The Great War of Rhodesia
20. Port I City
After all Aksa's needs were completed in the Garrison, he and Rafa, Lily, and Luque immediately headed west, to the port city by Steam Train. Leaving his Besinya Train with Nata who still had to stay in the North Garrison to continue his meeting discussed about training soldiers with Lucia and other generals and military leaders.
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The western region Steam Train Station is located right in front of the western hill range gap. It is now shaped like a gate. It even adds a large wooden door and looks sturdy.
The gate guard soldiers greeted Rafa, Luque, and Lily through the gate. And none of the four guard soldiers recognized Aksa.
The cold, fishy-scented wind immediately hit once Aksa was behind the hill. The sound of the waves pounding, the bells of Buoy, and the cry of sea gulls sounded faintly carried by the wind.
Different from other cities, the area of this port city is divided into two. Residential areas that are along the west hill coral cliffs. And the trading area which is also at the same time an entertainment area that is in a wide pier above the sea.
The lighthouse stands firmly on a cliff at the southern end of the beach. Which is a typical view of the area. The color is worn in some parts as if to confirm the age and weather conditions that befall the building.
And because it is so famous, the inhabitants of the region to make woven fabric with the image of a lighthouse to be used as a window cover and door of their homes.
The picture cloth is known as the Tower of Fire Weave. Which is a typical item that is only sold in the area.
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Aksa looks excited to walk on the streets covered with rocks that are crowded through the person. Several small buildings were seen standing on the side of the road. The building serves as a protector for electric generators of street lights, so as not to be easily damaged by the sea breeze that hits it every day.
And from the gate, Aksa's entourage had to walk about 15 minutes to finally reach Anna's residence, which was the center of the residential area.
Anna and Nikolai came to Aksa's entourage, when they had just entered the settlement area.
"How was your trip?" Anna asked as she tidied up her long hair that was messed up by the wind.
The sailor woman was wearing noble clothes commonly worn by men. Complete with trousers and boots. Wearing a red Admiral's uniform outside of a yellowish-white shirt. And don't forget the mystic sword and a gun hanging on his left and right side.
"Travel by train is the best," said Aksa with a bright face.
"Didn't Mr Nata come?" Ask Nikolai later.
Just like Anna, Nikolai also wore similar clothes. It was just that the tall man was not wearing an Admiral's uniform. He was just wearing a brown vest outside his shirt.
It was also seen hanging a gun case on her right waist, but unlike Anna, there was no sword on her left waist.
"Nata was in the Garrison with the Queen and the others" Aksa replied.
"Garrison? You guys just came back three days ago, just getting busy?" Anna looked a little surprised.
"Something seems to be wrong with Nata. He loves to work and to be busy" Aksa said lightly.
"Isn't it the same, Mr Aksa? You've been touring the region since day two." This time it was Nikolai who spoke.
"Oh, that's another one. I went around because I wanted to go out and taste the cuisine in each area. Culinary tour," elak Aksa while raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, before that, it feels like I want to get around this place first," Aksa replied rejecting Anna's offer.
"Oh, fine if that's what you want. We're through here." This time Anna invited Aksa and the others in the opposite direction to her residence.
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They walked down the residential area in an area that is not too large on the edge of the cliff facing the sea. And because of the lack of land in the area, forcing residents to build their residences crammed into each other. Sticking array up on the edge of the cliff. Which makes it look unique and other from other regions.
The roof of the house in the bottom position becomes a public road to go to other houses located on it. Some even shared a courtyard, and sometimes part of their home building was converted as a staircase for access to the top.
Actually Nata has prepared a settlement area large enough to be able to develop on the inner side of the cliff. Not far from where the Steam Train station was built.
Yet it seemed that Anna's close people and subordinates didn't want to be far from their leader. Until the small settlement was finally formed.
Not far from the settlement there is a fort wall right on the reef by the sea. Complete with several cannons similar to those on the east coast.
And opposite the direction of the position of the fort there is a large wooden pier built on shallow water. A place where trade and entertainment areas are located.
Then Aksa's entourage guided by Anna and Nikolai began to walk towards it.
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"Slightly surprising this region is so crowded now, even though you are setting up a trade route." Aksa looks amazed to see the busy atmosphere around him.
"Maybe you've heard of this before, Mr. Aksa. But even though we do not officially open the trade route, but this pier still serves as a trading port in general. And even on a small scale, this region is the only door of trade with the outside world." Nikolai seemed intrigued to give an explanation to Aksa.
"Oh yes, Lucia once told me about this," said Aksa who seemed to have just understood something.
"And now this region is the heart of the economic drive of this western region" Anna added.
"The only? Didn't the east coast do it too?" Aksa.
"The eastern coast only serves as a gateway to the entry and exit of the hunters to perform the Request for Services," Anna explained. "Again, the coast on the east side only connects our territory with the territory of Elbrasta and the Azure Free Land. There are no big enough trading ports in the region" he added.
"Western sea is a major trade route between many regions of the kingdom. Let alone the cities that were at the western end of this Elder plain." Nikolai added.
"Yes right, too." It was seen Aksa nodding small while still stretching his gaze to all the places that appeared before him. "Then, how do you ensure that the ships stopping at this port are not trying to infiltrate their spies?" add with questions.
"Just like at the North, East, and South gates, we also have a Licensing Hall that is in charge of recording and supervising the entry and exit of ships, people, and goods. However, licensing in this region is much tighter. And be directly under the watchful eye of the Star of Fire." Anna explained.
"Oh, tighter?" Aksa seemed interested.
"For more details, you can directly ask the members of the Star of Fire," added Anna closed the theme of the conversation.
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