[sea] Never Look Back (solo)

[Lena Estelain]

33rd of Spring, 512 A.V. Midday, at sea between Denval and Avanthal... Looking back was all she ever seemed to do. Lena had always dreamt about leaving Denval behind and traveling the world with her brother. Going to the orgins of the stories he told her as a child. His times along the Eastern coasts of Sylira, from Sunberth to Zelvita. Eyktol and it's harsh sands and burning sun. Trading with the Horse Clans of Cyphrus in their Sea of Grass. Dressed only in riding leathers and strange tattoos. She was finally given her chance and all she could think of was home. She would of given anything to have it back. To sleep in her old bed. Getting a glimpse of her mother and father kiss while they thought no one was looking. To eat her fathers cooking and sit around the fire while he read silently. Tears stung her eyes, but she didn't bother covering them up. They came too often to be managed anymore. Growing up in Denval, you learned that nothing lasted forever. Anything could be taken away by sickness or a bad harvest. But this, this was too cruel. The whole city lost to a storm, it's nature still unknown. Many dead with no time to recover the survivors lost in the rubble. And worse yet, an ancient magic said to have become unstable. Forcing the citizens to flee across an ocean few dared to travel. Boats continue to be lost in the aftermath of the storm. With little hope more than half the fleet will survive. In truth the "Denvali Fleet" was nothing more than a swarm of fishing boats, trading Cogs and any galleys unlucky enough to be docked at the time. Whether the gods were unwilling or unable to help her people. Lena has lost all faith in them and their so called protection. The fickleness of gods was well known, but the priests never said anything of apathy.

[Lena Estelain]

"Whatcha looking at kiddo?" A familiar but unwelcome voice said behind her. Lillian was trying to imitate their father's deep warm voice. But the desired sense of comfort was lost on Lena. Who was only reminded of the night her father's screams of anguish were cut short as the rest of the house collapsed around him and her mother. "Nothing Lilly." While she and her sister had mended their differences in the past weeks. She didn't want to be reminded of everything she lost. Lena stayed away from most other Denvali's, dealing only with the foreign sailors that she had never met before. Most didn't even speak the common tongue, but she didn't mind, some would say she preferred it. "C'mon, you shouldn't let yourself get stuck on it." She nodded across the water. Lena couldn't tell if she was just easy to read or they were just too close to be hiding anything. "I've no work left, leave me to relax if I wish." "Relax?" She scoffed, then added. "I didn't know you could relax." That made her smile despite herself. Lilly was right of course, it was a poor excuse. Lena had never been prone to resting. There was always something to be done, some challenge to accomplish. "Don't you have a husband to deal with?" She said with a touch of sarcasm.

[Lena Estelain]

"No, he's busy with his business partners. Apparently some of them are getting irked with their current situation. 'A lack of civilized accommodations'." Lily leaned against the railing next to her sister as she spoke. "Pompous vermin." "Exclusive as well. Apparently my sex makes me too dim to join in on their discussion." "That or your pale skin and lack of extra arms." Lena regretted her words immediately as her sister grew silent. She quickly scooted closer to Lily's side to make up. The show of affection stopped her sister from leaving out right but the quiet still lingered. Lena had touched on a point that clearly hadn't been resolved yet. She had asked her new husband many times before and after the impromptu wedding, if her race was a problem. Or worse yet, if she was to become little more than a concubine when they returned to his homeland. A secret coupling only fit to produce bastard children. He had said many sweet things but only made mention of their home being Zelvita, not Ahnatep. A fact that did little to reassure her.