view offeredTo experience is the best choice~"Stop that, Tula! You're going to make the visitors run away!""There is that bastard! He ate and run from my store! Chase him!""He also hasn't paid for his stay at my inn!""Come back here, you bastard!"Ignoring the current drama unfolding, the Mal'it Clan docked their boats in the village port near the entrance. Majority of the trading would not occur in this village but a few clans would be meeting here to go together to the Dag'at Port near the ocean.Together with some men, Shaman Matnaad went to the village council hall for the clan meeting while the other men could explore the village and some had to stay with the boats as guards. Bobo took the chance to tour Ling around the place.Once they stepped on land, Ling felt slightly better. However, he was sitting on his father's shoulders again, the movements making him nauseous."Wait, Father, d-don't move around," he inhaled sharply while holding onto his father's hair for support, "too much. Stop walking first."His father stopped walking but laughed at him, "How can you go on more adventures if you can't travel by water?"The shaking from the laughter was still making him uncomfortable but Ling managed to answer, "I can't get seasick when on land or sky! You can put me down now. I'm already big enough not to be carried anyways."When Ling was finally on land, he felt better but since his father was still laughing at him, he puffed up his face and stomped ahead, complaining, "I thought you will tour me around. I'll tell on you to mother!"His father's reply was another laugh while they proceeded with their tour.
