Quest [Syka Quest] Sacrifices At Sea

[Sirroco]

After letting Sybil's necklace drop into the grasp of the sea, a bittersweetness touched on Sirroco's soul. Even the appearance of the dolphins, which he had marveled at as soon as they started to appear as the crew had made their sacrifices, faded in interest as the necklace vanished in what seemed a sunglare on the water...but bluish. Then the white dolphin appeared. The Svefra's heart lept as Laviku's messenger met his gaze, dancing and leaping from the water. The creature seemed to almost fly past him, sending forth Sirroco's gift. Catching the curious item, the fisherman watched the ivory-hued dolphin descend again gracefully into the water. Stepping down from the rail, the Svefra moved aside, his attention now on the beautiful gift in his hand. "The Sea King gave it to us!" Sirroco muttered in amazement to the otter circling anxiously around his feet. The ivory cylinder was handled with care, turned over and over. The delight over the gift was soon replaced by a keen curiosity as to its purpose. "Um, Tain, I have no idea what it is." He spoke with a touch of dismay. The All Father had given him a precious gift, and he had no idea what it was or what to do with it. He remained oblivious to the similar events surrounding him, new comrades each receiving from their sacrifice in kind. Sirroco gripped the tube in his hand, noting the comfort of it in his grasp. It was adorned with shells, but only at one end. The Svefra rubbed the pad of his thumb over the shellwork as he held the device, pressing to feel the contour of the carving. Suddenly, a shaft thrust out either end of the handle. Long and sleek, one shaft had a blunt end, the other, a spearhead. The launching butt of the shaft had jabbed one of the nearby sailors in the rear, evoking a yelp and a stern glare. Sirroco apologized profusely, and the offended crewman returned to his own gift with little more than a huff. The Svefra's grin was stretched from ear to ear as he handled the weapon. It was a weapon, no fishing tool this was. Its balance was fine, its head keen. Sirroco laughed, hefting the spear, turning it over and making mock jabs at Tain. The otter was not amused and scurried over to see what Eleret was doing. Eventually, Sirroco pressed on the shells again and the shafts retreated into the handle.The Svefra looked around him to see the sacrifices had been complete, the dolphins returning to wherever they had come from, and orders being shouted. Sailors scrambled to comply, the passengers dispersing, each with some thing they had not boarded with. The glory of the moment gave way to the necessity of getting underway. Sirroco stepped to the head of the forecastle as the Dawn Sister's sails unfurled overhead, the bow plowing past the mouth of the bay into the open sea. He inhaled deeply of the brisk sea breeze. The Svefra was content, happy even, the trepidation and uncertainty of the expedition consumed by the sea that he so loved.

[Daekos Volundur]

Dolphins?

Daekos had seen them several times with the Svefra, being their Tavans, but their numbers then were nothing compared to the size of the pod that were frolicking around the ship.

My rings have dissolved into the water?

Hearing the cacophony of clicks and whistles coming from the excited dolphins, Hundwin began to add to the noise, all fired up at the strange and curious sounds coming beyond the ship. Daekos picked him up gently, taking care not to use too much force, especially with his left hand, and let him continue his barking while having a premier view of the scene going on.

And the gifting started; dolphins were taking the sacrifices and playing with them, before repaying the men and women on board with gifts of their own. Some obtained magical items Daekos would have been delighted to examine, others obtained exquisite objects of unearthly beauty; but his eyes were on the rings that the dolphins had snatched out of the waters almost immediately after they had sank and apparently dissolved in a flash of blue light, and he took no notice of the others, so absorbed in the creation process of his gift was he.

Are the dolphins master crafters too?

The silver was multiplied, increasing its mass and volume, even as the dolphins played around with them. It was nothing like he had ever witnessed before, even when he saw items being mage-crafted or alchemized in Sahova or in Sultros. The creation was seemingly effortless, the dolphins' touch being enough to enhance the silver, to accelerate its growth in a process long ceased, when Mizahar was created.

He placed Hundwin down on the wooden planks of the deck as they tossed the bracers to him, giving the dolphin equivalent of a nod and a knowing wink, perhaps even raising a hat to him.

He admired the engravings on the metal part of the bracers depicting the classic motifs of blacksmithing - the forge, the hammers, the anvils and the blacksmith focusing solely on his work. They were of a metal he could not identify; but he could tell it was far more durable than the steel he was accustomed to working with. And it had its own magical effects.

The discomfort he had been feeling due to the motion of the ship lessened a little, but he felt more energized, as if the bracers suddenly input pure energy into his being - any pain or aches he was feeling vanished instantly. Putting on the bracers themselves, he felt the full effect of the bracers work on him.

Not an ornamental pair of bracers, at the very least - By the Gods! I feel like I could work all day at the forge with them and never tire! Thro' the night and day again, I need only a bit of sleep and meat to help me carry on - I will never be as tired as I would be before! Aye, what works could I make with this wondrous item?

They were a perfect fit, and they would not chafe his wrists or forearms. Full mobility was given to his wrists, and they could rotate at ease.

It molds itself to my arms - truly, they were made for me! If this is not a sign that the Gods are watching us, then what would be?

He knelt on the deck, speaking a prayer to the Gods.

"Laviku, thank you for sending the dolphins to craft me this gift. It is an object of beauty and will be most useful in my craft and elsewhere. Your blessing is most welcome."

"Lord Izurdin, I can almost sense Your hand on these magnificent bracers. I pray that in striking the iron, in shaping the steel, in forging the many items this expedition will require of me, my hand will be swift and strong. I will seek to master my Art, and to craft works worthy of legend. In this your guidance would be most helpful. I hope to see you in person someday."

"Akajia, Lady of the Night: I am new to you, but I have ever sought for secrets and knowledge - I traveled most of Mizahar, I spent decades in Sahova, I learnt of the ways of the monks in Nyka, as much as an outsider would be able to gain, and much more. Perhaps one day I shall too be worthy of your attention. But I suspect it will be a long time."

The Gods smile on us, but I believe that there will be many tests ahead. But this Isur will survive. And so will the others, if they persevere. One day, Syka will rise from its ruins. And I shall see it then.

"Come, Hundwin! 'Tis time. The sea proper is beneath us now."

[Lacerta]

Despite turning away, something caught Lacerta's attention from the others near the edge. There were... dolphins... all around the ships, and people were getting items in return. Surprised, she faced the railing and leaned over, for a better view. Below, the sea bubbled and boiled for a moment, and another dolphin leaped out of the spray. It was simple, grey, but it brought a smile to her face. Despite spending long times at sea, she rarely saw the creatures, and even one was a magnificent sight. She stuck her hand down, not quite sure why, and was rewarded with a gift. The dolphin had handed her a... compass, though a strange one at that. She stared at its face, amazed at the jeweled hand. "Thank you... for whatever this is..."

The Eth stepped back from the side and stared at the compass, not even bothering to test it at first. It didn't look exactly like a ship's, with its one small hand, but it was possible... right? At the moment it was still turning, despite the current lack of movement in the ship, but seemed to be mostly pointing North. On a whim, she began walking in the average direction, but stopped almost as soon as she had started. The hand had begun spinning quite wildly, though she'd attempted to keep to a straight line. As she stopped, and stilled, it returned to a still state... but this time not North.

Lacerta stared at her gift a while longer, before muttering to herself quietly "This... this isn't a compass... what in the world does it do?I... I don't get it..." She frowned tried to turn the compass, so that the arrow turned North again. When she began moving again, however, it started swinging wildly. She stopped, trying to keep one eye on the item, and another on wherever it was pointing. Either this was just a broken compass, and her gift hadn't been enough.... or it pointed to something else entirely. Some kind of odd magic then? Though that was kind of unbelievable... She scowled and moved to a flat wall where she sat and returned to staring at her gift hopelessly. One thing she did know was that figuring this thing out would certainly be a good thing to pass the time whilst at sea... other than working, of course.

They soon started sailing and a thought suddenly occurred to the Ethaefal. Quickly, trying to dart between sailors and passengers alike, she moved to the stern of the Dawn Sister. There, she saw the other ship, red sailed, following behind, but her attention was more focused on a smaller vessel. Hers was trailing behind the passenger boat, the sail tied up, and everything looked secured. Starry Sea's safety was something that had been a mental worry for her, as she'd never done something like this before... and it was a little scary. She stared at it, worry in her eyes, as they moved on, and Riverfall grew further and further away.

Lacerta sighed quietly and turned back, the compass still clutched protectively in a hand. Using her extra height, she gazed over most's heads, in search of... something. However, the large population of sailors covered majority of the jobs, so there wasn't much else to do. Instead, she turned to find their captain at the wheel, and issuing orders. A thought occurred to her, coupled with a number of questions. She'd never been on a ship this big, and her own housed very few. It must be very confusing for a captain to control so many people, and so big a vessel. Curiosity overcoming her, she strode towards the captain intently, wondering exactly what to inquire on. She considered this for a few moments, but changed her mind at the last second, moving back a few feet to rest against a closeish railing. From there, she watched all his moves, now content to learn by observation rather than inquiry.

[Eleret]

Eleret had sacrificed to the sea before -- often, even, not only on the occasions when she'd sailed but as part of her regular life, her recognition of all Laviku meant to the Konti and to herself. But never had she seen a sacrifice accepted thusly -- in a shimmer reminiscent of light off Konti scales, and an abrupt, blue-sheened disappearance beneath the waves. Never had she seen sacrifices, given singly or en masse, seem to call dolphins forth from the deeper ocean, in numbers greater than Eleret had seen in any one place at a time. She smiled to see them, for dolphins at play were always pleasing, and also a positive omen -- but then they revealed more than an intention to play, leaping up one by one to give items to those aboard ship in a strikingly unusual reversal of their sacrifices. One sleek dolphin leapt up towards her, its tail sending a sudden splash over the rail and across the Konti; laughing, Eleret raised her arm in automatic reflex, though it did exactly nothing to shield her from the spray. Dappled with salt-wet spots, she clapped her hands at the dolphin's antics, yet had time for no more than a bright, charmed grin before it moved on to its task. The dolphin gifted to the Konti a white case, leather seeming undamaged by its exposure to the sea. But then, such a thing would have taken no more harm than Laviku decided it should, wherever in the sea it had once dwelt. Opening the case revealed a glass lens, brilliantly clear and without flaw, its silver handle adorned with flowers. Eleret ran her hands wonderingly over the metal surfaces, turning it around and about, careful to keep from smudging the glass; indeed, so engrossed was she in marveling examination that it took someone else's exclaimed gratitude to belatedly recall the Konti to her own manners. "Thank you, cousin!" she called after the dolphin, vanished though it was. "And thank you, Father," she added more softly, simple words but utterly heartfelt and sincere in their delivery. Eleret raised her head to look over the rest of the ship, witnessing the last few dolphins bequeath their burdens. Everyone received a gift of some kind from the sea, whether simple or ornate, obviously charmed or seemingly mundane; and rather than lower the significance of any one gift, the Konti felt all this only raised the wonder of the expedition. She had only thought of the chance to learn and experience, to put forth her effort in a compelling and worthy cause... but if this journey continued as it had begun, it would be grand indeed.

[Gossamer]

When Abase threw the cloak around his shoulders and laughed at its length, the fabric began to glow. It’s ragged tears and ratty condition seemed to mend itself. And as for the length, it grew and seemingly self adjusted until it fit him like a custom made cloak – the holes vanishing and the wear and tear disappearing. The cloak was instantly the perfect warmth. The seaweed it was made from seemed to magically transform to a sturdy seaweed printed fabric that seemed to be oiled and slick, as if it was waterproof and yet still retained the slight scent of the sea.

While Delani concentrated on the Lormar power etched on her skin. A series of owners flashed through her mind and she knew who had held the leash or wore it before her. Many… many people had. Animals wore it. People wore it. Her vision only went back so far and was very spotty, but she got the gist that it had been around a long long time and that it was infused with a mysterious power.

Meanwhile, Kenval grinned at Delani’s question and simply held out his hands for the leash. If she handed it over, he’d snap it around her neck quickly and effectively, for the best demonstration. Sure, she wore no collar like an animal or slave would, but the leash, like all leashes, snapped to itself easily enough to form a type of leather choke chain. The leash, on her neck, snugged down comfortably and even if surprised, she wouldn’t want it off. Instead, looking down the length of the leash at who held it, Delani would feel the sudden urge – no burning desire – to make Kenval happy. She knew, suddenly, what it was he wanted. He had a burning yearning to understand that which was unknown or secret. And for that split instant before Kenval reached up and pulled it off her, she wanted to do anything in her power to give him those secrets.

“Of course, it works a lot better on wild animals and criminals.” He said, handing the coiled length back to her with a laugh.

Delilah’s gift was more subtle, but would come in handy when they reached the shore. No one moved forward to offer to identify the seeds in the bag for her. It was a good thing too because no herbalist would recognize them. They had a power all their own, and one no one on board was qualified to speak of. A phylonurist could have asked the seeds themselves using Nura what they were, but since there was no witch anywhere, the little pycon would have to wait.

When Brodon clutched at the baton, holding it to his chest, then wiping it down, something strange started to happen. The seagulls over the bay and wheeling in the sky above the ships, at first unnoticed, drew his attention. Holding the baton, he had a weird over-vision, as if he was seeing the ship from his perspective and then getting a flash of it from the gulls perspective. His inner eye switched rapidly, as unfocused as it was on an individual gull, until he got a flash of the ships from a wide range of viewpoints, all circling overhead. Some the ships were fairly close, but in most they gently bobbed on the waters holding their positions for the sacrifices, and giving him a view of the dolphins circling in the waters.

An even larger presence was in the water beneath the ships, a dark shape, something ominous but not high enough in the water column for the birds to get a good look at.

Levi’s dagger, in her hands, gave no hint of what it was about. It gave her no clue or indication that it was anything other than a normal dagger. Much like Ialari’s experience, both items went unworn, unused, and untapped. Later, there would be time to answer questions and discover what those items were for. Sirroco, like the classic Svefra he was, toyed with his gift immediately and discovered just what surprise it had in store. The spear was lethal, long, and portable. Something, most svefra would really really find useful.

And while Daekos’ prayers werne’t directly answered, they were heard and those named smiled, as the smith showed them favor. Prayers gave power, and the more they were looked too the more influence they had on the mortal realm.

Lacerta’s compass remained a mystery. It had a thick casing that housed its body in a floating space above the main wooden frame. It didn’t’ exactly point North nor did it point at anything in particular. For all intent and purpose, it looked broken, though there was no sign of any indication it had seen misfortune. Nothing was cracked, dinged, or broken. Even the captain, as busy as he was, shed no light on the compass because Lacerta didn’t talk to him or interrupt his busy behavior. He was calling orders, sending sailors scrambling here and there, and micromanaging his second mate who was doing his best to carry out his orders. They moved like a well oiled team though, as if they’d sailed a great deal together. Just watching him would gain Lacerta some insight on how larger ships were ran, but not right away and not instantly. Over several days, or even seasons she could get a feel for what his job was all about.

Eleret’s gift didn’t reveal itself as anything other than a magnifying glass because she didn’t explore it further. It simply looked like a normal magnifying glass, the type often acquired by older people, to keep reading their texts or writing their memories down. It had no distinctive feathers other than the etching and floral around its metal lens holder.

Gifts given and received, the ships moved out. The Dawn Sister pulled ahead of the Dusk Sister riding higher in the water and only burdened down by the two svefra sized ships she towed. The Dusk Sister lumbered after. And Brodon, if he still held the baton, would see that the dark shape moved with them.

Mathias, having vanished below, reappeared without his chest. He smiled, leaned over the rail, and looked out across the water. He looked content, as if his dream was one step closer to being realized. They were leaving early, far early enough they’d make good time in the crossing today. They chased the space on the horizon that widened between the sun rising and passing overhead and setting behind them as they sailed west and slightly south. The wind was decent, brisk but not restrictive. It pushed the ships the way they wanted to go without them having to tack back and forth to sail against it. The Captain, First Mate, and Mathias were pleased.

They would have no trouble, none at all, until just before sunset. And that came swiftly and unexpectedly… as a thick fog rolled in and covered up the world, hiding the ships even from themselves.

[Delani Denusk]

When the glimpses passed, the woman opened her eyes, studying the physical form once more while her fingers explored its length. It was old, that much was clear, and had seen many in its time. However, it did not reveal its use (nor what Laviku might intend it be used for on this journey), and for the moment the woman was disappointed. It would be a mystery to unravel!

A mystery that was no sooner solved when Kenval demonstrated by removing it from her hands snapping it fluidly around her neck. There was a surge that filled the woman, a tide that she could not fight as her gaze moved down leash to the one who held it. The mysterious man no longer seemed so mysterious. It was as though his soul had been laid before her, particularly his desires, and the overwhelming need to fulfill them consumed her, gnawed at her essence and pushed her to obey. Yet, it was not the desires of the flesh she saw, nor the lust for power, neither was it a pining to destroy. He, not unlike herself, simply wished to know! What mysteries he did not know, some of which her own race controlled, were yearned for and there was a moment when the Drykas felt the urge to tell him. Little mysteries she had encountered in the Sea the previous year, the closely guarded secrets of the horse clans, things she might not yet know. She must tell him!

And then the leash was removed and her teeth clicked closed sharply, Delani left blinking in momentary alarm, her hand touching her freed throat. "That is a most unusual reward..." Her gaze moved back to the Sea, questioningly, where the dolphins had already receded and the Sisters and two Svefra ships chugged onwards with the wind urging them from behind. Her eyes returned to him, less wary now, more curious. "And quite revealing. I imagine there are greater uses for such an item than harnessing obedience from beasts and men." She took it back, folding it methodically while she spoke. "The desires one sees in the wielder...Still, subservience is better gained through trust than by force or magic." She shrugged slightly and at last tucked the item into the waistband of her breeches. "Nonetheless, I am sure its true use will become apparent in time. There is meaning in all things, even those yet to be discovered." She bowed her head to him. "Thank you for the...demonstration. Would you mind my asking how you knew it worked like that? You have clearly seen its like before, you said as much."

---------------------------------------------

After all questions were asked, Delani retreated below deck again (the sight of the moving sea had begun to bother her; at least below she didn't need to worry about watching the waves roll by, only the rocking of the ship). She arranged with Eleret which bunk they would stay in then returned to the holds to check on the dogs and Coram.

Most of the former had finally begun to settle down and curl up, pups huddling with their mothers, adolescents snuggled with one another, the two Ghost Dogs watched her quietly as she approached her horse. "Hey there, boy, easy going, huh?" She crooned, rubbing his long face with one hand while the other sought to rub under his chin. He was being markedly patient with this whole thing, and for that Delani was grateful. "Good boy. I'll brush you down after evening meal. Keep the dogs at bay." She cooed last of all then went to the dogs one by one, affording each a measure of affection and words of consolement should any feel ill at ease. And that was how the day went, the Drykas moving through the ship, working her legs to get them used to the measured sway of the Dawn and the eerie creaks and groans that permeated.

It wasn't until sunset she resurfaced, however, the woman still in morning garb and the leash still tucked safely in the waistband of her breeches. No sooner did her feet touch the top deck did she realize the change that had fallen around the ships. Or was it ship? The creaks and groans were amplified immediately around them but the sounds of the Dusk and svefra vessels was not immediately apparent. A thick fog had descended and as Delani approached the hazy railing, squinting into the fog, her mind reeled at the possibilities. Was Zulrav angry with the quest?

Zulrav, what fury have we caused to this weather nigh? I pray none have offended you, oh great barer of the storms.

Her eyes closed and her mind emptied, drawing upon the Lykata as her hands held the rail, letting the gnosis reveal what it might, and calling on Eyris to clarify the images, narrow them to only the most recent. Perhaps something in the water? She vaguely recalled hearing Brodon mention seeing something in the water. Something shadowy. But his common was so poor, understanding him in that language was just impossible. Let me see true, my Lady. Show me true. Perhaps this shadow had touched the ship? It was hard to know for sure just yet. Contributions were always finicky and too often confusing more than enlightening. Whatever might be seen, she would certainly need more to understand in full.

OOCCompletely missed the ending. S'what I get for skimming. Just editted to include awareness of the fog.

[Brodon Windriver]

It was a disorienting effect at first. But as Brodon held the baton, he found himself able to employ his bowman's eye to focus on one angle of view at a time. It was not like closing an eye to eliminate the double image some people had trouble with, when first learning to shoot a bow. It was the more usefully developed skill to focus on one and disregard the other. This allowed a bowman to maintain his depth perception, while at the same time, learning to ignore distractions to his aim.

Once this affinity was acquired, he found himself able to move from one perspective to another without too much difficulty. He also found himself laughing. Amazed, joyous laughter surged in a wave of gratitude for such a boon. A sudden feeling of having neglected Eywaat in his recent prayers struck him, and he was just about to drop to his knees, when his hold on a high, all-encompassing viewpoint revealed a massive, dark shape, moving with the flotilla. Now a surge of concern replaced the gratitude of a moment before. He promised himself he would give his thanks to Eywaat once he saw to this matter.

He looked at once to the Captain, but found the man so engrossed in the intricate routines of command that he feared to interrupt him. Likewise the sailors following his instructions. Brodon would have felt reluctant to interfere even if his common was perfect. But the thought of himself standing there, babbling and stammering, the pressure to hurry compounding his difficulties, in the scowling face of a man in need of an atmosphere free of distractions, gave him pause.

His sense of anxiety was not overpowering his reason, though. 'Had there not just been a congregation of Laviku's servants in these same waters? Would the Lord of The Sea gift us with such boons if he intended to turn right around and strike us down?' Still, he felt he must tell someone.

Just then, Mathias reappeared from wherever he had gone. He relaxed at the rail with a satisfied smile. Brodon hurried to take place beside him. "Sir, Mathias? If you are not being too busy?" The man turned, his expression curious but pleasant. "These gifts...I am...thanking in full to Laviku for their wonder...ing...full...ness...umm...But...I am seeing like I am being a flying bird and...I am meaning that is what I am having with me holding my gift..."

Brodon grimaced, imagining this very thing would have happened if he'd gone to the Captain. Mathias, though, gave him a look of patient encouragement and a gesture to continue. "I am seeing...in the water...right here...being all around us...is darkness...a shape...big shape...bigger than big. It is being a follower of us. Is this for being worry...full...about?"

[Sirroco]

The Sea King's gift occupied the Svefra's attention for some time, as he found a place out of the way upon the deck where he could ply the device without it crossing the path of the busy sailors. Calloused fingers, scarred by the teeth mark of sea creatures and fishing implements, ran over the curious surface of the ivory-like grip. After experimenting with the device, Sirroco discovered that, depending on where he pressed on the decorative shells around one end, he could make the full spear appear, or just one half or the other. Eventually, Tain appeared, chittering a chastisement at the Svefra for not providing a snack in a timely manner. Sirroco laughed, retracting the spear and heading below deck to his quarters. The Svefra had made last minute arrangements to bunk with the Isur man, Daekos. The fisherman knew little of the Isurians, aside from tales of their metalwork, and the appearance of Daekos, and the deeply mysterious Ialari would provided a way to study these stout folk. Daekos, for the most part, seemed decent enough, though he talked as if he had lived for a century or something, and his clothes were not very colorful. His arm, though, was a magnificent thing, as was Ialari's, and the Svefra was anxious for the chance to touch one of the metal-looking limbs to see what they were really made of. The Isurian and his dog were not in their cramped quarters at the moment, which was a relief. Tain had seemed to harbor a like for the man's hound. Unfortunately, the tavin otter's way of showing affection often involved a generous portion of teasing and harassment, to with Daekos' dog did not enjoy nearly as much. "You will have to settle for this until dinner, or we get a chance to fish." Sirroco informed the otter, handing him a roll smuggled from the garden party. The pair did not spend much time in the small room, both eager to return topside and the open sea air. Sirroco spent much of the day shadowing sailors, not in their way, but conversing with the crew, lending a helping hand when he could. The vessel was huge, by his standards, and he sought to learn as much about the rigging as he could, simply out of curiosity. Who knew, one day, he may crew, or captain, such a ship! After a meal and tidying up below deck later in the day, Sirroco returned to topside. Immediately he sensed the change, the air heavy with moisture, he could almost taste the droplets in the air. The crew spoke in hushed tones as they worked, a tension in their movements. The Svefra jogged to the stern of the ship, peering into the thick fog for signs of his casinor and the other towed vessels. The thick lines pulling the boats simply disappeared into bank of gray nothingness. Returning to the main deck, and seeing the form of the Drykas woman by the rail, Sirroco strolled up next to her, hands resting on the wood. Staring out at the fog bank, he strained for any sign of..anything. "This is about as heavy as I have seen it." Sirroco addressed the older woman. "Though I have been in a fog in which I could not see the bow of the Misty from the stern." A sidelong glance at the older woman revealed her trepidation. The sailors where whispering their superstitions, some of which were not superstions at all. Most of them painted the thick fog as foreboding. "Don't worry too much, yet. It is unnerving to lose sight, especially of the other ships." He continued, looking out. "But, the Sea King does as he wishes, in the manner to his liking. He may not be blinding us to something. Perhaps, he is hiding us from something."

[Delani Denusk]

Roused from her concentration by the voice beside her, Delani's eyes opened and her head turned to look at the Svefra beside her, brows raised. "If the sea is his domain, and the creatures in it his to command, what need has he to hide us from something within that he did not send as well?" The drykas would not pretend to know much of Laviku and his ways; she favored Eyris, Semele, and Zulrav when praying, though mostly the former. "I am far from accustomed to travel by water...Sirrocco, was it? The beasts of the sapphire plains are greater and vaster than my understanding. But should He be hiding us, what from?"

Her head shook slightly and the woman murmured something in Pavi, a hand searching her side for a moment before remembering the falx was down below in her shared quarters. "The grasses are often thick and high, too. It is sparse some seasons when we can peer beyond our height at the endless sea of grasses. We often ride blind. But this fog...It is as if the silt of the river has been churned by a great turtle or carp."

The woman fell quiet for a time, staring into the silver reflection of fog, wondering.

[Levissa Certier]

Just as she had guessed, most of the gifts had magical properties. Most. Some, like her, didn't seem to do anything at all. For now, Levi could not even feel disappointed, she was just grateful that she had got one. She watched with an interest as her fellow adventurers experimented with their trinkets, each impressive in their own way.

Soon after the gifts had arrived, Levi slipped below deck, heading towards the small room she was sharing with another woman, the Ethaefal. She had never really seen an Ethaefal up close before Lacerta, now that she had, she knew that Ethaefals' beauty was no mere fantasy.

A simple double bunk bed was shoved against the wall, leaving them some space to move around and place their things. The only lighting in the room came from the small porthole on one side of the wall, showing her a glimpse of the blue sea. From the distance, she could spot what might've been Riverfall. This was real. She was actually leaving for Falyndar. Tis was not her first time visiting the jungle wilds, but it was the first time she did so without her family. It should be challenging. Those who lived there were not friendly to visitors.

The ghost hunter busied herself by skimming through some of the books she had requested for Mathias to bring, lounging on one of the beds. All the words seemed to jumble with the swaying of the ocean, making her slightly sick. Not one information was discerned by her mind. She was far too excited. It was like all of her nerves were tingling with restless energy. So instead, she started scrawling letters addressed for her family. One for her parents and one for her brother.

By the time she was done, the sky was darkening. She must've taken longer than she had expected. Choosing the appropriate words was no simple task, it seemed. When she looked out the porthole moments later, she realized she could see nothing. Only gray. Raising an eyebrow, she wondered what had happened and left for the upper deck.

A nervous energy settle in her stomach as she looked around. The mist was so thick that she could see nothing but gray beyond the ship's railings. A few people had gathered on top, looking as concerned as she was. Was a mist like this natural? Was something wrong? The questions pounded inside her head until some talk about hiding and big creatures underneath. Having never travelled through water this far before, Levi did not know what to expect.

Her hands instinctively reached for her necklace, but she grasped only air. With a sigh, she rested her hand on the hilt of her new dagger instead, though not the slightest reassured by its unfamiliarity. Levi turned to look at the others. "Should we be worried?"