Open Dowsing in Devali

[Lei'Lani]

Early afternoon, 16th Summer, 521av
Outskirts of the Denavli Quarter

  "Uff!" Lina grunted as she shouldered through the mahogany, rust-hinged door. Dust and cobwebs clouded her face as she found her feet. Frantically wiping them clear, her mother glided nonchalantly into their new home and begun throwing open the drapes. Speckles of dust danced through the air, illuminated like sparkles in the dark by the light of Syna's rays beaming in through the quaint panes of glass.

  Blowing stray hairs from her face, Lina glanced around. It was an old cottage on the outskirts of the Denvali Quarter of the city. After travelling what felt like half the world of Mizahar, they had traipsed across over half the city, lost at almost every corner.

  Her skin felt itchy and clogged with sweat and grime, her hair was slick with grease and her feet and stomach both still churned and wobbled as if she hadn't left the swaying ship. Before they had left the serenity of Mura, Lina had fantasied about going of on an adventure and discovering the world. Traveling for weeks was a tougher and less enjoyable journey than she had imagined.

  In all honesty, she would have rather swam all the way to Zeltiva. At least then Muiel could have come with her for a ways. A small, forlorn smile graced Lina's child-like features at the fond memories of her one and only friend; left behind in what seemed another world.

  Sighing, Lina just wanted a bath but looking around their new abode, all she could see in the simple room was a single bunk in the left corner with a chest at its foot, a hearth on the far wall and to the right of the doorway beneath a quaint window; a single chair and desk. Her heart sank; there would be no steamy bath for her tonight in which to soak her wearied, travel-cramped muscles.

  "It shan't take us long to make this place ship-shape!" Chimed her mother as she shook out the dusty blankets from the single bunk; sending clouds of dust into the air that stung Lina's eyes.

  Feigning a smile as she waved the dust cloud from her eyes Lina nodded, though 'ship-shape' didn't make sense to her in common in relation to their new cottage. It must be some sort of saying. Ever since leaving Mura, her mother had been speaking less and less Kontinese, no doubt to try and improve Lina's basic common vocabulary. The rattle of metal brought Lina from her distant thoughts as her mother grinned at finding a bucket and a mop hidden beneath cobwebs in the far right corner.

  "Why don't you take this bucket and see if you can find a river or something nearby to fill it up?"

  Lina smiled and lowered her heavy pack to the ground at the base of the single bunk, her mother's positive attitude filling her with hope from the bleak outlook she had at the beginning of their new chapter in life; envisioning them both sprucing up their new abode together.

  "I'm going to find the Asylum and introduce myself to my new colleagues."

  Lina's heart sank once more. Not even a few bells in the city and already her mother was off on her great crusade to save the world. Tilting her head she quietened her face and hid her disappointment. Instead Lina reached for the metal bucket, wiping it clean the best she could, "As-lum?" She queried, the common word escaping her knowledge.

  "As-sy-lum. It's the word for the place those suffering the effects of over giving go in this city to be cared for, in the University Quarter. We passed through it on our way to find here."

  Lina nodded her understanding, silently berating herself for being so selfish. Her mother was a great, caring woman, putting the needs of others first and preserving life. She helped all the lives she touched and Lina shouldn't think less of her for wanting to get straight into her benevolent work.

  "Right, I'll bring us some dinner from an inn on the way home. Good luck!" Her mother gently kissed her daughter on the forehead and rushed off, closing the rust-hinged door behind her; leaving Lina alone in the dusty, dark, cobwebbed cottage.

[Lei'Lani]

Approaching Raster Street, Denvali Quarter

  With bucket in hand, Lina grabbed her worn travelling bag and stepped out into the unknown. They had arrived on a pleasant day; Syna shone bright and strong above and the familiar sea-breeze but gently ruffled her snowy locks. The smell of the sea and the cries of the gulls circling nearby were fond reminders of Mura, one she was thankful for; maybe settling in wouldn't be so hard with these similarities from home.

  Lina's bright doe-eyes glanced down the street, then up, her stomach churning in tandem with her fluttering heart. She could do this. How hard would it be to find the nearest well? Lina's confidence only shook due to her lack of common, she knew, though this didn't alleviate the worry.

  Deciding that down hill and travelling towards the heart of the Denvali Quarter would produce more luck with finding drinking water, she took off to the right. Their cottage being near the outskirts, it took a fair walk at a brisk pace, before the buildings became more compact and complex than just simple cottages out by their new home. The Denvali Quarter spread before her in a rainbow of colour that lightened the heart and brought a smile to the young Konti's lips.

  To find her way home Lina began trying to remember fixed points that stood out from the rest. A ways behind she had followed an uneven cobbled road to the right at an intersection with a big gnarled tree that looked menacing; she wouldn't like to pass it by in the middle of the night, that's for sure.

  Just now, she noticed the further she tramped into the main hub of the Denavli Quarter, the buildings became radiant with colour and intricate painted designs appeared across each doorway. One in particular caught her eye as she thought the pattern, in an obscure way, looked like a lily flower, just like the mark from Avalis upon her right forearm.

  Beginning to sweat, her breaths becoming more laboured, Lina made her way deeper into the cramped and narrow streets of the rainbow quarter and soon her path became littered with Zeltivans. Biting her lower lip, Lina paused and drew in an encouraging breath, clutching her metal bucket close to her stomach.

  Pushing down her doubts and personal trepidation at what her Konti gift might show her, Lina tried to stay positive; tried to remind herself that the world had bright and wonderful things to show, just like the Denavli buildings - and not just fear.

  Steeling herself for whatever might come, Lina forced a friendly smile as she began to approach the locals floating about the streets, hoping that her common was good enough to be able to ask for water.

[Loxcia Campo]

Kontinese Common Char With every step she prayed to Laviku that she would make it home safely today. Her stomach churned and with every stride her body threatened to shyke a cobblestone. Still she kept forward and as calm as she could look. Fake it till you make it. She thought to herself. Heart beating, legs moving in sync with each thump in her ears. Fear clenched into her back. This was the Denavli quarter, Loxcia heard about the place back at the Grotto. It's a city in it's own right. They make and enforce their own laws and carry them out as they see fit. Not even the wave guard have jurisdiction there. She recalled the bartenders words when inquiring about the locale Now here she was walking down towards the tall colorful buildings. At least it was closer to the water than the rest of the town, given the docks. So she could still smell Lavikus' scent and even go for a quick dive if she wanted. Not that she would. A quick shiver came over her at the thought of swimming outside of Wave guard jurisdiction. It was law that any slaves were considered free under wave guard jurisdiction. Loxcia took it upon herself to memorize it. It was actually the first law she learned about Zeltiva...It was the only law she knew about Zeltiva. Regardless, the Devali quarter was outside wave guard protection. Which meant that she was once again a runaway slave as soon as she stepped foot into the territory. She felt queasy to the thought. All it would take is for a slaver to recognize her. It had been some time since she'd made her daring attempt, but she knew her worth. Slavers don't allow slaves to just up and leave when they please, even if they were worth cow shyke. It was the principle. Slaves are product to be sold. Miza. No more better than livestock. When an animal gets out of hand. A lesson has to be taught. An example made, or the other animals will follow suit and rebel. The words of her previous owner. Loxcia knew how the game was played. She was nothing but a bag of miza. A big bag. Even the more comfortable of slavers recapture escaped slaves, and she was a Konti. She would need to be careful. Using some charcoal she found in the bag she stole when jumping ship. She'd managed to alter her hair from it's normal bright blonde to black with dirty blonde streaks. She also used the coal to darken the area around her neck to better conceal her gills as well as her forearms. A butchered job yes, but it would do. Seeing the results of her attempt prompted her to purchase some make up supplies for the next time she entered the area. She even brought her bow to be safe. There was a breeze that slightly whistled as it passed through some of the stone towers and winding pathways of the quarter. It was a lot to take in at once. The konti felt as if she were entering Zeltiva all over again. One thing she did notice that was different was the amount of size there was for everyone to get around. The entrance to the quarter was large but quickly began to slim up to were citizens were nearly pushing and squeezing by each other. West street was definitely bigger. Having learned her lesson before she decided to use a previously discovered tactic for traversing the walkways through the city. Following the flow of traffic Loxcia shimmied her way to the side of the street just outside the movement of the ever growing crowd. She looked back from where she'd come then forward to where she was headed. There were more buildings and alleyways ahead all the more colorful. She could make out some store fronts and other buildings for uses besides shopping. A market made it's way into her sights as well though she couldn't tell for sure from her current position. She needed a better view. Standing on a barrel within range, she could indeed see a market, and the slight shimmer of the suns rays playing on the water. It brought a smile to her face, knowing that Laviku was always right there. Loxcia stood for a moment appreciating the view even if it were only from the perspective of a pea hole. There was another shimmer in her peripheral that swiveled her head almost automatically halfway out of curiosity and the other half just because when she caught the glimpse of a woman who was the embodiment of paleness, the only sign of color being freckles smacked across her nose, the result of a bad sneeze. Matted layers of snow ran down her body as she walked, skin giving the occasional glimmer as she passed from spotlight to spotlight the suns rays reaching in between the buildings to touch the land. Her skin appeared to glow, she was beautiful. - A konti Loxcia spoke out loud surprised to see another of her kind walking the streets of Zeltiva. A many of emotions flowed through her. Love, happiness, joy, embarrassment, sadness. She wanted to scream out in happiness and cry at the same time. Instead, she ran. Straight at the smiling woman instinctively. Excitement coursed through her giving the strength to push pass the multitude of people in her way. Without warning Loxcia reached for the woman's hand pulling herself closer to give a welcoming hug whilst speaking in their native tongue. - Oh praise, praise! Laviku and Avalis. Hello sister, oh bless bless! the gods. Are you from home? Mura? How is it there? How are the other sisters? Did you travel alone? You're not in any danger are you? Oh, welcome to Zeltiva my name is Loxcia Campo, nice to have your acquaintance. Her facial expression changed with each question before she realized that she must have scared the shyke out of this woman for starters, and two had to have seemed crazy if anything. She took a breath properly introducing herself. - I'm sorry, it's been so long since I've met another Konti. How are you?

[Lei'Lani]

  "Water? Drink, where?" Lina made a drinking motion with an invisible cup to aid in her attempts at communication with the local Zeltivan. Her hopes were dashed however, as they but shrugged their shoulders and shimmied past her in the tight, cramped cobbled street.

  All around vivid, multicoloured shutters appeared to open out to reveal market stalls from within; all about vendors called out into the thrum of commerce. Lina could cut through the aura of fear with a butter knife. Trepidation was but second nature to most people, almost always present in the back of one's mind and Lina could sense every single feeling radiate from the crowd ahead of her.

  Mentally preparing herself and throwing up the oh-so-familiar walls, Lina steeled herself to ignore the tendrils of fear that would threaten to creep into her own being. She would remain separate from the feelings of the others around her as she weaved through the throng in search of friendly looking locals to aid her in her quest for water.

  Suddenly something flicked by her peripheral vision. Before her body could jolt itself into defensive action a woman grabbed her hand and threw herself onto her in a tight embrace. Lina's eyes were thrown wide as her breath was stolen from her lungs.

  In that sharp gasp, Lina's vision was thrown into chaos. Suddenly Lina saw a ship, swaying on rough seas. Thrust below decks, there were chains; chains everywhere. A rancid odour filled the young Konti's nostrils that almost made her gag. Half-naked bodies lay in shackles from the walls, the ceiling, anywhere there was space. They were slaves, this was a slave ship. She recognised non of the faces around her, but suddenly the violet eyes of another Konti took her by surprise; it was the face of the woman holding her in tight embrace. She was a slave.

  As quickly as air filled her lungs once more, Lina's vision returned to the smiling, gleeful face before her. The sweet scents of freshly baked goods from the stalls around the market, replaced the foul odour from within her vision and the familiar rantings of Kontinese filled her senses. Forcing herself to focus on reality, on what was before her, Lina finally felt present.

  Panting for air as the woman released her, Lina grinned; excitement and comfort filling her from deep within. Another Konti! So far from Mura? Bless Avalis. She couldn't believe her luck! If it was indeed luck and not divine intervention.

  Lina's thoughts and feelings reeled as fast as the woman's questions. She wanted to answer them all and at the same time had a flurry of inquisition all of her own. Taking a small step back Lina soaked in the beautiful glitter of the woman's Konti scales, glistening in the radiant day. This though, was the only way Lina would recognise her as a fellow Konti. Her hair was darkened, almost black, with some darker blonde streaks peeking out.

  Had she attempted to conceal her identity as a Konti? Lina's heart sank a little when she remembered the vision of chains she had glimpsed from the woman. Had she already been taken as a slave before? Is that why she feared to become a slave again? Lina glanced the giddy woman with renewed perception and an urge to protect her comrade.

  "No! No you're alright! I can't believe it. I can't believe there's another Konti, here! You have no idea how thankful I am to find you!" Lina giggled as she brushed her messy mane from her face, clutching her bucket to her hip with her other hand.

  Sheepishly, Lina bit the corner of her lower lip and gave a small, shy wave, "Hi, um, I'm Lei'Lina. I mean, Lina, I'm Lina." Her big doe-hope-filled eyes peered from beneath raised brows in anticipation of the woman's introduction.