(The Port of Riverfall) Sunset Voyages (Galys)(Flashback)

[Imass]

Without wasting another second, Imass edged his way towards the ropes that Galys had pointed out. The Akalak could not remember any other time in which he was on a floating vessel. The wooden boards under his feet felt unstable and strange compared to the hard, solid surface of dry land. Finally making it over to the rope, Imass grabbed the knot clumsily with one hand and tugged on it. It was as tight as could be, so he tugged a little harder. Then once again.

The sail unfurled all at once. Imass looked at Galys with a grin ear to ear, "Sorry. It won't happen again." Hopefully Galys would be more detailed in his explanation next time.

OOC- sorry for short post, but I wanted to give you something before I had to go.

[Galys]

GalysShort Posts are fine with me. It's the content itself that matters, not the volume of the content ;P grunted, disgruntled, as Laviku's Wind accelerated ecstatically at the suddenly utilizable wind, "Le's try ta take things slower now, aye? Pull down on tha' here rope ye jus' le' go - slowly, now 'til 'tis halfway unfurl't, give'r'take." He wasn't sure exactly how the Akalak had managed to unfurl the entire sail at once, but he'd seen stranger and stupider things in his time on the sea than an Akalak letting a line slip loose and unfurl the sail - at least the line he'd loosed wasn't the mainsail. That could have been potentially dangerous in the port - once Galys had done just that. It took up another two days for he, his mentor Adrian Whitecap, and the rest of the Whitecap pod - for they were still alive at the time - to repair the ship. The memory invited a brief, tiny smile to grace his face. How angry Adrian had been trying to appear before nearly falling over laughing - but now Laviku's Wind was Galys' charge and he barely had enough wealth to make it alive from port to port. He didn't have the luxury of laughter as he used to. After some easy maneuvering and one near miss with what looked to be a clumsy merchant vessel they broke free of the Port and faced the open sea of the Middle Suvan. Now Galys was alive and enjoying it. He sat back and watched the Akalak try his sea legs on - this would be enjoyable, he thought.

[Imass]

Imass lurched forward when he felt the vessel suddenly take off. When he had unfurled the lesser sail, the boat accelerated almost immediately. The Akalak figured that the wind pushing the boat along was being funneled by the waterfall. Although the sea craft was only going slightly above the reasonable speed limit in the crowded dock, Imass could see the effects it was having on the boats around him. The wake of the boat (the ripples coming from behind) was shaking all the ships around them. The larger ships were mostly unaffected because of their massive size, but the smaller ones were bobbing up and down.

Imass smiled awkwardly as experienced sailors shook their head and sighed and the young Akalak. Apparently everyone could tell that he was a new sailor.

"Slowly," the Akalak said in a clear but low tone, "Understood."

At first the speed of the boat was manageable. Imass walked to the bow (front point) of the craft without any problems. Imass had to consciously stabilize his body while walking around. He grabbed onto whatever he could while he stepped. He wasn't falling over, but he didn't trust himself without support. At the same token, Imass tried his hardest to to stumble. He did not want to make himself look even more foolish.

Sitting at the front of the boat finally, Imass stared out into the sunset. Golden rays from the horizon shining brightly on his eyes. As far as the eye could see it was blue waters. Behind him loomed the city of his forefathers. In front of him tremendous risk and huge opportunity.

No matter how hard he tried the only thing he could think about what his future. Anxiety about life began to set in. He began to worry about his decision, despite not showing any outward signs. He choose to hold in his emotions from Galys and just start out at the sunset.

He sat and waited for Galys next command. "What is next Captain?"

[Galys]

After turning the ship to a northward heading, he lashed the rudder in place with a length of rope and strode easily over to the mast. Laviku's Wind sliced through the waves quickly thanks to a favorable northeastern wind, though she hardly opted to steady her bobbing. Instead, Galys whipped his fingers about the belaying pins, loosing one rope and then the other, and slowly unfurling the sails to their full grandeur. The ship began to accelerate until they started to maintain a steady, stable velocity, shooting across the sea surface like an arrow from an Inarta's bow. Finally replying to the Akalak whilst retying the ropes to their respective belaying pins, "Tha's the question, isn'it? What d'ye feel like doin'? Fishin', writin' eatin' - so long as it doesn't end wit' me dead or Laviku's Wind sunk, I've not a problem." After a pause he cut back in sounding almost embarrassed, "Oh, an' 't makes me feel foolish t'say, but methinks I missed yer name."

[Imass]

"I am known as Imass," the young Akalak said turning around from a daze. He had completely forgotten to introduce himself and hurried towards Galys position at the end of the boat. Moving on the ship out on the high seas was different than anything he had ever done. The ship glided over each wave with precision and the underfoot beneath him was constantly swaying. After taking a few steps, he lost his balance and had to skip forward a few steps to avoid falling. Grabbing onto one of the masts he swung his way clumsily to Galys and tried not to get knocked off balance. His goal was to make himself look as natural as possible, but so far he was losing.

Finally reaching Galys, he shook the man's hand and said his own name again, "Imass." The Akalak took his hand back then nodded at the captain, "I have been trained in the martial arts, that is all I know. I also know some of my father’s trade, but that will not help us on a vessel like this. I would like to learn the ways of sailing such a fine vessel. I could spar with you on this boat as well if you wish to train in the martial arts."

Imass waited patiently for the salty svefra's reply as he watched the dim image of River fall shrink in the distant. Akalak might never see his homeland again. Life was not certain in Mizahar and death could happen at any more. Imass finally realized that might never see his home again.

[Galys]

Galys responded by vigorously shaking the Akalak's hand, suppressing a chuckle at the Akalak's stumbling, " 'S a strong name, aye? Always did 'ear tell o' Akalak fightin' an' so on an' so forth. 'Twould be a way t' pass the time f'sure, whackin' at each other with sticks." he released the Akalak's hand then. He'd be looking forward to sparring with the blue man. If Imass was anything like the stories of Akalak warriors, Galys would likely be given a run for his money - were they not on Laviku's Wind, of course. Given her rocking, it would probably be difficult enough for the Akalak not to disembowel himself with a wooden training sword at a sudden heave of the deck, let alone get a solid whack in or pull a blow from a real weapon well enough to prevent killing his sparring partner. It wasn't that he didn't trust the Akalak not to kill him, it was that he didn't trust a land dweller on a ship with a sharp object.

[Imass]

"Sticks? I was thinking we would fight bare fisted knuckled. Let us have a spar here on the deck of the boat then? Maybe this will be the best way for me to earn my sea legs? What do you think?" the Akalak suggested. Imass was a land dog, but he was an enthusiastic one. He was not afraid of learning how to do work on a boat. His mind was young and curious.

Walking slowly towards the deck, Imass tried to keep his balance. Each wave the casinor glided over, made the Akalak feel the off balance. On dry land he could stand still on solid ground, but here he needed to be moving his body constantly to feel alright.

Looking at the water Imass waited for Galys to come down to the deck. He watched the glittering water for the last few moments of golden light. He stared into the deep blue ocean and tried to see the bottom. That is when Imass realized they were truly sailing. Imass's head looked up again and he stared all around him. They were moving North West at tremendous speeds. The large land mass of Riverfall to the east was now shrinking. Pretty soon they would truly be on open sea. That is when Imass realized this is the farthest he had ever been away from home! Now was not the time to think of that though. Imass ignored of this now and tried to make conversation with Galys.

Yelling into the wind, Imass asked Galys were the light was, "Do you have any lanterns for our Sunset Spar? Are you ready?" Imass had a huge grin on his face. He ignored the apparent dangers of the open seas for now and tried to seem cheerful. Although, the Akalak DID want to see what this man's mettle.

[Gossamer]

. Character: Imass Experience: Meditation +1, Haggling +1, Planning +1, Sailing +2, Flattery +1, Lore: You can deal with the Svefra without a lot of money. Character: Galys Experience: Observation +1, Haggling +1, Planning +1, Leadership +1, Teaching +1, Sailing +2 Lore: Akalaks know how to work. Additional Note: This thread needs a timestamp badly. I’d be glad to switch out the Haggling for anything like Bartering if you have current XP or want that instead. The thread is unfinished so there’s not much else I can say about it. It was nice while it lasted though. A spar would have been great. If Galys comes back, you guys can finish the thread if you want and I’ll regrade. .

[Galys]

Galys rolled his head from shoulder to shoulder, stretching the muscles about his neck as he strode from the rudder around where the cabin bulged up from the ship, making for a small obstruction, toward Imass, "There're a couple lanterns hangin' 'bout, I'll tend to 'em when it's gettin' darker. F' now, howsabout we start about it?" The Svenfra started swaying and walking tight circles around Imass. Of course, he had a clear advantage just with his sea-legs, but that only gave him pause long enough to reserve not to smack Imass too hard until he could judge the Akalak's ability.

[Imass]

The Akalak struggled to get his footwork straight. He could not stand in a single position; it was too awkward with the sway of the ship. If he tried to stand still he would spend too much energy and time trying to keep balance.

Imass watched intently at Galys' feet as he circled him around the craft. The sailor knew the ship well. He didn't even need to look where he was stepping; the rocking ship and the wind did not unsettle him at all. He had his sea legs and more. The Akalak started to move around the ship too. He couldn't stand still anymore. He circled his opponent slowly trying to find his footing. Imass could not afford to show weakness. He didn't want this Svefra to think he was a chump.

The young Akalak pounded forward with his right foot leading and drove himself into Galy's. He didn't know any boat ship fighting styles, so he would have to play it like he was trained. Trying to step into his frame, Imass tucked his head in, barrelled his fists, and coiled up for a jab. Once within range he swung, aiming right at Galys' head. He had another punch waiting in a cocked position.

If Imass' punch landed he would barrel another punch in the same direction, however he was playing this initial attack cautiously. He wanted to scope out his opponent.