[Quest] Broken Sails

[Estlor Stormborn]

Estlor wallowed a slight smirk to form on his lips as he watched Anadeos launch himself into the sandy shores of Caiyha’s Fist Isle. Times had been hard recently, but even the hardest times hadn’t destroyed Anadeos’s playful disposition. Estlor hastened his pace, high on the excitement of life. As he neared shore, he instinctively grabbed Anadeos’s trident from the sand. It came out without any struggle, as the sand on this island was fairly soft. His legs hit the sand and he stood up in the waist deep water. The waves here were mild, not at all like what he had been used to. Everything was surprisingly calm. Estlor quickly trudged the remaining ten feet or so to shore, with the trident held up high overhead. As he gained momentum, he reached back, took aim at the dazed Anadeos and threw the trident at him as if it were a javelin. This toss had little power behind it so it wouldn’t hurt him, but it would be enough to scare his older brother. He watched as Anadeos successfully caught the trident. By this time, the entire pod had reconnoitered on shore. It was time to head to the meeting. Without wasting a second, he walked towards the sound of the conch. Something important was to be had. He paid no attention to his brothers. He figured that they would come. By the time he got to the meeting, he had missed the big speech. People were shouting out names, presumably the names of their pods. Were they announcing their presence or looking for members? Estlor had no idea. He tried to look through the crowd to find anyone else from his pod, but it was too hard to tell. Obviously anxious, he turned around to face his oldest brother, Anadeos and asked “Do you think she is here? Did we just miss our callout?” He paused for a second. “Is this everyone? It couldn't everyone. This couldn't be an entire race. Estlor was far to aware of how few people he recognized here. He was a lost in a sea of his own people.

[Anadeos Stormborn]

Deftly catching his trident, Anadeos turned to walk up the hill with his brothers. He glanced at their faces, and their expressions were enough to melt the grin off of his face. Kelak's features carried with them a dreadful mourning that could only mean one thing, they were alone. Impossible, someone from the pod must have made it, perhaps he still mourns those lost to the storm He shot a glance to the shore, frantically scanning the ships while begging Laviku for any indication that any ship from his pod was there too. He turned back and began running to the meeting, still praying that he just couldn't see the ship.

As he reached the meeting, he witnessed the mournful silence of several of his brethren. Tearful reunions were scattered, few and far between, among the the crowd. Many Svefra called out names that could only be pod names, desperately hoping that someone in their pod was in the crowd, previously unnoticed.

Anadeos could hear Estlor speak, but he couldn't comprehend what he said, he couldn't control himself, "STORMBORN?! Oh, for the love of Laviku, STORMBORN?!" The Svefra nearest to him turned, startled by the sudden yelling, looks of pity, frustration, and compassion spread among their features. There was no answer, and as Anadeos fell to his knees, he felt the hand of Estlor on his shoulder, "We are here with you Anadeos, Stormborn still lives."

[Kelak Stormborn]

Kelak trudged up the rise briskly, heading toward the light of the torches. However, as he got closer to the top, he felt his pace slowing- unconsciously- and he knew way. Half of him didn't want to see what lay there- what was left of his once proud race. He stopped right upon the final ridge- right before the gathering came into view. Anadeos and Estlor climbed over the rise to join the others, but Kelak didn't. Not yet. He could hear a female's voice addressing the assembled Svefra. He was- was he... trembling? He looked down at his hand, which even before his eyes vibrated shakily. Kelak let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. Really impressive Kelak. Way to set an example. Not even to the gathering and already you're acting like a mewling child. Now is not the time for wallowing in self-pity and fear. He closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath, steadying himself. Whatever lay- or didn't lay over that rise, he would have to be ready to face it. '

As he ascended the ridge, Kelak grimaced as he heard Anadeos' desperate cries for their pod. So, others had not arrived. He had feared as much. He felt a aching in his breast, but ignored it as best as he could. He took a moment to survey the scene- a gathering of two hundred, maybe three hundred Svefra.... So few.... Can this really be all that is left of our kind? The thought was sobering... How many had been at the last Nal'lyeo? Kelak thought back... It had been two years, but the occasion was still clear in his mind- there had been hundreds of ships... And thousands of his kind.... The sheer gravity of the loss fell upon his shoulders as if the sky had suddenly collapsed. It was impossible, unthinkable.... And yet it was the reality he was faced with. Kelak felt himself reeling- he had been prepared for the loss the Djed Storm would have doubtlessly created... But this.... The word 'loss' didn't even begin to scratch the surface of what happened. This wasn't loss... This was annihilation.

Kelak practically stumbled down the hill, as he struggled to understand how such a cataclysm could have occurred. The torches seemed so distant suddenly- like stars in the night sky, as Kelak moved to join with the rest of group. He bumped into someone- maybe two people, but barely noticed. He felt like collapsing to his knees, as he struggled to come to terms with what could possibly have caused such obliteration of his people. Pull yourself together Kelak.He told himself Most of the Svefra may be dead, but those that are left need every one of us, if we are to recover from this disaster. They need you. Though the self-reassurance felt hollow, and forced, Kelak clung to it. He would try to be strong- for the Svefra's sake. They all had to be strong. Shaking his head briefly, he turned his attention to the Lia standing in the center of the ring of torches, addressing the gathered survivors.