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 Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:49 am
Bits and pieces of the strange Ty'mish man's story seemed familiar to Khaldun. He had heard of the device, though he had not known its name or where to find it, and he wished Daemon were there to explain it better to him, for surely he knew the tales surrounding this An'dah. Gently setting the tea on the floor, he scribbled a design onto a scrap of paper he had left in his pocket with a small tip of charcoal as he listened to the man's explanation. The story complete, he handed the paper to the man.
"Explain how this relates to your An'dah as we walk. I'm sure it will be a long journey and I like to be kept entertained," he said, grinning. "You are a storyteller, aren't you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[You do just that, boy, and you'll be joining the captain very soon. I suggest you head below and get some sleep.]] Cenek was losing his patience. The idea that he had to listen to this boy was insulting, but he still had jurisdiction over him in terms of the actual sailing of the ship. He would follow the orders his captain had left behind, even if he disagreed with them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:41 pm
"Storyteller... yes.. perhaps -the- storyteller. Or at least the most important one." The man looked over the sketch and tsked softly. "Such a waste of perfectly good spells."
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:44 pm
Baffled by the man's meaning, Khaldun kept pace with him, hoping he might continue to shed light on the missing details. He did not say anything more, and he feared the man would not speak, as it would slow their journey.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:47 pm
"So young Koreiana, what do you call yourself? Your kind still does that, no? Make up words for each other? I find the whole practice vastly interesting, if a waste of time." He glanced down at the boy, making sure his pace was not too fast for the one that relied on his legs to move.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:53 pm
"Forgive my rudeness, sir," he said with a quick bow as he continued behind. "My name is Khaldun Ajam, a merchant of Gallenia and one of the last of the Xephira. Until recently, I was also captain of the Berilo. Ask what you will and I shall answer...But, what shall I call you, if you have no name?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:04 pm
"Oh, whatever you wish." Seeming eager to be named, the man sat up straighter as if perking his ears to Khaldun's words. "Just make sure it is a good one. I'd hate to be named something like Gizmo or Boone."
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:08 pm
"If you have no objections, sir, I shall call you Baruti," Khaldun answered, after thinking a moment what was best to call the storyteller.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:18 pm
The newly appointed Baruti smiled greatly. "Oh, that's a good one. It will do nicely indeed."
The man continued in the inky darkness, occasionally turning left and right down some unseen path. "I recommend you remain no less that 2 spans from myself. Wouldn't do to have you fall would it? No, that would be a terrible thing. So you stay close."
Daemon paced below deck. There must be some way... Heading to the captain's quarters (for he was sure Cenek would be setting up there tonight and every night after) Daemon searched around, looking for any scrap of something Khaldun may have left behind. He was not convinced that Khaldun was dead. There was no definite reason behind this, just a feeling deep within himself that the other man was alive. Mayhap this is a plan of his and he left a note somewhere to tell me of it. That sounds like Khaldun... doesn't it?
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:26 pm
Khaldun continued to follow in silence. If half the fun of the journey was getting there, he did not want to miss something because he was yammering on about what, to this man, was inconsequential. To him, humans were probably no more than specks of dust.
The stateroom held no clues of Khaldun's disappearance. Everything was exactly as he had left it. Maps of Kuzoth were neatly layed out on the desk, and a bin of other maps sat beside it. The drawers were nearly empty, save for some charting tools, star charts, Apollo's journal, and the letter written by Mr. Cameraci. The bedroom portion was also sparse, having only a few spare changes of clothes in a trunk beneath the small bunk.
Cenek remained on deck half the night, long after the storm subsided. Only after Ylli returned from the sick bay to take his watch did Cenek finally relent and retire to his chambers, leaving the boy to his own devices. He wanted to get the business of the will over and done with, but knew better than to rush the grieving. With a final sigh, he bolted his door, wondering when he would see his home and family again.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:37 pm
"So.. are there still grass and trees up there? And little tiny furry creatures? I find it odd that you put some in your mouth but not others. Is there some tome that tells you which ones are for what?"
Baruti did not watch where he was going, but rather had his eyes fixed on Khaldun. He knew these invisible paths like no other. It was the stranger that was the curiosity here.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:43 pm
The man's curiosity about such mundane things made Khaldun wonder just how long he had been waiting below the sea. "Well, there are some areas with grass and trees, but there are others with marshes, snow-covered mountains, or desert. My homeland was nothing but arid desert, surrounded by mountains to our east and the sea to our west. We loved the sea because it was our only means of communcating with the outside world, and it grew to serve us well."
"As for animals, there are still many kinds, though some have surely died out since your time, and others still are rare. The magical beasts have long since returned to their realm, as have the elder races. Humans have forsaken magic for their science, and so they are the only thinking beasts left in the world." He did not hide his scorn for science and what it had done to the world.
Cenek rose after sleeping only a few troubled hours. He had waited long to be the captain of a ship, but had not wanted it to happen in such a way. The placement should have come due to his own merits, he thought. A promising young life had been wasted. He would try to prevent any other such deaths on this mission.
The coxswain gave him a puzzled look. [[Do we still sail for Danadur? This time of year--]]
[[Yes,]] Cenek cut him off. [[Until told otherwise, we will continue Master Khaldun's last journey.]]
Ylli returned once more to the sick bay, though there was little he could do. He had seen that all had regained consciousness before retiring the night before, but now could only act as a waiter of sorts. He sat on a stool between the candy-haired maiden and the scarred man, awaiting orders.
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:38 am
"You mean to forsake this progress do you not?" An amused smile played on his lips. "I suppose you are the protectorate of the planet then? Or at least fancy yourself for such a title, even if you don't know it."
He paused. "Young man, you are just a remnant of a legacy that lives on in this world. Magic does not die because people do not choose to practice it. Magic cannot die because another chooses to take its place." Peering down at him with an inquisitive eye, he asked, "Do you think the weakening of magic is because time is wearing down? Do you not think the planet, the very thing that provides all that you need to live, knows the threat to her and all of her creatures? Oh, silly boy."
Just as quickly as he had stopped, Baruti began his movement forwards once more. "I swear you creatures are so amusing. You think you are so important sometimes!"
~~~~~~~~
Daemon sat on deck in the early morning hours, milling around with nothing to do. Khaldun needed help and he was stuck on this damnable ship. Maybe Dorian was right in one aspect. I can find help if I get back on land. I still have a -few- connections.
Morrigan greeted Ylli, as she had not slept saving a quick nap. Knowing her common and southern tongue would be useless to the man, she simply let him sit.
Dorian had not spoken a word. His mind had become blank as he stared at the young man before him. If only he had chosen his words better, then maybe this little pink haired child could have ended his life. Even if he was never to see Leonid again. But he knew now that the other man had paid the ultimate price for his statements. He was now like Dorian, a complete Composite. A soulless creature who takes the life of others in an attempt to find their own.
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:22 pm
Listening as the man's words tore him down, Khaldun could remain silent no longer. "I could not be so presumptious as to name myself protector of anything, sir. I know far too little of the mysteries of the world to even begin to understand why magick should have weakened. I only know that it has served us well for centuries, as well or better than science, and so I will never give it up..."
It's all that set me apart from the others.
~~~~
Certain the seas were calm today and everything in order, Cenek approached the idle Daemon. [[I'll have no idle hands on my ship. You'll learn to sailor if you mean to stay. Save the dreaming for the night.]] He raised an eyebrow at the boy's meager frame. [[For now, you're under Ylli. Nothing much you're good for save piloting, less you want to prove me wrong.]] With a grin, he waited to see if Daemon responded in defiance. He would be a hard taskmaster, harder still on the weak Daemon than the other men, but he would thank him for it later.
As the young girl entered the sick bay, Ylli rose from his stool, motioning to let her sit down. [[Let me know if they need anything,]] he explained, hoping the girl could pick out the important words.
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:43 pm
Baruti's confused look could only hint that he was unaware that he had insulted Khaldun. "No offense was intended Koreiana. I only meant it as a general observation. Although, perhaps my words did escape me for a moment or two."
~~~~
Daemon's eyes hit the floor. No, not good for anything am I? "Yes, sir, I suppose you're right." Looking around, Daemon began to grow concerned. This is going to be actual work, isn't it? And when I fail at that... I can't even swim. They all saw that. Easy enough to toss me overboard and no one say a word.
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:52 pm
Khaldun shook his head. "No offense was taken, sir. I'm sure should I have lived as long as you I would often say such things and mean nothing by them. Our short lives are inconsequential, after all. Kingdoms rise and fall in the blink of an eye for you."
~~~~
[[Ylli! Get up here!]] Cenek shouted into the doorway that led below. Not a moment later, Ylli came running up, a dazed look on his face.
[[You're to train Mr. Tomas. I suggest starting with charting and going from there, but it's entirely up to you.]]
Ylli nodded his understanding and beckoned Daemon to follow him below. He had noticed how uneasy the boy was on deck, and so he thought they could accomplish more without the distractions of the rest of the crew.
Before allowing the two to leave, Cenek spoke again to Daemon.
[[After dinner, you come to my cabin. I have documents I need to go over with you.]]
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