Closed Land and Sea

[Anchor]

51st of Spring, 513 AV North shore of Syliras A few chimes after Ethen had left the tent, the blonde woman who had greeted him in the tent came out and stretched. Her head turned to the young squire and she smiled. “Thank you for waiting,” she said. “I apologize for the wait, the other Lias and I are trying to come up with a suitable battle strategy for dealing with Braten. It is not easy work, especially considering that he has killed Laviku knows how many of our kin already.” Motioning with her hand, she began to lead Ethen through the large gathering, heading towards the boats moored offshore. Instead of a single organized base camp, the Svefra gathering was closer to a series of campgrounds all focusing around their own little fires. These were the familial pods within which the Svefra traveled, who they sailed and grew up with, as well as fought with when necessary. Though there was no hesitation on anyone’s part to mingle with the other pods, if anything it occurred almost by the bell in notable miniature celebration as two estranged families who reunited for whatever period of time this lasted. “We’re also trying to coordinate with a similar gathering out on the sea, at the Anchorage Flotilla,” she explained. “Unfortunately, most of them upset with our choice to ask land-dwellers for help in what they think should be an exclusively Svefra matter. While it is true it is our duty to act loyally to Laviku and hunt down those who would blaspheme his domain, there is nothing wrong with seeking aid among those who live outside his light and have the chance to earn some grace from him. Besides, it would be foolish to keep throwing ourselves at a man who has been killing us so effectively. Perhaps some unconventional styles of fighting will benefit us in this hunt.” Maneuvering her way through the camp as she talked, she skirted around sparring matches and separated jostling drunks, who even at this time of day were drinking liquor as if it were water and they were fish. “However, I do have a son of my own pod over there who keeps me informed of what is occurring and what is being planned. It is good to hear from him, and he does a good job of keeping us up to date.” She turned and smiled at Ethen. “Apparently they’ve received a Myrian who’s willing to fight with them. That is good tidings; I have firsthand accounts of their ferocity in battle, and it will be a great boon to have one fighting on our side.” After a few more chimes they reached the shore, waves lapping against the sand. A long line of casinors were beached, hulls resting on the ground in a manner that meant they could easily be pushed out with little effort. Further away, a more sparse line of palivars formed the backbone of the seafaring strength, and was a more efficient transport for carrying more warriors like land-dwellers were probably used to. “I plan to take you out to my ship,” she explained, pointing at one in the line. “There I can teach you to swim and also how to make yourself useful on a boat. Afterwards I’ll lead you to where we have set up tents for the other land-dwellers. Does this sound alright to you?”

[Ethen Calden]

As Ethen followed the woman, he got angry longing stares from most Suvans which he soon learnt the reason from the blond woman. As Ethen strolled on the beach he saw the rich culture which Ethen hardly ever saw before. "well I hope to help the Suvans in anyway possible" Ethen said. After a few more chimes Ethen reached the shore with woman and said "please lead the way to you ship, you never said your name. I'm Ethen". "I wonder if her son is good looking" thought Ethen.

[Anchor]

Smiling, the old woman nodded. "I am Crucina Deepseeker, Lia of my pod. Pleasure to meet you, Ethen." Without another word, she led the way out into the shallow sea where the casinors were anchored, where the water only reached their thighs, hefting herself over the edge of a casinor and wandering to the stern, where the entrance to the cabin would be. Inside, a blonde woman who looked to be the younger version of Cristina was scribbling furiously on a stack of parchment, several others piling atop the trunk that she was using as a writing desk. There were no words on any of them though, only a series of lines and dots that seemed organized but had little pattern to the untrained eye. That was, unless Ethen could recognize sheet music. "Linda, would you mind taking me to my palivar?" Crucina asked suddenly, causing the young woman to snap up and whirl her head around, eyes wide with surprise. Stumbling up from her seat on the bed, she promptly knocked over a stack of papers and a wooden flute that was leaning precariously on the trunk. In less than a few ticks, the woman named Linda had created a mess like a small storm had blown through, but at least she was standing before Crucina and ready. Chuckling, Crucina shook her head. "If you're busy, you don't have to. I'm sure one of the others would be more than willing to help out." "No, no, it's fine Lia Crucina," Linda hurriedly reassured the older woman, brushing strands of hair back behind her ears. "I can take you no problem, we'll be underway just as soon as she's ready to sail." Hurrying up the cabin steps, she made her way to the mast and began yanking on one of the lines dangling from it, which lifted some other part of the boat until it was horizontally held aloft from the mast, a sail stretched taught between the two pieces of wood. Turning to Ethen, Crucina smiled and said, "Ethen, could you hoist the anchor for us? I'm going to help Linda with the jib." With that, she joined the younger woman at the front of the ship, where the younger was having a bit of trouble working out the kinks in a sail and tying it to another piece of rope. OOCTwo things. First, this is the encampment that doesn't mind land-dwellers mostly. Second, the race is called Svefra, not Suvan.