I hadn't really paid much attention to the industry of the ocean and had only read about it in study. This life had been something of a rest for me so far.

Drawings from text really can't illustrate the power and magnetism of the ocean. As the draw boats swayed and arched together I could suddenly see the life in these long spirited galleons — all poised together in the quiet movement of the bay.

Gary guided us through his draw boat, which was soon to become our champion and defender as we struck out into an adventure that might pose more than even this well-equipped and seasoned spirit of the sea could face.

Gary outlined our brief to leave with a quiet certainty that felt entirely natural to our mission.

"Her name is Hi-Sun. She will care for you with great affection, calming your soul as she slides herself across the oceans. She will fight to the end to match the spirit of any storm our Mother Ocean may place across our path. We will go to the markets to complete our stocks, for our journey begins just before the evening falls. The setting of our Lady Sun is the path we follow — and we'll chase her into the starry skies."

Mila was smiling and so was I. Hi-Sun felt magnificent — warm and trusting, radiating a feeling of strength and confidence, of loyalty, of some touching wavelength I was unable to find a word for. She wasn't the biggest or most modern of the many vessels lined up and ready, but she radiated a wisdom that had already made her our own.

"So we have a poetic fisherman," Mila giggled with a whisper.

"Sure looks like it, my girl. I am certain that the mildest of days will become dramatic ocean tales and timeless legends for many generations to come."

She was still smiling. Me as well. We followed Gary's two trusty deck hands into the markets and assisted with the stocks, along with a few choices of our own. Our two cheeky deck hands, Max and Pei, would disappear at the slightest turn of a head and then reappear at our sides with mystical and strange supplies piling up on our cart.

"Everyone here looks like they are about to burst out laughing," said Mila. "I feel it too — like I could suddenly just laugh out loud for no reason at all, even though nobody else actually is. It feels amazing."

I just smiled. I didn't need to say a word for Mila to fully understand what I meant. The only way I can describe the tone of this place is total cheekiness. This was a timeless, strong community and, judging by the architecture and feel of the townscape, it had been here for many millennia past.

I knew with certainty that I had chosen well — Gary, his Hi-Sun and our two cheeky deck hands. It wasn't entirely clear to me why I needed this crew, but one thing was certain: the direction to go was out and beyond the setting sun. I now had the partnership that could take me one step closer to my life purpose and the task at hand.

Our youthful and still innocent Lord of Water was right in his observation. The people of the bay were exceptional — their community and values those of millennia past, with a deep-rooted culture and a balanced moral code. And in truth, that was all he had observed. A peaceful water planet of family, community, industry and a genuine sense of value for the spirit of man. The lands of the planet thrived in abundance, with international trade, respect and healthy competition — truly in the spirit of play. Nothing more than a few local young bucks testing each other's strength on a Friday night after a few ales being the heaviest concern of the law.

In such an oasis, what more could there be? And was it truly necessary for our Lord of Water to check it over — to protect this precious resource? These should be peaceful times, with no threat in sight. Would this journey turn out to be a simple task? It was certainly what our Lord of Water was hoping for.