“Well, I believe we’ve spoken about this before, but eighty percent of the country is uninhabited.”
“Because of the glaciers and volcanoes, right?”
“Right. So, the country is split into five regions.” I point toward the coast. “We’re on the southern peninsula, and if you look just past my finger, you’ll see the red-and-white lighthouse that warns ships of the tip of our country.”
She scoots in close, close enough for her lavender scent to circle around the both of us. Her soft hair tickles my cheek as she leans in, looking for the lighthouse.
“Do you mean that little dot?”
“Yes. But it’s an important dot. Not only does it warn ships from the coast, but it was once used as a watchtower for invaders. Now it’s run by a family. Their main responsibility is to help keep the coastline clear and call in anything that’s out of the ordinary.”
“I love that. Have you met the family?”
“Yes, King Theo had them visit the palace, and he gave them the King’s Safeguard Medal, a noble honor of the highest degree. It means that they have spent a generous amount of their lives protecting our country.”
“That would be an honor. Good for them. What else is on the southern peninsula?”
“Well, Harrogate, as you know, but what the southern peninsula is best known for are the hot springs.”
“There are hot springs here?” she asks, excited, still right next to me, her leg bumping against mine.
“There are, but they’re about thirty miles away.”
“Which means we aren’t allowed to go to them, right?”
“It would be a breach of security at this point, but I do believe there’s an undisclosed location about ten minutes north by foot that has a smaller hot spring. Something I would be allowed to take you to.”
She grabs my arm in pure joy. “That would be so much fun. I’ve never been in one before.”
“I’ll put it on the itinerary,” I say. “Now, the capital is another region in the country. That’s where the main population lives, as well as being the location of Strombly Palace.”
“What is the total population of the country?”
“About twenty thousand.”
“Gosh, Miami has a bigger population than that. I can see why traditions are so strong here.”
“It’s what we live by. Now, since the capital region is where most of the population is located, all the houses are lined up in rows, one right next to the other, only differing in height and bright colors. There aren’t many yards, nor is there much space, but when you’re trying to fit a population into fifteen percent of habitable land, things are going to be tight. But there’s a lot of open space as well, which creates more of a community amongst neighbors.”
“Fascinating. Are there tall buildings?”
I shake my head. “No, none, actually. The tallest building in the capital is the watchtower of Strombly. Every other building is either one-story or two-stories, even places of business. It’s truly unlike any capital city you’ll ever see. Nothing like Miami.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” she says dreamily.
“Now, on the west side of the island, you’ll find the biggest waterfall in the country, as well as the largest fishing port. The town is called Kirkfell. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the town focuses on tourists, offering multiple tours up to the hot springs, bed-and-breakfast options, as well as the best place to get fermented cod cakes.”
She places her hand on my shoulder and levels a stare. “Tell me, how do they really taste?”
“Not bad, actually. Paired with the right sauce, they’re pretty good.”
“I’m guessing I’m going to have to eat one at some point.”
“You are, they’re served everywhere, and it’s insulting to the people if you don’t accept their gift. Any gift, for that matter, including fermented cod cakes.”
“Does Brimar make them?”
“He does. He makes the right sauce that has a hint of heat.”
“I can handle heat. Maybe he needs to make them one night.” She smirks. “So, if tourists come to Torskethorpe, they normally visit Kirkfell?”
“Yes. They float between Kirkfell and the capital. Since the capital is more inland, there aren’t whale watching tours or the quaint seaside-town feel that tourists seem to enjoy, but the capital does offer quite a few driving tours that are very popular.”
“Okay, you told me about the west, what about the east?”