Closed Carpe Diem -- Seize the Fish [Atoll]

[Jaye]

Spring, 45th 514 AV

Whatever had her leg was going to die, she thought vehemently as she felt the rough cord of something unfamiliar tighten around her back hocks. Tensing, Jaye turned her large head slowly. Riverfall was idyllic and safe by all considerations, but having been raised in the Sea of Grass Jaye struggled to believe anywhere was truly idyllic and safe, despite any and all proclamations.

Kicking out at the serpent like shape rippling beneath the waves Jaye grinned to herself as she felt it loosen for a moment, moving away from her hock. Stepping forward again, the water lapping at the top of her back the cord tightened. Running along the inside of her thigh, another twisting up along her right hock it refused to loosen.

A weak swimmer, Jaye had merely come down to the water to wash and drink after the festival, uncertain and unable to see the threat Jaye felt the familiar rise of prey panic obscure her eyes. Nostrils widening as she heaved Jaye froze. Calm... she thought to herself, closing her eyes in concentration she sought the rational human part of her mind. The part unaffected by the animal panic that with the rope coiled its way over her body.

A sharp tug on the rope broke her concentration and sent her forward and into the water. Ropes entrapped her front legs as she swallowed water in her panic to rise. Though the water was only 16 hands high and she could easily touch the bottom with straight legs, leaving her comforted and safe in her ability to escape any predators, the ropes denied her that.

Pulling her legs out from under her Jaye fell forward and back into her animal body. Thrashing in the water, large sprays and waves moving out from her torment Jaye managed to grasp gulps of air between breathlessness, and it was all that kept her conscious in her fright. A whinnied scream tortured the Syna graced air as the ropes jerkily moved across the sandy bottom, dragging her deeper and deeper into the swift river.

Water lapped along her nostrils filling them with a briney salty presence, matching the whites of her eyes that shone above the rippling surface. Too deep to thrash into the air her legs fought invisible and helpless beneath the water. The resistance of the liquid quickly tiring despite the surges of adrenaline as the mare was dragged beneath the waves.

Help! Help! Jayes mind screamed inaudibly. What kind of Drykas am I to be claimed by something as petulant as the sea... She thought for a brief instant, though the situation lent itself to little thought. All she felt was instinct and adrenaline, but neither would be enough to save her it seemed.

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[Atoll Northwind]

Atoll sailed breezily towards the coast of Riverfall, he knew it by name only as he’d preferred to stay on the docked ship when the pod beached themselves, on what he bet was one of the last westerlies he’d get till winter. He took a pull from his waterskin and tilted his head up to to face the sun. His hand jerked on the tiller a bit, he cursed then steadied his hand. His eyes shoooting towards little red. She flailed beautifully in the wind, and told him the course would be fine for a bit longer. “Laviku, bless ya for good waters!” Atoll didn’t want to anchor in the city till tomorrow but he could get close enough to make the trip quick and painless. He decided he’d been at the tiller long enough; locked it in place and went about taking out his nets. He shook it out over the deck, checking for any tears or loose knots. He felt as if he’d only tightened a dozen when the familiar sound of luffing reached his ears. There goes my westerlies, he thought. Atoll left the net where it was then hopped over to the sail sheet and tugged at the rigging. The sails swatted at him in retalitaiton but he managed to tightened it enough, he hands then flew to the tiller in an effort to straighten the casinor out. He tilted the tiller left, bearing away from the wind which just managed to stop the last of the luffing. Atoll locked the tiller once more and patted the port side of the ship. “Good girl.” Atoll leaned back comfortably and closed his eyes, enjoying the sounds of the waves and the cool spray on his face. Then knew no more. -- The Sextant drifted like a drunken fish. The waves that leapt up the sides onto the deck and on either side of him and Atoll heard the splashing. “Litty, shut your trap.” He grumped, rolling over to his other side. It was too nice a nap to play. The next splash caught him in the face and sent him shooting up. “Laviku take ya, ya—“ His curse cut off when he found it wasn’t Littoral being a pest. Off a few feet away, Atoll automatically focused on Littoral and sensed him heading towards the casinor. He pulled away from the faint picture and leaned over the side of the ship. A horse was floudering in his net or he thought it was a horse. It’s coloring was all-wrong to him but what did he know about land horse? Then it screamed, nearly kicked his ship and sent up a spray of water. “Oi! Oi! Damned horse, whacha think your doin’ to my ship?!” The Svefra lurched over the side of the Sextant cursing all the while. Atoll could see the problem and shouted at the horse. “Your breakin’ my net!” He almost left it for dead. Littoral would help him push the body back to shore where the stupid critter belonged. He glanced around quickly, they were closer to shore than he’d like. He’d slept longer than he’d thought. Hadn’t even dropped anchor. Which made it almost his fault. “Alright, alright! Calm down I’ll help ya, stupid horse.” Atoll reached back up the side of the Sextant and pulled himself on board, muttering curses. He scanned the deck until he spotted his cutlass. He swept it up and hopped back into the water. Littorals tale came up high and slapped the water hard ahead of him. “Oi! Don’t ya start too! I’ve got it, go on, your scaring the horse! It’s gonna ruin my net!” He turned his attention away from the agitated whale, who wanted to obviously attack whatever was threatening his ship and person but Atoll was slicing at the top of the net. He muttered darkly and spat water. “Already ruined my net.” He floated awkwardly around the horse felt a whoosh of water then— crack, a hoof connect with his shin. For an instant he sank. His curses filled the water, and he swallowed it down. The Svefra came up kicking and flapping his cutlass. He threw up the water violently and quickly and hacked at some more of the net blindly. “Ya kill me horse, I’ll kill ya back. Calm down!” He roared at it though most of his words were swallowed by the water. Behind them Littoral inched closer and slapped threateningly again.

[Jaye]

Spring, 45th 514 AV

A large wooden wall had begun moving closer as the net tightened around her legs. Screaming Jaye drew away from the wall. What?! What is that?! A wall from the ocean?! Panic obscured her senses, leaving nothing but the roar of her own panic in her ears, the throb of blood in the back of her mind blinded her.

The only thing that pierced her senses was the large eye. The massive eye lay beneath the oceans waves, a cold broad nose nudging her side. W-What is that? Is it the eye of Dira come to claim me? Or Laviku come to drag me to the depths of his realm? She wailed to herself whimpering as her strength began to ebb, the cold drag of the sea numbing her legs and lungs. Salt chocked her nostrils, a white film encrusting their edge.

The touch of a warm hand on her hind end instinctively made her lunge out with her hind leg. Softened by exhaustion and the thick liquid that absorbed her surprise the crack was dulled beneath the waves, made silent above. Distracted from the eye by the presence of something solid Jaye lunged toward it desperately, as a drowning person clings and climbs upon another.

Easily and quickly she shed the glittering black fur and long ears. Her long brown hair fell tangled over her cheeks and forehead dripping long tendrils of water along her human nose and eyes. Her fingers tangled themselves in his clothes and hair, holding herself above the water. The warmth of his body seeped through his clothes warming her numbed extremities.

His knife had run along her thigh as he had hacked blindly at the net and her blood seeped around them turning the shallow water a turbulent purple. Numbed from fear and adrenaline Jaye gave little thought to the cut, its dull ache a gentle heartbeat in the back of her mind.

“Ya kill me horse, I’ll kill ya back. Calm down!” The man before her roared as she shifted and clung to him. Even as her skin appeared and her senses dulled she felt peace descend upon her shoulders. Control, based on ignorance, ignorance of all that can be sensed out there that humans could never know. Control, based on weakness, since a human can never know the strength innate to a horse. But she knew, and nonetheless it soothed her.

"Get me out! Get me out of the water!" She begged, her voice pitched toward Syna as she scrambled up his body, bare breasts pressing into his neck and she fought for the surface. Though the stiffening, blinding panic had vanished the creature with the eye still remained and the threat of drowning hovered on the lip of the man.

His eyes were the same brilliant blue as the shallow water which she was struggling to escape from and as narrow as the beam of the horizon in the distance. Wet hair hung by his face sticking to her shoulder and arms as she scrambled up him. She noticed little of him in her panic, but as his sturdy broad presence floated in the water and her deep rasping breaths brought her air instead of water she began to calm slowly, enough to notice the man as a man and individual, beyond a wall for her to climb.

Word Count557

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[Atoll Northwind]

Atoll jerked his hand around the cutlass, a phantom move that failed with the thing that clung to him. He sank, sputtering and cursing again. His free hand touched bare skin. “Laviku what did ya send me now?” It was not the skin that shocked him but the fact that there was skin. Human skin even. Human skin with breasts. Good sense returned when the cries reached his ears. “Calm down, lass! Ya gotta loosen up!” His words were gargles, and his eyes scanned for the horse that had been seconds before. Likely sank before its rider. And what fool road a horse into Laviku’s home? He’d never understand land-dwellers. He was being the same fool. So for the moment Atoll relaxed, allowed them both to sink, Laviku I give you my only weapon for the woman. Bless ya father. His lungs began to burn, not with the tang of salt but for lack of air. He released the cutlass as an offer then wedged both hands under the woman’s arms to push her away. He kicked his feet, using what was left of his net as foot to push up some. It wrapped around them both like a cocoon but had not dragged them to the floor just yet. For the moment his head surged, he gulped the air as if it were gold miza. “Keep still, damn ya!” For few more precious moments Atoll attempted to push them both up. Distracted briefly by the sway of her body clinging to him. Part of him were more than happy to rescue a foolish land-dweller. His shoulder then banged against his baby with enough force to bruise. He struggled to kick his feet but each kick felt like moving through sand, sodden and heavy. Atoll tried to wrap an arm around her waist to get one arm free so he could at least hold them up but he didn’t have the strength and his own feet were becoming a tangled mess. Curse it, woman. “Litty!” He sputtered. It wasn’t even a shout, more of a gasp and he felt the heavy waves of his friend beat him into the Sextant. He tried to keep the woman from hitting it too hard or at all. Finally Atoll felt beneath his feet he felt the familiar rubber of Littorals skin then— a hard shove and— “Laviku’s bones!” He screamed and his arms tightened around his new charge as they surged above the waves and the casinor. Atoll felt his breath catch then whoosh out as the landed mostly in one piece on the deck of the Sextant. She bobbed wildly with the waves, and Littoral sprayed proudly off the port side. The Svefra shoved the woman off and struggled to get his lungs to keep air. He felt heavier now out of the water but he forced himself to roll to the side and take a good look. She was obscured by hair but female through and through. And for a brief moment he caught a familiar look of panic in her eyes. “Sorry ‘bout horse.” He rasped. His gaze traveled along her tanned skin and rested at the cut on her thigh. Atoll gave another curse and stripped his shirt. He tossed it too her. “Cover that.” Swims like a Svefra. He thought laughingly at her nude form. He’d see to her better when he didn’t feel like a rock. Her cut didn’t look like she die soon. Least not to him.

[Jaye]

Ignoring the incomprehensible gargles sputtered her way Jaye took deep gasps of air until her lungs and limbs felt adrenaline's tendrils slowly loosen about her arms and stomach. Their was a permanent ache in her chest where salt had slid inside and felt crusted along the inside of her billowing lungs. Though she still desperately wanted away from the uncontrollable liquid that sloshed about her she calmed enough to begin the halting words "Th-..." Before she was submerged once again.

Her legs and arms were wound around his tightly, pinned to his body by his own arms resting solidly at his sides Jaye began to fight again. The ache for air and sting of salt in her eyes affronted her senses and as she screamed soundlessly beneath the waves she felt her lungs swell like water pouches. What is the man doing? First he tries to save me then kill me? She cursed wretchedly, Petch!

Darkness absorbed the pain and longing, sucking it back into the small of her mind until all she thought was ...surface...air.... Her limbs gave way as consciousness faded from her extremities drawing into a small round ball in the center of her stomach, the last vestiges of life the salt had not stolen.

She couldn't feel his arm around her waist or hear his gasped words. However, the surge forwards was not beyond her senses. The water pressed against her face with a rush as they burst from its maw. Clumsily tossed through the air, legs and arms scattered with the movement Jaye clung to the Svefra harder. The deck seemed to ascend beneath them as they landed with a loud crack upon its wooden hull.

The boat shoved the last of the air from her lungs, a painful "Oof" the only available sound. Darkness was a toothed monster that charged and threatened to overtake her. As each minute passed the light of Syna glimmering through the droplets that decorated her nude form like many tiny mirrors slowly drew her from the darkness. Thank you Goddess, Thank you... She murmured audibly as wind filled her lungs and chest slowly.

“Sorry ‘bout horse.” Was all the man before her was able to conjure, voice as rough and brash as dirty copper. Though she understood the words he spoke with such a bizarre and fierce accent she stared at him blankly. Bout?.

Laying prostrate upon her side, arms extended above her head she dare not move, for fear that if she did she would find something wanting. Her body was numb from shock, the cut far from her mind. As he tossed the rumpled shirt her way she followed it with her eyes before glancing back at him. "Cover what?" She murmured, her voice startling her with its rough crassness.

Once he had explained she took the shirt gratefully. Awareness drawn to her, her leg began to ache faintly. Draping the sodden shirt over the cut she winced inwardly, a soft hissing sound. Drenched in the salt of the sea it stung against the open wound.

"Salty Petch..." She directed at the sea vehemently nodding her head forcefully as if to challenge it to another fight. "Thanks..." She added to the man. Finally able to absorb his form and the boat her eyes widened at the boat, vast beyond her experience the sail waved lazily in the breeze, a gentle hello to all the fishes.

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[Atoll Northwind]

Atoll gave himself no more than five chimes to catch his breath then looked to the woman. She still was lying on the boat, a look of something akin to panic that made Atoll raise his hands to signal no harm. But when he heard her curse, he spoke sternly. “Don’t go cursin’ him now. He gave, as always. And we’ll be needin’ to sail so unless ya wanna swim back, ya be nice.” He paused for tick, then accepted her thanks with a nod, his own thanks going to Laviku. Thank ya, Father. We’re off to shore, can’t have this one drownin’ again. The Svefra stood with a groan, his back and knees popping noisily. Then began to adjust his ship. He reached over the side of the hull and began pulling up what was left of his net, “Petch.” The Svefra cursed every time there was another tear. He thought about repairing it but he’d rather get a new one than rely on his own knot tying skills. He’d lose more fish than he caught. When the net was finally on he continued to ignore his passenger to check on the casinor. There was a steady wind for him to sail with but he had to turn around completely to get to the nearest dock. He went to move the tiller but paused to take a look at little red. “Good girl!" Atoll called out to the Sextant. With the wind not coming in a cross it put the casinor in a close haul. So all he would have to do is move the tiller. He took his eye off the tell and bore to the right with a slow push of the tiller. His other hand trimmed the sails in time with the in time with the rotate of the casinor. When the turn completed Atoll pulled the tiller straight, setting the course to the shore. He checked the wind again then put down the mainsheet. It positioned the Sextant so Atoll had an easy broad reach, if he could keep it sailing that way they’d be at the shore in no time. He’d have to keep an eye on it if he wanted to maintain it. For the chime he focused his attention back on his unwanted guest. Atoll approached slowly then kneeled down by her injured leg, his gaze flicking between his tell and her leg. “I’m gonna take a look at it, lass.” He made to lift the shirt and found it bleeding still. “I’ll take ya to get healer but first what in the name of Laviku were ya doin’ out here? Got your horse dead and nearly yourself, too!” Now that he was settled and he didn’t feel so much like they were going to drown, he was incensed. She could’ve capsized them, she destroyed his net, drowned her horse, and probably hadn’t said a word to Laviku when she’d trespassed so readily into his domain. He shook his head and pressed the shirt back on to her wound. Then looked to her face. She looked water logged, and perhaps even a little wary or scared. Of course, she was also naked. Atoll scratched his head and turned away to find his jacket for her so when they reached the shore she wouldn’t be naked. “Don’t move.” He went to his chest and checked the water in his water skin. To him it tasted like average water but Atoll couldn’t remember if he’d refilled it with sea water or fresh water. After a moment of debate he grabbed both it and the jacket and dropped them off with the girl. “Gotta keep an eye on the till. We’ll be at shore soon.”

[Jaye]

“Don’t go cursin’ him now. He gave, as always. And we’ll be needin’ to sail so unless ya wanna swim back, ya be nice.” The man scolded, Synas light shining behind him making Jaye squint as she gazed back at his silhouette. Didn't the ocean almost kill him too? Why would he thank it? It was the wind gods that allowed one to sail right? They filled the vast flag of fabric not the ocean....All the ocean did was create storms and swells and currents. However, she recognized the patriotic tone in his voice. It was the same one she used for Endrykas and she figured she was as likely to convince him he was wrong as he was to convince her she was wrong about Endrykas. So she left the thought unsaid and slowly lifted her back from the deck.

Her muscles ached as they stretched, but being as young as she was they were more forgiving than the Svefras as they popped and groaned into place. He didn't look at her again as he went about her business. At first, this suited her just fine as she caught her breath and stretched each leg and arm to find nothing else damaged or broken. However, as he continued to work the boat began to shift underneath her and she reached out anxiously to stabilize herself. Still he did not look at her.

Perhaps a consequence of her age, perhaps a consequence of her unique equine beauty his lack of interest began to bother her. She felt slighted as he moved about the shift, a grimace of anger as he poured more emotion into a silly gnarled net than into a fellow human being. I shouldn't be so ungrateful... she scolded herself, but even as she said it she felt the emotions waver across her iris.

Eventually his lack of interest reflected back into her and she looked away from the tall figure. Though her thoughts did not roam there explicitly the man was very much like her father in both form and attitude, and her respect for one rubbed off on the other instinctively. Slowly standing, Jaye leaned against the mast using it to drag herself toward Syna. Ponderously she moved carefully toward the high wooden railing and gazed out over the watery plain.

Though not nearly as beautiful as the Sea of Grass she had to admit it was just as intriguingly dangerous. The same large eye that had terrified her before peeked up from the waves. Unblinking and huge Jaye scooted back away from the railing. Yes, there were indeed terrible things in the ocean....

Collapsing against the mast Jaye closed her eyes and tilted her head back letting Synas light and warmth lick life into her skin. She only opened her eyes when she felt a shadow cross over her form. The man had kneeled beside her staring at her wounded leg.

“I’m gonna take a look at it, lass.” He said even as he lifted to the shirt, not waiting for her permission. It nettled her, but once again she held herself in check. He was the key to the shore. They had both begun to dry in the summer sun but his hair still dripped soft cold droplets along her bare legs making small goosebumps rise over her body.

“I’ll take ya to get healer but first what in the name of Laviku were ya doin’ out here? Got your horse dead and nearly yourself, too!” His voice got louder as he finished making Jaye scowl back. She would only hold her tongue for as long as he would hold his. At first she didn't understand what he spoke of, my horse dead? and stared at him blankly. As understanding dawned on her face she couldn't help but giggle in the face of his scolding.

My horse isn't dead little sailor. Besides, even if she was what are my belongings to you? Why would you care? I appreciate your saving me, but saving me doesn't give you the right to lecture me. She grinned at him slow and wide, "For your information, I was out swimming. What were YOU doing with a net so close to shore?" She emphasized shaking her head and tsking him gently. The vulnerability of her situation put Jaye on edge and she quickly resorted to a teenage impetuousness.

She jerked as he pressed the shirt against her wound the salt grinding against the wound. When he had moved away to fetch her a shirt she gratefully removed the painful shirt he had pressed to her leg. Not understanding the qualities of salt on a wound, nor the importance of pressure she was much happier to let it bleed and reduce the pain.

“Don’t move.” ...Where in Synas name would I move TO?

Raising the water skin to her lips she chugged it heartily only to be choked by a swell of salt stinging her through and chest. "Petch!" She swore as leaned over hacking and coughing up the foamy water. Glaring at his back she capped the water skin hastily and disregarded it to the side. The air was colder on the ship than on land so this she gratefully wrapped over her shoulders until they reached shore.

“Gotta keep an eye on the till. We’ll be at shore soon.” till?

The shore could not get here soon enough... Jaye thought as the swell of the sea made her feel faintly green. Soon enough they were pulling up the docks. Riverfall looked even more enormous from this vantage. Her toes curled up along the edge of the water like a child too afraid to jump in. A quiet din floated across the water from the city dissipating the beautiful silence that echoed across the ocean. Another thing both seas share, delicious silence...maybe the sea isn't so bad after all, at least when you aren't in it. She added quickly.

"Do you live in Riverfall?" She inquired curiously as they approached the docks, he certainly seems to know where he is going... she thought enviously, remembering all the times she had gotten lost in the winding streets.

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[Atoll Northwind]

Atoll hadn’t had to do much, the wind had dyed down but they were near enough to shore that going slower didn’t bother him. He’d only needed keep a hand on the mainsheet. But his attention was torn between sailing and watching his unwanted guest. He spoke sharply as he watched the approaching docks. The Svefra didn’t take kindly to her earlier tone. “Fishin’ lass. Not all of ‘em are out there, didn’t ya see the net? And why was ya swimmin’ with a horse?” Atoll had to press his lips together to not laugh at her or snap at her that it was her fault he lost his cutlass and his net. His gaze flickered down to her leg, which sobered him up quick enough. Then he turned his gaze back toward the docks. He had two ways to slow the Sextant in his current wind. He could ease out the sails till they luffed or he could pull them in. His personal choice was always to ease them out, pulling them in was quicker for some but with proper control they’d shoot in to the dock faster than he could say ‘oh shyke’. Atoll was performing the former stop out of habit. He slowly eased out the mainsheet. Since the wind had dyed down previously and he didn’t want to stop too soon, he let it go in small sections. The casinor began to slow with bumps along the way. The waves where choppy the closer to the docks they got. Probably caused by other boats, big and small, pulling in and mixing with the natural currents. Since the casinor was going so slow they slapped at the hull with small sprays of water. Atoll found he was coming it too far to the right of the dock. At the rate he was going he wouldn’t turn quick enough not to knick the side of the boat which made him groan. “Sorry baby. This is gonna hurt.” All the same while he pulled in the sheets he adjusted the tiller to the port side to lessened the damage as much as he could. Then he answered the bleeding woman. “No, I don’t live there. I live here!” He waved to the water, his eyes bright with satisfaction, “Ain’t gonna live no where but the sea. I’m just vistin’ the port, gotta get supplies. What about ya? Ya livin’ here?” His face pulled into a deep frown, his hand twitched on the till to turn the Sextant around. He stared at the woman’s leg, it was all he could do not to. Land-dwellers! Atoll hadn’t planned on coming in to port this early but obviously Laviku had other plans. The Svefra did not sulk for long because the gaze at the legs drew upwards over the patches of visible skin. There was warmth in his veins as he remembered the press of her breasts against his skin. In any other circumstance he wouldn’t be taking her to shore at all. If not for he leg he’d be trying to get her to enjoy the waves. With a quick jerk of his gaze he returned it to the shore, speaking as he began to the stop the Sextant. His voice was loud to carry over the hubbub of the other docking ships. “Ya know a healer lass? You’re gonna need to be seein’ one. I’ll take ya.” He had locked the till while he was speaking and now was completely releasing the sails. They made a great deal about it. Flapping, and slapping in the wind. When it was completely slack they coasted in wobbly. Atoll gripped his seat by the till, “Sit tight or grab the side, we’re gonna hit that.” His head jerked towards the slowly approaching dock. It didn’t look like much at the speed they were going. Atoll knew several passengers who’d ignored him and gotten a good bump in return for not listening. Though the best was when they fell out completely. Within a few ticks there was a loud, hollow thud. The Sextant jerked, followed by the sound of clopping as the casinor bumped along the side in three short bursts that made Atoll sway roughly in his seat. But the casinor was very near stopped. Atoll jumped up to finish the stop. With the ease of anyone who rode the waters, he rode out any other slight bumps and waves and dropped anchor.

[Jaye]

“Fishin’ lass. Not all of ‘em are out there, didn’t ya see the net? And why was ya swimmin’ with a horse?” Jaye scowled back at him, "They may not ALL be out there but there is plenty enough to keep you there and away from where people swim! In this bloody heat you are bound to pick up more than just me if you carry on so dangerously." She lectured. Even as she spoke she felt a splash of guilt tickle her lips. She certainly didn't believe that the incident was her fault and his blame was what had elicited so violent an outburst, however she didn't truly believe it was his fault either. Even if it was, he had saved her from himself, wasn't that apology enough? He had lost his blade and net because of her, she was surprised he hadn't thrown her overboard by now.

"Well...you buy me a replacement horse and I'll buy you a replacement net." She responded to his blame by sticking her nose into the air, playing along with his delusion. Her leg ached beneath her, refusing to be ignored quickly forcing her back to the floor boards of the boat. Syna grazed her shoulders painfully with her tongue making Jaye wince, she would be glad to be back in the shelter of buildings shadowed. Though they protected her little from the heat they halted Synas direct gaze.

Having never been on a boat Jaye didn't realize how quickly they were approaching the docks and was surprised when the tip of the ship began to bounce on the sharp crests near the land. Grabbing onto the flat floor Jaye struggled to keep herself still, with each bounce her leg jarred painfully making her whimper in protest.

“No, I don’t live there. I live here! Ain’t gonna live no where but the sea. I’m just vistin’ the port, gotta get supplies. What about ya? Ya livin’ here?” Jaye watched him as he replied, his eyes firmly locked on her leg. "I'm going to be fine..." Jaye replied quietly, barely audible over the whistling wind in the mast. He's worried...or he likes blood...Jaye thought critically, his eyes gathering only the nick in her leg. "For now. I live with Caiyha. But my home is The Sea..." Her voice was hesitant and jolted with the rigid peaks.

"The Sea of Grass..." She elaborated realizing the openness of her statement. Riverfall was bordered by two seas and it was often a struggle for her in conversation to remember to differentiate between the two. Jaye leaned back against the mast closing her eyes and biting her lip unable to focus on anything but the pain the boat forced from her leg to her spine. She could feel the ache traveling like it was wind pushed over the nerves of her body, affecting her movement, stance and the rest of her muscles.

“Ya know a healer lass? You’re gonna need to be seein’ one. I’ll take ya.” He interrupted her thoughts with the most pertinent question at hand, "Yes. Ca-Natalia. I live with her. She should be at work." Jaye managed to whimper. She had almost murmured Caiyhas name again before she realized the potential trespass. She had been let in on the secret of the effervescent woman, had learned her worldly name and was expected to abide by it. It could bring great harm to tell all that Caiyha walks among them...Jaye gulped quietly glad she had refrained. One lie atop another lie atop another...I never had to lie in the Sea of Grass...Jaye thought resentfully, but I am here to serve in a way I could not serve in The Sea...She reminded herself as homesickness and seasickness held herself sending her rushing for the edge of the ship.

“Sit tight or grab the side, we’re gonna hit that.” But Jaye was already leaning dangerously far over the side of the Casinor puking. Her stomach boiled under her like the rolling surface of soup and as they bumped along the side of the dock the boat heaved Jaye from its boards as easily as she heaved her breakfast from her stomach.

Fortunately, she had tipped over the side of the Sextant on which the dock sat. Crumpling painfully onto the wood Jaye rolled onto her back staring up at the tall wall of the hull. "Help..." She whispered weakly, as her leg refused to move beneath her. She was trapped...in this two legged form a single injury left her useless and immobile.

Unable to think through the instinctual panic Jaye quickly shifted into her horse form. Synas lips so bright her coat shone as radiantly as the waters surface. Awkwardly and frantically rolling onto her side Jaye lurched upward and onto three legs. Her back right leg tucked tight against her stomach in deference to the gash that penetrated her thigh.

The boards creaked slightly beneath her weight as she hobbled away from the ship of her volition. Head low and extended as a counterbalance. Turning her head to face the Svefra she whinnied quietly lips playing with the air, He had better come...it's not like a lone injured horse can just teeter through Riverfalls Streets unchallenged.

Word Count870

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[Atoll Northwind]

Brass lass, Zulphyia would enjoy her. Atoll thought, torn between telling her to petch a horse and laughing out right. True, it wasn’t entirely her fault but what fool swam toward a boat they didn’t know nothing about? Apparently this woman. Again he glanced at her leg and raised his hands in surrender as he made to finish docking the Sextant. “Alright, alright. Ya win. My fault, now stand up so I can help ya out.” He glanced up when he heard her noises. The bumps had been rougher than he’d thought but there was nothing for it now. But it made Atoll move quicker, making loops to tie the boat to the dock. It was the most secure form but judging by how low ago she’d been injured, he needed to get her to a healer quickly. While he worked he talked to her, it’s what their healer did to keep people focused on something besides the pain. “Sea of Grass? Ain’t heard of that! Unless your talkin’ seaweed grass.” Busy tying off the bow with a final loop, he tied the ends together in a loose cross, then crossed them again to make a knot. If he was lucky it would get so tight that he’d have to cut it. Fleetingly he thought of taking down his sheets so they wouldn’t be ruined but it would take up too much time. He could always come back when he found her a healer. The Svefra turned when he heard a clopping sound. It was unlike her earlier noises, and he cursed thinking she had gone and knocked herself on something. Probably the boom, it was good at that. But it wasn’t the boom or the girl. If fact, the girl was nowhere to be seen. It took Atoll a full chime to even remotely understand what was happening. “You’re a horse.” It wasn’t a question though his voice was questioning. She had to be the horse because there was no girl and the horse had the same cut. Atoll had seen strange things on his travels, Laviku made beasts that he couldn’t even comprehend at times. But this was different. She was human before, “Ya were human and now you’re a horse.” Atoll took another chime before his brain officially said ‘petch it’. Shaking his head to clear the confusion away he nodded. His previous irritation returned in place of not understanding. “Oh aye, just sink my baby with your horse body. But lead on, off my boat woman.” However, it was Atoll who hopped off first, extending his arms to try and help the horse off it need be. If she makes a damned hole in my ship, I’ll skin her. He thought, as he watched he carefully leave the boat. When she did he would walk over by the leg that was injured as support in case she stumbled. The last thing he would need if for her to fall on him but he did promise to get her to a healer. He’d promised to pay for it too but he’d be lucky if he could afford it. “Shyke! Hold up, lass!” Atoll jumped back on the Sextant and down into his cabin, laying on his bed where he always kept it was his coin. He slowly counted out ten coins. He wasn’t sure how much healers cost but better safe than owing some angry blue-skin or Konti money. The Svefra shook his head, the city had too many rules for his taste. Coins shoved in his pockets Atoll bounded but up the steps and hopped out over the side of the Sextant. He foot caught, and he nearly planted his face on the dock but managed to catch himself. He trotted up to the horse-woman slowly then followed her lead silently. His mind falling back again and again to the question of what it was that he had caught in his net.