Solo The Circumnavigation of Mizahar II

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I waited until everyone in the house was asleep, and then got out of bed. I left a note, telling my parents that I had gone to Sunberth, and to meet me there. Sunberth didn't have the best reputation, but it was hard for me to imagine that anything truly terrible would happen, especially if my parents had been apprised of the situation beforehand. From where I stand now, it sounds ridiculous, but it seemed perfectly logical to me at the time. I made my way down to the docks. The night patrolman recognized me, but didn’t think anything was amiss, because I was such a frequent visitor. I told him I had left something on the boat, and he smiled and nodded. Once he was out of sight again, I crept aboard, cast off the moorings, and raised the sail. The journey to the mouth of Mathews Bay was easy enough. It was early in the season, and the Bonesnapper had not yet come to replace summer’s prevailing westerly winds. Essentially, I was able to set the rigging, and then leave it alone so that I could work the helm. It was not yet mid-day by the time I sailed through the straits and out into the ocean itself. ~From Mizahar Wiki

Having no notion of how dangerous Sunberth truly was Una nodded along with her as she spoke. It was encouraged in Charodae culture to venture out by oneself away from ones parents and she read through each line passively, not truly understand how brave the young woman would be considered in her own culture.

Once again, there were many words that left Una searching for a Vani word to compare, or to understand the word at all. Leaving long blanks on the seaweed paper as she progressed the paper looked more and more blank with less and less understood. Chewing her lip Una looked back over the text carefully before transcribing and translating what she could.

I had never been on the ocean before; my training voyages were confined to the bay. I knew that the wind would pick up, but even so, its force surprised me. Quickly, I trimmed the sails, and began tacking northward, following the coast. Here in the open water, it was much harder work than anything I had done with my parents. Without a second person to assist with the rigging, I had scarcely a moment to rest. Trying to navigate and manage the sails at the same time seemed an impossible task, but I was stubborn enough that I wouldn’t let myself pay attention to the difficulty. To this day, I can’t tell how long the trip took. I slept in brief snatches, one or two hours at a time, when I was close enough to shore to drop the anchor. Every other moment was occupied with managing the vessel. The wind burned my cheeks, and the rigging cut my hands, but I continued like a girl possessed. Perhaps I was – the lure of the circumnavigation consumed me, and I felt powerless to resist. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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At length, I recognized that I was near Sunberth, and turned the ship toward shore for the last time. The harbor was nothing like the one in Zeltiva – there was scarcely room for two ships, and the piers and posts were in a terrible state of disrepair. Fortunately, there were no other vessels docked, and I was able to bring the ship in. As I finished securing the mooring, I looked up, and saw both my mother and father standing in front of me. I’m sure I was a sight to behold: filthy, covered in rope burns and abrasions, and bleary-eyed as a Nuit. I didn’t know what to say to them, and indeed, given the length of time that had passed since I had spoken to another person, it took me a while to find my voice. Their expressions were stern, my father’s even verging on angry, but they stepped forward and embraced me as I sank into their arms. I had expected a sterner rebuff, but their surprise at seeing me alive seemed to outweigh their natural anger. I remember little of the voyage back – I slept for most of it, as my parents and a third sailor helmed our ship to Zeltiva. My parents were upset, as well they had a right to be -- and as they continued to remind me during most of my waking moments -- but there was also a certain respect for what I had accomplished. I accepted their chastisements without protest, but inside, a part of me was thrilled. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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As soon as my foot touched the pier, one of the dockworkers spoke to me, and told me that I was wanted in the office of Josephine Helm. My heart caught in my throat – Ms. Helm was the senior member of the Administrative Committee of the Sailors’ Guild. I was conscious of my appearance, and asked if I had time to return home and change my clothes, but was informed that I did not have such a luxury. It was a short trip to the Guild Hall, and I was ushered into Ms. Helm’s office. It was a luxurious room, with soft red carpet, oak furniture, and shelves with actual books on them. Even on the few occasions when I had visited the university, I had not seen such opulence. Ms. Helm herself was seated behind a massive writing desk. She was wiry, and her features were almost feline; although her hair was gray, she had the look of a person not to be trifled with. I lowered my head in respect, then took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. “You are Kenabelle Wright, yes?” Her voice sounded of salt air and dry rations. “Yes, ma’am.” “You have recently returned from a voyage to Sunberth?” “I have, ma’am.” “You completed this voyage in your parents’ boat?” “I did, ma’am.” I wondered whether I was going to be charged with theft, as I hadn’t exactly gotten permission before I left. “And you did so alone?” “Yes, ma’am.” Ms. Helm stood up. She was taller than me by a good four or five inches, and I was exceptionally conscious of my own unimportance. She regarded me like a specimen in one of the University’s museums for what felt like hours before she spoke again. “Ms. Wright, as far as I know, no one else has been suicidal enough to attempt a solo voyage of that length in that type of ship. I can’t truthfully say much for your judgment in doing so, but what I can say is that you are either a personal favorite of Laviku, or you are exceptionally skilled. In either case, the Sailors’ Guild has taken an interest in you, and on behalf of the Guild, I should like to make you an offer.” I felt an indescribable combination of nerves and excitement. Perhaps I would be allowed to begin my apprenticeship early! It might even be that I would be allowed to select a job of my choice. My mind whirled with the possibilities, so much so that I almost didn’t hear Ms. Helm. “We wish to offer to you, Ms. Wright, full membership in the Sailors’ Guild. Are you agreeable?” ~From Mizahar Wiki

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I’m sure my mouth opened, and I know it was several seconds before I composed myself enough to say anything. “Full membership, ma’am? Me?” “Yes, you,” she said dryly. “Unless you’re hiding another Ms. Wright behind your back.” I glanced over my shoulder without thinking about it, and thought I heard a brief chuckle from Ms. Helm. I looked back at her, and couldn’t keep from smiling. “Yes! Yes ma’am. And thank you, ma’am. I’ll do everything I can to keep you from regretting this.” "Excellent," she said. "To begin with, I regret to inform you that you're being docked your first three months' pay for unauthorized use of a Guild member's vessel. We can't tolerate that sort of thing, and I warn you that a repeat offense will not be tolerated." My face caught in an awkward transition. I could feel myself flush, and I started to stammer some sort of apology. "I don't need your words, Ms. Wright -- which seems to be a good thing, given the way you're tripping over them. I need your actions, and I trust that through those actions, you will show me that my trust is not misplaced. Now go home and change out of those awful clothes." Six days later, I was formally initiated into the Sailors’ Guild. I was, or so I was told, the youngest full member of the Guild in more than a hundred years. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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Chapter Three The next few years seemed to pass quickly. I was assigned at first to a vessel making trading runs to Mura and back. I put everything I could into the work, and after two years, I was promoted to captain, and given the route between Zeltiva and Abura to call my own. ~From Mizahar Wiki

I was ever conscious of the fact that compared to the other sailors, I was still only a child. The Guild is a closely-knit society, and I never heard anyone complain verbally about my presence or promotion, but I could not help but be aware that I was being scrutinized intensely. The only way I knew to respond was not simply to give effort enough, but to give effort far enough beyond as to seem exceptional. If the other sailors put in long hours, I would put in longer. If the other captains were firm yet fair, I would be especially firm, and yet especially fair. It seemed to work, given the way my crew responded to my command, but I was always conscious of the fact that I could not afford to rest. Preparations for the circumnavigation had continued through all this time. By mid-449, it had been announced that the ship, named the Seafarer, would be finished by the spring, and that the voyage would begin soon afterward. The Guild members spoke of little else, and there was a palpable excitement in the air. Jockeying for position had begun, as many sailors hoped to be given the chance to be a part of the expedition. Exploration runs in Zeltiva’s blood, and in the Guild, it was even more concentrated. ~From Mizahar Wiki

Everyone knew that Timothy de Octans would be named captain. De Octans was originally from Lisnar, but had come to Zeltiva in his teens, and proven himself to be such a talent that he was quickly welcomed into the Sailors’ Guild. Most of the greatest navigational accomplishments of the past quarter-century, including the pioneering of the trade route to the Suvan Sea, belonged to him. He was the finest sailor Zeltiva had to offer, and it was taken as a given that the leadership of the circumnavigation would be offered to him. As the months dragged on, however, a formal announcement to this effect had not been made. I was not in a position to be privy to the conversations of the highest authorities, but rumors began to circulate in the Guild Hall. The University’s Board of Regents wanted to offer the captaincy to de Octans, as planned, but the Administrative Committee had reservations. Surprisingly, their reservations had nothing to do with de Octans not being skilled enough; rather, they felt that he was too skilled. ~From Mizahar Wiki

As odd as this sounded at the time, they did have their reasons. I knew from my mother that final inspections had taken place on the Seafarer, and that some of the senior shipwrights had expressed reservations about its construction. It was the finest post-Valterrian vessel ever built to that point, but even so, there were concerns about its ability to withstand the waves and winds of the northern seas, especially as there was no hardwood timber of sufficient length available for the main beams, and so pine had had to suffice. The Administrative Committee knew this, and they also knew that if an expedition commanded by de Octans were to fail, it would be extremely difficult to raise the resources and support for another attempt at a circumnavigation. However, if someone else were to be named captain, de Octans would still be available to add credibility to a better-informed attempt. That was the talk around the Hall anyway. I paid attention keenly, but also had other affairs on my mind. I had just celebrated my nineteenth birthday, and was beginning preparations for another run to Abura, when I was informed that Ms. Helm would like to meet with me. This was no longer the kind of surprise that it had been four years earlier; as captain of a significant trade route, I was periodically called in to speak about the status of the route, the state of the vessels, and my informed opinions of crewmembers who might be up for promotion or facing discipline. It was the seventh day of winter when my appointment came, and I once again faced Ms. Helm in her office. I saluted formally, and was met with an equally formal nod before she indicated that I should sit down. ~From Mizahar Wiki

“Ms. Wright,” she said, “I have some questions for you.” “Yes ma’am,” I replied. I opened a small leather case that I had brought with me. “I’ve got the figures for the last two runs to Abura and back, as well as the repair reports, and a status report on the preparations being made for the upcoming run.” I prided myself on my ability to keep my information in order, better order even than would be typical for a captain. Ms. Helm waved her left hand dismissively. “All in good time, Ms. Wright. I appreciate your preparation, as always, but it’s not Abura that I’m interested in. I assume you’re aware of the fact that the final preparations for the circumnavigatory voyage are underway?” “Yes ma’am,” I said, even though the question was largely rhetorical. “We’re in the process of filling certain assignments for the crew and staff of the Seafarer. Your track record, Ms. Wright, has been exemplary, and both your crewmembers and your superiors speak highly of your ability to lead, as well as of your cartographical and navigational skills.” “You are most kind, ma’am.” I’m sure I was blushing, partly from embarrassment, but partly from excitement. This, it appeared, was the conversation I had been preparing for for nearly a third of my young life, and it seemed to be going well. “Be that as it may, we should like to assign you to fill the role…” This was it! I couldn’t keep the smile from starting. “…of captain for this expedition.” ~From Mizahar Wiki

The smile stopped abruptly, freezing my expression in a less-than-attractive position. When I regained composure, I asked nervously, “Has something happened to Captain de Octans?” Ms. Helm rarely smiled, but a trace of one touched her lips. “Mr. de Octans has been given a different assignment. As of the end of this year, he will be replacing me as head of the Administrative Committee, as I will be retiring. Since he will be unavailable, the Committee believes that you have proved yourself to have the skills and potential to bring this mission to a successful conclusion.” From what I had heard around the Hall, that wasn’t a strictly accurate accounting of the Committee’s motives, but all I said was, “I am deeply honored, ma’am.” She stood and, with her leathery hand, shook mine. “I don’t suppose that I need to tell you that this is perhaps the greatest opportunity you will ever have. Should you complete this mission, the rewards are immense. But you have much to do before then, Ms. Wright. ~From Mizahar Wiki

“The Seafarer is designed to hold a crew of 100. Of these, twenty-one will be observers, scholars, and others assigned to the voyage by the University. Seventy-five will be the finest sailors, deckhands, and stewards that the Sailors’ Guild can give you. One is you, and the remaining three – the senior officers of the ship – are to be chosen by you. After all, one has to trust the captain to name her own officers for the proper shipboard camaraderie.” I nodded, trying to remember everything. “You have ten days, Ms. Wright, to name your officers. At that point, a general public announcement will be made.” I was dismissed, and started to walk back to my room. But I must have missed a turn, or forgotten what I was doing, because when I stopped, I was at the docks. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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It was now evening, and work was winding down for the day. One of the piers was empty; I walked to the end, sat down, and trailed my fingers through the water. I thought I knew what pressure was when I was first named to the Guild; I thought it again when I became Captain. But this -- this was something else entirely. They weren't sure that Captain de Octans could do it -- Captain de Octans, the finest sailor since the Valterrian, a Zeltivan hero, a man that I admired so much that it bordered on a schoolgirl crush. But somehow, I was supposed to do it. Or die trying. But I couldn't think about that. I had to project confidence, because while it was true that if I didn't seem confident, we might all die anyway, a ship whose crew doesn't believe in its captain is doomed almost from the beginning. I could betray none of these emotions. My childhood dream had been to be associated with this expedition, but it had somehow turned into its very opposite, a nightmare from which I could not escape, where the only way out -- if there were indeed a way out -- was through. There was no one to whom I dared mention these things, or even hint at them. But I sat there at the end of the pier and cried, not standing up to go home until long after the stars had replaced the sun's last rays. ~From Mizahar Wiki

I was to give the names of the officers that I selected to Ms. Helm, who would contact them herself. I thought half-seriously about requesting Timothy de Octans, but I knew that I would be turned down. I also gave consideration to requesting my mother, but I already knew that she would insist that Charm wasn’t yet old enough to risk losing a parent. Besides, although my mother was a full member, and very good at her shipyard job, she hadn’t sailed in any official capacity in some twenty years. At length, I decided that some level of consistency would be good for me, as I had never before commanded a ship of anything like this size (partly because none existed). As such, I resolved that I would request Joseph Plankman, who had been my first mate on the runs to Abura, to be my first mate here. He was forty-five, and something of a prankster, but his crew loved him, because in foul weather or in dangerous waters, he was invariably working right alongside them. I decided to request Fern Mooring as my second mate. I didn’t know her very well, but she had an outstanding reputation among the Guild as someone who got things done. She was thirty-three, an excellent sailor, and was a holy – or perhaps unholy – terror when irritated, which was usually when someone was trying to cut corners aboard ship. She might make a good balance to Mr. Plankman’s looseness. It was the ninth day before I settled on Stacy Ann Helm as third mate. Ms. Helm had perhaps been given Guild membership because of her mother, but she had more than proved herself since then. I had met her in Mura, where she had been overseeing the repairs on one of our ships that had been damaged in a storm. She never seemed to raise her voice even to the level of normal conversation, but her crew worked more efficiently under her than I had thought possible. I gave my names to Ms. Helm the senior on the tenth day, and the word had spread across the city by the evening. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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A few of the deckhands were busy coiling ropes and swabbing the deck; it seemed a little early for that to me, but I was aware that they likely wanted to make a good impression on either me or Ms. Helm. I remembered being in that position myself, and so I smiled and shouted, “Excellent work,” as I passed. The man in front, a wiry fellow likely just out of his apprenticeship, seemed to swell with pride. I wanted that; a ship whose crew maintain a sense of personal ownership in it is much more likely to be safe and secure than one whose sailors are merely marking time. I passed from the main deck and reached the University’s cabin. A few of the representatives were setting up various instruments and otherwise readying themselves for the voyage. Mathews Bay was probably the best-known and mapped body of water in Mizahar, but once we passed into the ocean, the University scholars had a great interest in noting everything they could about the waters through which we passed. “Captain Wright?” The voice came from behind me, and I turned on my heels to face it. It belonged to a woman scarcely older than me, wearing a green coat that identified her as an Academic Master, one who was a true expert in her field. It wasn’t something one would expect to see on a person so young, but then again, she could say the same about my captain’s insignia. “Yes?” I inquired. “I hadn’t formally met you yet, Captain, and I thought I should introduce myself.” She had dark hair, which hung in a single braid to her waist, and exceptionally deep brown eyes. “I’m Bethany Edgetower, the University’s languages and linguistics master.” She nodded deeply. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Edgetower.” My curiosity was up. “I didn’t know the University was sending a language master.” Most of the academics I had met thus far were in the fields of history or natural science, or were from the College of Navigation. “Given how far we’re going, the University wanted to make sure that there was someone who could assist in communicating with anyone we might meet on the voyage,” she replied modestly. “How many languages do you speak, Ms. Edgetower?” There was probably a better way of posing the question, but I couldn’t help myself. “Common, Tawna, Kontinese, Shiber, Akalakian, Arumenic, and Nader-canoch reasonably fluently, and I know bits of Symenos, although it's very difficult to find anyone willing to teach it to you. So...seven, I guess, where I'd be confident in my ability in most settings -- although it's incredibly hard to have technical conversations in Akalakian." She stopped herself suddenly, apparently thinking she might be talking too much. ~From Mizahar Wiki

"Seven?" I couldn't think of a language in the known world that she hadn't mentioned, except whatever it was that the Isur spoke among themselves. "How do you even hold all that in your head?" "How did you sail to Sunberth, Captain Wright?" She smiled as she asked it. "Hard work and practice, yes, but on top of that, there's a gift that belongs to you. The gifts that Qalaya has given me help me retain what I learn and use it." She shrugged. "It's small, but it's mine, and I hold it close to me. Maybe it will be able to help you." I nodded. "Perhaps." Our eyes met, and I felt no need to say anything else. After a moment, Ms. Edgetower said, "I should let you get back to your work, Captain. If I can help you, please let me know." "Of course," I said, and took my leave. All seemed to be in order elsewhere on the ship, and having made my circuit, I returned to my cabin and began re-examining the charts. Their familiarity allowed me to momentarily block out the anxiety that I felt now that the voyage was actually underway. We were gone now, and we would either return triumphant or not return at all -- and the responsibility of picking the proper option rested with me. It weighed heavily on my shoulders, and not even the fact that my girlhood dream was being realized was enough to entirely restore my spirits. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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Once we left Mathews Bay, I began my own charting of the waters and coastline in earnest. Although we had maps, and good maps at that, I wished to make any necessary corrections or additions. The first leg of the journey was well-traveled, and so I was able to devote some measure of my time to both making my own measurements and comparing them with our current charts, and to preparing for the new mapping that we would be doing later. I arranged for Ms. Helm to continue measurements during the night watch, insofar as it was possible, so that I would be able to produce charts without any gaps in them. Although it was going to lengthen the voyage, due to the number of times we would have to slow down in order to obtain accurate measurements, both the University and the Sailors' Guild agreed that creating quality maps was one of the prime priorities of the expedition.. We had good weather and smooth sailing for the first several days. We passed by Sunberth without stopping, though I did take a nostalgic look in the city’s direction as we sailed by. Even from the ocean it appears dirty and dangerous, a squat collection of ramshackle, mud-blasted buildings, set against a backdrop of evil-looking smoke that wafted from somewhere beyond the city. No ship of our size would be safe there – we would all have our throats cut as soon as our feet touched the pier. I had been lucky once in traveling there, and I wasn’t going to tempt the gods any further -- or risk having Ms. Helm discipline me for unauthorized use of the Seafarer. ~From Mizahar Wiki

We passed through the strait on the south of Sahova. Despite the island’s forbidding reputation, it is not altogether an unpleasant place. When I was sailing the route to Mura, we had often stopped there to trade. The docks, populated entirely by a whirring army of soulless golems, are not an easy sight to forget. We never saw any of the Nuit at all, for which the sailors were grateful, but in many respects it is the most efficient port in Mizahar outside of Zeltiva. The island is peaceful, peaceful and sad, and the silence is remarkable. Not that that would make me any more likely to explore the interior, however. The way that most ships, especially trading ships, proceed next from Sahova is to hug the coast, remaining perhaps a mile or two offshore, until they reach Nyka or Mura. This route is well-traveled, and there are no hidden shoals or reefs to strike the unwary vessel; it was the way our ships always traveled when I sailed this route. Because we were trying to make the best time possible, however, once we passed beneath Sahova, we struck out almost straight northwest, hoping to hit Konti Isle, and then skirt its eastern coast, rather than navigating the narrows between its western shores and the mainland. It had been done before -- the great Timothy de Octans had done it more than once, proving that it was both possible and practical -- but it required careful navigation, as even a slight variation from the course could prove disastrous, given that we were passing out of sight of all land. ~From Mizahar Wiki

Some sailors consider that the ocean is a hostile entity, one whose anger must be respected and guarded against at all times. But, in my own experience, this is not the case at all. The ocean is not hostile; no, it's something much more terrible, much more frightening. It is utterly, wholly, and completely indifferent. It takes absolutely no notice of one vessel or one individual. Away from shore, surrounded by the dark, unreadable water, one realizes how very small one truly is. Fortunately for us, the skies remained clear, so we were able to navigate the passage precisely. No matter how often one makes it safely to one's destination, it still is an experience that brings a secret thrill to the heart of a sailor. Although Konti Isle was not where our journey was to end -- or even pause -- smiles still stole across the faces of both myself and the crew. Mr. Plankman in particular seemed as cheerful as if someone had just given him a million mizas and a cold drink. There was a sense in which our journey really began here. Rarely does a ship sail past this point. The northern coast of Sylira is sparsely populated, with no settlements of note. Indeed, the only known coastal town past Nyka and Mura is Novallas, and the trading ship to there only runs once a year, in the summer, when the weather is more predictable. When we cleared Konti Isle, it was the fifteenth, not even a quarter of the way through the autumn, and we figured that we would have another fifteen or twenty days before any storms were likely. Twenty days should take us to Novallas, and according to our sources, such as they were, the coastline should begin taking us south, away from the foul weather, shortly thereafter. And, if the weather became intractable, we could always overwinter in the Novallas harbor, though we would prefer not to do so. ~From Mizahar Wiki

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I spent even more effort on the charts, poring over them long into the evening beneath the flickering yellow of the oil lamp. De Octans had charted this coast decades earlier, but it had never been mapped since, and I believed we could make a more accurate reckoning of the lay of the land. In this, I proved to be correct; our revised charts showed more detail, and also more accurately indicated the position of some major landmarks. This, however, is no discredit to Captain de Octans, whose trail we were still following. Novallas is a small settlement, with no more than a thousand inhabitants. There was a thriving city in the vicinity prior to the Valterrian, but the cataclysm destroyed it, and all that remains of it are the descendants of the few survivors of that grim day. The city is tucked away at the end of a bay shaped somewhat like the letter “C”; its inhabitants eke out a living through fishing the bay and raising root crops during the brief growing season. Their shipbuilding skill is rudimentary, and I do not believe that any of their craft would withstand the full force of the northern ocean, one reason why our knowledge of points west was so frustratingly incomplete. It is a hard life, and the people are hard in turn The question at hand was, should we stop at Novallas or no? The weather appeared to be holding, and if we were to outrun the inevitable storms, any delay could prove costly. However, if we didn’t feel confident in our ability to turn southward soon enough, Novallas was the last place we could possibly stay where we knew there would be some facilities for overwintering. ~From Mizahar Wiki

Chapter Four The next several months were a blur, and it is only with difficulty that I can remember specific events from them. I remained in Zeltiva the entire time, preparing for the voyage, and spending time with my family. Others continued their preparations too. However, preparing for this expedition took a great deal of time and effort, even at this late stage, and we were unable to set sail in the spring of 450, as all the necessary supplies and equipment had not been gathered. Instead, I and some of the sailors contented ourselves with taking the Seafarer on several short trips across Mathews Bay. The ship was enormous; it's hard to explain how small I felt the first time that I stepped onto its deck. But it proved not difficult to handle despite its size. The shipwrights had done an excellent job in that regard. The official launch took place on the first day of summer. It was the peak of the sailing season; the wind was favorable, blowing from the southwest, and the sea was calm. However, despite the pleasant atmosphere, it was in the back of my mind that it would be much better if we were many leagues further north at this time. The delay meant that we were in a position where we would need to reach the western coast of Mizahar before the storms of winter began. ~From Mizahar Wiki

The issue was, we didn't even know how far away the western coast of Mizahar was. We had pre-Valterrian maps, but given how radically different the current eastern coast was from that shown on those charts, it was difficult even to guess what the western coast looked like now. None of our Zeltivan ships had sailed any further than the settlement of Novallas to the northwest, or the other side of the Faleyk Gulf to the southwest. We simply had no firsthand information. Nor were there any reliable informants regarding what might lay beyond. The few residents of Novallas claimed there was nothing but tundra to the west, in which they had little interest -- little enough that none of them had ever actually ventured more than a mile or two into it. Falyndar of course was the domain of the Myrians, who had no interest in sharing information. The Sylirans had sailed across the Suvan Sea, but reports from Alvadas and Karjin were vague and conflicting. Some claimed the coast was a mere day's journey from Alvadas, while others insisted that it was hundreds and hundreds of miles away. Similarly, the few travelers who had visited Zeltiva from points northwest had proved hopelessly unable to provide consistent information. They could tell us what the terrain looked like, but not how much of it there was. Either you could throw a rock from the Suvan Sea and hit Avanthal, or you would have to walk half of your life in order to reach Morwen's city. Perhaps traveling too far had warped our informants' sense of perspective; at any rate, we couldn't get a firm answer. ~From Mizahar Wiki