A meeting of two pods in the North Suvan Sea
Late Summer, 505 AV
Lutro Seafoam, age 6
The smell of mixed spices sat thick in the air. Cinnamon, cloves, saffron - Lutro had just eaten but already wanted more. His belly was full of freshly caught fish and a mountain of sweet dried fruit. Lutro was warm and happy. Members of each pod were sat on the beach around a roaring campfire, taking it in turns to sing songs, recite poems and tell stories. This would continue long after the sun had rolled over the horizon, when only moonlight and dying embers illuminated the gathered Svefra.
It had been a full and exciting two days, as it always was when two pods met. The Fairgales far outnumbered Lutro's own pod, the Seafoams, so he had spent a good portion of the first day surrounded by unfamiliar names and faces. His mother, Chelonia, had insisted he spend time with new people, practically dragging him away from the expedition that morning. So while a group of older Seafoams were sharpening spears and checking knots, Lutro was stuck on dry land, meeting and greeting. He would have given anything to join his father Tonien on the fishing expedition - as usual, he was leading the trip - but apparently a six year old was too small to go spearfishing. Lutro had never been very patient.
It was all too easy to slip away unnoticed. As his mother accepted yet another gift from yet another smiling stranger, Lutro took his opportunity and scampered into the sizeable crowd. He passed the grander looking tents where the Lia Baleen herself stayed, towards the boats moored just behind. Her own palivar, the largest ship in the Seafoam fleet, sat proudly on the water. Even as the Fairgales' fleet outnumbered theirs two to one, Lutro couldn't help feel a swell of pride at the sight of his family's boats. The craftsmanship was exquisite - Lia Baleen came from a long line of master shipwrights - and each boat held many cherished memories for her and her pod. He looked over to where he spent most time, his father's castinor. Its deck stained a deep indigo, in the early morning sun it seemed almost iridescent. The small crew which would make up today's ocean hunt were nearly ready to go, there was simply Laviku's offering left to administer. This was the most important part of the hunt, as Lutro's father had often explained. The favour of the All Father could determine not only the success of the day but their chance of survival.
Lutro knew he didn't have much time. He spun around in a hurry and began to sprint off, only to collide head first with what seemed to be a sturdy tree trunk. The impact sat him down and he looked up startled, to see the worn face of Lia Baleen, the oldest member of the Seafoam pod and their matriarch. She was adorned in a beautiful array of coloured silks and assorted threads, with large golden hoops hanging from her ears. An assortment of rings adorned her hands, a mixture of gold and silver, embellished with quartz and onyx. While the Seafoams were not a large pod, they were wealthy and Baleen spared no blushes in displaying that wealth on her person.
"Slow down little one," she spoke in her stern but kind voice, rich and musical in Fratava, their native tongue. She reached down a hand to pluck Lutro up from the beach floor. "Where do you run to so fast? And what are you doing away from Chelonia?"
After following little Lutro's awkward gaze over her shoulder, she clicked her tongue in knowing disapproval.
"You wish to join the Blackfish?" (This was her nickname for Lutro's father. Many in the pod used it in private, but only the Lia used it to his face) "I should have known. You have always had your father's fiery passion."
She paused. Lutro was sure she was considering his punishment: he would be confined to meal prep this afternoon for certain, if not barred from the campfire entirely. He hung his head down, not wanting to meet her eyes.
"Wait here, little one."
She turned and entered her private tent. For what seemed like an eternity, Lutro stood outside, staring desperately at his father on the castinor. He considered making a dash for it anyway, but then his punishment would be tenfold. Just as he was giving up all hope of joining the day's expedition, the Lia returned from her tent clutching something in her hand. It was a small spear, around five foot long, still towering over Lutro but easy enough to throw for an adult. Ornately crafted, even Lutro knew it was a valuable weapon and tool.
"Hold out your hand."
Lutro did as she said and she pressed the shaft into his small grip.
"Not like that, hold it like this."
Lia Baleen took Lutro through the basics of using the tool in her steely, efficient manner.
"Now go, I have matters to attend to. And little one,"
He was already setting off in a run and had to grind to a halt.
"Don't make me regret this gift."
He shook his head quickly and she nodded, before turning to go, leaving little Lutro to sprint off towards his father, just as the boat was about to depart.
Late Summer, 505 AV
Lutro Seafoam, age 6
The smell of mixed spices sat thick in the air. Cinnamon, cloves, saffron - Lutro had just eaten but already wanted more. His belly was full of freshly caught fish and a mountain of sweet dried fruit. Lutro was warm and happy. Members of each pod were sat on the beach around a roaring campfire, taking it in turns to sing songs, recite poems and tell stories. This would continue long after the sun had rolled over the horizon, when only moonlight and dying embers illuminated the gathered Svefra.
It had been a full and exciting two days, as it always was when two pods met. The Fairgales far outnumbered Lutro's own pod, the Seafoams, so he had spent a good portion of the first day surrounded by unfamiliar names and faces. His mother, Chelonia, had insisted he spend time with new people, practically dragging him away from the expedition that morning. So while a group of older Seafoams were sharpening spears and checking knots, Lutro was stuck on dry land, meeting and greeting. He would have given anything to join his father Tonien on the fishing expedition - as usual, he was leading the trip - but apparently a six year old was too small to go spearfishing. Lutro had never been very patient.
It was all too easy to slip away unnoticed. As his mother accepted yet another gift from yet another smiling stranger, Lutro took his opportunity and scampered into the sizeable crowd. He passed the grander looking tents where the Lia Baleen herself stayed, towards the boats moored just behind. Her own palivar, the largest ship in the Seafoam fleet, sat proudly on the water. Even as the Fairgales' fleet outnumbered theirs two to one, Lutro couldn't help feel a swell of pride at the sight of his family's boats. The craftsmanship was exquisite - Lia Baleen came from a long line of master shipwrights - and each boat held many cherished memories for her and her pod. He looked over to where he spent most time, his father's castinor. Its deck stained a deep indigo, in the early morning sun it seemed almost iridescent. The small crew which would make up today's ocean hunt were nearly ready to go, there was simply Laviku's offering left to administer. This was the most important part of the hunt, as Lutro's father had often explained. The favour of the All Father could determine not only the success of the day but their chance of survival.
Lutro knew he didn't have much time. He spun around in a hurry and began to sprint off, only to collide head first with what seemed to be a sturdy tree trunk. The impact sat him down and he looked up startled, to see the worn face of Lia Baleen, the oldest member of the Seafoam pod and their matriarch. She was adorned in a beautiful array of coloured silks and assorted threads, with large golden hoops hanging from her ears. An assortment of rings adorned her hands, a mixture of gold and silver, embellished with quartz and onyx. While the Seafoams were not a large pod, they were wealthy and Baleen spared no blushes in displaying that wealth on her person.
"Slow down little one," she spoke in her stern but kind voice, rich and musical in Fratava, their native tongue. She reached down a hand to pluck Lutro up from the beach floor. "Where do you run to so fast? And what are you doing away from Chelonia?"
After following little Lutro's awkward gaze over her shoulder, she clicked her tongue in knowing disapproval.
"You wish to join the Blackfish?" (This was her nickname for Lutro's father. Many in the pod used it in private, but only the Lia used it to his face) "I should have known. You have always had your father's fiery passion."
She paused. Lutro was sure she was considering his punishment: he would be confined to meal prep this afternoon for certain, if not barred from the campfire entirely. He hung his head down, not wanting to meet her eyes.
"Wait here, little one."
She turned and entered her private tent. For what seemed like an eternity, Lutro stood outside, staring desperately at his father on the castinor. He considered making a dash for it anyway, but then his punishment would be tenfold. Just as he was giving up all hope of joining the day's expedition, the Lia returned from her tent clutching something in her hand. It was a small spear, around five foot long, still towering over Lutro but easy enough to throw for an adult. Ornately crafted, even Lutro knew it was a valuable weapon and tool.
"Hold out your hand."
Lutro did as she said and she pressed the shaft into his small grip.
"Not like that, hold it like this."
Lia Baleen took Lutro through the basics of using the tool in her steely, efficient manner.
"Now go, I have matters to attend to. And little one,"
He was already setting off in a run and had to grind to a halt.
"Don't make me regret this gift."
He shook his head quickly and she nodded, before turning to go, leaving little Lutro to sprint off towards his father, just as the boat was about to depart.
