Location [Entrance] The Rolling Waves

[Gwin]

513 AV, Winter 63 Gwin noticed Zeltiva was near when the ship bellies over her head grew more and more. They cut through the surface of the ocean like proud birds, only with hard feathers and far bigger. Adjusting her satchel, she followed them and paid no attention to the wild life all around her. The journey from Abura had been long enough for her to lose interest in the wide waters. She was ready to see land, people and architecture again. Two columns stood so far apart that she almost missed passing between them. They seemed to be a kind of gateway into the docks of Zeltiva. A flick of her tail propelled her forward and up until she broke the surface. Her wings glittered like green glass in the cold light, although she didn’t unfold them yet. During the last bit she watched the city rise up in front of her, dock buildings and ancient towers before gray mountains in the distance. It’d make a good motive for a charcoal drawing if only she found the right spot to work on it. Before she got lost in the maze of anchoring ships and boats, Gwin took to the sky. The strong furry tail propelled her out of the water and butterfly wings cut through the air. First she rose above the docks, then above rooftops. Since Zeltiva was a port city, the Akvatari saw it from below first, then from above as was her fate. Despite that, she hoped to explore its wonders and indulge in the opportunities of learning it offered.

[Cassius Cruz]

77th of Winter, 513 AV

Cassius fidgeted slightly as the ship came to a halt at the base of the dock. This would be his first step on dry land in many months, and he did not know how long it would be before he would again feel the gentle push and pull of the sea beneath his feet. This was a big move, leaving his life on the sea to pursue one on the shore, but he did not regret it. Picking up his backpack, the mixed blood said his goodbyes to the kind Svefra who had ferried him from Syliras, and stepped off the ship. It felt like leaving home.

Cassius watched from the end of the pier as the seasoned sailors surrounding him worked, making preparations, barking commands, and shoving off into the unknown. After a moment of reflection on his purpose in being here, Cassius turned his back on the Svefra sailors, the second time in recent history he had turned his back on his people, and made his way toward the university to begin his studies in the great hub city of Zeltiva. As his heartache faded, a smile took his face. It was time to begin.

[Hadlyn Guinevere Lovelace]

Spring 496 flashback

The small dark child clung to her mother's hand tightly as they got off the ship. The woman pulled her daughter closer before scooping her up into her arms. The girl looked around curiously. Where was she? This place was so different from home. She thought of home with longing. Her father was there, she missed him.

"Don't squirm child," her mother muttered, holding her tighter to her. Hadlyn squirmed at the tightening squeeze, not appreciative of this treatment at all. She wanted to bite something, but restrained herself. Her mother had told her time and time again that biting was wrong. Which was a highly debatable statement in Hadlyn's opinion.

In later years, she would learn to agree with her mother.

But for now, now she merely wanted to absorb the sights and sounds of this new place.
Common Words
Pavi Words
Zithanese

[Shall]

65th, Winter, 513 AV

The ship was slowly approaching the docks. Shall could see the city from a far, a mass of green and mixed colors. There was many people going about the docks, merchants, students, and street paddlers...all the same. The weather was fine, cloudy and sunny. Her cloak rippled lightly at her foot as she looked up and examined the sky.

After traveling cities after cities, Zeltiva was the final destination and Shall also decided to settle down here. First, she must look for a place to stay, then find a suitable job to make a living. With some skills she had, Shall hoped to find a clinic that she could work in. She had had two years of experience when it came to Medicine. She hadn't worked and doing nothing of the sort beside studying and wandering around. She remembered all the harsh time in Sunberth, where danger lurking and most people fighting endlessly. She had left it all behind and Zeltiva would be a new start for a peaceful life.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

37th Spring 514AV 10th Bell Mirahil Pass Ethan pulled the reins slightly to the left as a large rock fall had blocked the road slightly. His horse moved gently off to the side and Ethan watched as the wheel slowly went around rubble. A part of him wanted to clear the rubble for the next teamster that came by, but after near thirty eight days out on the road he was tired and wary. As Ethan looked down the pass he saw ocean and the compact houses of Zeltiva, and for a moment Ethan choked up, he had made it. Tears left streaks of dirt down his face and as the horse and cart began to descend into the city Ethan finally felt like the danger of the wild was over. Ethan would be able to sleep in a bed tonight, drink and eat without worry that his rations had spoiled or were tainted, even talk to someone perhaps even a beautiful lass. His journey was over and for the first time in a great while Ethan felt as if the fear of not knowing what tomorrow would bring lifted from his shoulders. Ethan looked back at the cart’s contents, where once it had been full of grain and rations it was near empty except for Ethan’s tools and possessions. The horse placed one hoof in front of the other and began the slow decent into the city. Ethan had beaten the Syliras caravan loaded with food supplies and trade goods by at least several days. However, he wondered if it wouldn’t have been smarter to spend the extra time in the security of a train of wagons. After all, his experience had left him hurting and hallowed. Ethan shifted in his seat feeling the leather armor that he had grown accustomed to stretch against the movement. His spatha blade laid by his side and Ethan looked down at it knowing that it had saved his life once already. Shaking his head much like his horse, Ethan cleared his mind of the trip and thought about what he needed to do. He needed to find a place to stay and then possibly a job or source of information about the city. Feeling the cart finally go from the hard dirt and gravel road to the paved stone streets of the city Ethan was surprised that there were no gate, wall or guards around to hail him. To ask his intentions or be suspicious of his sword and armor. The knighthood not only looked through everyone’s cart but made sure everyone knew the rules and could find their way to a safe resting place. Ethan bit his lip deciding that if anything he should at least keep going straight on the street till he found a guard or main thoroughfare.

[Loken]

1th Day of Spring, 514AV. 9th Bell Loken strode along his Eyktolian Desertbred as he held the its reins, the narrow mountain way of the Mirahil pass opening up to the wide coastal cityscape. "There! There he is on horse!" He leaned forward over the horn of his saddle and waved glanced backwards, the darkly dressed man quirking a brow at the yelling voice. A small child was calling out to what appeared to be the boys father. A sea weary looking man who his horse strode past on the way to the city. The little boy ran to the man as Loken could only assume hadn't seen the parent for a long time. Turning around, he lifted the reigns to beckon his horse to quicken its pace until he reached the city. Even though he had no one to welcome him in the new city, he missed the order of civilization. Wanting to find a room as quickly as possible.

[Roane]

75th of Spring, 514 AV
Departure

Finally she was ready to leave. The Kelvic made her way to the boat moored at the docks, the one she was to board and go north to Nyka. She shouldered her pack and tried to remember if there was anything she didn't pack. As the girl made a mental checklist and erased things from it, she stepped onto the slowly-rocking deck of the ship. It was her first time being on one of these and she was slightly afraid, but they had told her it was faster than trying to make her way across land.

Roane would arrived at the city in roughly thirty days, plenty of time for her to get used to being on a constantly-moving object that could sink at any moment... Or capsize... Or something. The Syliran gripped the railing on the side of the boat, having crossed to the... starboard side? Port side? She leaned over and vomited up what little she had eaten that morning into the water. The girl was dizzy, but she could hear laughter behind her.

This was going to be a long ride.

Moderator NoteRoane is leaving on the 75th and will arrive in Nyka on the 11th of Summer. These travel times were given to me by Balderdash, ST of Nyka.

Common - Equus

[Lani Stranger]

2nd of Spring 514AV

It was almost magical how Zeltiva suddenly appeared. The caravan rounded a curve in the thin trail that lead through the chilly mountains, and there it was. Shiny and new. The familiar excitement that Lani felt when she entered a new city fluttered through her chest. She was on her own now!

"Ay! Thar'tis!" Someone called out a little behind her, but Lani didn't pay much attention as her steps quickened. She had been wearing her shoes off-and-on during the journey and had recently taken them off to feel the new spring grass inbetween her toes. She clutched the leather boots in her hands and burst into a run. The girl wanted to be there now. There was no particular gate that she had to pass through. One second she was in the mountains and the next she was sprinting through the streets laughing in childish joy and trying to take in as much of the city as possible.

"Thank you! Tahnk you Aquiras for bringing me to this fantastic city! Thank you for watching over my travels and keeping me safe, Father!" Laughes burst from her lips as her hard feet met the cold cobble of the city streets and she danced in the misty morning.

This is my home now. She grinned to herself. The statement was entirely false. Easily in a year or two she would be up and gone, she just would. It was her nature. But for now Lani was caught in the moment of being her own adult. She got to take care of herself now and venture out on her own under Aquiras' watch. She was truly free from the emotional turmoil R'yse had caused and the quiet envy that the Jamourians made her feel. She could seek any knowledge she wanted. She could meet more people, it was a city of opportunities, and she had it all to herself. She was free.

[Felakal]

46th Afternoon of Spring, 514

Felakal's heart skipped a beat. He had finally made it. In front of him, was the great city of Zeltiva. The road had been hard, and the days long, but here he was. The gentle breeze filled his nostrils with the scent of the sea.

Zeltiva was so much bigger than he imagined. By far, the largest city he had ever seen. Felakal had heard so much about Zeltiva, and here he was. Making his way down the slope of Mirahil Pass to experience it for himself. Here, he would build a new life.

He would join the University, find a job, and finally enjoy his life. Maybe he would even make some new friends. Friends... He thought. Felakal hadn't had a friend in a long time. His only companions were his faithful birds who flew high above him, learning the layout of the land.

Yes... I'll make it work this time.

[Grash]

1st of Spring, 514 Walking on all fours, Grash climbed the mountain trail higher and higher. Once he reached the peak he stook on his back legs and smiled. He never thought he would actually make it to Zeltiva. His parents thought that he had made it here years ago. Little did they know that it took him and his teacher over a decade to make it. If only Garal was still here with him. They had some great adventures exploring Mizahar. But there was no time to dread on the past. He made it! Grash returned to all fours and started running down the trail towards the city of Zeltiva. Next stop, the University!!