"Let's go to that leader's place. Maybe he can give us more information about what's happening." Martin told Jack before they left the healer's building. They walked for a while watching several men doing different activities, fishing, farming, building, etc. Interestingly, each activity was done by only one man. Jack assumed it has something to do with that assignment thing they heard from the healer.
"Good morning." A young man suddenly told them while they were looking around. "I'd noticed you are new here. That's pretty unusual, to be honest. So, I want to help you if you allow me. I'm the reporter and my assignment is to know about everything and to give that information to anyone who ask for it."
"It sounds more like a gossip to me..." Martin mumbled. Jack gave him a little nudge. Fortunately for them, apparently the reporter didn't know the meaning of gossip, so he ignored that and started to guide them through their village. Martin seemed pretty fascinated like a tourist on a exotic tour, while Jack was getting very anxious, he only wanted to find a way to go back home.
"This is our leader's mansion where he lives and oversees everyone else's performance." The reporter said. "I assume you don't have an assignment yet, so I guess it's better you ask for it before I show the rest of the village." Jack and Martin look at each other with a little bit of worry in their faces. That place looked intimidating and that leader sounded like a very important guy. Martin gulped and took Jack's arm and they went in.
Unlike those rustic shacks they'd seen before, the leader's mansion looked like a luxury tropical place. Its walls were made with beautiful shinny white stones, the floor had something quite similar to stamped concrete with seashells each two feet. There were several columns made of stone and small rivers flowing throughout the halls and even a few walls.
Martin and Jack were so astounded by what they're watching that they didn't notice a man who was standing next to them until he introduced himself as the keeper whose assignment was to protect that place. He asked them some questions before he accepted their request to see the leader. Then, he gave them instructions to go to the leader's roof garden where he was taking a break.
When they arrive at the roof garden they noticed three men in there. Two of them looked younger than the third one who seemed he's having a relaxing time sitting on a chair among the flowers. The younger ones didn't seemed too happy cause they're fanning the older one with large palm leaves.
For some reason, Martin and Jack didn't feel too comfortable watching that scene and they tried to leave as fast as they arrived, however they weren't fast enough because those three men noticed their presence before that can go. "Excuse me? Who are you and are you doing here?" The older man asked them while he kept his eyes on them.
"Ehm... My name is..." Martin was speaking when he got interrupted. "No, no. There's no names in here. Tell me, what are your assignments." He said. "We don't have." Jack replied who surprisingly was getting used to watch naked men everywhere. "That's not possible. Everyone has an assignment, unless you're exiles. In that case you shouldn't be here."
"N,no. We had arrived in this island recently. In fact, we are from very very far and we came to see the leader in order to get some help to go back to our home." Martin said and the two men fanning suddenly stopped and looked surprised to each other.
"Well, I'm the leader and these two gentlemen are the adorer and the flatterer whose assignments are to adore me and to flatter me. Martin and Jack looked at those guys' faces and they didn't seem they're too happy adoring and flattering their leader. "Your story is quite interesting. Unfortunately I can't believe it, there's no place beyond the sea, all men knew about it."
"But we're telling the truth!" Jack replied but he was immediately shut down by the leader. "Enough! I won't tolerate that behavior in front of me!" The leader said while he stand up. "I will give you two choices. Forget that nonsense and accept the assignments I'll give you or go away and return to the exile. What do you choose?" Martin and Jack stared at each.