 Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 6:51 am
Into The Skies Cassia had always been more comfortable with her two feet on the ground. Growing up on the border of Oba and Tale, she had spent much of her life walking between small villages, making her way through dense forests and across winding dirt roads. The idea of flying—of soaring through the air on an airship—was something she had never imagined herself doing. Yet here she was, standing in the bustling city of Tinerr, the largest hub of Sauti, staring at the enormous airship that would soon take her across the sea to Zenner. She’d never been here before, since she tended to avoid the larger cities across Tendaji. Large cities were also not exactly where one might find the farmers. Merchants yes, but Cassia wanted her dealings to be directly with the farmers themselves. No need for a middleman.
The decision to go to Thelle had been a long time coming. Cassia had heard many stories from fellow merchants about the rich agricultural lands of Belrea and the unique crops that were grown there. The herbs and plants from Thelle, in particular, were said to be of the highest quality, and Cassia, always looking to expand her selection of teas, couldn’t resist the opportunity. If she could strike up new deals with the farmers and suppliers of Thelle, it would be a major step for her small tea stand. But to get there, she had to take the airship. The logistics however would prove to be tricky. It wasn’t a straightforward journey from her home to Belrea, and perhaps she would have to examine the cost of having large quantities of produce imported and then transported. Still, a trip was worth it for now.
Tinerr, with its sprawling streets and large buildings, was a sight to behold. It was unlike the quiet villages Cassia was used to, with a constant hum of activity from travellers, merchants, and airship crews preparing for their next departure. It was all quite dizzying really; how did anyone figure out where they were going? Oba was crowded too, but with the airships, it seemed this place was just as busy. The port itself was enormous, housing several airships, each one more impressive than the last. The airship bound for Zenner was a massive vessel with sleek metal sides and towering propellers. It looked both imposing and magical to Cassia, who had never seen anything like it. She stared up at it for a few moments, soaking it in that this thing was going to be taking her out across the sky and sea and then landing safely in Belrea. Cassia shook her head to clear it from the daze and growing anxiety.
As she stood at the edge of the platform, clutching the strap of her small bag, Cassia felt a surge of nervousness. Her heart raced at the thought of being lifted off the ground, suspended thousands of feet in the air with nothing but the thin hull of the airship between her and the open sky. She had heard that airship travel was safe—fellow merchants had told her it was one of the most efficient ways to travel between continents—but that didn’t make her any less apprehensive. Just because nothing had happened so far didn’t mean that nothing could happen in the future either. Maybe this was the day. Still, she was determined. She had come this far, and she wasn’t about to turn back now. With a deep breath, she boarded the airship, finding her assigned seat near one of the wide windows that stretched along the side of the vessel. The interior was surprisingly comfortable, with plush seats and polished wood panels lining the walls. Passengers, most of whom were seasoned travellers, moved about casually, storing their belongings and chatting with one another as though flying was as normal as walking.
Cassia sat down, her fingers gripping the armrests as she watched the crew prepare the airship for takeoff. She already felt so high up and they were going to go even higher? She made a silent prayer. Then the engines hummed to life, a deep, steady vibration that filled the cabin and set her nerves on edge. She could feel the slight shift in the floor beneath her as the airship began to rise, and despite her anxiety, she couldn’t help but glance out the window. The city of Tinerr, with its crowded streets and bustling activity, was slowly shrinking below her, the buildings becoming tiny as the airship climbed higher and higher into the sky. Her breath caught in her throat as the landscape opened up beneath her. Mountains, rivers, and forests stretched out for miles, the horizon curving in a way that made the world feel impossibly vast. For a moment, her fear was replaced by awe. She had never seen the world from this perspective before—so open, so expansive. It was beautiful. Maybe she should have travelled by airship a lot sooner!
As the airship levelled out and the initial excitement of takeoff faded, Cassia began to relax, though the occasional glance out the window reminded her just how high up they were. She turned her attention to the other passengers, listening in on their conversations. Most were travellers like herself, merchants and traders heading to Zenner or beyond. A few seemed to be tourists, excitedly pointing out landmarks far below. The airship’s crew moved efficiently through the cabin, offering refreshments and ensuring that everyone was comfortable. Cassia herself had brought a few snacks as well as a pouch of water for the journey. She didn’t know quite what to expect but had wanted to be ready.
Cassia spent most of the journey quietly observing, too shy to strike up a conversation with any of the other passengers. Her scars, though mostly hidden by her hair and the scarf she wore, still made her self-conscious in such close quarters. She preferred to stay unnoticed, listening instead to the murmur of voices around her. Occasionally, she would pull out her small notebook and jot down ideas for new tea blends, drawing inspiration from the herbs and plants she hoped to find in Thelle. Sometimes she’d let her mind wander and draw some flowers from memory or even make some up.
After what felt like forever and a quick nap, the skyline of Zenner came into view, its tall buildings rising above the clouds. The city was impressive, even from a distance, with tall buildings that stretched toward the sky and an air of modernity that stood in stark contrast to the quaint villages Cassia was used to. As the airship descended toward the city’s airport, Cassia felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. The first leg of her journey was over, but the real work was just beginning. Zenner’s airport was a hive of activity, with airships arriving and departing at all hours. Cassia disembarked, following the flow of passengers through the bustling terminal and out into the city streets. The city was loud and busy, with merchants shouting their wares and travellers hurrying to their destinations. It was overwhelming, but Cassia didn’t linger. She had arranged for transportation to Thelle, and after a brief stop to collect her belongings, she was on her way.
The road to Thelle was long but peaceful, winding through rolling hills and past fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. The countryside was lush and green, the perfect setting for a city known for its agriculture. As the fields of Thelle came into view, Cassia could see workers tending to their crops, their hands moving deftly as they harvested the vegetables that would soon be shipped across Belrea. The city itself was small and unassuming, nestled between the fields with modest homes and shops lining its streets. Cassia’s heart lifted as she entered Thelle. This was what she had come for—the connection to the land, to the people who worked it, and the opportunity to find new ingredients for her tea blends. She wasted no time in seeking out the local farmers and suppliers, introducing herself and explaining her purpose.
Despite her shyness, Cassia found herself opening up as she spoke to the farmers, her passion for tea and her dedication to her craft evident in every word. The people of Thelle were warm and welcoming, eager to share their knowledge of the land and their crops. Cassia spent hours walking through the fields, learning about the different herbs and plants that were grown there. She sampled everything from fragrant mint leaves to delicate chamomile flowers, her mind already racing with ideas for new blends. One farmer, a kind older woman named Elia, took a particular interest in Cassia’s work. Elia had been growing herbs for decades and knew the land like the back of her hand. She led Cassia through her garden, showing her the plants she had cultivated over the years and offering tips on how to care for them.
“These are special,” Elia said, holding up a handful of small, purple flowers. “They only grow in Belrea, and they have a unique flavour that you won’t find anywhere else. I think they’d make a wonderful addition to your teas.”
Cassia carefully examined the flowers, inhaling their sweet, earthy scent. She could already imagine how they would blend with the other ingredients she used, creating a tea that was both refreshing and soothing. “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft but sincere. “I think you’re right. These are perfect.”
Elia smiled warmly. “Take some with you. And if you ever need more, you know where to find me.” Elia and Cassia spent the day together even though Cassia had had other plans. Elia invited her over for dinner and even introduced her to her son Eliam.
By the time Cassia had finished her rounds in Thelle throughout the days, her bags were full of new herbs and plants, each one carefully wrapped and labelled. She had made new connections, learned valuable techniques, and gained a deeper understanding of the land and its bounty. The trip had been more successful than she had hoped, and as she prepared to head back to Zenner, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
The journey back was smoother than she expected. The airship ride from Zenner to Tinerr, though still nerve-wracking, felt less daunting now that she knew what to expect. As the landscape of Sauti came into view, Cassia let out a small sigh of relief. She was eager to return to her tea stand, to experiment with the new ingredients she had gathered and to share her findings with her customers. As her feet touched the ground in Tinerr, Cassia smiled to herself. She had taken a risk, ventured far from home, and faced her fears. Cord count: 1805
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