[Edward]
The Silvester is pulled along by strong currents, only needing slight adjustments here and there. I have two persistent thoughts I cannot shake. The first is of the girl. Who was she? Why did she need to get away so desperately and why did she need to get downstream? I know that the answers will only come in time. The other question that begs my attention is of a different and more intriguing nature to me. I had heard what sounded like quiet drums under the river, I am was sure of it. But I have a sneaking suspicion the sounds I heard were not the sounds of drums at all, but the sound of a heartbeat.
When I was a child I would often tail my father wherever he went. This behavior had a few outcomes, such as accelerating my business knowledge ten fold. Another such outcome was that I would often hear all sorts of stories from merchants that had travelled far and wide across the kingdom. There were a few stories that I still vividly remember but my favorite has always been the tales of the Bloodcell witches and warlocks. Bloodcell magicians were heroes of legend who could control the environment around them with magic harnessed by their heartbeat. If my suspicions turn out to be correct Raleigh could be a powerful and valuable ally in the quest ahead. That is why he had decided he would come on the perilous trip downstream.
I am happy to be out into the real world, away from Rynnwhere. It is the first time I have left for a few years and I am excited to be free of others' control. Unfortunately, it is a bittersweet happiness.
Before Edward left, he and Gustav had sorted out how the Winery would be managed over the following weeks, then after attending to all business matters he had visited Aliea to say goodbye. They shared only a few moments together before he had left but in those moments he had felt loved and truly happy, just like he felt when his parents were still around. Now he ached to be with her again. Before he left she had taken a necklace and folded it in his hand before kissing him on the lips and saying her final goodbyes.
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I fidget with the necklace with one hand while steering the ship. It is a silver chain with a beautifully cut ruby set into a larger piece of silver. On the back of the necklace is engraved. ‘Edward and Aliea.’ It is only now that I realize the weight of the necklace. It is a betrothal gift.
[Raleigh]
A gentle shaking wakes me from my restless sleep. “Your turn to steer the boat.” mutters Edward with a yawn.
“How do you do it?”
“When the boat starts to go off course, turn the wheel towards the center of the river, the current should do most of the work.”
“Okay if you're sure.”
“I'm sure. Night Raleigh.”
“Night.”
Nervously I take the polished wooden wheel and stifle a yawn. From the map that was pinned up in the cabin, I remember that we will arrive at Caladhburn before dawn. I also know that the stretch of water that remains is straight and easy to navigate. Rubbing my eyes with the rough wollen sleeves of my shirt I refocus on the river in front of me. Slowly my eyes grow accustomed to the dim combination of light from the lantern and the half moon. The wan light illuminates the forest that crouches on the banks of the river and the distant scrubby plains that stretch to the northeast. Gingerly I pull my thick fur coat tight around me to expel the cold starting to seep through my clothes. It will be a long night ahead.