[Scene: Town Entrance – Dirt Road Path]
The trees finally gave way to cobbled stone.
Ahead stood Wahana Town — a rugged little settlement, not too polished, not too poor. Shops lined the road like mismatched teeth.
A cracked sign read "Wahana Central Market — 400 meters".
He squinted toward the town's outline.
Eron:
"Alright. We're here."
Ashen nodded beside him, still glancing at every detail like his eyes were taking photos.
They stepped through the gates.
A town guard stood leaning on his halberd just inside — young, half-bored, but alert.
He raised an eyebrow.
Guard:
"State your business?"
Eron didn't miss a beat.
Eron:
"Tourists. We're island-hopping. Thought we'd see what Wahana's like."
Ashen offered a shy nod.
The guard eyed them both… then shrugged.
Guard:
"Eh. Spend money and don't steal."
Eron (under his breath):
"Fair terms."
They walked on.
[Scene: Wahana Town Market – Few Minutes Later]
The market bustled with locals haggling over spices, dried fish, ropes, and tobacco.
Eron and Ashen weaved between stalls until a voice rang sharp through the crowd.
Seller (yelling):
"Freshly caught! Fresh from the sea."
The man behind the call was broad-shouldered, sleeves rolled, and hands wet.
Ashen leaned toward Eron.
Ashen:
"He's got the energy. Must be a fisherman."
Eron nodded.
They walked up.
The seller's face lit up instantly, eyes going wide like he'd spotted his first customer in years.
Seller (beaming):
"Welcome, friends! You've got taste! I can see it!"
Eron:
"How much for the—"
Seller (cutting him off):
"Five Qalistas! Everything! yours!"
Eron (blinking):
"No, no, I meant— We're actually looking for a boat—"
The seller's face twisted.
Seller (snapping):
"A boat?! You think I'm desperate enough to sell my boat just 'cause no one wants fish today?!"
Ashen (whispering):
"…This escalated fast."
Seller (waving his arms):
"OUT! OUT! GO FIND YOUR BOAT DREAMS ELSEWHERE!"
Eron (grabbing Ashen's arm):
"Right. Yep. Leaving."
They bolted into the crowd, nearly knocking over a basket of pineapples.
[Scene: Alley Behind the Market – Breathing Hard]
Ashen leaned against a wall.
Ashen:
"Okay. Maybe next time… let me start the conversation."
Eron:
"…Yeah. Noted."
They both exhaled.
Then — from the corner of the alley — another voice, older, slower:
Mysterious Voice:
"You boys lookin' for a boat?"
They turned.
A hunched figure stepped into view from behind a drying line of cloth.
Wiry. Barefoot. One eye cloudy. But a smirk playing across his lips.
Eron (straightening):
"…Who's asking?"
The man chuckled, ignoring the question completely.
Mystery Guy:
"I know a guy. Lives up on the eastern ridge. Might be willing to part with his boat."
Ashen:
"Really? Who is he?"
The man held up a bony finger and wiggled it.
Mystery Guy (grinning):
"No info comes free, my dear. Twenty Qalistas."
Eron rolled his eyes and dug into his pouch.
Eron (flat):
"You'd better be right."
He handed the man the coins.
The mystery guy chuckled, tossing the pouch into his own ragged pocket like it weighed nothing.
Mystery Guy:
"Ha! Beer for five days' worth. I win again."
Eron stepped forward.
Eron (serious):
"Now talk."
The man nodded, suddenly businesslike.
Mystery Guy:
"Eastern outskirts. Climb the old ridge path just past the rice fields. You'll find a shack tucked into the slope. Looks like it belongs to ghosts."
Ashen (frowning):
"And the boat?"
Mystery Guy:
"Old man lives there. Fishin' for himself now. Doesn't sell to anyone anymore — town thinks he's nuts."
Eron:
"And you're sure he has a boat?"
Mystery Guy (shrugging):
"He does. Doesn't use it much. Hates people. Loves fish. You figure it out."
Ashen and Eron exchanged a glance.
Eron (narrowing his eyes):
"What if you're lying?"
The man smirked and tapped his temple.
Mystery Guy:
"That fish stall you got yelled out of? That's my brother. Go back and take as many fish as you want if I'm wrong. Tell him Basco sent you."
He tipped an invisible hat and backed into the shadows, vanishing like he'd never been there.
Ashen (quietly):
"Is… that guy real?"
Eron:
"I don't know."
Ashen:
"Do we trust him?"
Eron:
"I guess."
Ashen (grinning):
"…Let's go then."