- LAND OF THE TRADES - 

Darius' eyes fluttered open as he groans before trying to sit up from his hammock. His eyes wandered around the quarters as he tried to look where the others were.

It was silent at first so he thought that it was just his mind rushing over to the thoughts of the venture. Alas, his crew members called out his name loudly outside as another chattering mess had come to his senses.

There could only mean one thing when they were trying to ruin his sleep. They have finally arrived. As he finally stood up from his hammock and stretched, he failed to notice his lover in the doorway who had already been awake — just waiting for him to get up and look over the deck.

It took him a few minutes before he heard Calista's voice calling out to him in a soft voice.

"We're already here, my love." Her smile had brightened up the room and Darius could feel the sun being in the same room as him. "Let's both go up there and be with the crew."

Darius immediately followed her, his steps almost tripping at the stairs before they reached the deck. The sky had first greeted him with a bright glint before it had officially shone upon the land of Everfrost.

As the Mediterranean looked at the nation, they could see big ships — much larger than theirs — and sailors getting prepared to put deliveries, walking in unison as they carried the large crates over.

Aloysius, who was staring at the place, could only gulp and worry. His eyes were far too cast to be even distracted by other members of the crew.

It was true, Darius had thought. Everfrost only allows packages to be delivered to Arkenheilm and does not allow travelers to go past beyond their borders on the other side.

His friend was worried that Everfrost won't let them pass through.

As soon as the ship had finally stopped at the harbor, most of the sailors of Everfrost had stopped what they were doing and immediately greeted them with a cold shoulder.

The dead stare that was thrown in their direction surprised Aloysius as Darius went over to have a talk with the men.

Darius had almost faltered on his spot as one of the captains approached them. But, it wasn't a man.

It was a woman with a rocky glare, a scar dragged straight on her right eye, and she didn't bother to hide it from them. Her eyes were pure ice and she had black hair tied up in a bun. You could already tell that she was not open to new sailors.

"State your business and nation."

Darius held his ground and decided to speak up. Judging by the woman's reaction, he could tell that she wasn't there to be fooled around. But of course, Darius tried his best not to talk about the venture to Malum's Trench just yet. "Ravenbourne. We were asked to deliver these to Arkenheilm."

"You may drop them there." The tall yet strong woman then pointed at a nearby spot where the next ship was about to leave. Darius knew that once they put the crates on that place, there would be no way that they could venture out to Malum's trench. Everfrost would forbid it.

Once the woman looked back to him, Darius already spoke up. Calista noticed how her lover tried to put on a stoic face as the captain of the other ship glared daggers at him. "Actually, we want to venture out to Malum's Trench for the lost Angelus."

The woman's icy stare immediately changed and she laughed instead in mockery. I guess this wasn't the first time that this happened, Calista told her herself.

"Only a madman would dare sail over that dangerous water," she said before pushing Darius away. Darius almost stumbled but Calista quickly went beside her lover, helping him to maintain his balance. "Put your cargo and leave. Everfrost does not entertain travelers."

The Mediterranean suddenly tried to convince them by telling them various reasons why they had to venture but the captain seems to pay no mind. However, Calista tried talking to her — mentioning her sister. The woman seems surprised at first since her eyes went wide before sighing.

"Since you seem to be a close friend of Ophelia, you may enter. In the meantime, guaranteed passage for sailing to the Regimere would have a tedious process for you sailors." Darius held his breath as the captain had yelled out to her crew about the cargo.

Calista only looked relieved, her eyes going back in Darius' direction. "I'm quite glad that my sister has a reputation here in Everfrost."

Darius could only nod. I guess it was fate's call for him to accept Calista's request. If he hadn't, then they would've not reached the other side. He could only pull his lover in his arms and mutter a 'thank you' for being the one to save their quest.

Calista could only smile and accept the hug as Aloysius went ahead to follow the others. When they had finally walked and passed the tall watchtowers of the land, there they saw a lot of people giving them stares. It was new to Everfrost to have guests. 

However, once the captain had explained it to them, they immediately went back to what they were doing in the first place, almost acting as if nothing ever happened.

And that surprised Darius even more. 

In first encounters, most people would complain. But here in Everfrost, most of them respect their superiors. 

"Ophelia is right on the commissioner's office. You'd find her there and maybe you could ask for a permit to sail through the waters of the Regimere," the captain had explained before leaving us. Calista thanked her but it seems that the woman hadn't heard it.

The Mediterranean looked around, taking in the surroundings.

This was certainly a new ground so they have to be careful not to break any laws.

In Everfrost, there was but one law.

Abide by the rules or walk the plank in the sea of Regimere.