Chapter 2 - 8 A Troll?!
As mentioned before, Ria Volute is composed of 128 floating Islands. Risen from the surface using ancient Elven magic, allegedly. These 128 Islands are organized in a specific manner. A large spiral, with the higher numbers closer to the surface.
The furthest Island is the 128th, while the centremost and highest Island is the 1st. Ria Volute is sectioned into; Centre Islands, Outer Islands, and Rim Islands. The Centre Islands amount to only 30 in official designation, many of the single-digit Islands connect via bridges due to their close proximities.
This close connection allows a merge of cultures and traditions, making the Centre Islands a sought-after place to live. The opposite is for the Outer Islands, and more so for the Rim Islands. Those further out, greater in number, and consequentially, closer to the surface, have greater spacing between one another. Additionally, these outer Islands are more susceptible to Fōrdners.
Some of the very Rim Islands have no population to speak of. Oppositely, all of the Centre Islands are home to great infrastructure, safe and economically rich towns, and of course the capital and other administrative locations.
It was these Centre Islands Koenwin had set out for. Specifically, Sky Island 4. A long voyage from Sky Island 86... It would have cost an astronomical amount to go to 4 through regular means. So, with some creative talking, Koenwin got aboard the military-operated civilian communication airship.
Despite taking substantially longer it was essentially free. Unfortunately, however, his journey was cut short, the airship crew having to restart their rounds. Koenwin was left with no choice but to exit atop Sky Island 17. 'No problem,' He thought 'I'll just take a normal Airship the rest of the way.'
Koenwin had hoped to get to 4 in one day to make contact with the Dragoon Corps. Instead, his predictions of time were atrociously off. "Welp, better find an inn."
What was promised by Karlsgard was too good for Koenwin to pass up. After some coercing, Koenwin agreed to quit scavenging and become a merchant, reluctantly accepting to sell one of those strange objects Karslgard spoke of. Hence the needed trip to Sky Island 4, the headquarters of the Dragoon Corps.
Koenwin hadn't expected Karlsgard to have one of these objects lying around. But funny enough, he shoveled it from his bag and stuffed it into his hands. Smiling and parting with 'Have fun with that Koen!'.
"That guy... What to do with him." Beneath his freshly supplied clock, clipped neatly onto his belt, a sword wrapped up in fabric. Karlsgard told him not to bother opening it, as wrapping again it would be a pain.
Following some directions laid around the harbour, Koenwin strolled his way toward the nearest town. The sun had begun to retreat beneath the horizon, casting a glow across the Island's shrubbery. The nearest town didn't feel near at all, though perhaps that was due to the weight he was carrying.
"Aaand... I'm lost." He had a feeling walking around in the darkness wouldn't be any fun. At the very least, he didn't walk off the Island. 'Uh... Should I just keep walking?' As a kid, Koenwin was told to just stay in place if he got lost. But that doesn't seem like a very effective strategy in this situation. Instead, he begrudgingly returns to walking. 'I can't even see my feet... this sucks.'
Many moons ago, Koenwin mingled around with other humans, as people do. He heard stories of how 'evil' and 'scary' the other races are, and how they would 'gobble people up! Just like that.' Koenwin being a young child, was naturally terrified! No child wants to be 'gobbled up' by a troll at night. These stories of his time still resonate within him, so this whole walking around a Sky Island, lost, and isolated, makes Koenwin notably nervous.
Looking back on it, it was a silly story. Coupled with living around these other races for a while now, he realizes they aren't all that bad. The greater risk is of wild animal attacks... the greater risk. Regardless, walking around some forest-clad Island without any substantial light is unnerving!
He sighs, slouching a bit. "Ah... I hope I don't get eaten... Please don't eat me..."
"Eh? Why would I eat you?"
'A voice...?' "A voice?!" Koenwin spins around, dropping his backpack in surprise. "A troll!! Ahhh! It's over!"
Despite being mostly hidden by the darkness, a girl and her flamed-brick red hair stared up at this man like watching a crazy person. Evidently, she was no troll.
