[The Rolling Waves] Arrival

[Alric Wilmot]

45th of Summer, 512 AV Alric's head bobbed up and down, jostling from the wagon's rolling. He had been trying to sleep for the past hour. He was tired of his long journey. The first part, the boat ride, had been pleasurable. No pirates, sea monsters, and no storms, had crossed their path. It had been wonderfully mundane. It had only lasted a week though. The majority of his journey, on which Ainsley and Bones accompanied him, had been spent on this trading caravan. He absolutely hated it. He had counted the days it was taking them, and it did not surprise him that it was taking over a moon cycle. He had expected a long trip, but he had thought the majority of it would be spent at sea. He was comfortable with that. He had sailed before. This caravan, however, was completely out of his experience. At first, he had relished the opportunity to learn from his new experience, as he always did. But the experience became sour rather quickly. Bandits, wild animals, and entire days of walking when the horses were tired. Yes, the experience turned sour very quickly. He couldn't really complain though. It was his idea to go with the caravan. It was cheaper than hiring a guide, and safer than traveling alone. And, of course, they would have encountered problems eventually. It was honestly a miracle that they hadn't encountered them at sea. No, he was not angry that he had gone through this ordeal. Quite the opposite really. The fact that he know knew what it was like to travel on land, was a good thing. He'd be better prepared in the future. For now, though, he just wished the wagon's were better constructed, or moved more slowly, so his head didn't feel like it was going to be torn off. All at once, he got his wish. The caravan stopped as a city came into view, a nearby harbor being the obvious destination. Alric sat up, and rubbed his eyes free of the grogginess he was feeling. They had finally arrived. He, Bones, and Ainsley, had arrived at Zeltiva.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones preferred the ground. Good solid ground, that he could keep his feet on. Not to say that he particularly disliked the water. He did not, and was able to swim somewhat, though better in his snake form... But it was much harder to find food. He was not proficient enough with fishing to do so, and did not want to jump in and go after them... And bottled up, away from the ground, eating mostly rations that had not only been cooked, but preserved... Disgusting... So, though he did not hate the water, Bones preferred the ground. The caravan, and the long journey by foot, was quite easy for him... At least compared to his companion, Alric. Bones did not usually ride anywhere. Also, he walked. He walked a lot. Usually miles everyday, with a pack. So walking, in the relative safety of a group, on a easy to follow path? It was easy for him. Coming together and taking out the occasional bandit attack? It was a good change of pace, and kept him on his toes. And the pats on his back, and congratulations for his many kills from the other people of the caravan, and there admiration... Well that did not hurt either... Everyone was happy to share there fire with him. Going out on hunting parties, and taking back fresh meat for the group, was also fun. He especially liked hunting with one old man of the group, who could pick off a bird from a tree with a bow, with his eyes closed. He was rather quiet, and never mentioned to anyone when Bones ate a bit of the meat raw, before getting back. He even got to talking to a few of them, trading stories and such, on the days when things were a bit slower, and most walked, so as to not overburden the horses. He really liked this life. Perhaps he should have considered the job of a caravan guard as a possible career? Maybe he would consider it after this thing with Alric was done... Whenever that would be. It was almost with a heavy heart, that he saw Zeltiva coming near... They had arrived. It had seemed like time had passed in a blink of an eye... Oh well... He would be on the road soon enough, since eventually he would be leaving Zeltiva... It might be nice to rest a day or two. Though after that, he would be ready to go again, getting restless. Bones looked over at Alric, nodding to him when there eyes met.

[Ainyi]

There was something reassuring about travel. For one thing, her horse got on board of the boat since it was only six days. She was thankful to have him on the caravan.

She was thankful to be able to ride hard, where the expanse goes on for miles. She was thankful to let her hair whip in the wind. She was thankful to speak more Common, to spend time with Alric ( when he wasn't griping about the journey), to look up and see the stars, and feel wind on her face. And to have her own tent; she had come so close to selling it, thinking it wouldn't be worth it. She hunted, and rode, and even sparred with a few. Most things she did were actions, not verbal.

Maybe she should do this more. Perhaps she would be a good caravan runner. See the world, help defend otherwise defenseless as they try to traverse the world. It was an honest living.

But as they approached the city, Ainyi decided not to. This Alric man intrigued her. He had shown her abilities that she hadn't even dreamed; perhaps the way to make peace with herself was to become a new self, a rebirth.

They called this city one of Knowledge; perhaps she would stay here a while. Perhaps she would meet one of her own kind, by the variety that traveled with her. Perhaps this is the city that will make things change in life.

As they arrived, Ainyi hitched Halik to a faster gander until she caught up with the wagon holding Alric.

"Well, rich man," She said playfully, looking across the fields before pulling Halik closer to the wagon. "You got here alive. Congratulations are in order, yes?"

((OOC Note: I'm soooo sorry on the late post. I thought that everyone just posted in the generic arrival thread, and didn't realize it was a separate thread of our own. And I didn't have much time to write this one. So yeah. Apologies for the lateness/shortness. Carry on!))

[Alric Wilmot]

"Well, rich man," She said playfully, looking across the fields before pulling Halik closer to the wagon. "You got here alive. Congratulations are in order, yes?" "Heh, Yes. I suppose they are. I must say I am glad that it is finally over. It took much longer than I'd hoped. I'm glad you and Bones decided to come along. The journey would have been far more boring, and dangerous without you two." Alric meet Bones' eyes and gave a nod of respect. Ainsley had come out of curiosity. Bones had come because he was paid. Despite that fact, however, Alric was well aware that he had paid Bones less than what he was worth. And he was fairly sure Bones knew that as well. Because of that, Alric held a healthy respect for the silver-eyed man. He was rough, and at times odd to the point of inhumanity, but he was honorable. And if Alric ever really took the time to realize it, they had truly come because he had asked them too. Ainsely, too was a good person. She was not the fighter Bones was, but really she did not need to be. She was good-natured. Beyond that, it was enough to say that she was who she was. She was always very to the point, and never sought information she did not need to know. She was always direct, and almost always put honesty above tact. She was almost the exact opposite of Alric in those regards. Which really, provided a good contrast. As the Caravan approached the harbor, Alric gathered his things into his pack and put on his Rapier. Eventually the procession slowed so Alric could get off and join his companions who were already independent of the wagons. Bones, walking, and Ainsley riding. As he stepped down, he walked ahead of the group. Not out of any real sense of superiority, but so that he could get a better look at the city. It was surrounded by mountain and sea, and had very short buildings. Alric didn't think he could spot a single building over three stories. Though, they were still several yards away, so that might be messing with his perception a bit. Alric hadn't had much time to be cleanly on their long trek to Zeltiva from Syliras. As such, Alric relied on the magic of his gnosis to make himself look cleaner. Unfortunately, he had been rather foolish in that area. His illusions could only last for so long, and at this moment his illusion was weakening. He was going to enter the city as dirty as his two companions. He sighed, not liking that fact. "I do hope we can wash somewhere. This is a port city, after all, they'll have access to bath water, surely." Alric muttered, hopefully out of earshot to his fellows. He knew they disapproved of his habits. They saw them as frivolous. "So, Bones. Ainsley. Care to join me in my search for a suitable inn? We can leave the merchants now. I paid in advance. And I do believe we can get there much faster without them. The sooner we find an inn, the sooner we can settle down and explore the area. After all, I don't know about you, but I plan to be here for a while yet."

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones just watched Alric... Though he preferred taking the initiative, and he certainly did in a combat situation, it was not Alrics turn to take the lead... Besides, it was the mark of a good leader, to be able to follow. Now it was time to part from the caravan. He had already said his goodbyes, as they got close. He had even been offered a job with the caravan, if he wanted to head back to Syliras once they were done with there stuff here. Though Bones had not been able to tell them one way or another, not knowing when the caravan would finish, or when Bones would finish his work with Alric. Bones did crack his lips a bit, as Alric spoke, of wanting to get cleaned up... He could not help but make a response back, to his words. "Ssey sssay sse better you looked to ssstart, sse worssse you look once you get all mussssed up and dirtied... Perhapsss ssat isss why we were lessss affected ssan you Alric, in your ssstarting finery? We had lessss to lossse." But it was back to topic, and Bones was beginning to wonder what there next task was? Finding an inn? He had asked a few of the caravaneers who had been here before, and tried to pull together what he knew... Something about the "end" of something? Some sort of inn... "Sssure, I am ready to get to work... Ssough you never sssaid what exactly ssat wasss, or what our goal wasss... I ssink sssomeone sssaid sssomessing about an inn, not to far from the docksss. Sssomessing sse 'end' or sssomessing like ssat... I forget exactly what wasss sssaid, but I sssuppossse we could try ssere..." Bones would let Alric decide, though he thought he knew vaguely were it was... He could probably figure it out, with a bit of trial and error, or just ask someone at the docks about the inn, since it was so close to the place. Perhaps it was helpful to have someone around like Bones, one whom was more on the level with the common man, and was able to speak to them a bit more freely than Alric could, with his outward seeming.

[Ainyi]

"Heh, Yes. I suppose they are. I must say I am glad that it is finally over. It took much longer than I'd hoped. I'm glad you and Bones decided to come along. The journey would have been far more boring, and dangerous without you two."

Ainyi smirked. Well, less dangerous for him. The men around her were giving her side glance looks, some with some relief on their face. She couldn't help but think some of that relief came from ending travel with her. She didn't know the lands here well, but she know when people were blithering idiots on a hunt, and wasn't afraid to say it.

Though one man she still couldn't figure out was Bones. Half a season and he's barely said anything to her. She figured, seeing how they'd be traveling together, he would at least be willing in her attempts to get to know him, but it wasn't much use to be honest. His accent reminded her of snakes; and while her Common was improving, having two different people from two different native cultures both try to speak a foreign language made communication difficult to say the least. She can't pronounce vowels right, and he can't pronounce consonants right. Perhaps if one took their strengths in the language and put them together, you might make a fluent man. The idea made her laugh, and she hadn't realized that her gaze had drifted to the man in question. She stopped, as naturally as she could, and found focus ahead.

Of course, the rich man was something else entirely. She remembered the time he tried to come get her and bring her back to the caravan; if it weren't for Braghna, his clumsy antics would have made her break into her dried rations, and she liked to keep those on hand at all times if they would be necessary at any time. He was even using his magic to keep himself looking all pretty and fine, which was weakening as they spoke. She began to see little smudges of dirt become a little more apparent on his face and clothes, and couldn't help but giggle at his next comment.

"I do hope we can wash somewhere. This is a port city, after all, they'll have access to bath water, surely."

"If I was a god, and I gave my gift to someone, I would spank the child that used it just to look pretty," She teased heartily. "I'm surprised Ionu was this kind. Trickster God is not known for kindness, yes?"


"Ssey sssay sse better you looked to ssstart, sse worssse you look once you get all mussssed up and dirtied... Perhapsss ssat isss why we were lessss affected ssan you Alric, in your ssstarting finery? We had lessss to lossse."

She couldn't help but laugh more at that. She moved to run her hair out of her face, and stopped when she realized she had multiple hair mats and tangles almost running it's whole length. She sighed and shook her head.

"I may have to join you, however. If my hair gets any more tangled, Braghna may mistake it for a nest. I should be able to manage it better out here, I think." The bird that was resting on the horn of her saddle chirped as he heard his name, ruffling his feathers. She stroked his chest with a small smile. It's hard to call him a 'bird'. From his claws which were about at belly-button height, to his head, he was tall enough to meet her eyes. Hawks grew to be large, and she had had him since he was a fledgeling.

Next came the conversation of finding an inn. On this, she knew nothing, so she sat back and listened for a little bit.

I ssink sssomeone sssaid sssomessing about an inn, not to far from the docksss. Sssomessing sse 'end' or sssomessing like ssat... I forget exactly what wasss sssaid, but I sssuppossse we could try ssere...

She thought she understood him this time. She thought. She got 'something about an inn, not too far from the docks. Something end something...I forgot exactly...and that's it. But she had a location, and that was really all they needed.

"It might take us a while to get there on foot; This city looks huge," She offered, taking in the view of it all. "Perhaps it would be faster, if we rode on Halik? He has taken much weight before, he could probably take us all if we didn't make him run." She looked at Alric and offered a wink. "It helps that two of us are Inartan-sized."

She pulled her horse right up to the wagon and scooted back in the saddle. She said some commands in the whistles and clicks of the Nari language, and Braghna went above them, keeping an eye on their location and staying close.

"If you sit in front of the saddle, rich man, I can steer around you, and your skinny body," she said simply, before looking back over to Bones. "And you, Mister Bones, would have to ride behind me; Halik's back legs are strongest. They carried many deer from woods; they should hold you fine. Does this work?"

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric was surprised that they had heard his muttering. And slightly embarrassed. He was actually surprised that he could feel embarrassed. He hadn't felt the emotion in so long, he forgot to rein it in. Normally he was able to suppress his emotions, as he thought that a man should be able to master his emotions and thoughts before he could master anything. This time, however, he just blushed a deep red. It wasn't so much being a...puff. But being known as a puff by his friends. Your tools should respect you, not giggle at you and make snide comments. Still, he thought he handled it well. He smiled back at them, but kept silent. They probably meant only to joke. Friend's joked, sometimes. Bones' relayed that he had heard some people of the Caravan mention an inn by the dock. Alric nodded appreciatively. The dock was in seeing distance, though it was far. He began to walk the rest of the way, when Ainsley offered the services of Halik, her horse. It sounded like a good idea, though Alric wondered if the horse was really strong enough to hold three people. He grinned at her mention of his size. Yes, they were joking with him. As friends sometimes did. "Well, I'm not sure if your horse is really is strong as you claim, but I suppose it can handle you and I at least. Together we weigh about the same as a strong man. How about it Bones? Do you want to ride the beast into town, or would you rather walk?" Alric approached the horse from the front as he had been taught, and accepted Ainsley's hand, getting up on the beast as he had the few times she had shown him how. He waited patiently for Bones' response. Though he suspected the answer would be no. For some reason, it seemed that Bones did not like horses. Or, perhaps that was the other way around?

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones thought on his words a bit... Really, what was this human obsession with riding these domesticated beasts, while there own legs fell into disrepair? He usually walked wherever he went. If his feet could not carry him there, then he did not need to go that badly. Which was one thing he hated about the boat, the instability of his own feet... Plus, well, he was a dhani. Snakes and horses did not get along in the wild. And horses and animals, were usually a bit more keen to notice what he was, sensing or smelling his in-humanness on him... As he looked into the eyes of the horse for a few moments, and it nickered and tossed its head, he shook his own. "No... I will walk... Besssidesss, I don't ssink it would be good to kill sse horssse, overburdening it, after it coming all ssisss way..." Instead, Bones headed on, taking the lead initially, though soon being caught up to by the horse once they got moving. He preferred to be in control... Besides, what if he had to draw his blade? He could not if he was crammed onto a beast... Better to be in a position he knew how to fight from...

[Ainyi]

"No... I will walk... Besssidesss, I don't ssink it would be good to kill sse horssse, overburdening it, after it coming all ssisss way..."

Ainyi frowned, but nodded and kicked the horse into gear nonetheless once the rich man was safely on her saddle. Honestly, what -was- that big man's problem with her? She may have lacked a certain amount of tact when they first met, but that was months ago. Though, he made a good point. It probably wouldn't be wise to punish Halik after all the hard work he has done for both her, and Alric in this trip. She let Alric take the reins, trusting his newfound riding skills from all his practice riding with her, and put her arms around him to avoid falling off.

"If crowds get in our way, just slow down," She advised. "You know how to stop him, pull on the reins, but most people will get out of the way of a horse this big, yes?" She tried to toss her hair out of her face, and raised a hand to do so, and she saw a greater layer of grime on her hand than she had in forever. Even more probably caked her face. She didn't like bathing and cleaning, but it might just be a necessity this time around. In her head, she knew her mother was smiling at this realization.

"So, after we find a place to stay...what then?" she had to ask. "You asked me to come with you to this place, so you must need me for something. I don't want to sit about and do nothing."

[Alric Wilmot]

Ainsley let Alric take the reins, apparently trusting his riding skills from all his practice riding with her, and put her arms around him to avoid falling off. "If crowds get in our way, just slow down," She advised. "You know how to stop him, pull on the reins, but most people will get out of the way of a horse this big, yes?" Alric nodded, and kicked Halik to get the horse at a steady pace. It became apparent that Bones would not join them, but it really mattered very little. Halik was going at a slower deliberate pace, as to let Bones stay with them. Alric had a sneaking suspicion that Bones would have been able to keep up regardless. Though he kept that to himself. "So, after we find a place to stay...what then?" Asked Ainsley. "You asked me to come with you to this place, so you must need me for something. I don't want to sit about and do nothing." Alric nearly decided to stay quiet, but thought better of it. Bones was most likely curious as well. Besides, their was no advantage to keeping them in the dark any longer. "After we find a suitable place to stay, I shall seek out my Brother and friend. Once I find them, I'll have to decide which problem to take care of first. While I'm doing that, I imagine you two can go explore the city. I imagine we'll have a break of ten days or so before I can find the both of them. "When that is done, I'll call on you two, if you're still willing to help. By then, I should know just what exactly is going on and where my priorities should be. In the mean time, I'm afraid 'Nothing' is exactly what we'll be doing. Though, I'm sure Zeltiva will have some sort of entertainment to keep it from being boring." Alric really had no idea how Zeltiva would be. He had only ever been to Alvadas, and the Suvan. Hardly a large number of places. He rode Ainsley's horse well, or at least as well as could be expected after only a few lessons. They came upon the city quickly, after only a few minutes of travel. It was much less...cluttered than Alvadas. Alric could sense that the building arrangements weren't random, but planned. That felt so odd. And it seemed as though everyone knew exactly where each building was as well. No one just blindly walked along, guessing. Alric was able to adapt, but only after a few minutes spent wandering around. He found riding Halik was not as difficult as he had thought it would be. The horse was intelligent, and even if Alric did not know that a person was coming, Halik did. More and more he found that he enjoyed the horse. After asking one or two citizens, he found the Inn Bones had mentioned. The World's End Grotto.