"Sea Market?"
Hearing this term, Byrne was slightly taken aback. His eyes narrowed. "Captain, do you mean to say that in this Sea Market, there is someone who knows where Darussel is?"
In Byrne's experience, the concept of a "market" was entirely foreign to the open ocean. He hadn't expected to witness such a thing here.
Seeing Byrne's confusion, Puspe explained, "Lusaka has no land. Our Louvielle Ship-Nations are scattered across the world. Every six months, these scattered fleets gather in the Market Sea to barter and exchange various resources.
"The sailing range of each Ship-Nation varies, as do the rumors they encounter. Some Ship-Nations spend their years in the shallows, only knowing how to patch hulls and salvage coastal relics. Others, however, dare to venture into much deeper waters and have seen sights that even I have never heard of.
"I am merely providing you with a path, the only way I can think of. I hope you find what you are looking for."
Byrne nodded. "I see. Thank you for the guidance, Captain."
Puspe waved a hand and remained silent, re-rolling the ancient chart and tying it with a piece of polished whalebone before placing it back into the metal box. After a few more brief words, Byrne took his leave.
Leaving Puspe's cabin, Byrne did not return the way he came but headed toward his own quarters. Just as he reached the door and before he could open it, a youthful shout came from behind him.
Byrne turned to see Liam running toward him, clutching a ceramic bowl.
"Brother Byrne! Grandpa told me to bring you some pickled sea fish. It's delicious!"
Byrne reached out and took the bowl, which contained several fish cured in sea salt.
"Liam, thank you, and thank your grandfather for me."
Liam grinned, his small face beaming. "No need for thanks! Grandpa said that guests from the stars are used to refined food, and that you might find our pickled fish quite novel."
Byrne patted the boy's head and looked down at the salty-smelling fish in the bowl. These products of the Lusaka seas had firm flesh and were the primary food source for the Ship-Nations.
"I happen to be hungry. Tell your grandpa I appreciate it."
Liam nodded vigorously. Then, as if remembering something, he leaned in and lowered his voice near Byrne's ear.
"Brother Byrne, did Grandpa Captain tell you about the Sea Market?"
Byrne raised an eyebrow, keeping his expression neutral. "How did you know?"
"Hehe, sorry! I was eavesdropping outside just now." Liam stuck out his tongue, his face full of excitement. "Every time we reach the Sea Market, it gets so lively! So many other Ship-Nations come by. Every time, I see so many things I can't even name."
As Liam spoke of his anticipation for the market, his eyes sparkled. For a Louvielle child who spent the entire year drifting on the ocean, the market held every few months was the grandest of festivals.
"Brother Byrne, I'll take you to see it when we get there. The fish are beautiful! At night, they swim around the ships and light up the water. It looks like a glowing blanket is spread over the sea."
Byrne smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Alright then. I'll leave it to Guide Liam to show me around."
"It's no trouble at all!" Liam shook his head hard. Then, as if recalling something, his excitement faded slightly. He lowered his voice. "But Brother Byrne, when you're at the market, make sure you don't say the wrong things. Some people from the other Ship-Nations have bad tempers and don't like guests from the stars. Others will ask a lot of strange questions, and if you can't answer them, they might get angry."
"I understand. Thank you for the warning, Liam. I'll be careful and mind my words."
Seeing him agree, Liam's bright smile returned. "Good! Brother Byrne, I have to go help Grandpa mend the fishing nets now, so I won't bother you while you eat. When we're almost at the market, I'll come get you."
With a wave, the boy skipped away, his small figure quickly disappearing at the end of the narrow passage.
Once Liam was out of sight, Byrne withdrew his gaze and stepped into his cabin. The quarters were small, containing only a single bed, a worn wooden table, and a storage crate. He placed the ceramic bowl on the table and took a bite of the pickled fish. The meat was firm and chewy, and the salty flavor spread through his mouth, carrying the unique freshness of the ocean. Simple as it was, it was enough to satisfy his hunger.
Five days later, while Byrne was leaning against the railing and taking in the sea breeze, a cluster of dense black dots appeared on the horizon. Initially just blurry shadows, they gradually sharpened as the fleet approached. They were hundreds upon hundreds of ships of all shapes and sizes.
Liam emerged from somewhere, pointing toward the distance, his face flushed with excitement. "Brother Byrne, look! The Sea Market is here!"
Byrne gazed out at the spectacular sight. Countless sails flapped in the wind, and colorful flags fluttered from masts. With no land, the sea was their market. With no cities, the ships were their nations. This was the unique wonder of Lusaka—the Market Sea.
The fleet slowly entered the market area. Louvielle guides in small skiffs immediately approached, shouting in a distinct rhythm to guide them to their designated berthing zone. Familiar Ship-Nations would dock their flagships together, connected by metal bridge-planks that served as walkways. When enough ships gathered, they formed a bustling street-market.
Once the ships were secured, the people dispersed in small groups toward different sectors. Liam and his grandfather acted as Byrne's temporary guides, introducing him to the layout of the market.
The bustle of the Sea Market far exceeded Byrne's expectations. Walkways crisscrossed between the vessels, steady and strong. Stalls were set up directly on the decks—rough cloths spread out to display old-world parts salvaged from the depths, glowing deep-sea shells, various pickled seafood, and small ornaments carved from fish bone and coral.
The air was a thick mixture of sea salt, the aroma of grilled fish, faint soot from steam boilers, and the distinct seaweed-like scent of the Louvielle people. The sounds of voices, waves, and sails blended into a noisy symphony.
Liam skipped ahead, his mouth never stopping for a second. "Brother Byrne, look! Those are glowing fish lamps; they're so bright at night! And the shop over there—they can fix anything that's broken—"
Byrne kept a low profile, following the pair through the streets. Half an hour later, he bid farewell to the grandfather and grandson and headed alone toward a much larger-scale market sector.
According to Puspe, among all the Ship-Nations participating in the market, the one most likely to know about Darussel was the fleet known as "Black Sail."