"How much to get on board?"
"A Quint, Mister."
I handed the money to the purser and boarded the ship.
---
As the only foreigner on the vessel, the atmosphere was awkward when you looked distinctly apart from others.
"Look, Mama! A Goldilock!"
The lady hurriedly shushed her son and demanded him to apologize.
The child mumbled something and hid behind his mother, embarrassed.
"Please pardon my son's rude demeanor, Mister. He is just a child."
I smiled, unaffected by the child's remark.
The term must sound derogatory to the northerners, but you would have to look past that out on the sea.
Moreover, he was just a child.
Squatting down, I spoke to him.
"Good day Young Man. My name is Andro-..."
I paused.
"You can call me Nova. Be obedient for your mother, alright?"
I tucked into my pocket, trying to reach for candy, but none was left.
I reached to pat his head after he emerged from his mother's back, seemingly more at ease.
He appeared to be apologetic for his ignorance.
---
On the deck, the horizon seemed endless. Cool breezes brush softly against my face.
I started to ponder my decisions so far.
Embarking on a journey on foreign soil?
Check.
Running out of food and water?
Check.
Getting close to penniless?
Check.
What else could go wrong?
---
Vistrița. Outskirts of Transylvania, Fangrisia.
---
Once I was on the shores of Bistrița, townsfolk were quick to point out my appearance among themselves.
I tried to strike up conversations to inquire about the current affairs, but the locals were dismissive and unwilling to interact.
A passer-by was kind enough to inform me that the reactions I was getting were due to the disappearances of some locals.
"Rumors that the otherworldly was involved are spreading like wildfire. No one has been seen after dusk to steer clear of unwanted attention."
"It's getting late. I have to go."
She left in such a hurry.
The town was gripped by fear and paranoia. It looked like getting leads to get closer to uncover the mysterious disappearances would not be an easy task.
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