Chapter 396: Es River Cruise
There are people working among the reeds. They’re on a shallow boat that makes me worry if it can hold four people safely.
The only greenery is around the Es River; beyond that, the tawny desert stretches out.
“I’m glad we could set off safely.”
“Was there something wrong?”
I respond to the butler’s cheerful announcement.
“A little while ago, the river’s water was unusually low for this time of year.”
“The locals say the Es River stirred,” he adds.
“…”
I let my gaze wander a bit at the butler and Ash’s words.
“A donkey is pulling the boat!”
At Baku’s exclamation, I turn to look where the children are.
Just as Baku said, a donkey walks along the shore, pulling a small boat tied to a rope. On the boat, there are plenty of goods and a person steering it. The three of them—two people and one donkey—are making their way upstream.
“We often use donkeys around here when going upstream. The river is narrow in places, and the current is swift, but it’s convenient to pull from both banks,” Haulon explains to the excited children.
“Oh, really?” I find myself listening intently.
“Oh, look! The horse is taking a bath!”
Now it’s Tina pointing it out.
It’s more like a splash than a bath, as both a person and a horse plunge into the river. Is that the draft horse from the cart that worked all day?
The water of the Es River is dark and calm, reflecting the riverside plants like a mirror. Speaking of which, I always wanted to leisurely float down a river during cherry blossom season back in Japan. It must be beautiful with the blossoms reflected on the water’s surface. And what was it called? A flower raft? I wanted to see one up close.
But I probably would have been satisfied just walking along the riverbank over there. Since coming here, I’ve noticed my footwork has become much lighter. My wallet, too—no, it’s heavier now that we’re on this cruise.
The boat we’re on is large but narrow and elongated. The bow and stern curve upward sharply. There’s a sunshade set a bit toward the stern, which serves as a relaxing spot for the passengers.
As usual, there are people fanning to create a breeze on either side. This time, unlike the inn staff, they’re dressed, so it’s all good.
Under the sunshade, Karn and the others are drinking. Shiva seems to be enjoying a drink too, having left the children in Haulon’s care. But her gaze is still on the kids. Dinoss spends a long time watching her.
The cruise’s departure time is still bright. It seems like we’re meant to enjoy the changing colors of the sky and the deepening twilight? The main enjoyment of the scenery is supposed to come a bit later, so for now, it’s time to explore the boat.
“This boat goes out to sea too?”
Retze says, touching the rope that runs from the bow to the stern.
I’ve never seen a boat quite like this, but my image of a boat is more like a Japanese fishing vessel or one painted black and white with a red chimney—if it’s wooden, then maybe a sailing ship or a chōkibune.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, the sea has waves, right? A big boat like this has issues caused by waves and its own weight, but apparently, this rope is meant to solve that problem,” Retze seems knowledgeable about boats.
I’m puzzled about how this rope can reduce wave damage. I might understand if I see it in action, but right now, we’re on the river.
“If you wind the rope around that staff and tighten it, the ends of the boat will lift.”
“Wait, really?!”
Seriously!?
And wait, did he just notice that I didn’t understand?
“Well, it’s just trivia, but if we were attacked by a demon beast and the crew panicked, I feel like we could somehow manage,” he shrugs, trying to reassure me, a bit of a coward.
As I look around with Retze at how the wooden parts of the boat are joined, the sunset begins to paint the desert red.
The line separating the sky from the dunes melts into the sunset, and the palm trees and other foliage along the riverbank become dark silhouettes. Between the black, the sky and the water surface glow orange.
As the sun sets and only orange remains in the sky, the desert turns black, swallowed by the dark trees.
“It’s a short time, but it’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.”
I lean against the railing, sipping wine alongside Ash, silently watching as darkness descends.
Is this what it feels like to enjoy comfortable silence together? I hope Ash feels the same.
Well, behind us, Dean and Chris are noisier than the children. They’ve been drinking since we boarded and are already quite tipsy.
Once the sun has fully set, a fire is hung in a cage that looks like iron at the bow. After a moment, alongside the sound of the boat moving through the water, I start to hear a plop and splash.
“What’s that sound?”
“Could it be fish jumping?”
Just as Ash says, a fish jumps, showing its white belly near the fire.
“I see. So that light over there must be for catching fish?”
A silhouette resembling a reed boat is illuminated by the red glow.
Time flows lazily, as if the day’s events were a distant memory.