The port town of Tabah

The sea is still not in sight.

Yet, a scent—perhaps the scent of the tide. A scent unfamiliar to the nose drifts in the wind from the direction of the sea.

I am now traveling with Fret Elder, far from home, bound for Tabah.

As it happens, Father is at work, Mother is attending a tea gathering with the ladies of a nearby estate, Alex Elder is confined to bed due to exhaustion, and Cain Elder cannot leave the capital for his magical studies.

Tabah lies an hour’s carriage ride from the capital city of Kiywa, or half an hour on a swift horse. We have already traveled beyond thirty minutes since leaving Kiywa, so the town should come into view shortly.

Tabah is a port town, and Fret Elder often visits there to train at a military training ground where he receives instruction.

I finally understand why Fret Elder has been returning to the territory so often these past few years. I was astonished, alongside Mother, when I learned that even a journey of three days by carriage was unnecessary—the military horses, particularly the one beloved by Elder Brother, Hórválpnir, whose steed could gallop across sky and water alike, allowed him to travel between Tabah and the imperial estate in little more than two days.

Today, I am to meet Josephine and Luke in Tabah and stroll the streets together. Meanwhile, Fret Elder is expected to be sweating in that very training ground.

As we crossed the hill, the near yet distant horizon unfolded beneath us. The sea, seen for the first time, did not appear blue but shimmered white, filling my chest with awe.

One truly does lose words in the face of such wonder…

My horse snorted sharply, as if urging me forward, though I had halted, entranced by nature’s beauty.

I tightened the reins and advanced toward the port town, now just visible.

Upon entering the town, to my surprise, the sea was nowhere to be seen.

Indeed, sturdy stone apartments stood side by side. The streets of the town gave the impression of strong fortification, paved with stone. Along the main road, stalls lined the alleyways, forming a market of open-air vendors.

Passing through the main thoroughfare, we emerged into a plaza centered around a fountain.

The building directly to the right was the town hall; the one directly to the left, the guild union’s headquarters. The building at the left rear was constructed like the others, but served as a church branch; the one at the right rear, the consular outpost of nations with which we conduct trade, Elder Brother explained with a hint of pride.

Turning around the plaza, we entered a residential district, and from among the houses, we proceeded to a large estate—Uncle Pasterly’s residence.

The gatekeeper recognized Elder Brother at once, exchanging a few friendly words with a smile before admitting us. We handed our horses to the stablehand, and as we approached the front entrance, Aunt Stella and the children were already waiting for us.

"Hey! Little ones, haven’t seen you since yesterday—how’ve you been?"

Elder Brother speaks without ceremony. "Yeah, Elder Brother, Josephine’s fine!" "Luke’s doing great too!" I’m the only one flustered, while the others respond as if this were routine. I quickly compose myself and offer my greeting.

"Good day, Aunt Matilda, Lady Josephine, Lord Luke. I trust you are well. We are honored to be here today."

Aunt Matilda is a woman of gentle bearing, married into the noble house of Emmental from a minor branch of the line. Her presence is soft, almost weightless.

"Oh, dear, no need to be so formal. Today, Spica is here to enjoy the city. And these children have been looking forward to it with such eagerness."

The two children lean in, their eyes bright with curiosity, peering up at me. "Where are we going? What are we seeing?" But it is Elder Brother who answers.

“First, we’ll go to the naval port and the training grounds. Afterwards, perhaps the little ones would enjoy the market as well?” I had no objection.

With the course set, we turned back toward the gate. I climbed into the carriage with the two others, while Elder Brother mounted his beloved horse and we set off toward the naval port.

After descending the stone-paved slope for a time, the scent of the sea, faint at first beyond the city walls, grew stronger.

“Though you can’t see it directly from here, the sea will be right beside us soon,” Elder Brother explained from horseback.

At the foot of the slope stood a massive iron gate. Even carriages bearing the crest of the noble family of Emmental underwent thorough quarantine.

No wonder, for though the location is within the Emmental domain, this naval port falls under the direct jurisdiction of the Empire.

It’s a rather complicated matter—within this port alone, it is considered an imperial enclave, an enclave of the Emmental family, and it is here that our family’s navy is stationed.

The Elder Brother laughed, saying that the imperial army and our family’s navy often stand side by side in battle, nearly sharing meals and sleep like rivals bound by close kinship.

Now, the scent of the tide grows stronger, and the sound of water—zabun zabun—reaches the ear.

Opening the carriage door, a black wall rises before them. No—upon closer inspection, it sways with the rhythm of the waves.

What seemed a wall was, in truth, a massive warship.

The flagship of our family’s navy, named the *Tia Seiren*. Today I could not board, but I hope to one day.

“That ship,” Luke said with excitement, “is where Father sails.” I nodded in reply, marveling that our uncle would command such a vessel. And I told myself, I too will one day sail aboard that ship, my dream set upon the horizon.

We climbed back into the carriage. This time, we moved on to the training grounds.

There, strong men, tanned from sun and labor, were training.

“I’ll be playing here. When it’s done, I’m heading to the master’s house, so don’t be late coming back.” With that, he disappeared quickly into the midst of the sailors. No—upon closer look, he kept glancing back at me, confirming I was still watching. He truly wants me to see… If nothing were amiss, I would simply observe and guard from afar, but today I have prior commitments. Reluctantly, our carriage turned around and returned along the same path, heading back toward the city.

Incidentally, today we are playing the roles of a merchant’s daughter and her son, in disguise.

“Call me sister. How should I address you, Miss Josephine and Master Luke?”

“Luke’s fine—just call me Luke!”

“Listen, Josephine… I’d like you to call me sister, not just today, but always.”

Blushing slightly, Josephine says, “I am simply too adorable for words. It must be the feeling Elder Brother and the others have toward me—though I do think they’re being rather unfair. After all, I cannot see Josephine every day.”

“Understood, then—Luke, Josephine. Is this acceptable?” The two nod vigorously, “Yes!”

Returning to the city, we disembark at the fountain plaza and head toward the market seen earlier in the morning.

The market stretches along both sides of the street, a row of stalls lined up like a living ribbon. Foods unknown to me—round, earth-stained vegetables, green broccoli—stand arranged in neat rows.

Next to us, a stall displays the fruits frozen by Elder Grandfather yesterday.

We move on, step by step. Food and drink, garments, trinkets, furnishings, jewelry—everything new, everything strange, and utterly fresh to the eye.

José and Lue, being local as they are, guide us with ease—pointing out where the weapon shops lie, and which stalls offer free samples.

“Ah! Such lovely young ladies! How about this one? Take it with you!”

The vendor, a woman selling seafood grilled over charcoal, calls out to us.

“Let me give you a taste—buy it if you like it!”

She offers a small portion of something white, neatly sliced. I stand flustered, unsure what to do, when the knight accompanying us swiftly takes a bite as a test for poison.

“Truly delicious, this kraken. No poison. Shall we try it?”

Startled, I nod, and the guard knight purchases four skewers of grilled kraken, handing one to each of us.

While I hesitate, unsure how to eat it, the local residents, Jose and Lue, bite into theirs with vigor. They chew, their mouths working as they puff and huff, the heat clearly evident. I cautiously nibble at the tip of my skewer. Though still warm from the fire, the kraken carries the savory scent of charcoal, its rich umami and delicate saltiness making it remarkably delicious. I had never before tasted a dish piping hot from the grill, and the heat initially unsettled me, but as I continued to eat, I came to understand that this warmth was part of its delight.

“Sister, it’s delicious, isn’t it?” Jose and Lue have already finished.

“Oh ho, glad you like it. Though our town doesn’t have the variety of Minae, I believe our freshness and flavor hold their own. Enjoy yourselves!” The innkeeper laughs heartily.

We slipped in a few more shops to secretly enjoy street snacks. If Grandmother found out, she’d surely lecture me thoroughly—perhaps even more than usual…

Even now, I walk the streets with a foreign herb-infused lozenge in my mouth. There is a sense of sin in walking while consuming something, yet also a kind of liberation, a freshness that lifts the heart.

At a stall selling trinkets, I bought a cursed accessory alongside Jose—matching pieces, as we agreed. I chose yellow; Jose, a rare woven anklet in pink as its base. The curse’s effect, they say, is to sustain bonds.

I had suspected as much with my family, but today’s journey would proceed on horseback. Carrying more luggage was unwise. Reluctantly, I purchased oil for sharpening blades at a weapons stall, as Elder Brother Fret had kindly accompanied me. The town, housing a military garrison, was thick with weapon vendors. From a guard knight, I learned that Tabaf’s market was only about two-thirds the size of Meinae’s, yet it boasted more stalls specializing in arms and armor. I was struck by the scale of Meinae’s market, and reminded once more that Tabaf was truly a city of soldiers.

How is it that joyful moments pass so swiftly?

When the guard knight said, “It is time to return to the manor,” a deep sadness settled within me. I still wished to explore further, to prolong the pleasure.

Yet if we lingered further, we would arrive at the manor house too late. I buried the ache of longing and returned to the carriage with the two of them, hand in hand.

Though neither spoke it aloud, I knew our feelings were not different.

Upon arriving at the house, we were told Elder Brother Fret had not yet returned. I thought regretfully that we might have strolled a little longer.

While waiting for Elder Brother, Aunt also joined us to enjoy tea. Just as we finished our first cup, Elder Brother burst in, flustered.

“I apologize! I lost myself in the mock battle… I had forgotten the time. We must soon leave the city.”

At his words, I too hurried to prepare for our return.

"Big Sister, please stay a little longer! I’ll write a letter to you, so please write one back to me, Big Sister!" As I was bidding farewell to Jose, I

"Of course, I will! Until then, please stay well—keep well, you too, and also Lou and Auntie!" I replied briefly, then left Tabaf with Elder Brother.

In the end, thanks to the horses' tireless efforts, we arrived back at Kyiwa’s manor before any reprimand could be given.