The Maiden Voyage of The Dreamcatcher

by **Kavala** on May 27th, 2013, 3:45 am

Timestamp: 65th of Spring, 513 AV.

The Catamaran bobbed gently in the harbor with the flow of the current through the Plunge Pool Bay. It was loaded now with supplies, some to trade, and some to keep the occupants alive for the ten day sailing trip across the Suvan. The weather was good with predictions from Stormwardens that it would continue to be so for as long as the weather could be viewed in the future. Kavala figured they could tell a day or two, maybe three, ahead of time and that was a good quarter of their trip. It was reassuring enough for her to get started, saying goodbye to her family and friends with the intent of being right back.

Kavala had a blank book with a checklist carefully written in the first two pages. Each item was checked off as the Catamaran was loaded. Fully stocked, she was ready to go. But she was slightly concerned. No dogs were coming, no horses would be around, and she wasn't sure how she was going to fair without her family. It had been a long time since she'd been without them, and there was some fear deep down that they would not be okay without her there to watch over them. Both Vanator and the kids had experienced slavery. They knew what it was like to loose freedom. And for some reason Kavala felt like if she divided them up now, spent time away, they would be in danger or at risk again.

It was a foolish thought. If anything Vanator kept them all safe. Kavala loved her brother and had grown closer to him than ever in the last few seasons he'd been at The Sanctaury. She hadn't been certain he could adapt to life away from The Sea of Grass, but he had. There was benefits to tall walls and endless beaches to ride. The dangers were a lot different, a lot more manageable in a way, than the unforeseen lurking on the Sea of Grass.

There was a lot unfinished at The Sanctuary, so she wouldn't linger on her trip. No, she needed to get out, relax, enjoy, and get home. And in a way she was glad she wasn't going alone. Riaris had agreed to come along. Kavala was hoping the trip would allow her and the Akalak to get to know each other better, and perhaps even grow closer. They had an unusual relationship, one Kavala had trouble clearly defining since she'd moved from her Nakivak Status to her Kuvan status in Riverfall. She was not forced to be Riaris' companion, but she enjoyed being with him. He was warm, open to new things, and didn't seem to mind some of the things about her. Men were uncomfortable by her success, her unusual son, and her way of speaking with animals. Especially in Riverfall, where the Akalak treated beasts and kelvics like pets, not people. And Kavala was exactly the opposite. Riaris seemed to accept those things about her, for which she was grateful.

Plus Riaris was smart, thoughtful, and she hoped they could make conversation and find things to do in the close confines of the Catarmaran for ten days either direction to and from The Southern Outpost. But if they couldn't, it was a good chance to learn that first hand and end the relationship they were developing before it really even began.

And so Kavala waited, looking at her list, and at the last thing not checked off, waiting for that too to be loaded onto the ship.

Riaris.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on May 27th, 2013, 7:05 pm

Riaris moved about his room collecting the items that he planned to take with him on his trip with Kavala. It was a surprise really, the Akalak had guessed that she would want to take her ship out for a sail once it was finished, but he had no idea that she had a full trip planned already. However he should have, Kavala was never one to do things half way, and as much as they talked about sailing, he should have guessed an adventure was in store. He moved about his room, getting together the things that he used daily, such a comb, tooth brush, clothing etc and loaded them into his backpack. He also packed his lakan, as he never went anywhere without it.

Johan appeared just as he was about to leave, and asked him more than a dozen questions about the woman that she was yet to meet and what their plans for the trip were. She was a curious girl, and nosy as well. But given the fact that he wouldn't see her for a while, he decided to indulge her questions as best he could. Once she was satisfied with the information Riaris headed off to meet with Kavala. The walk to the docks was short, mostly because the Akalak was racking his mind over what they would do the entire trip.

He had made plans to..make plans for things that they could do while sailing across the sea, but he hadn't been able to think of anything, and now time had run out and he still had nothing. They would sail, probably read more about sailing, but what came next he wasn't sure. Of course he had ideas...plans for their late evenings, but he wanted to make sure that she didn't grow bored with him so soon.

After a time, he made his way to the docks where Kavala was waiting for him. He hustled closer, not wanting to keep her waiting and loaded his bag onto the boat. With a smile he turned to Kavala and opened his arms, hoping that the woman would run and jump into them. "Is this all we're taking? I would have expected more." he said in a joking tone.

by **Kavala** on May 27th, 2013, 7:58 pm

Kavala looked confused for a moment as Riaris spoke. Then she frowned a crease wrinkling the scales on her brow, and glanced around. "We can take more... I wasn't sure how much you'd eat and then I was thinking we'd need...." She looked up at him abruptly, caught the edge of his expression, and realized he was joking. The Konti laughed and then took two steps, closing her book with the checklist and tucking it under her arm as she slipped into his embrace for a hug.

"I'm glad you came. Stop teasing me. I've never traveled by sea before. This is supposed to be a fun vacation, a learning one, but I can't seem to stop double checking and overthinking it." She said, lifting her head to look at him with a smile. He was warm, comforting, and his presence calmed her immediately. She lifted herself up on her toes, which was then barely enough to offer him a kiss, and did so giving him a gentle taste of her lips before she pulled back and stepped aside.

"Aren't you supposed to ask the Captain permission to board or something?" She said abruptly, moving to block his way onto the catamaran. "Pay a tithe or booty or something?" Kavala added, with a laugh, looking at his meager backpack with an obvious attitude of 'that's all your bringing?'.

"I am the captain, you know..." She said, grinning wickedly. "And if you don't come with a tithe, you spend the voyage swabbing the decks!" She added with a laugh and then made to move carefully out of his way. Already the sun was climbing higher, warming both of them as they stood on The Dreamcatcher. Gulls wheeled overhead and it was, at least in Kavala's mind, a good omen of a great voyage to come.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on May 27th, 2013, 9:35 pm

A smirk rose across the Akalak's lips as he saw the look in Kavala's eyes just before she realized that he was joking. It was easy to joke with her, the two were linked in a way that allowed them to understand each others brand of humor even though it was still very new to each one of them. "I suppose we could always bring more, but then we may never leave port." he added with a chuckle.

"I have to admit, I had thought you would invite your family along for your first trip. Learning that it will be just the two of us, well...it's surprising, but a welcome surprise." He smiled and hugged her tightly, offering her his strength to lift her up so that their kiss could be applied more firmly without either having to lift or been too much. "I would suggest that you let go, and allow the winds to carry us, but then I know you can't. It will be fine, we will enjoy our trip and return with gifts and stories of our travels together."

Riaris was in a very good mood this day and so was Kavala. Syna's light shined upon her, a glowing aurora that showed the true beauty and essences of the lovely woman. There had been a time before, the first time that they had set sail together, he had allowed himself to dream, a lost voyage of sorts with Kavala, in which they wouldn't return for days, maybe even weeks. It was a thought completely corrupted with the fun he had with her at that time. Still, it seemed they would now do that very thing, although he didn't plan on really getting lost.

She joked with him, and Riaris listened while trying to keep a straight face as if they were being serious. He placed his bags on and turned to face her again. "Well in that case, I guess I better get started. Or...I'm sure there are other things that my good Captain use help with?" He waited to see what she would say next before he started to look around and make a mental check list of his own.

by **Kavala** on June 3rd, 2013, 6:17 am

Kavala chuckled. "Okay, come on aboard. I can tell you are trying to distract me with talk of my family. The truth is I didn't want to take Tasival on the maiden voyage. I don't think its all that safe. The same goes for the twins, and well Vanator prefers The Sea of Grass to the Suvan Sea." What she wasn't saying was that none of them would come. Riaris wasn't her last choice, but no one else wanted to join in her serious sail. Vanator wouldn't let her go alone, but Kavala could tell he was relieved that Riaris had stepped up and agreed to the sail.

Kavala was a Konti. But she was new to her blood, only freshly awakened to her love of the sea, but still far more comfortable with herself in the water than most people. She did not blame her Drykas family for wanting to retain their land legs.

"I think we have enough supplies. Don't you? Come on, bring your bag and you can stow it in the cabin on the left." Kavala was sleeping there too, but she'd let him find out. She had the spare cabin loaded with supplies. She paused to hear Riaris out as he crossed the threshold, and nodded when he suggested they let the winds blow them where they would.. but Kavala was all about control. Ultimate control. She had so little in her early years that the notion was important to her now.

Kavala moved about, untying the catamaran, and stowing the rope carefully on board. She loosened the sails, glanced at Riaris, and smiled. "Take us out of Port, First Mate!" She said with a laugh, gesturing out of their slip and off towards the open ocean.

"Next stop, Kalea... and The Southern Trading Post!" The Konti said, ignoring his hint at something more playful, all business and wanting to get underway now that everything was stowed aboard neatly.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on June 9th, 2013, 4:48 am

"Tasival is a man in the making, he has the Akalak warrior's spirit. He would make any Akalak a proud father." He smiled a bit, allowing Kavala to take his words simply, or to see the deeper meaning behind them. Riaris was already into his 30's and with his position in the Kuvay'Nas, all he needed was the other part that made an Akalak's life whole.

Perhaps the konti was hesitant about it, or him, but he couldn't pretend not to understand, with her past and what she had told him. All the same, he didn't plan on going anywhere and as long as he kept her interest it was only a matter of time.

He nodded and headed to the cabin that she mentioned and put his bag down. It was a nice enough cabin, but of course he had already seen it all during the building. He looked around again, inspecting the work as he had before and then made his way back out to where Kavala was. "I'm sure that we have enough, and you..have packed for a family it seems. I think we'll be ok."

Riaris could only chuckle, Kavala was all business now and even that looked sexy on her. The Akalak rotated his shoulders as if he were gearing up for a battle and took the reins and checked off the things that he did mentally to ready and take the boat out onto the waters. "Once we get out further, we should check the map to make sure we're going in the right direction."

by **Kavala** on June 12th, 2013, 7:45 pm

Kavala's face softened at what Riaris said about Tasival and making a father proud. She knew deep in her heart that his real sire was most likely dead. Things happened. Akalak often perished on the grass on missions defending the weak and defending the city itself. Kavala just never thought she'd be raising a boy alone. She glanced up, then smiled slightly. Tasival had more family than most boys his age were lucky enough to have. He had Vanator, an uncle that truly cared. Aweston and Larik, two other men willing to teach him, and Cadra, who dotted on him like a second mother. Even Chalce was warming up to him and letting her and Dusk help clean the mews and work around the birds.

But what he really needed was what he didn't have, and that was a father like Riaris. Secretly, she hoped sometime Riaris would volunteer for the job. The more she was around the big Akalak, the harder it was to find herself wary or suspicious of his motives. Sometimes, she even wished she could have met Riaris when she was younger, untried, and without a past stretching behind her of abuse. He deserved a Konti like that, full of light and laughter and not the dark shadows that sometimes haunted her soul. Tasival's father had come to her for a purpose, to get her with child, and she'd gone through the motions. Later, another Talvis had done the same thing. But with Riaris, it was different. There was no contract. There was no obligation. He did not make twice a day visits to satiate his lust on a Nakivak that could not and would not say no. She doubted, somehow, that he'd even consider taking up a contract. And Kavala wondered if that was why it was different with him.

The healer didn't know him well enough to say she loved him. Life in Riverfall had de-emphasised that. But her body sure enjoyed his. And his mind was sharp enough that being with him didn't dull hers or make her feel stupid. And even now, after not seeing him for days, she wanted ... to touch him, to hug him, to kiss him and hold him for a moment. But she was afraid, terribly afraid, that he'd see her as vulnerable and clingy or needy. Kavala wanted him to see her as strong, fit to be a partner to him, and she was mostly ready to have a child for him as well. Tasival was at the age where a brother or sister would be extremely good for him. The Konti wouldn't mind five or six, truth be told. And she didn't think Riaris would walk away.

Kavala was not unsympathetic to the Riverfall situation. She planned to have more children, and by Akalaks, due to her son's race and the fact the Akalak were dying out. Riaris would be a good father. A daughter would not be unwelcome either, though Ronan had ruined her on humans even though he'd never touched her intimately. Sometimes, walking through town, even through the Warren and shopping the market booths, she could sense the quiet desperation. Children, all boys, playing in the aisles were stared at by childless men and longed for. She often caught men glancing at her midriff and judging if she was fit to be a mother or was maybe one already, then sighing when no bracelet was seen on her arm.

These days there were a lot of Nakivak bracelets in Riverfall.

The Konti continued to stare at Riaris as she quietly admitted to herself what she really wanted. She wanted him to ask her to give him a child, a child she already wanted. Just that. No one had yet said... "Kavala, will you give me a child?". Everyone else had simply asked her to sign there, asked her to fill out paperwork and agree to sets of terms. And she wanted him to love her for who she was and for what she was willing to do for him once he asked. The second one was less important. Kavala didn't really believe in the type of love that songs often sung about or that was told in tales. So far none of that had happened to her. Getting her heart involved just got her hurt.

But she liked this man... really liked him.

"So you're navigating for this trip? You do know where we are going right?" She asked, as she stowed the line, unfurled sails, and started gently easing the Catamaran out of the harbor. Oh she still looked around, trying to decide which sail came down first and what needed to be done. There was nothing competent about her sailing, but she was sure she could get the vessel out of the Bay, if nothing else.

"Because we'll need it. I only know its vaguely 'That way'." She said, laughing and pointing off towards the west. "I planned on a straight crossing, knowing the Southern Outpost is south of Riverfall on the east coast of Falyndar, then when we hit sight of land, we can sail south until we find the trading stop." She said, outlining her plan. "What do you think?" She asked, pointing to the large table under the overhang that contained maps and sea charts for the journey. "I'm all ears if you have a better plan." She said, meaning it.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on August 17th, 2013, 2:41 am

Riaris was ready for a fun trip and to spend as much time as he could with Kavala.But he was also taking a risk being gone for so long. The blessing and curse from Krysus would eventually start to hurt him again as it normally did. Small amounts of pain wouldn't harm him too much, in fact he sort of enjoyed it in a way as he had tough himself to deal with it. But he wasn't sure for how long he would be gone, and the pain would only get worse. If he had a choice, he would rather Kavala not see that side of him, at least not until she knew him better.

"Yes, I will get us there in one peice. Don't you worry."

He had spoken with his father and a friend of his about sailing and what best routes to take. The Akalak was still a bit uncertain having never taken the trip himself, but he had confidence that the two could figure it out together. He looked out on the open sea, and couldn't think of a better, more peaceful place to be with his companion. They had talked to a short extent about their future together, but nothing was ever set in stone. Riaris didn't want to rush her, but there were things he wanted, and things she needed to know about him as well.

He nodded to her as she explained her plans and had to agree. If there was a better plan, he didn't know of it, but there was something in Kavala's words that told him that she had the right idea. "Sounds like a good plan, if we catch a good wind we could progress faster while it's still light out." Riaris smiled and taking a pose something like what Kavala had on their first trip out into the open sea. "Yes, I do agree...it has to be that way." he added with chuckle. "Just take it steady, we wouldn't want to wander off course if the winds picked up suddenly."

Riaris turned and looked back at his companion, it seems for the trip they had changed roles and she would be handling the sailing while he navigated their travel. But he would still help her, it was a team effort not to mention he was starting to enjoy sailing even more. The Akalak checked the lines to make sure they were out of their cleats, and then let out and retied the boom. He recalled what happened the last time he didn't pay attention to the heavy, bobbing structure and would be sure not to make that mistake again.

Glancing up high, he looked to the sails to make sure that she had raised them properly and that they were completely let out of their bindings. Riaris turned back to Kavala then and lifted a hand and twirled his wrist around with one finger extended as he spoke up. "Turn us about 15 more degrees will you?" The boat was heading out into the sea, and he imagined it would be better to set their point in the right direction sooner rather than later. "We're all set?" He asked as he moved to trim the jib sheets on either side of the boat, and turn it away towards the less winded sides.

by **Kavala** on August 25th, 2013, 6:56 pm

Kavala took direction well, following Riaris' instructions and that of the book she had taken to carrying with her on sailing. She ducked around the forestay, checking the foremost stay, running from the masthead to the bow to make sure it was secure, then she glanced upwards at the jibsheet, knowing they didn't need it just yet but being sure it was in place.

The tell-tales were indicating the wind was with them, so Kavala smiled at the course they set. The offshore wind was pushing them rapidly out into the Suvan setting them on a good course for the opposite coast. The catamaran was a bit heavier in the water than she was used too, having loaded it down with supplies thought the water was not touching the gumwales of the pontoons. Kavala jumped to the first set of netting, checked the lines there, and roamed back to the helm. Riaris' shipwrighting companions had rigged the catamaran with a real wheel and not a tiller like most had. It made it easier since both hulls had tilers on them which were now linked together and attached to the wheel. Kavala could stand out of the wind and rain, but at the wheel, and still steer the ship and watch the rigging as she sailed. A passenger could lounge at the table nearby or one of the many benches or even stretch out in the sun on the netting that linked both aft and stern.

When they were settled into a course, Kavala smiled at Riaris, hooked the pegs in place that help the wheel from turning without her attention on it, and gazed around in three hundred and sixty degrees.

"We're out of sight of land now. I never thought we'd be doing this. I never really did. We are actually sailing off to someplace new." She said, looking almost awestruck. She'd traveled plenty, that much was for sure, but only by horse and once briefly by ship to Mura from Zeltiva. Horses got her where she needed to go. This sailing, even on a ship of her own, was a new experience. So too was the company.

She missed her son suddenly and the rest of her family back at The Sanctuary. And she knew, even as the thought struck her, that traveling would never be her full time thing. Home was where her heart was and that heart was back at The Sanctuary. Trips like this she would do gladly, but never would she leave her home just to wander. She'd grew up on the Sea of Grass doing just that. Now, she had a choice, and this trip was pivotal in telling her what she really wanted... and what that was included solid walls and a place to call home. Not a wagon, not a saddlebag, and certainly not a ship.

The Konti smiled. Then she quietly told Riaris all that she was thinking.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on September 5th, 2013, 3:12 am

Riaris felt almost like a sea captain, him standing around giving out orders and his shipmates carrying them out. Though in this case his shipmate was one very attractive Konti. He watched as she darted back and forth around the ship, taking care of sailing. She looked like she was having fun, and Riaris could imagine them doing this again and again.

Of course for him, he had plans to sail for some time, but Kavala didn't want to follow. She had her family back in the city and being Drykas, sailing wasn't something that was at the top of her list. When the time arrived he would likely be going alone, unless his parents allowed him to take his sister along, though he wasn't completely comfortable with the idea himself. Riaris started to help Kavala more where needed, but it seemed that she had it all under control. Instead, he looked to the map again to see their heading.

"Well it does appear that we will be traveling in the same direction for a while now. It should be easy going."

He smiled as their eyes met and took a moment to look around again himself, before turning his gaze back to the map. It was a sight to see, and a long time since he had been surrounded by nothing but water. Riaris moved around in the ship and stepped to where he could stand behind Kavala and hold her into his embrace.

"Yes I know, it seemed so far into the future I suppose I didn't give it much thought either. But we are here now, and doing what we started out to do. I think that says a lot."

With a smile he hugged her to him, gently planting kisses along her neck and nuzzling his face into her long blonde hair. The thought of so much travel, wasn't something the Akalak was against. He thought and planned to one day do much more of it himself, though at the time there wasn't a set date. Kavala fell silent for a moment, and Riaris just knew that mind of hers must have been going with a thousand thoughts a second. He gave her shoulders a light squeeze then stepped back to listen if she choose to tell.