The Tern | Ethrisian Sea: I

If there is something unknown, you will find it in the sea. Noaki peers into the depths of the water, vast emptiness of darkness.

"How's it going lad?"

Noaki looks up to see Gavin standing next to him. His presence is domineering.

Noaki deactivates his perception. "Can you see the bottom?"

"Aye, it's a bit of work even for me, but I can manage a bit." Gavin studies the horizon. "It's a different world in the abysmal realms."

Noaki peers into the depths, entranced by the grace of the sea creatures.

Four days since the date of their departure, Orion continues to show no signs of recovery.

Reyna, a beautiful young woman with gold hair fashioned into a single braid, had done what she could, but admitted her medicinal expertise did not exceed her apprenticeship. According to the hushed whispers between Gavin and the Captain, Orion would never wake without proper medicine.

While being trapped on a ship in the vast ocean, Noaki had developed a new ability to hear far off, subtle sounds. He discovered it the second night while asleep. Moritz and the others in nearby cabins snoring and farting. Once, he heard the flapping of pages, it took him a while to register it as Reyna siphoning through her collection of medical books.

"How are you all doing? In the mood for a little refreshment?" Quentin approaches them.

Quentin came off as a breezy adolescent character, with light billowy garb, shabby hair, and an aquiline nose reminiscent of his brother Veynir.

"If you don't get something now, you won't be eating anything till breakfast."

Noaki's stomach rumbles, "I reckon I am in the mood."

"Well, come along then, the others are waiting."

Noaki trails after Quentin. The dining room was a cozy room able to seat twelve, though Noaki thought even that would be a bit of a stretch. The furniture appeared to be on the pricey end, though durable looking.

Noaki freezes.

Moritz, who had not left his cabin for three days, was seated near the porthole looking sulky.

Gavin gives Noaki an encouraging push from behind and the three enter.

Gavin occupies the opposite end of Captain Egor, who sits at the head of the table. To Egor's right sits Reyna and Veynir to her right. Opposite of Veynir sits the wispy Moir who acknowledges Noaki with a nod.

Noaki seats himself next to Gavin's left, directly across Moritz, who keeps his gaze on the table's ornamental flowers. Quentin takes the spot between Noaki and Veynir.

There were, of course, only two seats left, one for Rita, who would position herself between Moir and Captain, and Orion looking out of place between Moir and Moritz.

This arrangement seemed to suit everyone as the room gradually filled with light chatter and Egor's propensity for leaf.

At last Rita emerges from the kitchen, her hair tied back in a scullery bonnet. "Will you young lads come and assist? I made a bit more than I'd been expecting."

Moritz rises from his seat and enters the kitchen, followed by Noaki, Quentin, and Veynir. The aromas of a well used kitchen makes Noaki's stomach grumble. Rita begins handing out platters of food with instructions of where to place them.

"Thank you lads, yes right there. Yes, that's alright. Don't worry it Veynir." Rita removes her bonnet, her hair is disheveled. "Alright then, come on, have a seat."

Noaki and the others obey.

"This looks delicious Rita, you outdone yourself." Gavin comments.

Noaki agrees, the assortment of food items put together must've been some work, it was an effort to hold back the ravenous hunger, but he manages until Captain Egor graces the food with the divine.

"Here try this," Quentin suggests, handing a tray of small oval loaves with green vegetation. "It's called Beytil."

"Thanks, it looks tasty," Noaki hands the tray to Gavin.

"This is the fish we caught earlier." Quentin passes the tray. "Might not like this one, it's a bit heavy on spices." Quentin hands the tray over.

"Let him have a go, you're not his mother." Veynir comments.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop, I just don't want 'em getting seasick on us," Quentin responds defensively.

The table laughs at this interaction, and the procession of food continues. Noaki stuffs himself with a bit of everything.

At last, when the trays were taken back into the kitchen for another heavy breakfast, the wine and smokes were brought out and the aysheks dimmed with amber fabric.

Noaki, Quentin, and Moritz attempt to leave when Gavin stops them. "You'll want to be around for this lads."

Noaki wishes he hadn't eaten so much. Gavin's eyes says it all, this would be about Orion. With an encouraging tug from Quentin, Noaki finds the will to sit back down. Moritz returns without an expression.

"I've decided on a detour of our original course." Captain Egor begins. "Now, before you air your enquiries, this decision is final."

Noaki waits for the bad news.

"The dalkarian will not make it if we continue on our agreed-upon course. There exists only two places where he can receive proper treatment."

Veynir chokes on his drink. "Sorry captain, go on."

"Port Min-Kashiib, where we all know, is not a safe journey. The alternative, the Seaside City of Naayir-Nahtahma."

Noaki relieves the breath he'd been holding in. This had not been about the demise of Orion.

"Well, isn't that great news?" Quentin inputs.

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"Lad, you know the seas are dangerous that way, and the safest route is due to delay us further," Moir interjects. "If I'm not mistaken my Captain, you mean us to sail through a turbulent zone?"

"Aye, that I do."

The room fills with dread, the full extent of their predicament only Moritz and Noaki are ignorant to.

"I cannot ask this of any who aren't up to gamble. A fleet of my old kin will pass this way tomorrow, if you're not feeling up to it. Anyone of you can board their vessel back."

Noaki looks Moritz over, his friend seems distant. He recalls his first meeting with the dalkarian’s pearly smile. "I'm responsible for this. If this is the only means of his recovery, I'll sail with you." The words came out of the silence, Noaki never expected this from himself.

With lucid eyes, Moritz sees Noaki for the first time. "I'm with Noaki."

"Aye, and I'm sure you already know I stand by my apprentices." Gavin smiles. "What say your crew?"

"No need to worry about my crew Whitehawk, they pledged their loyalty many times, I know they're with me."

The ease in which they compose themselves inspires Noaki. Not a sign of fear or second consideration in any one of them. They were ready for a challenge.

"Well then, thank you Moritz for joining us. You'll all want to be resting, we'll be sailing through daemonic waters."

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Orion looks to be in some state of inner turmoil, his patterns shimmering dark colors, Noaki had only ever seen them to phosphoresce white, or at times, translucent.

Moritz holds Orion's large hand between his own. The dalkarian's red-ochre flesh did not possess its normal glow.

"Moritz. This torture. We should go." Noaki places a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "We can't change what already happened."

The insignia on the back of Moritz's neck illuminates intensely. "That celestial will get his someday."

Noaki removes his hand and exits the room. He proceeds up the deck when Quentin signals with a piercing whistle followed by another. Noaki rushes above deck to see the commotion.

"Oi! Noaki!"

Noaki looks up to see Quentin peering down from the crows nest.

"Look that way!"

Noaki directs his gaze in the direction indicated. Hundreds of ships, reminiscent of gliding clouds, are sailing in their direction.

Moir hops from one of the masts, landing near Noaki. "That's the fleet of the High King Solidore."

The rest of the crew emerges from below deck to gawk at the arrivals.

The majority of the fleet sails by, ignoring their tiny vessel by comparison. An impressive ship with intricate woodwork anchors dangerously close by.

A brawny figure in white uniform with gold epaulets and thick leather boots jumps across and onto their deck like a bird of prey. Captain Egor greets the newcomer.

"Vice Admiral Kotkya! It is an honor," Captain Egor bows.

Vice Admiral Kotkya looms over them and speaks in a brash voice. "Honor is all mine Captain Egor." He scours their crew with keen interest. "Quite the crew you've got here. I hope you don't plan on proceeding in this direction."

"That I do, we've urgent business in Naayir." Captain Egor nods to Gavin.

"Must've fetched a pretty price for this route. I don't envy you." The vice Admiral comments.

"How bad is it?"

The Vice Admiral's face darkens. "If you've any sense, you will turn back now. We lost six ships and seven hundred."

Captain Egor is taken aback. "That is… most unfortunate. His Majesty?"

"As healthy and safe as can be at the World Summit. It's his heirs we be looking after." The Vice Admiral shakes his head. "Proper to say they be looking after us. We might have had considerable losses were it not for them."

Noaki notices a tad of unease at the mention of the king's heirs. He wonders what kind of people they were like.

The Vice Admiral bows. "If it's urgent business you be on, I'll be on my way. Athirianu Captain."

"Athirionum Vice Admiral," the captain bows.

A fierce gale enguls the Vice Admiral before he leaps onto the deck of his ship.

Moritz nudges Noaki, whispering fervently. "Over there!" He points to a pair of lean figures dressed in ornate silver and gold robes with intricate begemmed circlets.

Noaki holds his breath, "Jason."

"And Justin," Moritz finishes.

As if hearing their names, the twins shift their attention to Noaki and Moritz in a uniformed movement. Something seemed a bit off to Noaki. He activates his perception and the world slows to a near standstill.

The twins exuded a luminous aurae. Justin faces them.

Noaki's perception deactivates of its own accord and Justin appears before them, startling him. His voice comes out deep, clear, powerful, and noble.

"No'aki, Moritz," he embraces them.

Noaki and Moritz exchange uncertain glances.

"The days have come and gone." He releases them. "I've anticipated all of your arrivals, but never did I dream this day would truly come to pass."

That must've been it, Noaki thought. Justin had gotten older, a lot older. "I can't believe it's you!" Noaki laughs.

Justin returns the laugh. "It is me, though I arrived much earlier than the two of you."

"That must've been awfully lonely," Moritz says concernedly.

Justin locks forearms with Moritz. "I was never alone, my brother had always been there." He releases and locks forearms with Noaki. "Just as you two have each other."

"I had a dream of all us," Noaki admits eagerly. "There was Maria, Yvonne, You two, Moritz, David, Nikolai, Marco, Olivia, Garrett, Loraunt, James, and Logan-"

"Have you seen my brothers?" Justin interrupts.

"Your brothers?"

"James and Logan." Upon seeing Noaki's face he adds, "who?"

"We sort of split off from James in Borintas," Moritz answers dolefully.

Justin pats Moritz's shoulder, "it is alright, I am elated to hear he's here. Now this dream of yours?"

"Well it sort of just ends there." Noaki shrugs, "there's also this pillar of light then we... sort of just disappear."

Justin appears mildly disturbed by this. "I understand. My brother and I have strange dreams ourselves, they've yet to manifest."

"Did you ever find out what happened to us?" Asks Moritz hopefully.

"I'm sorry, I have no answers." He holds Moritz by the chin and gently kisses his forehead. "We should meet again, I am interested to hear your stories." He places his palm on Noaki's chest, time slows, and Justin disappears.

"What?" Veynir picks himself off the deck. "What just happened?"

The entire crew, apart from Moritz and Noaki, had been knocked unconscious. "You mean, you missed all that?!" Moritz groans, "now you won't believe me when I tell you."

Noaki waves to the twins who wave back in unison. "I think it's better we don't say anything," Noaki murmurs.

"Alright then!" Shouts Captain Egor, "Moir, Quentin! The sails!"

With Quentin shifting the gales under Moir's supervision, their vessel rocks forward and they set off.