Fantasy The Bronze tail of Oonai

[AiDEE-c0]

The Bronze tail of Oonai
...a collaborative story. Barca-Marcus


"You better have thought this through."
"Asha, please. You need to trust me a little bit more."
". . ."
​

Preface first, the port of Maros.
Eighth hour of the morning,
Early months of the Summer.​

Golden rays of morning sun intermingled together with a fresh, salty breeze. The screeching of seagulls sporadically resounded above the heads of those crowding in the throngs, within the walls of Maros. The alabaster port city shone its albedo back at the heavens, buildings of windows without glass, carefully constructed of geometric marble shapes. It was a naval hub, the biggest of its kind around the Middle sea, with a fleet to boot. Ships of pristine, first-class make, lined up by the numerous docks and piers of the metropolis. One such vessel, of civilian type, solemnly floated upon the soft, foamy waves. It awaited its un-anchoring, due together with noon. Kóptaneias, Sunbreaker, loaded and ready to sail the warm waters of the south. It had endured plenty a journey. Certainly, it could endure one more, whereas its patrons... well, no part was certain on that front. Especially when it came to Malāh, a nearly destitute merchant of salt, bearing dreams of striking wealth through trade around the Bronze tail, just like his distant ancestors. Anxiously, he had been pacing around the wharfs every morn, which showed. The winds had whipped his face dry, occasional splashlets of seawater leaving tiny morsels of salt scattered upon his dark hair, wrinkled outfit and swarthy skin. There was a tinge of nervousity to feel with his every uttered sentence. After all, this would be his first long-distance travel.

Asha, a warrior, whose life had become an ushered-of folktale, stood by his side. Her posture was straight and stern, her golden-brown mane dancing a wild, wind-led figure. While generally tied back into braided bun, it was left undone for the city-dwelling happenstance. Her eye, the one that worked and wasn't decorated by a long scar, carefully scanned the surroundings. Every movement and sound resembled a possible danger. Metropoleis, of all the nests of life, were the most prone to criminals disguised beggar. There had been no accidents so far, but the threat always lingered. For this reason, a heavy sword of iron rested at her side. Meanwhile, Malāh stared at the sky. He saw something in the clouds and its feathered occupants. Their freedom, relieved of the worry of morality, surely such a careless life must be one of utmost luxury, so that the poets keep on emblazoning it. Then again, who's to say it isn't rather excruciatingly dull? To survive, rather than live.

But those ponderings were irrelevant. Soon, take-off would finally happen. Sometimes, he wondered why he was so worried. The ship wouldn't leave without him. It was on his payroll, thus a place onboard was assured, regardless of punctuality. Besides, it was such an ancient vessel, surely blessed by the gods to not have had an accident throughout all its life. Maybe it wasn't the journey, but the destination that...
"Hey. You awake in there?"
The man's mind jumped back into the present as the harsh, commanding voice of his companion made itself manifest.
"Ah, apologies, Asha. I was lost in thought... again," he shot back weakly. He was nervous and tired, an undesirable combination of traits. "We are to meet with the captain and the other passengers today, correct?"
The soldier nodded back to him, neutrally expressed. Malāh sighed and spoke again. "Asha, you don't suppose I'll make a fool of myself on the first day, right? I've been all over the place recently, and I wouldn't want to embarrass you as well, in front of all those people..." The conversation briefly engulfed itself in silence, making the distant splashing of waves audible.
"Don't worry about it, Mal. You'll do just fine."

Scene first, the Marina Pterýgio.
Encroaching noon,
Early months of the Summer.
​

The duo sat inside a shore-side building. There were table-like blocks of black-veined marble, surrounded by wooden stools. Walls of brick and limestone stood decorated with painted images of men wielding spears and harpoons. The smell of seafood permeated through the whole establishment, something which made Asha's stomach churn predominantly. Resting on top of their table was a small piece of parchment, reading "Sunbreaker" in all the languages of its passengers. Malāh chewed on a piece of bread, while his bodyguard calmly eyed every new patron coming through the entrance. This was the Marina Pterýgio, where seafarers wined and ate before their next voyage. A few other people collected around the sizeable table the duo occupied, but no one spoke for the time being. Before continuing to Oonai privately, the ship of their boarding had the usual drop-off to Zikru scheduled, and these were most likely the patrons of that endeavour. Zikru was the rumoured cradle of civilisation, although more importantly, little was more famed than their temple-lounges. Said to accommodate for every human need, perhaps some relaxation could at last be achieved there, as the vessel would stay for at least a day or two.

It wouldn't take too long for the captain to arrive by this point. Hopefully, all the others would assemble before he came. Yet again, Malāh began gazing off into the distance. Through a window opposite to himself, the royal blue of the ocean stared back at him. The fish faced a similar dilemma to the birds, however so much more bound. Did they ever think about that? Did they ever think at all? Did they believe in the gods that bound them in the first place? Did any of it matter? Spacing out was a curious use of time...
"At it again?" Asha whispered, not so silently. "...Yes. Seems little I can do to help it."
"You're unwell. Rest more," the woman exclaimed. Given her demeanor, it was hard to decipher whether as a plea, or a bizarre kind of threat.
"Thank you. I'll see to it, soon. I promise." While generally simple and straight-forward, the man was glad for her guidance when it came. Often, it made things better grounded, at the least. The warrior let out a collected sigh, as both of them waited for events to come and go. The Sun shone a brilliant yellow from the center of the sky. All around, the atmosphere was pleasant and soothing, in spite of the smell. Secretly, Malāh prayed this was not a calm before a very, very rancid storm.

 

[Barca-Marcus]

Early morning
Two days before their meeting
Three days before their expedition's launch​

A small carriage, rolling down the distant forest hills, quietly mulled through the morning dew. Flanked by two horsemen, and lead by a team of oxen, it went along, the sound of its wheel drowned out by the offset clopping of hooves to dirt. Every so often a puddle would break up the earthy monotony, but for the last few months, those breaks were few and far between. The soldiers on their horses, once vigilant, had some weeks prior set out after every bump in the night, and every vagrant wandering the roads. But now, with the weeks having worn their horse’s hooves and their own resolve, the pair set about quiet conversation for most of their long march. When ‘Clink’ was not around that was.

Inside the rolling box, was a noblewoman of high standings, Kalina Staden. On her merry way twords an expedition, one that had taken hold of her mind for the better half of the last five years. And finally, she found her chance to take it. Not as a rich woman on a cruise, but as a valued navigator. A specialist. Of course her parents, and the entirety of the royal court objected to this whole ordeal. No one could understand what might lead such a woman to such an end. The 'why's' and 'how's' plagued the palace for months. But the rumors got even wilder, when it was announced that a famed warrior woman, would be joining her on such a journey. The rumors took a very...malicious shape in the days leading up to their departure. But none the less, what was at the forefront of Kalina's mind, was that new, shiny title, "Specialist." and all that such a word entailed. Though, that wasn't the only thing on her mind.

Fast clopping came from ahead down the path, a single horse barreling their way down the road. One guard road ahead, checking for sure on what he already suspected, "Clink" he mouthed to his fellow guard, and signaled for them both to fall into line. She was always so miffed when she found the pair out of formation. And neither of them cared to fight her on it while being so close to their journey's end. Hidden by the shade of the trees, and the lingering shadow of the previous night, 'Clink' as her detractors called her behind her back, or Maria slowed her horse as she grew near to the carriage. Attempting to not wake her mistress.

On high alert, as she had been from their first launch, Maria stood as the noblewoman's personal guard and escort. She was a hulking thing, always in uniform, and always on edge. It seemed that while the palace guards' attitude mellowed as the journey carried on, Maria's only hardened and boiled. It seemed each day they grew closer to the sea, Marina grew just that bit angrier to her fellow guards, and more distant verbally to her mistress.

“Anything to report?” Maria demanded, as she came trotting in, sitting tall on her horse, “Nothing, sir. The young mistress is still-“
“Maria. Good morning.” Interrupted the fair Kalina, pretending as though she had just awoken. Though, she had been awake for some time. She had not risen to meet her private guard, not even uncovered the window. This was the trend, this whole travel. The two never spoke for more than a moment. And if they did, it was the last thing from formal.

“Good morning, Domina.” Was the only response Kalina got, short and traditional. Before the young noblewoman could say another word, Maria had begun again, “I shall check our rear. This close to the city we will surely encounter more travelers. One of you will start your ride back after we reach the city gates, the other shall accompany the carriage driver back once we have concluded our business. Figure the roles for yourselves-“ She paused, and bowed to the covered carriage, her tone staying as strict as it had been “As you were, Domina.” “As you were, Maria.” Kalina’s tone similarly strict, and distant.

While their voices were cold, as un-intertwined as the two could be, their gazes were on the same thing. Had been for the last month. Every moment that they could afford it, their gazes were set on the trees. The forest around them, be it Maria taking her horse off the path to run through it, or Kalina stopping the carriage every other day to collect a host of flowers.

Home was far away. But soon even the ground that connected them to it would be as well. These were not travelers. These were Oprushi. They were not born to travel the oceans, so the parables go. But their journey was ahead of schedule. Almost a fortnight’s lead on their mark.

Truth be told, they had as much reason to look back as they do to look forwards.

Late Night
One day before their meeting
Two days before their expedition's launch​

The group found themselves in Maros by nightfall, after a few short delays. And they all retired to their rooms in an inn, on the outskirts of said town, just as quickly as they arrived. None of the five members had much will to sight see in the dark anyhow. Or so they let on anyways.

In truth, Maria and Kalina, the moment the set their belongings in their room, were ready to find their way back out again. And each of them knew the other well enough to know, that they would both be doing as much. Waiting a long while, Maria slipped from her room, quietly making her way to Kalina’s room. Without a word, or thought of a knock, Maria entered Kalina’s room, muttering in the darkness, “Kalina?” worried her mistress had already left without her, “Maria-” Was the last words said, before a pair of feet dashed across the floor and jumped to the air.

The pair embraced in a warm hug, Maria freely picking Kalina off the ground as they did. Wordlessly, one shed a tear, one pulled a bit tighter at the other’s cloths. They said all they needed to say. After nearly a month of secrecy, they were nearly done. If ever the guards saw them exchange a word of kindness…an ounce of friendship, surely it would get back to the court, and further fuel the fires of their horrid gossip.

Only a day more, and they could speak freely, But neither could pretend they were entirely excited. As another tear fell, as hands wrapped tighter around the other. They showed their fears…Neither had been so far from home. Each step was harder than the last. And just two days from this moment, they would be leaping away from everything they had known, and everything they had ever done. Terror and joy married themselves in this embrace.

After a long moment of silence, and after a few sniffles passed, Kalina muttered, “The dock first. I must see the vessel with my own eyes.” Marina shook her head, muttering, “It is too dark, a torch would no-“ Kalina spat back swiftly, “We will wait, then, until dawn-“ Maria gave her a shush, and muttered quietly, “Fine then, but you know we can not stay for long.”

Mid Morning
The day of their meeting
One day until their expedition's launch​

That morning came slower than any morning before. The pair of Oprushan troublemakers having walked half of the main streets in Maros by that time the sun began peaking its bright face over the open ocean. And as it did, the pair rushed to the docks, spying out all the vessels in port. Of course, they had little way of knowing which was their new home, and which was the home of some destitute merchant. And thus, they set about guessing and pandering. Kalina emphatically pointing out each of her guesses, while Maria was content with quiet mutterings on the matter.

It was only after they had snuck back into their inn and went through the grueling task of pretending to wake up, that they made their way back to the port at large. This time, Kalina was focused on touring the various craft and clothing shops, dragging her duo of burly soldierly types through the most perfume laden bazaars of the port. Of course, every half inch of the sundial, Maria was barking at the other guard, or whispering about a shifty looking individual.

Maria was in her typical, overdressed, attire. The tall beast of a woman was wearing her famous seared iron torso plate, a similarly scorched iron skirt, and military sandals taboot. Her dirty blonde hair was in a long, unflattering braid that stretched closer to the floor than her backside. Her freckles shone on every bit of exposed skin, despite their being so little of it, and her breasts remained bound tightly to her chest, under a cotton military tunic, with the outline of the Oprushi crest on both sides. On her hip, lay a deadly short sword, while around her wrist lay a leather sling. She looked ready to join one of the mercenary ships docked in port.

Kalina, in stark contrast, was fit for a pleasure cruise. Her dress started as a deep purple towards the top and flayed out into a beautiful orange and white hew at the bottom. From her narrow shoulders to just atop her stomach, little twinkles of gemstones dotted her dress, signifying the night, and even having several constellations within it. While the bottom, representing the day, sported these long-jeweled strands of gems, like flairs from the sun itself. Her feet were adorned by Imperial topaz styled high heels, while her hair carried several Amethyst jewels and hair clips. Her bright blonde hair curled in impressive braids and curls. No one could claim, in this life or the next, that Kalina Staden dressed casually for any occasion if she could help it.


The group made their way slowly across town as midday hit. Marina, now holding a new shading fan above Kalina, addressed their final guard, “You have done your Domina well. And you will now leave us to conduct our business. Assure commander Markus, that I give my approval to you, and the rest of those that have gotten us this far.” Kalina staying silent throughout, while the guard gave a bow, “It was a honor to work with you, Temyu. And you, Lady Staden. Safe travels- and.” He took a short breath, “And I do hope to hear news of the Bronze Tail.” He gave a weak smile, having been as informal as Maria would allow, and quickly left.


The two stood there, watching him make his way down the main street of the port. They watched him up until he ducked into the stables for his horse. And both stood, just as still, waiting to see him ride off out of the front gates thereafter. When he disappeared under the main gates…and after a long moment of uneasy silence, Kalina looked up to her guard, and muttered in a fluttering, uneasy tone, “Let us go.”

Never did a noblewoman, in full palace attire, run so quickly to a sea side tavern. Maria had to hold her outside, and force her to catch her breath, just to ensure no one grew alarmed. The pair stayed there, panting lightly as they looked at one another, each of them trying to come up with something to do, some task that they forgot. Each of them crew ice cold feet, and Maria gave her a sideways look. Would they turn around now? Should they? Could They?

Kalina shook her head no, and before she could reason it otherwise, she opened the door to the Marina Pterygio, and stepped swiftly inside. And Maria followed suit.

Kalina put on a soft, dignified smile, as she carefully walked through the wine hall, with all the grace of a noblewoman. Maria, on the other hand, stomped and glared with all the grace of a rhino. She couldn’t keep her eyes from peering at every figure in the room, even after Kalina pulled at her tunic, and nodded to a table market “Sun Breaker.”

"How different" was the first thing both Kalina and Maria thought when seeing the two already sat at the table. Maria was focused on the weapon at the woman's side, a large, crude thing that even the savages wouldn't favor. Much less a richman's guard. She denoted her as a brute, seeing just how large and war torn the woman was, thinking this without a hint of self reflection. All the while forgetting another soul was sitting aside her at the table. While Kalina, was awash with excitement. She instantly saw the warrior woman as fascinating, wanting to stop half way across the tavern to ask about the scar over her face. And when her attention flocked to the man aside her, she was even more amiss with questions. A younger man? Surely he was a nobleman as well, but his clothing, his hair even, didn't match any royal family that she could place. Despite her raging, fluctuating emotions, she kept her calming smile locked over her lips, and ensured her eyes didn't dance as much as they so desperately wanted to. She was a royal, after all.

The pair made their way over, Kalina displaying her grace with a bow, and Maria displaying her lack of grace with a slap of her first to her shoulder, a military salute. Kalina spoke out, “Good evening, my newfound friends, Am I to assume, that you are Malah, our benefactor in this expedition?” Her smile widened a bit wider than she meant it to, “It is- a joy, to say the least, I am Kalina Staden, your navigation's specialist, I-“ She turned and nodded to Maria, “and my body guard Miss Temyu are delighted to embark on our voyage- May I?” she asked, nodding to the seat there after.

There was no backing out no. No going back home. No hiding from the Bronze Tail now. They were locked down this new path now. With strangers they didn't know, and to lands they've never seen. But each, in their own ways, were ready for it. Despite their anxiety fear, and families screaming otherwise. But had they know about the torrid waves that the Sun Breaker, and her crew, would face. They might not had entered the city to begin with.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

Scene first, the Marina Pterýgio, cont.
Encroaching noon,
Early months of the Summer.​

Storm, was it? Like the thunder of an angry July, footsteps began roaring out across the Marina. One set of them, accompanied by a gentle tapping upon the marble. Asha immediately turned her gaze towards the entrance. A duo had entered the building, one weirdly reflective of their own. Regardless, their visage caused the woman nary more a single thought. "Now, how many had to die because of you?" The smaller of the two reminded her too much of the daughters of the northern oligarchs. Heels, novelty dresses worth more than the jewels adorning their heads, a dove among the feral hounds which spawned her. Alas, by the looks, she arrived together with one such hound. A court dog? Not with armour so scarred and seared. Intimidation of such kind was the tool of pirates, but this was no time to dwell on unasked pasts or making enemies. She knew better than that. Her only current duty stayed the same as always, make sure the cub doesn't get eaten alive.

Then, the newcomers approached their table-block. Malāh hadn't been paying an overt amount of attention, opting instead to squint his eyes at the clouds, but he turned as the petite woman began her introduction, offering a subtle bow of acknowledgement. Asha simply rolled her eyes and retained guard, especially suspicious of the singed guard dog.
“Good evening, my newfound friends. Am I to assume, that you are Malāh, our benefactor in this expedition?” The girl began. The salt merchant sighed to himself in relief. He had the slightest tinge that this would come out of her mouth, and he was glad for it. To finally meet one of the people with whom they'd be spending weeks of naval-bound time together, eased at least a single, tiny worry.

The apparent noble presented herself as a miss Kalina Staden. The navigation expert. She didn't look the part, but mayhaps that was a falsity of the first glance? Who knew, maybe the day-night hue bearing dress served as a map of orientation? Northerners worked in mysterious ways. Then, her bodyguard. Delighted, huh? This miss Temyu looked about as delighted to be there as Asha did.

The man soflty nodded, pointing towards two of the unoccupied chairs with an open palm. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Malāh, of the house of Millah," he initiated timidly. "Blessed by the gods," he murmured, "I do hope that is true."
Shooting a gaze towards his partner, the merchant regained just a little bit of confidence. "This is Asha, my pillar to lean on in these trying times. Though, you'll find city-folk prefer to denounce her by other names. Qavara, Lepydón, Swordbreaker... It's silly, honestly." Malāh grew a weak smile as he spoke. It was a smile of disbelief, but a smile nonetheless.

 

[Barca-Marcus]

Maria went for a chair the moment it was offered to her, pulling it back swiftly before waiting for her lady lord to sit. The pair of them blinking as their benefactor claimed he was "blessed by the gods" but both denoted it as southern fluffery. Sure in passing that was fine, wishing the blessing of their patron god or goddess. But as a title? Silly. Or at least in the north it was as such.

Kalina, as she moved from legs to chair spoke, pitched her voice to a floating, graceful tone, more fitting for quiet banter, "City-folk from the homeland hold their tongue, I must say it is the low-born soldiers who give my Temyu her names. Dogs, i'd say." she smiled back to the towering guard that now stood directly behind and above her mistress, "But she speaks highly enough of them that I save my wraith for more worthy animals. Shall we partake in a drink? I have not had quality food since I left the palace, i'm afraid."

she smiled back, this time nodding to Asha, acknowledging her for the first time, "Yours seems like she would draw such ire. Fierce and stunning." Those words alone cause Maria to shift a tad in her spot, and Kalina knew they would, "A slave, I assume? Or am I mistaken, and she be a guard of your court, as mine is?" Speaking, as form dictated, as if she was not there with them at the table. In truth, she was one of the least offensive of her court. Oprushi is well know for its snobbery, and superiority complexes. One of the many reasons soldiers are far and away their largest export.

Maria hadn't moved from her spot, opting to keep the advantage of standing, and the distance it provided. Despite the unconventionality of their work here, Maria was still acting on-script. 'One does not fraternize as their Domina does' a bit of house hold advice that echoed in her head every so often. Instead of fraternization, Maria kept scanning the pair. As these were not 'true' nobles, tradition dictated that she may look where and when she may, as to 'better protect those in need of it'. These were potentially powerful people. And that gave little reason to keep her eyes off them.
She was very keen on inspecting that blade, and lightly curious about the clothing the pair wore. She had it in her mind, what southerners wore, but was pleasantly surprised. Not as revealing as some claimed. Though just as horrid, though Maria was not one for fashion of most any-kind, so that was par for the course.


"To speak on the spear point." Kalina began, after a brief lull in their conversation, "I am rather excited for our journey. I commend your efforts, exploration is what heats the world's fire." a smile forced its way over Kalina's lips, breaking that graceful tone with a more excited one, "Your message, I would say, could not do it a justice. Would you mind telling me of the journey now and again? And explain, if you may, the nature of your trade. I understand spices are to do with it, but little more." She was full of pep, that and sugar from their morning's meal. Both fueling one another, it seems.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

Malāh bit off another nibble of bread as at least one of the pair sat down. Her protector was vigilant, but also obvious. Asha wasn't too sublime in appearance either, but seating gave a possible encroacher false confidence. Had she been standing, the first strike would go to them, or so it worked with the metropolis drunkards. But, even the criminal mercenary knew that little a fool would dare to make a display at a bustling marina at this time of the day, though she kept her guard up regardless.

"Dare a soldier speak up in Maros, a hundred lashes are in order," the merchant shot back with a slightly disassociated demeanor, half submerged in thought. "It is a wicked practice. Turned half the army mute," he continued speaking, trying to find how he felt about it himself as he did.
"The denizens, on the other hand... Talk on their behalf. I can't blame them, they need an outlet that doesn't get their families killed."
Malāh stopped himself at the last point. Was he just thinking aloud to no one's interest at that point? The inquiry into food and drink took his mind off of that thought, bringing it back to a more present place. Asha stayed silent, occasionally brushing stray strands of hair away from her face.

"I hope you have a stomach for squid, then," the man ushered, lightly bemused. "They cover it with batter and fry it in palm oil, very curious." Shaking his head to dismiss something from his brain, he looked outside in an assessment of time. "Our captain should arrive shortly. After he does, on the topic of drink, I suppose I will have to bloody the sands."
A rather cynical expression of the southern naval environment, Malāh spoke it uncannily gently, not considering how it would sound to a foreigner. In spite of the grisly name, "bloodying the sands" was regarded as a charm of luck. Water was poured over hibiscus tea nested above brown sugar, tinting it a deep crimson. By tradition, the baron of the ship did so together with the captain, and the vessel wouldn't set off until all the cups sat empty.

Asha scowled her brow as she was addressed, although she paid it no heed. A murderer like her had no desire to be praised for being one, not by a stranger. Instead, Malāh chimed in once more, with a response that caused the mercenary a second roll of the eyes, accompanied by a faint smirk. "Not a thousand men could chain Asha if they tried. We are friends. I'd be lost without her." In more ways than one. If not for her hands mining salt, who knows under which ditch he'd be sleeping right now? Besides, he was one for keeping slaves, though he remained too anxious to comment on such things, or even consider how they were said in the first place.

"I'm glad the prospect excited at least someone. Truth be said, it makes me rather nervous," the merchant spoke, his eyes slinking to the side uneasily. He looked towards some of the other people sitting nearby, waiting for departure. "First, we will travel to Zikru. Some say the first nations arose there."
Inhaling deeply, Malāh spoke on.
"But I am mostly looking forward to the rest it offers, after a taxing fare." He looked up at the murals of fishermen, equating some of his troubles to theirs. They both chase slippery things on the waters, yet what was more slippery? The abstract, or the concrete?
"Just like the first of my ancestors, salt bears the forefront of my trade. But... beyond that ocean..." He stopped himself again. He wanted to say that he wanted more, unsure of what that actually meant. That indecisiveness was exactly what gave him pause. Would anyone follow a leader without a goal? No. In his search for the abstract, he had to appear concrete.

 

[Barca-Marcus]

"What a practice." fell from Kalina's lips, before a light torrent followed, "I fear this is the trappings of such Metropolicia. They grow so ill of warfare that they become its easiest victims." She giggled and shook her head in astonishment, "A hundred lashings...We have not left the mainland, and yet I feel in foreign waters. Much to learn, at any rate." She said with an endearing smile, gazing at Malah as he nervously ticked back and forth. Despite her smile, it was weighing on her, just a tad.

Maria, on the other-hand, was in a variable uproar. When she heard of such a strange practice, her face stayed just the same. But a vein or two pulsed in anger. She set her feet just a tad wider apart, firmly stamping them down after a moment of adjustment. She quietly prayed for someone to try and bring a lash to her. In the back of her mind sat visions and wishful thoughts of Oprushi teaching the locals about "respect" and "Nobility".

As Kalina's mutterings slowed, and the talk of strange food began, Kalina reclined back, musing, "Squid? I've not heard of this creature before. Fish or Foul?" she asked, looking to the pair, "Frying though does agree with me at least. So in any-case, I will give it a bite."
On hearing his comment, she let out a shrill little giggle, " "bloody the sands" how quaint! Bemusing rather." her excitement seeped out there, a departure from her Lilith, formal speech.

Both Kalina and Maria were keeping an eye on Asha as she was brought up. Such a brute was not to be trusted, as was. But warriors from other nations were usually the first to receive any sort good grace from Oprushi. To the point where until the foreigner's royalty is well known in Oprushi, they will only talk with, or respect, their military commanders. Though of course, "Respect" is used heavily. As all foreigners were considered "Less Than" or "Drevi".

"A friend then-" she nodded, addressing Asha herself, "Forgive my silence, you did not make me aware of your status." she gave a half nod to her, and smiled warmly, "You seemed so like my own Sword here-" she gestured to Maria, who was looking up and away at this point, "That I simply took you for one yourself." she tilted her head to the side, her smile inching just a bit wider.
"Your attire is lovely, as well as your weapon. Might I ask where it was made?"

Pulling from her conversation with Asha, she turned her focus back to Malah, and his business there in, "You really must contain your nerve." she said in a swift, hushed tone, "Morale is important, war or not. The lower orders can detect such hesitations, and they will suffer without realizing it." She was shorter, but not entirely rude. She seemed focused, that sweet tone disappearing as she spoke on, "I'd imagine, it would be even more deadly on a ship's crew." such military thinking was steeped in all of those in the Oprushi royalty, and the nation as a whole. Though some applied it better than others.

She changed subjects quickly there after, her pitch swiftly moved back, her voice raising a bit louder, and her smile returning in full, "I wouldn't be able to hide my excitement even if I wanted to. From having weeks to study the stars in an every-changing sea, to exploring the new beyond. To simply, as you look forward to, relaxing for a bit." she sighed longingly, "Resting perhaps will become my favorite pastime on this voyage..."
her own mind shifting twords the rumors and scolding lectures from her kin...And to a particular night, not too many months ago, when she thought she was losing her closest friend. All of this hidden behind a smiling face, and pillowing eyes. As it had been for some years now...

 

[AiDEE-c0]

The currents of soft seabreeze fluctuated through the marina in a linear fashion, causing the numerous smells of fish and oils to elate up and down continuously. Among them all, the scent of salt carried and latched the easiest. For anyone spending more than a few days in the metropolis, no amount of perfume could mask its faint touch upon their being. Thus was the mark of the sea, and thus smelled the anticipation of journey to plenty a soul. Anticipation, uncertainty, those words naught but rhymed inside Malāh's head. Thankfully enough, the avid enthusiasm of his new companion served as at least a tiny anchor to aid in steadying the ship of worry with. Folding hand over hand, he shook his head at an instantly dismissable notion.
"The city has a history of uprising and tyrantry. All practices have a reason for being put into place, regardless of how wrong they seem. That is what I tell myself at least, to help bring reason to the world..."

As the merchant rambled, Asha kept a calm, lowered eye at attention. She imagined news of severe beatings would upset northern nobles, in their squalid hypocrisy. Taking to pretend to care about abusing soldiers, then sending them all to die, murder, plunder and rape. Perhaps it were those in higher places who deserved a few hundred lashes instead, to remind them of their humanity. With a grin, she looked to Maria, then sighed. Muscle to use equaled muscle to use, no need for upsetting it. Such thoughts belonged to sheltered juveniles half her age.

"Squid is curious," budged Malāh into the woman's internal musings, inbetween calling something out towards one of the chefs passing by in a butchered version of the local tongue. "I don't suppose it is either... A mollusk. Soft things with hard shells," he noted. Squids didn't really have shells, but their "quills" were sometimes sold as antiques. That is to say, overpriced trash, tossed out of kitchens by the dozen.

A curious gaze befell Kalina from both members of the duo, as she let out a sudden giggle. Asha, figuring the reason, reluctantly decided to intervene in the conversation and explain the term, as she herself was alien to it once. However, before she could, the whole ordeal unnecessarily centered around her again. In a hoarse, accented voice, she offered back short, to-the-point remarks as replies. "My pride won't hurt." The orphaned mercenary didn't care much for in-depth conversation with nobles, instead hoping that they would skip out on word-fluff for once and just speak plainly. "Moragrad, north."

Malāh shrugged softly at Asha's rather unsocial tone. Nothing he could do to move her. In lieu of trying, he self-consciously traced his fingernails with his thumb. Kalina was right. Decisiveness played crucial within the life-and-death orchestra. How could anyone be sure of an order if the giver themselves weren't? Surely, this was the way to ruin Sunbreaker's blessing. If anything, Asha would just have to relay authority in his place again. Yet, in spite of what a letdown meeting him for the first time must be, the navigator remained seemingly hopeful. Souls like her were direly needed in the world...

The world, with its confining boundaries. Like a pot, procedurally boiling all inside. No wonder good souls remained so scarce. Little find reason to try. The world, the family, after all, were fully designed to fail them.
No, a ridiculous idea. After everything that transpired, Malāh sat in no place to pummel back towards it. This voyage would finally let him put it completely behind his head. The shovel, the key, had given the man a renewed sense of intent desire to succeed. He wanted power. Power over his Ego, Id and Superego. Power over himself.

And the trail towards it began as a new figure entered the Marina Pterýgio. A man of dark, dehydrated skin, having around him the acrid air of a storm at sea. Several strands of black, dreaded hair flowed down his wrinkled face to complement a grey, slowly-crawling beard. He walked nonchalantly, donned in wrinkled desert-robes, hands behind his back. As soon as he became apparent, Malāh stood up and rushed to greet him with words of captain. He led the man towards the table-block the rest sat at, quickly introducing him.
"Everyone, this is Abbayesh, our captain for the upcoming journey. Both of us are happy to be serving you, under the watch of the gods."
Before addressing the group, Abbayesh stoically recited a prayed in a foreign tongue. "Eya watch dilligently as we sail. We shall perform the usual rituals and set out, I take that is agreeable?" The captain spoke zealously, to the point and without a heed of hesitation. He had been sailing on the vessel for decades, no doubt. Curtly nodding, Malāh sat back down, just as a chef placed a bronze platter upon the table. In its middle, a vase of boiling water loomed over several cups, brown sugar concealing their bottom, hibiscus calyces nesting inside small balls of thin cloth thereupon. Around the cups rested several plates, occupied by kalamari, shrimp, crab-meat, and other crops of the sea, ready for consumption. In the meantime, the salt merchant followed the captain in pouring the water over the cloth postules, each tainting the sugar a deep crimson, before rising to the top as more prayers were uttered.

 

[Barca-Marcus]

"Tyranny and uprising" Kalina scoffed after Malah's reasoning's, "Soldiers put an end to such things in one form or another. A land without such protectors would very well have such Tyranny and Uprisings." Kalina shook her head, "A good place for campaign indeed." she remarked to herself, before following up, dueling Malah in his philosophies, "Want begets reason. These laws were made by those who had no soldiers, and wanted control of these waters. Can not be more complex." she reclines back, sighing as she did, "Royalty of other nations often play such games. Reasons for this and that. Those monotheistic cults especially, "The lord wills this-The Lord commands that" she scoffed and shook her head, "The gods are fickle things. Hungry for their vices as we are ours. Even they live on such simple rules." she nodded, seemingly happy with her minor lecture, "Want begets reason."

Such things were self evident in all of Oprushian society. Their war declarations similarly were short and simple, "We will come, take, and leave with what we want." Being a common anthem that preceded war. Maria, already forgetting about this petty land and their ruinous laws, was now steeped in such thought. Those tenets of her youth. Drevi never seem to comprehend such simple things. Most, Drevi that is.
Maria was taken aback, sent back to those desolate cold lands that she had embarked on those years back. recalling a captive, 'wild woman' from a tribe they had been subduing. Such a woman, Maria thought then and now, knew the world better than she did.
Though she halted her thoughts there, for more than a few reasons. Namely though, was to keep her eye on this 'friend' with the crude weapon.

As Asha spoke, Maria inspected her once more. Her eyes traced over her every inch, scrupulously looking over her form, unabashedly starring. "Moragrad"? such a place was well known to Maria. That frozen land mirrored that of the tribes' land she fought in. And as rumors say, it was home to nothing but death and fighting since it became lawless. It was an enticing place to many of the upper crust of soldiers. A 'worthy proving ground' as some put it. And for once, a pinch of interest entered Maria's otherwise angry, sneering gaze. "What style does this thing fight in?" was her first internal question. Though, of course, tradition kept the words from her lips.

"Moragrad!" Kalina shot out in surprise, "My word- the stories one like you must have! I hear their pole-arms were once legendary. We have a few raiding parties there today I should think." she said, as if it was a daily task, "Tell me, are you proficient on horse back? Your peoples, in long lost times of course, were revered for their riding." she giggled a bit, shaking her head, "There is a rumor that your peoples make for strong bloodlines. Tell me, in such a land, what weaponry did you fancy? Surely that-" she nodded to her weapon, "Was not what kept you secure in such a volatile place?"
Kalina was truly interested, somewhat, in this Drevi woman, but she was more interested in playing games, as usual. She knew such types have no love for conversation, and enjoyed forcing it out of them. But more fun than that, was messing with the beast that stood behind her. She didn't need to look to see Maria's displeasure. She knew how prideful her 'Sword' was. And loved to pry at such things. And it had been so long since she had the chance to do so.

The games fell to the wayside, when shouts of captain, and a new figure entered their mist. A dark skinned one at that. Kalina having never seen such a person before.
Kalina made no subtle attempt to hide such a fact, "A darkened man-" she shot up with delight, waiting impatiently for their, as she thought 'Drevi Drivel' to cease.
She gave a half bow, a rare sign of respect given to outsiders, "Kalina Staden, Of Oprushi. Abbayesh-" she nodded, trying to pronounce it correctly, "Abbayesh. It is a pleasure to meet you-" she lets out a shrill little squeal of excitement, "Gods bellow!" her eyes, as tradition allowed, set about inspecting every bit of him as she spoke emphatically, "Your peoples fight without the horse, and and many places-" she said, reached forward, taking his clothing to her hand and inspecting it. "Without steel or even bronze." she shook her head, "I know so little beyond that- But the rumors precede you!" she cooed loudly, waving her hands about above her, "I hear the stars above your home land are colored differently. And that in times of war, it is customary to eat your enemy-What is true in these?? Have you a weapon under your cloak? Or are you a civilian?-" and continuing from there.
This was the true Kalina, as Maria would remark internally. Uncouth, unabashedly rude, and wholeheartedly inquisitive. As Maria inspected this new man, she couldn't help but feel joy. They both were so distant for so long. And even before then, who they were had to be hidden on a daily basis. These giggles and squeals had been so rare. And now, in the last night and day, she has heard more from Kalina than she had in the last year.
Of course, even to a Oprushi, Kalina was rude. But that was her right as a noble, so it was thought. And with their past, it was sometimes hard for Maria to even notice it at this point.

Though she was happy to hear Kalina happy, Maria was no less on edge. This was a new man, captain or not. Dark skinned or not. And thus, Maria was ready to attack if need be. Especially as Kalina got so close. She cared not for his skin, but what might lay on his belt, or what plots might be in his mind.
To Maria, Dark skinned peoples were interesting, but nothing too much so. She had seen a few slaves of such nature in the court. Though since only the wealthiest could afford such things, they were usually broken harsher than that of local slaves, and thus, bored the soldierly Maria. While their weaponry was interesting, Maria cared little for it. They were made to fight their own kind, and were useless, so Maria assumed, to her. So why bother. And she had long since ashewed notions of the darker skinned being "stronger" as she simply believe the Oprushi had the strongest bloodline. As most of her country did. Aside from a select few nobles who considered them 'exotic fighters'.
All in all, she could never truly wrap her head around the fascination so many noblemen and woman had for these peoples. They were too far away to be conquered, too far away to pose a threat, fighting in places that provided no incite into Oprushi affairs. She wrote it off as "Nonsense of the Nobility", a phrase her mother used daily when she was growing up. Usually it was in reference to military doctrine, and the strange weapons or fighting styles the Oprushi nobles like to come up with, but here it worked just as well.

The food, and the smells there in, brought both of them to other means of thought. Kalina snapped her fingers, and murmured something in their traditional tongue, which prompted Maria to turn away from the table, with her hands now behind her back. Maria was not permitted to eat with the rest, and it was traditional for soldiers to not look at their nobles while they ate. The 'why' is lost to time, though every noble has a different reason for it.
Kalina waited for their heathenistic prayer to end, then swiftly asked, "How do we feast on these things? These bowls, the boiling water-" she gazed over it all, "All very peculiar."

 

[AiDEE-c0]

"I fear the history of coups and people's rule is too fickle for either of us to judge properly," Malāh sighed as he sat back down, placing the small plate from beneath his cup over it like a lid, hinting to the foreigners to do the same. "There is a folk shanty, about a military man. He usurped rule from the citizens and nobles after winning a war, feeling that they were in his debt for doing so. When sailing to consolidate his power, the god of the sea drowned him and his men in a vortex. Maybe that will help illuminate my side of understanding." He spoke rather solemnly. With every sentence of speech, he had to internally consider and reconsider how he truly felt, now that he was faced with an intellectual "opponent." The example didn't simply rely on the fact that someone was drowned, but rather the implications of the whole idea. The man took a ring of fried batter covering squid meat, taking time to think as he chewed down on it. "Things become different when it is the wants of everyone which beget that reason, at least in my head."

The government of Maros was a curiosity. There were sorts of administrators, higher eschelons, but laws still had to be passed by the people. Of course, "people" then meant those who owned land, were born in the city and above the age of thirty. Had a system like that any future? Not in the eyes of the men who so often felt like the people's rule was inefficient, tearing it from their hands and passing it down onto their sons. These sons, in turn, were devoured by the mob every time, like a barbed wheel alternating between a sharp and a smooth edge. A certain decadence came with this. Was it greater than the concetrated decadence of a few select rulers? Was Malāh in a place to decide? Regardless, only history could give the answer.

Meanwhile Asha, also lidding her cup, stretched crudely as Maria eyed her insistently. Perhaps the dog forgot about its duty, or she just liked what she saw. Whatever the reason, it didn't bother the woman enough to upset her. There were better things to worry about than another gaze from the crowd, like the nauseating smell of the food brought up-close, thinning out all the olfactory enjoyment that at least the hibiscus offered. Or, the captain-there was nothing to say to the captain right now. Instead, the little noblewoman again took to saying way too much. But as the mercenary had been graced with an elevated mood via enigmatic imaginings inside her mind, she decided to very briefly humour the girl.
"Were, until the barons all grew fourty," she let out with a grin. With their many daughters, who's to say that's not the only shaft they know how to handle? The words of raiding parties did nothing but confirm already predetermined suspicions, that all lords were toothless hounds who needed others to hunt pups to feed their hunger. She didn't care for the revelation, perhaps toiling at sea and desert would humble them. Alternatively, they'd die and that'd be the end of it.
"No," was the singular answer given to the last two inquiries, as she took the plate off the top of her cup and downed it, still searing hot.

The captain finished the last of his personal prayers, the visage of an utter, cool calm enveloping his facial features as he did. With a deep nod, he acknowledged Kalina's introduction. He didn't flinch a tiny bit as she began tugging at his clothing, instead listening thoughtfully to all of her questions, shaking his head at few of them. "I belong only to Eya and the Sea, no people are truly mine," Abbayesh spoke, taking occasional sips of his tea. The diffusion was sweet, warming and delicate, albeit noticeably acidic to those previously unexposed. "The stars above the Sea shine far more brilliantly than anywhere else, surrounded by the trails of milk that first created flesh. Fish also eat fish, so both is correct," he continued, letting his features assume a friendly posterior. "And there are none foolish enough not to bring a weapon to Maros," he remarked, and answered all questions in a similar manner. The man distanced himself from the rest of humanity, brought up at a golden court. He saw the vanity and falsehoods of those who called themselves worshippers, deciding to miss out on intrigue in favour of being granted a priestly name and escaping out on sea. Quickly, it became his element of choice, and he made it his living as well. Gods granted him a ship and captainhood for his decision, and he would stay forever thankful.

Malāh had started stuffing his face at the outbreak of the exchange, he had been thoroughly hungry for some time now. His plate was soon littered by shells, claws and other inedible remains, the distinct stench of which had caused Asha to stand up and walk over to a window, irregardless of duty. All the other patrons feasted as well, feasted and talked. The whole marina was now enveloped in a ruckus. The merchant turned to Kalina at her question a bit curiously, raising an eyebrow in the process. "What has shells you empty, what doesn't you chew. It's not too different to chicken, and the shai isn't different to any other liquid." Then he shrugged and returned to his plate yet again, without ceasing conversation.
"If I may, before everyone's finished and we set out... How is it that two courtiers like you were allowed on such an indefinite journey? I'd like for us to be transparent with each other, if we can."

 

[Barca-Marcus]

"All history is subject to scrutiny. To fear judging such a thing, is to fear change itself. Where would warfare or society be without such scrutiny?" She shot back, ignoring his gestures. Kalina listened to his recount of a tale, and scoffed openly at his last interjection, "The wants of everyone- and who is this 'everyone'? There is no 'everyone'. Even peasants separate themselves on wants and need. And those separations change as the seasons do. If you mean to defend those who are not soldiers, and thus their masters you mean to defend lawless lands like Moragrad. Where those 'everyone' you speak of killed their overlords, and refused to replace them, thus left their land and its people to rot, or turn savage. Leaving a land strong enough to wet other land's swords, and nothing more. It is for them to do, of course. Power is to be respected. But they clearly failed to aid their peoples. Leaving them in worse straights than those barons before them.
All warriors have their places, and most have value, but warriors alone can not secure a nation. If you embrace the gods, and accept soldiers and their masters, you will have an ever lasting stability. Only rocked by a worthy foe, who would there in strengthen that stability. Those barons had a lack of understanding. They sought worthless wants, and thus fell behind in a warfare's sense. They failed, just as those that came after them did." She looked as if she was done with her opposition, confident with her words, but she seemed to get another zealous spark and continued.
"And that shanty proves one thing, that the gods are as fickle as those around them. If anything it proves my point. For the one who held more power, that god, took from the world what he willed." She took a break from speech for a moment, gulping what she could in her cup and carried on.
"The gods will as they can. As do those bellow. Certainly a peoples can take a weakened nation, but not for a day can they hold it without enacting that same strength, thus a military. And a military, much like a country, can not function without nobility to run it. With a strong bloodline to lead, and a stronger soldier at their side." Finishing her ranting with a famous Oprushi motto, who would have guessed.

As the conversation shifted to Asha, Kalina found a more agreeable, less involved conversation. She remembered such stoic behavior from Maria's mother the first time she had met her. That playfulness just as much, "Until they grew forty?" She giggled to herself, her eyes dilating as her words took on a fake, sultry tone, "And you did not simply move to those younger?" she giggled at her own flirtations, "A warrior and a flirt. Charming~"

"No- she says." Kalina mused, "How mysterious. Though you carry no ounce of nobility, I might see you as one of their swords. Though, some how that doesn't seem quite right."

Maria, all the while, was having a minor fit. The line "A warrior and a flirt" stinging her into another bad mood. And that led to further annoyances. How 'alluring' this brute was. Saying nothing and answering all but nothing. Grand. Charming.
Despite the fact that she so often spoke and acted in the same way, and despite knowing Kalina was trying to annoy her, Maria was still boiling. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep. Or lack of food there of.

Of course, Kalina was taken away from Asha, to this stoic dark skinned man.
"No peoples aside from others who follow Eya." she said with a little giggle, following, with a gasp as he confirmed so much of her curios, "Milk that created flesh- how curious!" She snickered as she stalked around him, her words never seeming to cease, "Fish also eat fish, what a poetic way to label cannibalism. I wonder how one prepares a human body for such a thing. Do you dress it like a doe, or cut it like a cow?" She had no end of prods and pokes, especially to a person who was actually willing to answer more than two of them.

After hearing Malah's instruction, Kalina nodded, and set about the things before her. Effortlessly she set apon cracking the shells, despite not needing to crack them, and gulping down strands of meat whole. Chewing was an irregular part of her eating, sometimes she would loudly munch on a bite for endless seconds, others she would forget her teeth and swallow things whole. Once she set to slurping she barked out in a swift, harsh tone, "Leave us! These noises are not for your ears-" and before anyone could wonder who she was talking to, Maria silently began walking away, but of course, even while eating, Kalina had to pester something, "Go accompany Asha- that should be far enough." She said before taking another large bite. After another loud gulp, she murmured to the others at the table, "It is curious, Soldiers of our land have this fascination with us and our eating. Like a fetish it is, to hear us chew on things. One of the many things I do not understand about our lower orders-"

Of course Maria was none to happy with the order she was given. Especially now, every step from her master ment another pound of worry weighing her down. And an ounce of want. This was supposed to be a place where she and her mistress may be, just a bit more cordial. Or so she assumed. And sure, in their quarters she had no doubt it would be that way but- It still felt so distant.
Maria shook her head, reassuring herself silently, "It is her right. It is not my place." Perhaps things might change after their departure. Perhaps it is the earth that keeps them connected to such practices. Regardless, Maria resolves to be happy with whatever follows.

"How was it that we were allowed such a journey?" Kalina asked back, pausing her mauling of the food before her, "Do you mean to suggest we Oprushi do not go where we please?" She took another handful of meat, and began, "I have a love for the stars, and that love led me here. If you are curious, I needn't the money. I am here, entirely for my own enjoyment. And my sword is here to ensure I do not enjoy myself excessively so." She took a bite, and exclaimed while chewing, "IF- I were here-" She gulped it down, "-On some capacity other than that. I owe you no explanation of it." she chuckled and exclaimed, "As if such knowledge would be freely given, with a nod and a smile. Drevi are such cute things sometimes." She remarked to herself, as she continued to eat, seemingly having a bottomless stomach.


Maria finally made it to the window where Asha stood, and she swiftly turned to watch the door, looking away from Asha. Perhaps the brute would live up to her would be nature, and say nothing at all. Maria hopped as much anyhow. Despite her minor curiosities Maria had no love for small talk. Especially when in such a place. And asides, this brute was not nobility. And thus she had no rule demanding her to carry a conversation.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

"To judge so much, while knowing so little... I cannot commit to it, sorry," Malāh noted, a new sense of nervousity washing over him. "Besides, I do not stand to defend either side. If I don't understand what led to what, and reject the notion instead, how can I ever find my place in the world? With false conviction of justice? I cannot." He hated talking about subjects he knew little of, or those which were vague. These was so much he had to learn. He didn't understand the basics that formed up sense, like a musician playing a song he'd seen another minstrel perform, without knowing how to compose notes. His education started with the complex, as a noble, and strayed from the simple. He was envious of someone like Kalina, of Asha especially. She understood how to survive, perhaps less so live, by instinct. Then, here was Malāh, farer of salt, knowing how to live, but lost in survival. Yet, he knew one thing for sure, from his own experience, failing at both. If you take and take, you leave those around you with empty bowls, and they will learn to live through it, survive anything. Then, when your own bowl is empty, they will oversee you rot. Eventually, inevitably. Alas, the merchant didn't find the determination to bring the sentiment up, instead returning back to eating. Perhaps he would find the courage at some point in the future. Politics and power, he wanted them no longer, the goal was to find himself.

At the window, Asha inhaled wisps of passing seabreeze deeply. It was a much better scent. The sea smelled of serenity, vastness, but also struggle. Somehow, it seemed like a romanticized reflection of her past, as she stared outwards at the waves. Foamy little hills of azure, jumping over each other rhytmically, calmly. A heart like hers needed the occasional comfort of nature, where before it had been so harsh. It showed there were two sides to even the most hostile of things, making it all the more a shame that this did not translate over to humanity. It was at this point that the little noblewoman's guard-dog decided, or rather, was commanded to join her at the other end of the room. The mercenary felt no personal animosity, or at least chose to contain it. She also had no desire to shoot the breeze. Instead, a warning was in order, for their own survival. "I hope you know nobility means nothing out on the open sea," she began coarsely. "It's the rawest struggle. You survive. No matter what lows you have to bring yourself down to. Food will be short unless you keep your bowl empty enough, just like everyone else." She paused, caring not how Maria was reacting. She had to understand, or both her and her pet would be dead by half-way through the journey. This was not a royal sail, so nobles had the same place within the crew as mass murderers. They would contribute equally, share equally, or be destroyed by nature itself. Shooting a deep, piercing stare towards her counterpart, she spoke one more time before returning to silence. "Vultures will always clean your bones, regardless of how you live."

Abbayesh, at that time, had been responding earnestly to all the inquiries coming his way. "A follower is common, a believer is scarce," he replied, a smile still donning his face. Whether he was accumulating good will with his patrons, or answering out of courtesy, maybe genuinely socialising, a man like him was hard to read. "I only know of one tribe to practice the deed. It is the highest glutton, to lust after the flesh heaven-spun. We will not pass them as we sail." Instead of sitting, the man continued to stand. He held both his hands behind his back. His straight posture made him appear even taller than he already was, reaching somewhere around one hundred and ninety centimeters easily.

"I know that noblemen like to keep their daughters by the leash, and that there are certain obligations involved, but I will not press you for anything." Malāh felt something was just a tiny bit amiss, that there came no letter from the father, no orders to keep Kalina safe under threat of death, no other escorts. But, if he had not the courage to comment about philosophy, he surely had not the courage to doubt aloud. "You do not owe an explanation, no. But what I've learned from Asha is... we will all die in such straining environments, if we cannot trust each other. I have reasons to trust her in that, so I hope you will, too."

As time passed and food disappeared, high noon neared and inched closer and closer. The radiant Sun grew in size and heat, causing another wave of odours to pass by and through the marina. Rotting fish, over-ripened fruit, sweat and decaying wood. These were the unpleasant stenches of the noon, coming from the harbors and the docks. People poured in, the smell of sweat and salt with them. People poured out, came the fish boiling on open helion. Asha, at the window, revolted, hoping the sails would rise sooner than later. Abbayesh, on the other hand, had grown completely accustomed to the reek, instead waiting for the food the vanish from the plates. Malāh thought, stared out the window, thought again. "Either way, I hope the journey is pleasant for all of us." He knew it wouldn't be. Sailing was a struggle. You'd get seasick, eat blandly and little, have little interaction, sleep less, row when the winds were low and others couldn't. Accidents would happen, waves would wash over the ship, skin would dehydrate. But, even still, people most often found themselves in time of struggle. Perhaps he could too.

 

[Barca-Marcus]

A smirk grew over Kalina's face as the man before cracked and shied away. To her mind, her points had prevailed, reguardless of his words. She stopped listening to him when she saw his nerve slip. She even uttered a chuckle, breaking up his final words.
"Such is a Drevi." she said with a shaking head, "You would make a very good vassal to The King."
How silly, these Drevi could be. Such unease on such simple topics. Kalina wondered how anyone could learn, while being so timid? How such a thing could survive in this world? Certainly she felt drevi carried with them less assurances than Oprushi. But she felt this was a special case. And there in, in his own way, sort of precious. Cute even.
She had no doubt, though, that he would perish somewhere along this expedition. Such an infirm, little thing, had no place in such desolate lands.

Back from the loud crunches and squelching of food, where the air was dominated by sea salt and not salted seafarers, a pair of armed, giants stood. Maria stood, looking away to the window, with her arms behind her back in a harsh military stance. She listened close to the room behind her, using every sense she could to focus on her duty.

But there we limits to even the best soldiers. She soon found herself focused on the horizon, the rolling waves, and the ships there on them. Her mind again wandered back home. She swapped the vast blue sea, with a vast white tundra. And thoughts of home soon swirled into thoughts of war.
She only had a moment to faun over the spear she had lost to that tundra, when Asha's voice filled her unwillingly open ears.

She rolled her eyes at the bland warning, spitting back something in her own tongue, showing a fire previously held in embers before.

She turned a single eye to Asha and barked in a cool, heavily acciented tongue, "Speak to noblemen in such rhyme. I care not for such things. I will eat your breast if I hunger enough. Do not...not 'presume' how one survives. There are no rules to such things." She turned away and scoffed, "And do not pretend to care for my, or my Domina's "bowl". It angers me."

She was livid at such talk. Typical Drevi dogs. Adding such flowery tones to it all. She was lost in such stupid talk. Surely this woman had not seen such things. Surely no warrior could utter such drivil and believe it.

To protest "nobles do not exist on the sea" she inwardly scoffed at such notions.
Sure enough, Drevi nobles exist only in their castles. Frail little things that could not withstand a light tap on the shoulder, let alone war.
But Oprushi nobles? They were made of sterner stuff. Without a doubt in Maria's mind. Taught from birth to fight, to withstand pain and ashew weakness. Sure enough, some were worse than others. But even still, everyone of them understood such a simple thing as survival.

Surely this was some delusional bard standing next to her, Maria though. Not the hardened warrior she appeared to be.



To the table, back to the smell of strange sea fearing creatures, and the conversations there in. Kalina was mystified at the captains words, curious with each little utterance, "And this is a cult I presume? What god do you adorn?-" she giggled at his speech, the way he talked was 'cute' in her mind, "heaven spun flesh~ delightful. It is a pitty we shall not meet these "gluttons". I hear, from some soldiers, that flesh has its own luster to it." Her words grew a fake sultry tone twords the end.

But her focus was pulled away, jolted rather, to Malah and his words. She cut him off swiftly at his first words, "Our daughters are as free as our sons, Drevi." Her own tone mellowed a bit as she took another bite of crab meat before musing, "If you had sense, you would know this." As she pointed back lazily to the window, "Most lands would never allow a woman to wear their soldier's crest, let alone do so and guard such nobility with it."
The comment about such a leash stung Kalina deeply. It was a high point of pride, that persived freedom and equality, that Oprushi shared. But this Drevi was not so wrong. All nobles have some expectation of their child, man or woman. And it was all to common for it to lead to ruin. She briefly touched on her memories of the loud arguements and fights she had with her family leading up to her depature... the words that were exchanged and accusations levied..
Perhaps it was as if a dog had broken from their master. Perhaps it was a tighter leash than she thought.

She continued her food there after, munching on a mouth full of fish when he began again, and again he got a rise from her. But a different type this time.

This go around, she began laughing. Open mouthed, heaving laughter. She gulped her food down swiftly, and began a torrent of comments in her own tongue, giggling and snickering all the while.

She finally spat out in common again, "Trust he proclaims-Trust!" She stamped a fist down on the table, trying to contain her giggles as she continued, "You speak of trust, Drevi- oh-" she weezed once more, "ooooh drevi you truely are a delight, sweeter than a cherry. I would pet you like a dog if I had the arm length. We will have no such trust-" she giggled again, "I know nothing more delightfully foreign, beyond even our fair captains earthen complexion." She groaned out in a happy little sigh, "You will find no trust from me. Do not take my words as truth, do not trust my intentions. As I will do neither for either of you." She giggled again, picking up a bowl as she continued to eat, "You endlessly amuse me, Malah. Perhaps, when I no longer feel the need to assist you in your endeavors, when I am returning home. I will cage you and take you with me."

 

[AiDEE-c0]

"Rhyme?" Asha's expression turned fully neutral again, as she took a final peak out of the window. "You really are all the same," dogs with rotten teeth. Ascertaining the response of these palace-wrought nobles was important for the journey, it decided on how they were to be treated. If they refused to cooperate, no one would plead to them to please do their part. No, then they wouldn't be equals, but a burden instead. The woman snickered to herself, before slowly turning and walking off towards the door at just enough a pace to relay another sentence or two audibly. "My "rhyme" was literal, maybe your years at the court bloomed flowers in your brain?" A slight pause followed, a last remark resounding as Asha faded by the blue of the outside. "You've lived lucky, spoiled with pride."

. . .

"...Then we will surely all perish."

Interlude First, the open sea.
Early midnight,
Early months of the Summer.
Few days after...​

Malāh thought back on his final words before departure, just as nervously as he had uttered them before the table stood and went. He sat alone in a damp, wooden cabin at the rear end of the ship, which heaved heavily from side to side. Droplets of water fell upon his brow and clothes from the ceiling, and his feet touched a thin film of amassed liquid, that occasionally grew in thickness with an oncoming splash slipping below the door's lower crevices. A raging storm reigned chaos outside, a storm that had set them completely off course on their path to Zikru. Black clouds covered the sky, obscuring all but the feint light of the moon, glowing as crescent as the lumbering waves impacting the vessel with every other moment. Furthermore distracting in the merchant's time of concentration, sailors shouted frantically outside in their apparently vain attempts to handle the situation. Surely, this was the punishment for all of their sins. One's arrogance, another's utter inability to lead and find themselves, not even Abbayesh's devotion could same them from that. The man gave way to fatalism, resting his head on the top of his hand in mellow mood. Destiny at work, naturally predetermined. He did not for a second stop to think that it was a test on his climb to discovery, like a sudden rockslide falling down an overhang above his head- widthstoodable. The conversations he reflected on put him too much into doubt, and Asha wasn't there to wake him up.

Instead, dripping with seawater that bit away at her skin, she emptied out buckets back into the ocean, letting out yells so muffled by thunder and wind that their purpose or intent became completely lost in the cacophony. Some men were tying themselves to the ship with ropes as they worked, others only attempted their best to hang on as waves came from the front and sides. The hurricane was particularly nasty, sending ravenous currents from every direction. The captain's only choice to avoid broach often reduced itself to taking on the lesser devils, in place of the larger. Exhausted and weakened, it wasn't uncommon to see one or more of the sailors flung overboard with turn and impact. Asha breathed heavily, coughing up the saltwater. At the least, her stature allowed her to survive more of a hit, her sheer will to survive pushing her into the extremes in keeping the Sunbreaker afloat. There was no time to raise the storm sails, the ship would sink sooner if left to encumber by the sea. Rather, only two of the front-masted ones remained lifted, for a wide array of fears. The mercenary carried a pole on her shoulders, off of which multiple buckets hung suspended. Each time the decks were flooded, she brought them accross the floors and out overboard, again and again. Taxing work, but it was better than to suffocate in the depths.

This regime continued for quite some time, lines of men shouting orders from the captain, inaudible for more than a few meters. The wild rocking of the ship nauseated anyone with a weaker stomach, and the vomit came inward with the water, for none were foolish enough to risk their lives gushing up dinner over the edge. At some point, the head sail began tearing slowly apart, much to the captain's chagrin. Were this to keep up, the Kóptaneias and its entire crew would be left to the mercy of the storm in no time at all. But then, against all odds, just as Malāh accepted death inside his heaving cabin, the winds subsided. The thunder resounded no more, and the moon shone brilliantly upon the vessel. The pale, cold light illuminated the torn sails, a calm, fresh air entering the lungs of everyone present. And then, just then, everything appeared tranquil, peaceful, if not the briefest moment. Unnamed constellations danced above, and the very arm of the galaxy stretched itself accross the sky. A beautiful sight without dispute, its stillness causing even the salt-farer to peak his head out of the cabin door in curiosity. Beholding it, a renewed sense of hope and anticipation surged into him. It was then, of course, that a bolt of lightning struck the ship without warning, followed only by silence...