Season of Autumn, Day 50, 511 AV
Morning, The Deepest South
Facing the Rockward Isle
There they had stood at the edge of the world, the sandy beaches falling into the ocean blue. Surveying the furthest reaches of what man could see. His teacher had gone for a swim, leaving Kharadish alone, and who could blame him, the pair had a long journey ahead of them. This pilgrimage in Dira's name, although a gesture that he hoped would prove his faith beyond all question, was also incredibly risky. Having spent virtually all his youth in training for the vague prospect of joining the nobility, he had a lot of theory but little practical experience.
A gilded first born to hopeful parents, would be the first man in many years to travel as far as he was going to, his name would carry by deed, and in that his future would be assured. Word had reached Kharadish about knightly orders, groups of fighters or men vying for power or prestige, these things had potential reward if a man could bring news of them, and if there was any truth to them he would find note of it to bring back home.
Anything to benefit the wise and noble Ahnatep, advancing its power, contacts and status rightly across all Ekytol and beyond. Today he faced the rockward island and knelt. Bowing his head to the sand, Kharadish said his daily prayer, for the first time as far south as he ever had, it would carry his voice beyond where he might step.
“Dira, goddess of all who pass. I ask only for balance in my life, and my action, so that your word might spread through my deeds. The trip may see me by your side before its end, if so I will serve you loyally in the afterlife just as I have this.”
Holding some sand in a palm, and allowing the grains to filter through his fingers, all were dust, all returned to the same. "Sand we were and sand we will always be, I honor you forever and always my goddess."
Rising to his feet, he straightened his armor, and felt ready for what lay ahead. They planned to stay close to the coast, avoiding the dangers of the deeper desert, using the ocean to wash and bathe, while trading with any nomads for food and water. The coast had less harsh climates as a whole, and more rocky shelters in its cliffs. If they were to survive at all, it would take every bit of courage and cunning.
Joining Notes :