A Walk on the Water - Page 49/186

Looking down at the village Alannah had forgotten to breathe for a moment. She didn't need to be told that she was looking down on the tropical town of Port Lira . When she finally remembered to breath, Alannah could not shake the feeling of Deja Vu. She knew this place, though she had never been here before in her life, she was however, looking at a place that evoked a single word in the stillness of her heart: home.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, miss. Are you alright?"

"Yes Patrick, I'm more than alright. I've never seen anything so beautiful! But - how on earth does one get down there from up here?"

Patrick gave her a weary look. "On an island, miss, there is here. But if you are asking how you would get to Port Lira? You ould need to ask the Señor. I believe that it is his intent to provide you with the means to to Port Lira. Please do not attempt to go to Port Lira on your own before you learn more about the island, her people and our ways. It is very easy to become lost here. And getting lost can be very dangerous, there are some areas of the island can be wild and unpredictable and some may even say savage."

Alannah looked around the panoramic view below her. Frowning she said "It doesn't look wild, unpredictable or savage at all. If anything, it looks rather peaceful and safe."

"Ahh Alannah, the ocean may appear to be calm until a storm comes in. The rip tides hiding in the water keep the seas from being calm all the time." he replied. "The journey to Port Lira is much farther than it appears, the roads wind their way through the hills and forests is thick for some distance before you reach the port and hiding in the forest are many animals that would not be so friendly. You may not be able to tell from here, but the roads in those woods a winding maze. You could very easily lose your sense of direction the moment you get too far into the woods, you might find yourself in the wild parts of the island, and God help you should you do."

Alannah gave him a questioning look. "Is there's any chance of getting lost if one keeps to the main road?"

"Young Miss," Patrick explained patiently, "there are no main roads. Many roads on this island all look alike."

"There must be a main road," Alannah protested. "It doesn't make sense not to have one."

"Are you arguing with me, Señorita?" he said to her, his tone now a little more harsh than before.