"So, this is what you're trying to show us?" said Hans.

"Quite a workable building, isn't it? Got a deal with the town. It has been sitting abandoned since the last tenants moved out. It has been standing around since," said Adeline. "Perfect for a trading post, wouldn't you say?"

"There might be a specific reason for it being abandoned, Addy," said Ulster. "I mean, what if it is a site of murder, or maybe a magical mishap?"

"Bah! Nonsense, Ulster. It is as simple as being reacquired when the previous tenants were too deep in debt. Even if it is a site of murder, it has been cleaned a long time ago. It has been sitting around abandoned for almost 25 years now."

Ulster was still unsure about staying in a potential site of murder, but Adeline was unfazed, sure that it had nothing to do with murder for it to be abandoned and overgrown.

Hans, Ulster, Adeline, and all the other passengers were told to get off the Blackjack while the ship underwent repairs and upgrade in the dry docks of nearby town of Whitte, with most of the crew following Jamie. This left at least 30 or so people staying in Pol Hain and find accommodations using the money they had on them. Fortunately, Adeline and the other passengers dabbling in trading business managed to finish a deal to buy a cheap building for the purpose of establishing their first trading post. The deal itself was finalized three days after the passengers were told to disembark, with Adeline in possession of the deed.

The building was cheap for a reason. It was located some distance away from Pol Hain and it was in a very dilapidated state. There was a private dock by the shores, making Adeline wonder if it was in fact a building used as a trading company or maybe even a customs office. In any case, the docks proved to be beneficial as a place for the Blackjack or any Ternorian ship to dock. Still, she needed to start thinking off turning the place into a proper trading post, which would take a while now that all priorities were put on the Blackjack so it could return. She did not object on this decision, knowing that it would be beneficial in the long run once a trading route had been established.

Once they got inside, it was clear that it could not be used as a proper and comfortable accommodation until it was properly renovated. Adeline planned to consult the other passengers about building materials and hire. This could be her first project in the Main continent. Of course, there still needed some things to straighten, such as land permit for a trading post, land and building function tax, and even a possible permit for a port, once the wooden docks were refurbished.

"It's not really that big, isn't it?" commented Hans. "Doesn't look like it can be the center of our trade with its current condition."

"I consider it more like an office. We can rent a space in the market for Ternorian trinkets," said Adeline. "We already have more than enough gold to start a business. This place can be our home away from home. An embassy, if you will, along with being a trading post for imports from Ternor. Of course, it all depends on the Blackjack and her crew."

Hans let out a sigh. "Guess the journey isn't over yet, huh?"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Can't prove there is a land beyond the ocean without anyone writing home, right?" said Ulster with a pat on Hans' shoulder. "I bet your dear sister's worried sick for you by now."

"Regarding that. Are you sure you made the right choice? Staying, I mean?"

Adeline's question made Hans wonder, too. He declared that he would stay when the Blackjack started its return journey, along with a dozen or so passengers who wanted to help establish the trading post. The other passengers wanted to return home because they had families waiting for them, or maybe just to prove that they were still alive to skeptics. Others just want to bask in the glory. Like them, Hans had a reason to go home: his sister, Lilac.

He promised her that he would come home. Lilac was strong and independent, but he would not want her to end up thinking that she was the only Rezmirn left. That would devastate her. Hans could write, but would it be enough?

Then again, the lure of adventure in the unknown lands and the possibility of knowing more about dragons weighted his decisions. It would be a different story if he had no interest beyond reaching the new lands, but after meeting Azureath, and meeting the other dragons, made him realize that there were more things to do in Main than returning to a village that may or may not acknowledge his efforts. They could just shrug it off, for all that matters, and Hans would not want that.

"Do you think I am selfish?" asked Hans. "Am I that selfish that I'd leave my sister behind and stay here?"

"Well...it's your call, not ours," said Ulster. "I already decided that Main will be my research, and Addy's set on starting the trading post. She is this journey's sponsor, after all."

"But I still feel a bit...unfulfilled. Ever since Raptor Island, ever since meeting Azureath, I somehow gained a new ambition, but for what? I am not here to start a business. I am not here for an anthropological research. Was it simply the drive for adventure? Or was it—"

"To prove yourself, perhaps?"

A familiar female voice made him turn around. Azureath, in her azure blue splendor, walked side by side with Keeshar.

"Azureath? When have you—"

"Ever since you start talking about being unfulfilled, little wolf," she said. "Maybe you want to stay because you need to prove yourself first. You told me about how your kind is treated unfairly and feared, right? I did not think it possible, but I can relate on that. Returning home would only mean throwing away the possible glory this land can bring. Main is the land of heroes and dragons, where legends are born. It may sound like a fairy tale, but for you, a dragon is a fairy tale, isn't it? Ulster has been telling me about your...interesting take on dragons."

"Huh." Hans nodded. "That's...surprisingly on point. I suppose you're right, Azureath."

"And I consider myself a part of your team. I mean, I singlehandedly saved your ship, didn't I?" said Azureath proudly, prompting the others to chuckle.

"That you did, guardian," said Keeshar. "That you did."

"Ah. I think I have an idea." Adeline then approached Azureath and said, "Azureath, are you willing to help us?"

"What?"

"We need a little help with this place, and you happen to be, well...bigger than all of us. Maybe you can..."

"What do you give me in return?"

"Hoards of gold? I mean, you are a dragon, after all. Isn't that what you want?"

"And you think you can provide that?" Azureath let out a deep chuckle. "I jest, red one. I will help the best I can. I simply need some assistance in handling tools. It's...not my area of expertise."

The thoughts of seeing Azureath handling a hammer while repairing the house like a construction worker caused Hans to let out a snort. It looked so silly and very out of character for a dragon that, at least 17 days ago, was still a sulking, stubborn beast with a penchant of dropping people to sea. Hans had not forgiven her for that stunt, but she made up for it by letting him ride on her back, away from the swaying, seasick-inducing, steamer.

Now, he really wished he could bring Lilac along for the ride. Maybe he should start thinking what to write, just to convince his sister to come.

But before that, the trading post must be established, and there was no better time to start than the present.