I did not Pa-Soa notes Walk from Tian Xia to here
So I have sailed, only once, but it was a long journey
Jovun raises an eyebrow at walking from Tian Xia but goes on, 'The first rule is following orders. When I say jump, I want you int he air before you have a chance to ask how high. The sea is a dangerous place and quick action is key. I don't except you to know anything, but I do expect you to listen. If you have nothing else, let's go."
Slowly they all crowd on the small vessel and Jovun pushes the boat out into the harbor. The water is iron gray here, with few waves. Other ships pass by, ignoring the smaller vessel.
The sealer starts to shout orders, and begins naming some of items, using arcane maritime knowledge.
Pa-Soa grimaces as Jovun starts shouting what seems like gibberish at him. The young monk takes a split moment to center himself and take a breath before sharpening his eyes and willing himself to figure out what the captain wants of him. He springs into action and hopes fervently that he's doing the right thing and won't accidentally capsize the boat.
Bryndis looks at Jovun like he has a third eye as he starts yelling what seems like a different language at her. Quickly her brain starts to reason and work out what it most likely is that he's asking her to do. She quickly springs into action and assumes that the sailor will yell at her if she's doing something wrong.
The movement of the ship is a new experience for the summoner. Kell tries to help her and a few times puts himself in danger to make sure she keeps her footing on the deck of the ship.
Both Pa-Soa and Bryndis leap to do the task asked. The monk grasps the basics quickly, running here and there, pulling on ropes and moving crates. Bryndis is slower and her frame more delicate but she also helps and a few times she notes that magic would be useful, if she had more time to consider it. Kell however, nearly pushes both of them into the cold water.
After a bit Jovun stops shouting mid-command and stares at the ediolon, "I don't care what you are, friend, but you don;'t have your sea legs. If push comes to shove....stay out of the way." he turns back to the two humans, 'I think you'll do. Now, let's head for open waters."
As they head north the smells of the city, of tar, dead fish and rancid whale fat give way to salt and sea air. The fresh breezes are a godsend. The sailor livens up the farther they get from land, obviously more at ease at sea.
'So," he finally says, bright eyes on them, 'What secrets are you still holding on to? I'm too old a hand to fool that easily. You know, or guess something."
Pa-Soa sighs as he pauses at the ropes and takes a deep breath. A drunk survivor of the Goldia claimed the ship was destroyed by a giant walrus. I believe the name he used was 'The Old Czar'
The monk shrugs Everyone else seems to think the story a myth. But in a place named for Linnorms how out of place would a large walrus be? Certainly many ships have been disappearing at Orlov's Islet.
Kell nods his head in understanding. He glances over the ship's rail and suppresses a shudder. The water looked like a never-ending abyss. He much preferred the sky.
Bryndis gives her friend a comforting squeeze before adding, "Maybe you want to fly for a bit and keep an eye out for what's ahead of us. I think I'll be ok."
"There are no secrets about myself that I'm holding on to. You've met Kell and already know that I'm a curse which is why I'm no longer at home. There's only so much you can be called a curse by your family before you just have to leave."
She waits for Pa-Soa to sum up what they've learned so far. "And what Pa-Soa just said sums up what we've learned so far regarding the destroyed ships. What stories have you heard about this 'Old Czar'?"
Jovun starts to laugh, rich and rolling. 'Old Czar? Please tell me you didn't buy a map to his 'lair'." When he sees they are serious he slowly sobers and shakes his head, 'Old Czar is just a myth, a legend. Maybe he was real once, who knows, but it is just a tale they tell the new hands, you know, keep them sharp the first few days out."
'A few never grow out of it, and have gone looking but of course it doesn't exist."
The sealer looks at the sky and squints, "Still, ships are being sunk. My bet is pirates or some new rockbar. Nothing as exciting as a giant mythical monster, but more likely." He narrows his eyes at the blue sky. "I smell bad weather coming. Might be a rough first night for you."
Pa-Soa looks up, confused, at the bright cloudless sky. As you say Master. How long till we get to the Islet?
Bryndis looks at Jovun expectantly, wanting to hear these so called mythical stories. "So what stories exist about Old Czar? Where did his name come from? What makes him mythical, other than his size? How do we know it's a 'he'? The more details you can share about what you've heard, the better it'll be for us when we finally encounter him."
Bryndis looks at the horizon and wonders if their captain is looking at the same sky. All she sees is blue sky but if he says bad weather was coming then she has to believe him. She calls Kell back down to the ship. "The captain says that bad weather is coming. It's best if you stay out of it."
As Bryndis waits for Jovun to tell them what he knows about Old Czar, she turns her attention back to Pa-Soa.
"So, now that we're out at sea and have the time, do you care to elaborate on the 'disagreements' you had back in Tian Xia which caused you to leave? I understand that you probably don't want to talk about it so I can offer you an answer for an answer. For whatever questions you answer for me, I'll answer one of yours."
Ah well Pa-Soa says a bit defensively. I picked up the wrong chopsticks at a meal and people took offense. And you? Why are you 'cursed'?
Bryndis shakes her head at the monk, "Nei Nei Nei. I mean, no way. That doesn't count as a proper answer so you get nothing more from me." She then looks at Pa-Soa skeptically. "I don't know much about Tian Xia but I highly doubt that that disagreement caused you to flee your home." She gives him an encouraging smile, "Now, what was the real reason?"
Pa-Soa, sitting cross-legged, tugs at his braid for a bit before taking a deep sigh and forcing himself to relax Yes, very well. I suppose it would be good to speak on this before we all get eaten by Walrus Linnorm. he pauses amidst the spray of the ocean and the strong sea breeze, as he tries to decide how to best explain his life story, for that is what Bryndis essentially asked for.
There were events that happened, before and after the chopsticks this is true. But first I must tell you of Quain. It is a part of Tian Xia that is dedicated to the martial arts. Every city and village has dojos and schools and temples that teach the arts of physical combat, and I found myself, as a child without parents, in one of them. I learned later of my misfortune that my village, Keihai, is regarded as home of the most incompetent martial masters in the whole of Tian Xia, let alone Quain.
Pa-Soa shrugs But I did not know this growing up. I was adopted as apprentice in one school after another and dedicated myself to each master but was kicked out as soon as I seemed to excel. I found out later that none of the masters of Keihai care about perfection of the craft and the merit of the student, but instead cared only to pass on their institutions to their own children or clan. Every student was expected to 'lose' to the martial arts 'genius' of the chosen successor of the school and when I naively defeated them in fair combat I brought turmoil and chaos by exposing their lies and so was thrown out for one excuse or another. It is a place of Fumeyoshi even though they pretend to be dedicated to Iro-Shu
Pa-Soa sighs In any case this is how I grew up moving from one school to another, confused by what was happening to me. Finally I was a young man doing menial chores in the biggest school where the sheer number of students made it easy for them to justify me not rising in the ranks.
Being the biggest school Pa-Soa continues They host, every year, the Lord Mayor of Keihai in a grand feast. Everyone of the school is invited. Even the newest of the initiates, except for me the young monk grimaces Everyone spoke of the wonderful food that is served that even the lowest of the low were permitted to enjoy one time, except for me. The first year I thought it was an oversight, the second year I knew I was being left out so the third year...
Pa-Soa frowns here I dishonoured myself by sneaking in. I came in through the back and I peeked in to the wonderful smells and sounds of the grand feast. I saw an empty spot near me so I walked in and sat down as the meal was served. I saw many angry looks but I did not care as they dared not cause additional disruption by admonishing me and dragging me out when the Lord Mayor was present. And he was! Sitting right next to me! I was sitting at the head of the grand table.
The monk starts to grow a bit agitated and gets to his feet as the story goes on Sun WuKong knows even this may have been fine as the Lord Mayor did not care who was sitting next to him as long as he was fed. But then Pa-Soa starts pacing I picked up the chopsticks to my left which were the Lord Mayor's chopsticks. I say, how was I to know? I was just the lout pulling pails of water around the ground for years, no one taught me that the correct place to pick up blasted chopsticks would be from right side of the plate and not left Pa-Soa exclaims So I pick up the Lord Mayor's chopsticks, yes? And the Lord Mayor is, of course, angry. So I jump up to apologize and bow, this is fine, yes? It was what I was supposed to do and I would just be thrown out of yet another school. But The Lord Mayor is rising from his seat in anger at same time, yes?, and as I bowed my forehead cracks into his fat nose, yes?
Here Pa-Soa pauses. It seems like there is more to the story....
Bryndis lets out a low whistle. "That is quite the tale and it explains a lot. Although you fleeing probably has more to do with accidentally assaulting the Lord Mayor than using his chopsticks. Honestly if I'd been in the same situation, I probably would have done the same thing. I've never been one for etiquette and social rules."
She looks at Pa-Soa intently, "But I sense there's more you'd like to tell, right? Confession is good for the soul, or so I've been told."
Pa-Soa, woodenly recalling events that he'd really like to leave behind continues In Quain there is rare delicacy where soup is prepared by cooking live King Crab in boiling broth right on table so broth has fresh flavour. It is a famous dish! So Lord Mayor stumbles back from headbutt, yes? He is stunned from blow and tries to right himself by grabbing onto tablecloth. On table is this boiling hot broth. Whole pot with coals falls on him.
The young monk starts tugging on his braid as he goes on Also, Live Crab was just placed with tongs in broth. The tongs go flying yes? so not only is Lord Mayor scalding with boiling broth and clothes burning from fire but there is also a very large and very angry crab freed right in Lord mayor's face. Pa-Soa looks away It uh, it all happened very fast.
Bryndis masks a chuckle with a wince. Obviously it was very traumatic for Pa-Soa but at the same time, her vision of the Lord Mayor with a crab on his face was comical indeed. "That is very unfortunate, Pa-Soa. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. I can see that a giant crab giving your Lord Mayor a face hug would be enough to exile anyone from their home. Is there any chance that one day you'll be able to return?" She pauses before adding, "Would you want to go back?"
It is not so much exile as I, uh, fled. Pa-Soa admits shame faced. But enough of that. Why is it that you are cursed? Very few have companion like Kell
Bryndis considers her words before speaking. "It's not so much that I'm cursed but that I'm a curse. Pa-Soa, you've been up north for a little while now. Surely you've noticed that I'm extremely shorter and weaker than the majority of Ulfen. To be considered fragile as an Ulfen is a great insult. I wasn't strong enough to do the work that my family expected me to do which shamed my parents. To make matters worse, my birth was a difficult one that made it impossible for my mother to have other children. If they had been able to have other children it would have made it easier for them to ignore me. But because I was their only child it caused them to resent me and they endearingly called me their curse. Losthome was small enough that if your own parents called you a curse then others called you a curse...children can be very cruel."
She reaches out and strokes Kell's neck as if to convince herself that he was really real. "Meeting Kell came much later in life after the community had unanimously decided I was a curse. And shortly after meeting him, I found the courage to leave."
She gives the monk a weak smile, "So it seems like we have leaving home in common...except I know that I'm never going back."
Ahh.. perhaps I should let you know what that talisman of mine means Pa-Soa fingers the simple amulet that hangs around his neck and does a slight bow towards his new companion. It means, in Tian, The Wind Is Also Strong, that strength comes from unexpected places Then with a deep breath But enough of looking backwards, yes? Let us look forwards!
As the two talk Jovun tends tot he small boat, moving here and there with speed. Every rope is checked, every board inspected, the sky watched. This is a man who pits himself against an uncaring sea everyday and manages to survive.
As the day goes the wind slowly picks up, going from a slight breeze to a stiff wind, and growing stronger. The calm ocean begins to become choppy, small waves forming. Still, it is smooth enough going for the day and Bryndis even spots a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waves.
But as dusk comes the blue sky starts to turn a murky purple out of the West, from the deep sea.
The sealer shades his eyes against the setting sun and says, 'It'll be a rough night. We'll need to take watches. Who'll take first ?"
Bryndis tries not to look disappointed, "So no stories about Old Czar then? I was hoping you could shed some light on the myth. There's usually some truth in stories, even fantastical ones."
She considers Jovun's request about watches. "It makes most sense for Kell and I to take the second watch. He can see in the dark and having him close sharpens my senses as well."
I will take first watch then the monk says