Port Min-Khashiib | The Silver Alps: I

Noaki wakes before the breaking of dawn and props himself onto his elbows. Moritz is snoozing away on the opposite end of the cabin, lulled by the swaying vessel. Their belongings are tucked away in the cupboard next to a barrel of water. Moritz stirs in his sleep. Noaki wonders how his friend gets by.

Taking a few deep breaths, he grabs his coat and stumbles his way above deck. Most of the passengers and crew members were still below, however, he finds Orion and Gavin conversing at the starboard. Their voices are lowered but not muted.

“Can’t sleep lad?” Gavin acknowledges his presence.

“Nightmare,” Noaki joins them, watching the trees drift by as the vessel continues its journey southward. They were silent for a time when Orion asks Noaki the details of his dream.

Noaki processes his thoughts before answering. “I’m standing in a place that feels familiar, but far away. There’s an old shrine and sometimes there are others. Moritz is standing next to me, but not all the time. It always ends with a pillar of light, then I wake up.”

Orion nods. “These others, how often do you see them?”

“Less often now, although I recognize their faces and names, I can’t put a history to them.” Noaki shrugs, “I feel empty when they’re not around.”

“This shrine, what does it look like?” Asks Gavin.

“It’s a monolith with a crevice carved into it.” Noaki shuts his eyes. “I don’t know how I know, but it’s really old.”

“There are many forgotten shrines in the world.” Orion responds in a solemn tone. “Perhaps it’s within the woodlands where you lost your memories.”

Noaki considera this, then shakes his head. “That place, it feels familiar but different.”

“Is the shard in this dream?” Gavin suggests.

Noaki’s attention shifts to the opal bulging in his pocket. He’d forgotten all about it. “Not that I know of, I never really considered it.” He pauses to reassess the details of his dream. “I’ll keep an eye out next time.” At that moment a howl erupts from the forest, startling a flock of birds into the sky. With an active perception, he can make out a cacophony of violet forms lurking within thick vegetation.

“We've a few more hours before we see the city.” Gavin notes.

“City?” Noaki attempts to extend his perception, but only manages to glimpse the area surrounding the vessel and bits of the river bank. “Back in Borintass, how did you know how to use the shard?”

“I took a gamble with that one,” Orion chuckles. “Without knowing the properties of a shard, one might easily obliterate their existence.”

Noaki stares at the dalkarian in disbelief. He retrieves the leather pouch from his pocket. “How is something this small so powerful?”

“Artifacts from the primordial ages are uncommon, I know only a handful.” Gavin centers his gaze toward the silver peaks. “These artifacts from ages lost are not known by many.”

“The properties of shards will vary, not all can be handled by anyone.” Orion adds.

Noaki inspects the luminous opal. “You've any idea what this one does?”

Gavin and Orion exchange a knowing glance. “Aye, we have our suspicions.”

“The one in your possession illuminates that which is unknown.” Orion shakes his head, “we have thoroughly analyzed the shard to the best of our knowledge. Its existence is unsettling.”

“We cannot say anything certain,” says Gavin. “Until Master Kurolos sees the shard himself.”

Noaki pockets the Opal and returns to their quarters. Moritz lays in bed, his eyes wide open. He watches Noaki settle into the cot, eyes also wide open.

“Can’t sleep?”

Noaki nods.

“Did you have the dream again?” Moritz readjusts himself to face Noaki. “Were the others there?”

“No, just me.” Noaki mirrors Moritz. “Can I ask you something?”

“Go right ahead.”

“How are you handling this?” Noaki twirls his hand. “This situation.”

His friend releases a long breath. “If I’m being honest, I’m anxious.” He sighs, “what about you?”

“I feel lost, and afraid.” Noaki admits, surprising himself. “However, I don’t know what I’m afraid of.”

“What if our memories never return?” Moritz lays back down, his gaze directed at the ceiling.

They're silent for a time, as the reality of their predicament weighs heavy in their minds. “I don’t know, but I’m grateful I’m not in this alone.”

“So am I.” Moritz chuckles. “If only I could read.” Upon seeing Noaki's expression he quickly adds, "to pass the time."

Noaki feels a pang of sorrow, and then confusion. He bolts upright, startling Moritz who watches him manically sift through the contents of the cabinet.

“What are you looking for?”

“Something to write with.”

Moritz’s eyes gradually widen with realization. They rummage the room for anything, when at last they produce an old tattered cloth and piece of compressed charcoal left by the room's previous inhabitants. Noaki and Moritz both lean in as Noaki writes his name. The two admire the crude but legible handwriting.

“Suppose I can read.” Moritz tries his hand and spells out his name beneath Noaki’s. “What language is this?”

Noaki shrugs. “One of the others might recognize it.”

They make their way above deck as first light of dawn breaks the horizon. Orion and Gavin are set aback after seeing the wild expressions on their faces.

“Are you alright lads?”

Noaki hands over the cloth. “Do you guys know what it says?”

Gavin inspects the handwriting, frowns and passes it to Orion. The Dalkarian’s face looks pained. “I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with this script” He returns the cloth.

“It's our names, and somehow we recognize it." Noaki looks the cloth over. "So there really might be a chance.".

"Maybe," Orion smiles sadly. "We'll be docked soon, you should prepare your belongings."

The two descend to their cabin. They'd been journeying down the Gamuush for little over two weeks now. Bored and restless, they were glad to be meeting the journey's end.

"Do you really think there's a chance?" Moritz slips into clean garments.

Noaki exchanges his overcoat for a dark sweater. The weather has gotten considerably warmer since Irithelle. "If I'm being honest, I don't know. We can read and write at least."

"I never could have imagined it," Moritz agrees. "It's only too bad there aren't that many books around that we can read."

Noaki folds his older clothes and packs them away. The bulk of their belongings slowed them down considerably. They'd packed more than they anticipated they could carry.

"I'm about done, I only take out what I need." Moritz plops onto his bed. "Well, not when we were looking for that stuff earlier."

Noaki checks the state of the chest. The last town they stayed, someone had tried to fiddle with the lock. He brings out the troublesome gem and places it near the lock, it clicks and the coins are still there. He'd been meaning to start keeping account of it, but never found the time, or made it. On top of training with Gavin, there were only so many hours in the day.

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"What do you plan on buying?" Moritz shifts his head.

Noaki shuts the chest. "Nothing, just checking. In Falore someone had messed with the lock."

"You're telling me this now?" Moritz gets up to inspect the chaffing from a hammer, as if they'd gotten frustrated with it. "You hid it right?"

"Yeah, I left it behind, with all of my things, I doubt anyone would have noticed unless they were going through my stuff." Noaki considers his belongings. The bow rests among those items. "None of my other belongings were missing."

Moritz nods gravely. "You don't think Gavin or Orion tried to get in?"

Noaki chuckles, "no, I doubt they'd want to. Unless they've got a bad gambling habit we're unaware of."

"You're right," Moritz laughs meekly. "Just a common thief then?"

"I suppose. This is something of a chest. Looks like they bashed it with a hammer and it hardly made a dent."

"I forgot you needed the shard to open it." Moritz runs his finger over the tiny indentation. "You carry it with you all the time, right?"

Noaki grins, "even when I bathe."

"Too much information, but still good to know," Moritz laughs. "Should we start lugging this stuff back up?"

"Maybe when the ship docks. It's all probably safer locked in the cabin." Noaki comments.

"Good point, come on, let's get something to eat."

"I just realized it has been almost two days since I ate." Noaki agrees.

"What are you in the mood for?" Moritz leads the way outside their room, locking the door behind them as they proceed into the cramped mess room just a few paces down the hall.

Noaki inspects the chef's menu. "I'm thinking maybe porridge, if you have it."

An adolescent wearing an apron nods. "We do got somethin' like it. What about yourself?" He indicates to Moritz.

"D'you have any mushroom soup?" Moritz ignores the menu.

"Aye we've got it. I'll bring it over to your cabin if you'd like, or you can have a seat."

They seated themselves near a porthole. The sun has fully illuminated the surrounding landscape and the spaces between the mountains were getting larger and the forest thicker.

"Have you been to the ocean before?" Moritz gawks out the hole. "I feel I haven't seen it myself."

Noaki shrugs. "I probably won't know till I see it."

A few minutes and the adolescent places their food before them.

"Thank you," Noaki says to the waiter. The adolescent nods. "If you need somethin' just ask, see what we can do."

Noaki indulges a mouthful. It wasn't oats, but something more filling. "Food always taste better when you've worked up a good appetite."

Moritz spoons a few mouthfuls of soup and smiles. "They made this fresh."

After they finish their meal and honey sweetened tea to finish off, they make their way back on deck, though Gavin and Orion were nowhere to be found.

Sometime by noonday, after a few rounds of dice with the crewman, the city comes into view.

The city, it appeared, existed on an entirely different scale. Borintas with its many terraced districts was nothing in comparison in terms of vastness.

They gape in admiration. The streets were many, like confusing mazes with plentiful forest bloom. The further inward they journey, the landscape steadily becomes rockier with stretches of terraced plantations fitted next to the dizzying mountainside.

"The sea, it's over there!" Moritz points toward the widening mouth of the river. Where the sky meets the sea, vessels of all shapes and sizes dot the horizon.

As they near ever closer, Noaki can smell the unfamiliar aromatic quality of the ocean. "It's incredible isn't it?"

"You had best gather your belongings now. You'll have enough time soon enough to take it in." Gavin's voice comes from behind.

The two retrieve their belongings, thrilled they'd be on land soon enough. After lugging their belongings across the gangplank and onto the pier, Noaki seeks out a carriage for hire, leaving Moritz to guard their luggage in the meantime.

The streets were wide and decorous in vegetation and courtyards. He arrives at a small shop, specializing in fragments. The shop illuminates many cubby cases housing glowing stones. A young kid comes up to him.

"The rest of my family is quite busy at the moment, but if there's something you need assistance with, I can be of some service." The kid with round spectacles and combed hair bows.

"Well, er… yes," Noaki smiles. "You wouldn't know of any carriage services would you?"

The boy looks over Noaki's attire. "I don't know about any carriage," he frowns. "You're not from here are you?"

Noaki nods.

"Then you wouldn't know about the canals would you? They used to be for farmland, but that's changed. They use it to get everywhere nowadays." He smiles. "Almost everywhere, but I don't expect you'll be going far outside the main districts."

With the kid's assistance, Noaki is directed a little further inland from the pier where he encounters a series of smaller ferry boats hollering for passengers.

Noaki returns to the pier where Moritz, Gavin, and Orion are engaged in conversation. Orion waves Noaki over. "Did you learn of the canals?"

"I probably should of asked if you'd known something about it first." Noaki nods.

"Gavin and I had some minor business to attend to." Orion gathers his traveling gear. "We'll discuss it later. For now let's settle in."

Noaki hoists his suitcase and gear. The bow he secures to the strap over his shoulders. Moritz fares a little better with fewer belongings and gratefully the walk to the canal and Inn had been short.

Moritz and Noaki were roomed together at the Tonnalayit Inn. Though a rather impressive brick and mortar establishment with a fine peristylium, many of the rooms were already occupied.

Their room had been furnished with two narrow beds, a pair of matching bedside tables, and a wardrobe stood beside an arched tracery window. Two damasks were arranged near a small fireplace, with an open entryway to a smaller room connecting the lavatory and washroom.

Moritz tests the bed. "Definitely not the Prowler, but it still beats my first bed."

Noaki agrees, "or the boat."

There comes a knock at the door and Noaki calls them in. Gavin inspects their room. "This is alright aye lads? You're wanted in the study."

Noaki exchanges an inquisitive glance with Moritz. They follow Gavin wordlessly through the corridors, up a spiraling staircase, through another corridor, and into a smokey room housing numerous collections of literature.

Orion is seated next to the fireplace interlocuting with an older gentleman dressed in an inconspicuous suit. The two have crystal tumblers in hand.

"Moritz, Noaki, have a seat. I believe Gavin will be occupied for the rest of the evening." The gentleman rises with a cordial smile and indicates to the sofa set before a coffee table. "Orion is an old friend of mine, and he's told me quite a bit about you." He pours himself another glass. "Care for a drink?"

They both decline his offer with a few words of appreciation.

"Very well, Orion?"

The dalkarian holds out his glass. "Just a bit more."

The gentleman tops it off. "I haven't introduced myself, my name Sir Roderick of House Khalladhir." He sets the bottle in its place. "Now I understand you're all in need of assistance?"

"Ah, yes, this is actually what I wanted to discuss with you two." Orion starts. "To reach Atmedanyeh, we need to voyage westward across the Ethrisian sea. Gavin and I attempted to have it arranged, but there aren't any ships willing to sail in that direction."

"Rightly so," Roderick comments.

"Why not?" Asks Moritz.

"If the problem is financial, I'm certain we can cover the cost," Noaki adds.

"It's not an issue of finances laddies," Sir Roderick explains. "If it was, I'd fund your expedition myself. The seas out west, all along Svernia's coast has always been a gamble on a sailor's life. The weather has gotten a good deal more dangerous, not many are willing to chance it."

"It will get better if we wait it out won't it?" Asks Moritz.

"The wait may be a lot longer than you might expect. It hasn't been this bad for some time." Roderick sighs, "with the incident of the Nagari in Borintas, everyone sees it as a bad omen."

Orion laughs. "I didn't take you as one to give into superstition Sir Roderick."

"You're right on that note, but with a lot of these celestials around, and that's not accounting the rumors of Drahstrehl. It doesn't put one who is familiar with brewing confliction at ease."

"Drahstrehl?" Orion frowns. "We had a confrontation with a celestial ourselves."

Noaki's stomach drops. "You mean Orelle?"

"Gran Celestial Orelle?!" Roderick coughs. "Nevermind, I think it's best I don't involve myself. Sometimes it is better to remain in the dark."

"This event in Drahstrehl, may you enlighten me?" Orelle takes a sip.

Roderick returns a nod. "Of course I can't verify these rumors. This one in particular can only be spoken behind closed doors." Roderick refills his tumbler. "I'll be needing a bit of this. It happened, some say a few weeks, others a few months. Although I think it's more accurate to pinpoint near the date of Drahstrehl's self-isolation from every nation, including those in Daskalania.

"It's said a thief bearing the nature not known since Drahsrhaeon himself, stormed the royal palace, faced the emperor in taikhetudin, and took the Dusk Shard."

"This rumor is unsettling, almost too preposterous to ignore." Orion downs the rest of his drink

"What's this shard?" Noaki asks.

"How might one put this," Orion sets the tumbler onto the table. "It's one of the more well known Primordial Deifacted Shards. The source of the mighty Drahstrahelion empire's power."

"A force whose pillar of existence holds up Daskalania's shaky political atmosphere." Roderick inputs. "It is a ludicrous rumor. Drahstrehl with all it's resourceful advancements, to be squandered by a thief." He chuckles, although with a bit of uncertainty. "Well I think that ought to be enough for the young ones' ears. My estates are open to your party until the weather clears up."

"I can't thank you enough sir Roderick." Orion bows.

"Nonsense, your company has always been a pleasure-"

At that moment they are startled by Gavin's entrance. His face grim. "We can't stay long, we've got other problems."

"What is the problem Mr. Whitehawk? My estates are properly monitored, I imagine you'll all be quite protected." Sir Roderick sets out a tumbler, fills it, and hands it to Gavin. "Have a drink."

"Much appreciated, I'll be needing this after the trouble I ran into." Gavin nods to Noaki. "Have you run into anyone recently?"

Noaki shakes his head.

"Good, that means he's not yet aware you're here." He shifts toward Orion. "It's another dalkarian, young. Bearing Svernia's insignia. I heard him ask for me by name, and mention of the lads' description."

"Svernia? I don't see what the problem is." Noaki comments.

Sir Roderick shakes his head solemnly. "Mr. Whitehawk is right. If one bears the insignia of Svernia, he'll be another celestial."

A flash of memory comes to Noaki's mind. Orelle. He glances at his friend looking squeamish.