Quest And We Go (Darva Folks)

[Cadicus]

He watched the shore recede slowly into the distance, taking with it stability, woman's flesh and his Maritus. Most of all his Cypress. Sighing, he turned his eyes from the sea, fixing them on the old woman as she rambled on about the specifics of the journey. Fifteen days to Darva meant nothing to him. Fifteen days was too much already for the Ethaefal to be away from his Cypress, as he stood tall against the mast, his bone white horns a gleaming reminder of his between-worlds fate. Not one of the land, nor one of the sky. Forever falling from grace. Cad looked at the pathetic pile of belongings beside his feet, of which Sodalis lay pitifully curled upon. His cloak curled around his shoulders, all he had brought with him were his healing and animal grooming kits, his one person tent, his scimitar which swung from his waist, and his leather armour, packed safely away for now. He felt unprepared in a way. This whole thing felt like a dream. He had not cared where he went and what had happened to him before, and now he was longing to be back in Zeltiva, and not leaving her again. He was torn from his thoughts when a woman stumbled past, crashing into him on her hurried way to the side of the boat. Cad smirked, watching the Dhani woman go - the only female aboard, she would surely draw some hungry stares from the men. Calling out softly, Cad made sure not to raise his voice, knowing the pains of sea sickness all too much. "Not a fan of the sea, hey? Neither is poor Dalis here." The dog raised his head and whined, before sinking his chin back onto his paws. Cadicus grinned. "Eh, don't you fret. It passes soon enough."

[Red]

There was something liberating about watching the shore fade slowly into the distance, receding gradually from view at a pace best described as leisurely. Which suited Red just fine, if you were to ask him. Though he was very intrigued by the prospect of the discoveries they could make and the fights possibly to come, he was in no particular rush to get to Darva. He was a man who preferred to take his time and savour the little things in life, such as he was doing now. He reclined against the wooden barrier located at the edge of the port side of the side, arms folded lightly across his chest while his hair twitched and stirred in the wind, occasionally necessitating that he raise a patterned hand to brush it from his face, lest it block his view. He had taken a few moments earlier, as the crowd was half-heartedly cheering Charm onwards, to take stock of the motley group that he was now a part of. A surprising number had volunteered to accompany the aging sailor, the group a mismatched array of people from very different backgrounds, races and viewpoints. Or so he imagined. He had yet to take the time to actually speak to any of the others, bar his own group, but he knew there was one thing that they all shared alike, regardless of who they were; They were, one and all, brave or foolhardy enough to risk death or worse to venture forth to Darva. It would remain to be seen what individual reasons they had all joined the cause for, yet he did not doubt that they would be fewer on the return trip. This was no pleasure trip, after all. Lacing his fingers together, Red arched his hands over his head in a luxurious stretch, eyes closing from the simple pleasure of the act. He was one of the more unusual ones on board, when it came to appearance, if only because of the markings that spread all over his skin. A deep and bloody red, the intricate geometric patterns presented a striking contrast to the pale hue of his skin, drawing the eye with their peculiar design. He had to admit, though, that Cadicus took the proverbial biscuit when it came to odd looks. The dark hair streaked with gold that shimmered so pleasantly in the sunlight a clear indication of where his allegiance once belonged, yet still far more subtle than the ivory horns that extended from his skull. Red had wondered more than once how Cadicus dealt with going through such a change every single day. Rubbing at the back of his neck, the former gladiator gave himself a mental shrug, dismissing the notion as something to ask another time. For now, he would content himself with taking his belongings and going below deck to store them. Hefting the backpack over his shoulder, Red made his way across the deck, acknowledging some of his fellows with a simple nod and a smile before he busied himself with checking everything in the pack before stowing it away for safe keeping.

[Besnik]

Besnik ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yet another man the Kelvic had never met before stepped aboard, commenting negatively on the choice of boat. Besnik’s features contorted into a small frown as he looked around. The boat wasn’t one of the best he’d seen, but he’d stowed away on far worse before. Any time he didn’t have to hide made the mode of transport greater in his mind, so perhaps he was just biased. From what he knew, the boat was only important for reaching the island, so he couldn’t see the stranger’s problems with the vessel. Still, as the man spoke a greeting Besnik dipped his head in acknowledgment, before he turned back to enjoying the moment. It was something he’d always been good at; he could tune out worries and live in the moment as easily as his pure animal cousins. He was left alone to contemplate his thoughts for long as a familiar face entered his line of vision. He turned a warm gaze completely to Miles, seeing the man again reminding him with amusement of their first meeting and the subsequent hunt. He returned the bright smile, lifting a hand to wave at the other. He was glad someone he knew would be coming along for the adventure. The Kelvic’s eyes followed Miles as the man came to a stand by the side of the boat, looking lost in his own thoughts as he looked out away from the group stood around. He didn’t get up. There would be time to catch up later, but everybody had their own reason for being there and each person would probably need a certain amount of time to put aside whatever they were leaving behind so that they could only think forwards and focus solely on staying alive in the coming weeks. Besnik knew what he was leaving behind, but he was a restless spirit and couldn’t stay in one place for too long. He’d return if they lived; instinct would draw him back to Zeltiva, but for now he was going to try to enjoy himself and learn new skills. Besnik felt as the boat moved from the dock, the push of the waves jolting it slightly as it fully settled into the ocean. Only as the wind began to comb through his hair, signalling the movement of the boat, did he stand and turn to look out at the retreating city. He turned, leaning against the side of the boat, as Charm started speaking again; giving his full attention. She’d basically given them free reign for the fifteen days it’d take to completing the journey, and he was glad they had enough time to talk amongst each other and get to know their companions. He turned as his attention was caught by a couple of sneezes to his left, eyes locking onto a woman in time to see her retching over the side of the boat. Assuming she was feeling queasy from the rocking motion of the motion, he took a few steps towards her. “Hey,” he spoke out to her, his tone strong as usual but quieter than its usual volume in mind of her feeling unwell, “Is everything okay?” Another voice spoke to the woman, so Besnik cast his eyes in the speaker’s direction. It was the owner of the dog he’d been looking at before and his words confirmed the Kelvic’s earlier suspicions that the animal was seasick. He dipped his head toward the fellow canine respectfully before turning back to the woman. “He’s right. The first time I set foot on a boat I could barely move the entire journey, but it’s not so bad anymore.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ||Besnik|| ||3 years|| ||Kelvic|| ||Bondmate - Valo||

[Thohorn Riverbed]

Oh gods, he thought, his legs wobbly. The sea voyage had been like nothing he had expected, even as they only just pulled away from the shore. It was a unique idea, to think there was no great earth under your feet. All they had were wooden planks and just enough time to sink to the icy depths of the sea between here and well, whatever else might be out there.

With a face betraying the knot in his stomach he let himself lean against the sturdiest thing on the deck of the ship, the mast. His back was against it and his body wrapped in the warm coat and thick pants he so clung to for wintertime travel. The vessel itself was no warmer than the air around them, certainly not the luxury that so many envisioned when they traveled across the waves.

Boy were the waves plenty. Every bit of visible skin on the brown-haired young man seemed tinted green. Sea sickness, he wondered, unsure of the term, I’d rather get into a fist fight with Red over the last slab of meat for dinner. There were few things that could inspire conflict between men more than a dispute over precious food. Even the closest of friends with the thickest of history between them might tear each other apart should the situation be desperate enough.

Of course he and his closest of cohorts had a much more civilized and refined way of settling the matter: First one on their knee loses. Knock them to their backside and that’s even better! The thought would have been enough to make him smile did he not think the parting of his lips would bring his last meal with it.

His ears caught Cadicus’ words. That gutter rat, he thought. He probably thinks that this Dhani woman is going to be extra vigilant against all of the men on the voyage, so why not try to worm himself in as someone different than the rest of the depraved men on the boat? At least Red was being productive, sat over across the deck and sorting through his pack of belongings. Thohorn had his own on either side of him, already prepared for the trip out of simple anxiety.

“Oi, pretty man,” Thohorn finally managed to gurgle, his words more like the weak mumble of a man with one foot in the grave than the torments of a friend. “Save it for the next time we’re on the boat. You’ll both have a lot more to celebrate.”

It was perhaps the only reason his usual enthusiasm and energy had not propelled him to his feet to flit about and mingle with the rest of their comrades on this mission: Darva was the land from which no one returned. The sands of its beaches would likely speak to them all, remind them that no one whose boot had touched it have ever left.

His hand twisted around the leather strap of his sack, tight and hidden from anyone else’s view.
He’d drag them all back to Mizahar on his own, away from the hungry jaws of whatever awaited them, if that’s what it took.

[Iskessah]

Being sick added to her already unfriendly disposition, so when soft, concerned voices accused her of mere seasickness, she turned and spat, "The boat isss barely moving, you pathetic wretchesss. It isss that damned ssscity! That--" she was interrupted by the need to retch more, but since her stomach was now empty, she did not bother turning to lean back over the railing. When she had recovered, she continued, "--plague-infessssted, pussstule." She paused for a moment to take huge gasping breaths. "Or are you too blind to sssee it rotting from the core?" The was something about the pounding of her head and the weakness in her limbs and the queasiness of her organs that made things that had once seemed terribly important, like hiding her Dhani nature, become completely irrelevant. She was far from Ravok, and besides, she already felt like she was dying. And keeping herself secret was not only exhausting, but insulting. She would not tolerate this disgusting plague virus AND having to hide her superior Siku-granted nature at the same time.