The Ember of Beginning V

Silora stood in another line inside the building. Unlike the chaotic outside, the place was organized and generally beautiful. As soon as she entered the building, an employee in a neat blue suit approached her. He wore a friendly smile and said with a sense of humor that Silora didn't quite like, "Welcome, beautiful lady, to the belly of the whale." She understood what he meant; he was referring to the sacrifices she made to get here.

Silora didn't respond to his unfunny joke, but that only made his smile widen. "Oh... my condolences," he said sympathetically, but his smile betrayed his pretense.

"Get to the point," Silora snapped angrily.

He nodded as he said, "Fair, fair," his expression turning serious as he handed her a folded paper. "This paper will give you an overview of our company, Northern Winds. It contains all the information you might need. There's even a small map on the back if you haven't decided on your destination yet. Prices are not included, as it varies from traveler to traveler. Mostly, only the luggage changes the fare. If this is your first trip, please read the paper." He looked outside sympathetically and continued, "As you know, time is tight."

Silora took the folded paper and said dismissively, "If time is tight, why didn't you do your job from the start instead of bothering me?"

The employee smiled at that and said with a big grin, "Well, it's not every day I meet a girl as beautiful as yourself. It's a crime not to exchange words with you." He went on his way and said over his shoulder, "I say it's worth it."

Silora ignored his words and began reading the paper content. As It was indeed her first trip.

Company Overview:

- Services: "Northern Winds" provides maritime transport services for passengers and cargo, offering regular trips between islands, as well as special trips for exploration and adventure on demand, and luxury services for tourists seeking unique sea experiences.

- Fleet: The company owns a diverse fleet of ships, from small fast boats for short trips to large ships designed for long-distance travel between archipelagos, in addition to a water horse rental service (exclusive to the Free City island group). All their ships are equipped with the latest navigation tools and technologies to ensure the safety of passengers and cargo.

- Team: The "Northern Winds" crew consists of highly experienced and skilled sailors who know the secrets of the ocean and can handle both natural and supernatural challenges they may face. The team also includes a group of tour guides who provide information about the islands, their history, and legends.

- Reputation: "Northern Winds" is known for its quality service and punctuality, making it the first and only choice for island travel. Its reputation is built on reliability and knowledge of the sea's terrain and hidden passages between islands.

Silora checked the small map on the back of the paper, but it wasn't anything noteworthy. Her complete map provided more detailed information about the area and directions. 'That sums it up,' she thought, looking again towards the outer gate where people were still pushing to find a place inside. 'Good thing I decided to start here... If I had gone to the horse first, I might not have found a place.' She thought to herself, not forgetting to cast a sympathetic glance at the people outside.

It didn't take long before Silora was standing in front of a glass window with an employee sitting on a chair. He wore the same outfit as the unfunny employee from before. That was enough for her to take a bad impression of him, even though she didn't know him. Silora kept her feelings to herself and addressed the employee in a calm voice, "My destination is The White Cliff Island. And a private room."

The employee didn't lift his head, flipping through the pages of the large book in front of him, as he asked hurriedly, "How many people are traveling? If you're alone, list all your belongings. I'll determine what goes into storage and what stays in the room with you. And please don't hide anything; you will be searched upon boarding."

Silora began listing everything she owned while the employee quickly wrote it down on the paper. She mentioned everything she left in the stable(what she will keep), also mentioning the strange box and the book inside it, but she made the description very ordinary to avoid arousing the employee's suspicions. She also mentioned the silver dagger, but described it as a knife for cutting wood during her time in the forest. She continued listing various items while the employee quickly noted them down.

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She took a deep exhausted breath and said, "That's everything."

The employee nodded, raising his head to meet her crimson eyes as he said hurriedly, "You can keep all your belongings in your private room. I'll take your first name now, and is this your first trip with us?" He pulled out a paper from an open drawer and continued, "These are the trips available for the next seven days. Choose your trip; the price is on the paper."

Silora nodded and checked the paper, not bothering with the trips for the upcoming days, focusing instead on today's trips. There were two, one in the afternoon and one at sunset. She looked at the employee and said in a calm voice, "My name is Silora, and yes, this is my first trip. I'll take the last trip for today."

The employee nodded as he recorded her name and trip number in his large book. Silora watched curiously as the man pulled out a small notebook from his open drawer. The pages of the notebook were similar in shape and silver color. He filled out the first page with the same information he had recorded in his large book and set the paper aside.

He looked up at Silora and spoke in his usual hurried tone, "The payment options for a private room are: full payment, or half now and the other half upon arrival."

With a deep breath, Silora pulled out her wallet from her clothes. She took out a light blue shell and a dark one. She decided to pay half the exorbitant amount mentioned on the trip paper. She handed the money through the small opening in the glass and said, "I'll pay half now, the other half upon arrival."

The employee nodded without responding. He took the paper he had set aside and signed it with faint ink. He pulled out another folded paper from his open drawer and handed both papers to Silora as he spoke quickly and cautiously, "The silver paper is your boarding ticket. If you lose it before your trip, we can provide you with another one for free. If you miss your trip, we will refund half the amount. If you lose it on the ship, you will be charged an additional fee upon arrival. This does not apply to those who paid the full amount. The other paper is your guide on what to do and not do before, during, and even after boarding one of our ships. I advise you to read it carefully. Thank you for choosing 'Northern Winds' for your transport. Have a pleasant trip."

Silora took both papers and stepped aside. There was a long line behind her. She went to an empty spot and organized all her belongings. She was about to read the paper titled ~Passenger Guidelines from 'Northern Winds', but decided against it, as she still had much to do.

Fortunately for Silora, the exit gate was different from the entrance, where people outside were not allowed to use it, only those inside had the right to exit it. She left with dignity, trying to forget her embarrassing entry.

She walked carefully on the slippery wooden dock until she reached the ascending path from before. She wasn't going to climb now. Instead, she stepped aside from the road, away from the human hustle. She pulled out the paper from before and began reading it carefully.

Passenger Guidelines from 'Northern Winds'

What to Do:

- Arrive Early: It is recommended to arrive at the port an hour before the scheduled departure time to complete boarding procedures and ensure all reported supplies and luggage.

- Follow Safety Instructions: Listen carefully to the crew's safety instructions, including emergency procedures in case of encountering a supernatural event.

- Maintain the Environment: Please avoid throwing garbage and food waste into the sea, and place all waste in designated areas on the ship.

- Report Any Health Issues: If you suffer from any health issues, such as seasickness or allergies, inform the crew immediately to ensure your comfort and safety (at the appropriate cost).

What Not to Do:

- Do Not Be Late: Do not be late for the scheduled sailing time, as ships leave the port on time. (If you are late, please go to the main office or your ticket purchase location, where you will receive half the amount after explaining the reasons for your delay to the crew.)

- Avoid Sitting in Unauthorized Areas: There are areas designated for the crew and areas containing sensitive equipment; please do not enter them without permission.

- Avoid Standing on the Edges: Do not stand or climb on the edges or ropes to ensure your personal safety (we are not responsible for your actions in the absence of the crew).

After Arrival:

- Wait for Permission to Disembark: Please stay in your place until the crew receives permission from the captain to disembark, which will be announced to the passengers by the crew.

- Check Your Luggage: Check all your luggage before disembarking, and do not forget to bring all your personal belongings.

- Thank the Crew: The crew is here to ensure your safe and comfortable journey, so do not forget to thank them if your experience was good.

- Pay Your Dues: Only if you paid half the ticket price before boarding (you can ask the crew for directions if this is your first trip).

We wish you a pleasant and safe journey with 'Northern Winds'!

Silora took a deep breath. The list of guidelines seemed very reasonable to her, so she had no problem accepting them. She turned her sharp gaze towards the rainforest in the area above. She sighed sadly , "It's time to say goodbye," (referring to the horse.)