So this is why oversea travel is so unpopular
P. G. Wintergreen hung grimly to the handrail on the passenger deck of the Clairvoyant. Ever since the Council had outlawed most forms of motorized transport, the two main options for long distance travel were ships or magic, and no one had magic save the Council.
The cultural attaché knew he could have requested to be transported to the island of Subadent but, after what had happened to the previous unfortunate to hold his position, he knew better.
No, it's a sailor's life for me, I suppose. And perhaps a sailor's death if I'm unlucky.
"You know, they say there's elves out there, in those forests." The captain of the ship, a grey and harrowed woman, had stumped up behind him, "Now, I don't know if that's true, but I've always avoided that island if I could." She nodded to the massive, far off mound on the horizon known as Refuge Isle. "No boats ever leave, no planes fly out, hah! Not that planes fly out of Chacapoya anymore, eh?"
"You should know not to criticize the Council's decisions! They choose for our best, and the best of the world around us! Besides, everyone knows elves aren't real. There's just regular people living there, not magical beings of light and forest bullshit." Wintergreen looked the captain up and down, noting the various scars and tattoos covering her skin. Seafolk were always a superstitious sort, especially those that came close to dealing with the nations elsewhere in Refugia "I will remind you I am on a mission from the Council themselves, in the name of our great ruler. Please refrain from sacrilege in my presence perhaps?"
The captain shrugged and wandered off, waving to some trader of sorts across the deck.
Soon we'll land in Subadent, and I'll be face to face with a king, ready to represent the will of the Council, their mighty instrument, their strong right hand, their sword and shield! He nodded smugly, before another wave rocked the boat, bringing about another bout of nausea.
Moments later, wiping his mouth, P.G. Wintergreen, Chacapoyan Cultural Attaché, stared off towards where he knew Subadent to be, imagining the celebrations soon to come.
Wait, where did I put that flower arrangement again?