With things settled at Gami, the crew was ready to depart the next day at the North-Western side where everyone gave them a loud applause as they left. They stood beside a stable where Ritta left their horses and wagon when they arrived. Damion said his proper goodbyes to Ritta, she decided to stay to help the townsfolk finish up their repairs then she'd go pay her respects to their parents after so long of being away. Alloy and Tasue were right ahead with the mayor, finishing up their goodbyes as well as his thanks. But something had bothered Alloy as she said her farewells.
"What guild saved us?? I must tell others of what occurred here!! Please, what is the name granted to you and your lot??" The mayor inquired.
This got Alloy thinking, but since she had no answer… "I'm sorry old man, I just have two other members for now, I haven't thought of a name yet." That was all she could say.
"Keep your captain safe, and straight, she's a little loose." Ritta said.
"I'll try, but it's still up to her to listen." Damion replied.
"Take care, youngins." She said to them as they got on their wagon and the horses began pulling. They waved their hands goodbye and hence, their adventure continued…. or rather, began.
A few minutes on the road passed as, Alloy got curious. "Where can we find a navigator??" She asked Damion.
With his palm gently on Tasue's head as she sat on his lap, he looked back at Alloy answering, "I wouldn't know, maybe we'll find one on the next island we head to."
"Maybe we'll find one at the port!!" Tasue said. Excited.
"It's odd to see you so happy, Tasue!!" Alloy said with a smile.
"Aniki is happy again!! I'll stay happy like him too!!" She said, kicking her feet in the air. Damion let out a chuckle.
"By the way, where are your parents?? Wouldn't they want to know that you are with us??" She asked. Tasue's face then drained itself of the ecstasy that surrounded her.
"My parents are gone…" she said. "My uncle used to take care of me, then Ritta helped me out until I met you and aniki."
"I see…" was all she could really say. Damion's expression also showed his concern for Tasue. However, it was clear she didn't want to engage any more in that topic due to the loud silence afterward, so they moved on.
"Alloy, Ritta said she heard this port is filled with Syndicate troops, but unlike the ones Spire was in charge of, they are under heavy supervision from someone who is one of the good ones, making them all follow his example and actively preventing more 'Spires' from rising. They've been told to let us take Spire's ship as well as its supplies to help keep word down about what happened there." Damion continued.
"If that's the case, then we'll just take it and go!! Do you know how to sail a ship??" Alloy asked.
Another silence, broken by the sound of the hooves at the front of the wagon was felt as Damion looked down, realizing that no one knew how to sail a ship and yet, they were to use one to depart from the island.
"What kind of captain are you??" He asked. Wondering yet again who he's now loyal to. Alloy just smiled, chuckling nervously.
"Why don't we get a smaller boat??" Tasue asked.
"Yes!! What if we get a small one then once we get our navigator, they can teach us!!" Alloy figured.
"That can work, for now, we'll have to ask someone at the Syndicate to help us out." Damion finished.
Within the next few hours, they had arrived at Vira Port. As they heard, they got to see how filled it was with symbols of the image that Alloy saw on Spire's coat. The Arcane Syndicate was completely in charge of the port as they all saw. Trainees were filled on the grounds, others doing drills, others on push ups, some smoking on the far end of a few buildings and even more cleaning the place more than it already was, one of them even opened a window that had such clean glass, it reflected the risen sun on Damion's eye. He turned back to cover his eyes only to see Alloy sneaking away, the sparkle of adventure in her eyes.
"Oh no. You're not straying from us again. We have a boat to find." He said, grabbing her hand and pulling her with. A young man arrived right in front of them, panting from his very recent push ups. Just like everyone else around who was doing the same drills he came from finishing, he had on a fitted high-collared white tunic with black trim along the collar and cuffs. A black sash wrapped around his waist, securing the tunic over straight black trousers. The top was paired with sturdy mid-calf boots and light padding on the shoulders of his collared tunic. Despite the sweat running down his face, he saluted, raising his hand to his forehead in a crisp motion.
"You must be Alloy's crew!! I had been instructed to take you to Spire's ship, but I regret to inform you that due to his negligence to maintain it, it is currently out of commission." He said.
"Actually, we were hoping for a smaller boat. We don't know how to sail a ship." Damion began.
"Oh, don't you have a navigator with you??"
"We're going to look for one!!"
"We're going to look for one!!" Both Alloy and Tasue exclaimed. The smiles on their faces greatly plastered, of course.
"O…kay…" The man hesitated, shocked by what he heard. "This way. I'll take you to the commander of this port. You may talk to him."
"Thanks." Damion said as they began walking.
"You can let go of my hand now." Alloy added.
"Okay." He let go.