Sailboat

*Niam Henka*

"You have 2 Mana-Cores now..." I took in.

'Logically speaking, Tsuki's affinity to Mana and her Salan ability is now greater than mine. How can I obtain a second Mana-Core as well?' I thought, the curiosity and the greed for power fuelling it.

"I do." Tsuki responded.

"What happened after your second awakening?"

*Tsuki Shizukana*

I came to find Japanese soldiers stationed near the coastline. "We have to make sure no one from the mainland goes to the island illegally." A soldier informed.

After a quick back and forth with one of the soldiers, I was informed about a man named Nozen. I was told that he was the one receiving the orders from the mainland and from old Japan. Nozen was the highest ranking official I was informed of. So I took the initiative to meet him, and hopefully convince him to let us get to old Japan.

When I met the short-haired and broad-shouldered Nozen who wore a simple suit, I tried to introduce myself. But I was shut down immediately.

"A Henka?! Here? Did something happen, and I was the only one not informed?" He bewilderedly asked.

'Does he mean Niam or me? He only looked at me when he said that...'

I played along and took my chance, something Niam would've done out of second nature.

"We were sent to the mainland to deal with a few criminals. But as you can see, my partner has been gravely injured and hasn't woken up in quite some time. I don't trust anyone on the mainland to treat him. I need to head back." I told a half truth.

I had gained more control over my Salan ability after my second Core had formed. I was able to decide what I wanted to feel and what I didn't want to feel. One of the thigs that my Salan ability told me was that a ship would arrive at the coast soon.

"When does the ship from the island arrive?" I asked, not giving Nozen the time to think about something else other than my fake status.

"Miss Henka, Captain Kamaru's ship should be here tomorrow. If you'd like, I could arrange a place for you and your partner to stay at." He answered.

The village by the sea looked a lot like a fishing village, it even smelled like one. I was sure that whatever place Nozen had in mind, would not be able to compete with the well-decorated hotels and inns Niam and I had slept in.

After that conversation, Nozen ordered one of his men to show me to our accommodation. As he did, I thought about the things that could've made him think I was a Henka. I carried Niam's Katana, as well as his Shotos. 'Is it his blades? I guess his Katana's tsuba looks different than most other Katanas'. It has 5 edges that went around the handle and blade. It's black in color and it's made out of a different type of steel than his blade. '

***

Niam's conditions hadn't improve. He was the same vegetable he was for the last few weeks. If not for my Salan ability, I would've doubted that he would wake up any time soon. His wound was healing, but what worried me was the internal damage my arrow had caused. It had pierced his upper, left chest, breaking several ribs, his shoulder blade, and maybe even his lung. I only hoped that he didn't suffer any long term damages. I certainly did not want to cripple him any further. He made it clear on several occasions that his left hand was pretty much useless when it came to swordplay. He could still use his Salan ability to create some kind of grip, but for a swordsman like him, the loss of grip strength rivalled the training he had gone through. Niam was creative, something that complimented his Salan ability very well. With infinite options, he was and is able to overcome his handicap.

"We are almost there..." I whispered.

The next day, one of Nozen's men brought me to Captain Kamaru's ship. With the loss of technology, people had to lean back on the old ways of sailboats. The sailboat had multiple, thick and long masts that were coated by multiple peoples' Mana. The aura radiated by the sailboat and my Salan ability made me aware of that fact.

"Captain Kamaru is busy, but I'm sure he will come to say hello once we set sail. There is a place for your horses, and a place for the two of you to stay. I will show you to both places, then I'll take my leave." One of Nozen's officers explained and left.

The horses' place was cramped, but I knew that the horses didn't care. On the other hand, the room we were given was very spacious, and had a lot of things in it, such as a table and a wardrobe. I felt like the Henkas' reputation was a factor. 'I need more information.' I thought.

After about 6 hours after sunrise, Captain Kamaru knocked on the room's door. I let him in, but the old man was alarmed the second he saw me.

"I don't recognize you... You are not a Henka!" He exclaimed, walking towards me. "I am the only one who transports military personnel back and forth, members of Clan Henka included. So tell me... Who are you?"

The stench of alcohol came out of the old man's mouth. At that point, I realized just how stupid I was. I had considered many things, but someone realizing I wasn't a Henka wasn't one of them. If I'd thought about that, I could've used my Salan ability to feel if I would've ended in a similar situation.

"I am not a Henka, but he is." I pointed at Niam. "We come from Central Superio. We decided to come her after certain developments forced us to leave and seek a safe and familiar place to stay."

Old man Kamaru doubted my words, but an old man like him had experienced a lot in his lifetime. One one the many life lessons he learned was to not be ignorant. He knew that Clan Henka's descendants had two, very distinct, features. One was the night-black and straight hair. The other one, the light-brown eyes. As he walked towards Niam, I realized that he wanted to check out these features.

"The hair color checks out, but the eyes... They too. But the tan this boy has..."

"His father is from the Arabic Empire." I added.

But instead of seeking for other answers, Captain Kamaru started to yell.

"What the hell is this wound?! What happened to him? Two holes of that size. Was he hit by an artillery, or what?"

His words pierced me just like my arrow did to Niam. I felt bad after hearing someone else's opinion on Niam's wound.

"He will live. I have to bring him to a doctor on the island. I can't trust anyone but his family to find someone that can treat him." I said.

Captain Kamaru's complexion turned back to normal. He believed me. He believed my words.

"What is your name, lady?" He asked.

"Tsuki Shizukana. He is Niam Henka."

"I'm Captain Kamaru. I will be in your care for the two-week trip." He said and bowed.

"Likewise, Captain."

Old man Kamaru transported soldiers back and forth. Some of which were people from clans similar to the Henka. But on the sailboat wasn't anyone like that. I had hoped that someone was. I wanted to gain some insight into the new system that had to be created after the impact.

***

2 weeks passed like the wind. Time felt much faster after so many months of travelling. There were even times when I felt like I was on autopilot, riding on Ganko for hours until Niam signalled us to stop and rest.

Once the sailboat docked at Komoda, Captain Kamaru approached me, telling me what I should do next. He suggested that I should go to the townhall in the city. There I needed to register my status as alive and currently in old Japan. The same thing went for Niam.

After I did what old man Kamaru suggested, I was taken to a superior spokesperson.

"I need you to tell me how and why you came here." The spokesperson said.

I explained our journey without leaving anything important out.

"I see... I will contact the head of Clan Henka immediately. You will be escorted to Henka residence in Yamanashi."