Cre' Est

Ros kept her eyes glued on the child that stood before her, giving her full attention to the small child as she explained that she helped keep her mother focused on her job at hand. Giving a small chuckle as the child continued to explain more and more of what her important job was. Resting her chin on her hand that was resting on her right knee, as the left was keeping her propped up as she was crouched down, listening to the children explain things was always interesting and entertaining. That much Ros had to admit. Children had their charm about them.

Tilting her head to the side as Lemnia continued to explain that she had to make sure she kept her mother pretty with her flower crowns. A genuine chuckle escaped her lips, "Oh I bet you do. She looks very pretty with them." she chuckled once more, watching as the child carried far too much energy for her little body. What she hadn't expected, was for what happened next was when Lemnia turned and went to walk, but not even after a single step did the child trip and fall flat on her face.

Reacting quickly, Ros lurched forwards, grabbing Lemnia gently in her arms and held her up by gently placing both of her hands on either side of the young girl. Gently dusting Lemnia off with her hands, before examing the small scratch on her face from the fall, "Are you okay, Lemnia? You took quite a fall." Ros finally questioned as she finished examining the child for any more minor injuries.

Korrin got overwhelmed by Cretas' ramblings and almost couldn't figure out whether or not if she was answering his question or not. It was very confusing to listen to. To make it more complicated Lemnia left to bother the tall tough lady! Leaving him all alone with her mom! What can he do!?

"Ms. Cretas? Does that mean yes or no to what i asked? I asked if it was alright to join you in your expedition?" He said hesitatingly. He could not tell if she was actually listening to him as he tried to soak in her ramblings and the tall woman, Now introduced as Ros, speaking to Lemnia. The latter of which ending up tripping again. He notes in the trip her flower crown fell from her head.

Deciding to take a break from the mother, Korrin picked up the flower crown and carefully cleared his throat. "It would seem you dropped this on your fall little one. Let me just...there." As he spoke he carefully set the crown back on her head.

Then the flame put a memory in his mind of his younger days with his own family. On His siblings, mother, Hi-. No. He couldn't think of them. He didnt want to lose his mind to the Flame over a memory. So instead, he kept a large grin on his face, making sure that grin was so big no one would see the hidden pain in his eyes. "There we are. All good."

Lemnia's eyes were brimming with tears as she sniffled and rubbed it her nose with the back of her sleeve.

"Thank you." She muttered, glancing between the two.

"I gotta get momma back now."

She pranced over to Cretas and, true to her earlier word, opened her right hand and smacked Cretas on the rump with a decently loud "SLAP!"

"EEP!" Cretas yelped with a hop in place.

"Oh, my love. I'm sorry. Did I get distracted again?" She asked, picking Lemnia up.

Lemnia nodded.

"Looks like you took another tumble, huh?"

Lemnia shook her head with an "MmMmm!", and Cretas chuckled softly before kissing her nose.

"Pardon." She called to Korrin and Ros. "Apologies for my rambling over there. I get excited sometimes." She chuckled. "Oh, hello there." She said to Ros. "My name's Cretas Estallamos. And this is my lovely little bumble bee, Lemnia."

"I said "hi" to her already. Her name's Ros." Lemnia said with a smile.

"Did you? Well, good job my love." Cretas looked back to their guests. "Korrin. I believe you asked about coming with us? Absolutely! We could use as many hands as possible for this journey!"

She turned to Ros.

"Might I interest you in joining as well? There's a new world out there beyond the horizon of the ocean. And we're going to find it, claim it, tame it, and make history! What do you say?" She asked with a pump of her fist, with Lemnia mimicking her in almost perfect sync along with a giggle.

Korrin raised both eyebrows at how Lemnia shook her mother out of her small tangent of being lost in her own world. Forcing a small chuckle down his throat for fear of embarrassing Cretas any further, Korrin listened as she said her answer to him about considering a spot for him on the expedition she’s organizing. Even though she didn’t outright say yes, the fact she allowed him to come in account of needing all the help she can find, caused his eyes to go wide, his grin almost reaching his ears.

”YAHOO! Thank you so much for this opportunity! I promise, I will not disappoint you Miss Cretas. I’m.. I’m as Happy as a Wolf Pup!” Korrin said, barely containing his own elation and happiness. He let out a laugh of relief, inhaling a huge gulp of fresh air before relaxing his grin. He had to contain it all for now, as he then turned to listen to both the banter of Mother and Daughter team, trying to convince Ros of potentially joining and coming along as well.

Korrin actually wondered if she’d join as well, if not for the sake of having more muscle on the team for any trouble that lay ahead, but to help ensure the safety of his, which would hopefully Turn into ‘their’, employer. ”The possibility of new exotic game meat is also there too.” he added, seeing if Ros was an avid hunter like he was. He didn’t have to appeal to her fighting capability, as he could tell when he first glanced at her, he’d stand no chance if he went one on one.

Cretas and Lemnia both chuckled.

"I admire your enthusiasm, Korrin. And you're right! There's going to be a lot of-"

Lemnia poked her mother's cheek, earning a soft "Oh," from her mother who smiled sheepishly and nuzzled Lemnia a bit before clearing her throat.

"Sorry. I was starting to get excited again. Shall we go talk more at the tavern? Old man Jahck has the best mead in town!"

Lemnia pinched Cretas' cheek while puffing her own in displeasure.

"Momma... You know what happens when you drink."

"Don't worry, love. I'm not going to partake in the drinks this time. I'll just have water."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die," she said, giving Lemnia another nuzzle.

Lemnia sighed softly and wrapped her arms around Cretas' shoulders.

"So, what do you say Korrin? Ready to head to the tavern?"

Ros gave the woman who was Lemnia's mother a small nod and smile as the woman apologized before quickly greeting her and the younger man, simply replaying with a small wave of her hand. A small chuckle creased her lips when Cretas introduced herself and reintroduced her daughter, without realizing that Ros had already made introductions with them, of sorts. "Pleasure to meet you, Cretas. Your daughter is certainly a character, that much is for certain." she said with a small smile, observing the interaction between the others as they discussed what she could only assume is what they were originally talking about before she interrupted them.

Feeling as though she was beginning to over stay her welcome, she began to inch her way out of the picture, only for Cretas to look back at her in time to suddenly stop in her tracks. "Oh uhm, actually. I was planning on talking to the captain and see if he had any work for me, as luck would have it." she said with a bit of an awkward smile as she rubbed the back of her neck. It might not exactly have been the truth or goal of what she had hoped to achieve, but it would help get her close to him, for her to be able to obtain her reward once she took care of business. Knowing full well she'd have to try to convince the others of her feign intent, "I may not be your typical explorer but, I can help with the heavy lifting as well as whatever odd jobs he may need. Seeing as I have no prior engagements, I could possibly consider joining the crew for this adventure. If he'll have me that is." she said with a coy smile.

Even if she didn't want to admit it, the opportunity to explore further, traverse the unexplored ocean waters, and discover what has yet to be traveresed, could lead to a hefty sum for her in return if she could bring anything of worth back with her. Besides, what harm could a little exploration do? Looking back at Korrin she gave the kid a small smile, "I'll take you up on that. First one to take down the largest prey...I'll uh, I'll come up with something for that bet." she gave him a small, playful wink. Looking back at Cretas as she mentioned the tavern, where she had just come from not even a few minutes prior. She could afford to go back and have a few drinks as she tried to warm up to the others, try to earn some favor in their eyes before properly talking to the captain...All was too tempting. "Drinks will be on me if you're up for it? And I'll take care of the payments for food as well, and whatever the little one may want?" Ros offered with a small wink at the small child that stood next to her mother.

"Ah... Unfortunately I made a promise not to drink today. But I'll have all the water good old Jahck can give me!"

She hoisted Lemnia up a bit, bounced a few times, and chuckled.

"And this little one will have milk, right love?"

Lemnia nodded firmly with a little grunt of approval.

"Then it's settled! To the tavern!"

Korrin chuckled at the antics of the Mother/daughter pair. ”Alright, I guess maybe I’ll have the mead then, but not too much. Wouldn’t want to get too drunk.” He said with a small laugh. Ros made a bet with him, but wasn’t sure about the wager. Ah well, if she wanted to compete about who the better hunter was, bring it on! When she winked at him, he puffed his cheeks in a small pout. ”Better be prepared for when I win then.” He mumbled. He then chuckled once more as Cretas reiterated that Lemnia wanted her to stay sober for the day.

That was fine by Korrin, more mead for him, if he wished at any rate. He was just happy that opportunity opened it’s doors for I’m to make his mark on the history of the world. As he cracked his knuckles and gave a big smirk. ”Yes Ma’am! Off to the Tavern!” He said, following her lead.

——

Korrin was in a happy mood that evening. He was back in the tavern, drinking down the last of his celebratory mug of mead. He laughed and celebrated what life had thrown at him today with his new friends. He told funny stories about some of his hunts, especially a kid friendly version about his hunt of the boar which now he wears as a cloak. ”The Boar after getting hit with one arrow runs like mad to me, I dodged and the poor fella knocked himself out on the rock face! Then I finished it off, and now I wear him on my head now! So that people can either be intimidated by his ferocious stare, or look at it and wonder, ‘How silly did that mighty beast have to be to be taken down by one hunter?’” He finished with a chuckle. ”Anyway, that’s also how I earned enough money to buy my sword.”

Lemnia's face was pale as she listened to the story of Korrin taking the boar down, and trembled in her mother's lap who, counter to her daughter, was stifling laughs behind her forearm.

"Th-th-th-th-the piggie went s-s-s-s-smash into a rock with its face?!" She stammered as she tried to lean back against her mother's belly.

"Well... Pfffft....... Should I call you Korrin the Piggie Slayer?" Cretas asked, still stifling laughter behind her forearm with tears welling in the corners of her eyes from the effort.

Ros chuckled as the mother and daughter confirmed that they'd be joining them for a few drinks, even if they were the none alcohol kind. "That sounds perfect. Can all drink till our heart's content!" she said with a small, jovial smile as the four made their way towards the tavern. The walk was short and they made it within minutes after they initially departed.

Ros gave the young man, Korrin, a small smile as he declaired that he better get ready for when he wins their small bet, "Let's leave that for fate to decide, I think." she said with a small chuckle as they entered the tavern. The group ordered their drinks, Ros placed a few bills on the counter, "Make sure to bring about two rounds each, got it?" the woman gave a small wink to the bartender before turning around and joining the others at a table. Taking their seats around the table.

The others were only a round in by the time that Korrin had finished wrapping up his story about taking down a large boar, and how he was able to trade in what he had to get his current sword. Which, Ros had to be honest, she was impressed. For how young he was, he proved to be a talented Hunter, even if some may have been exagerated. "So, the boar knocked itself unconcious?" she shouted with a laugh, wiping the tears from her eyes as she downed the current drink in her hand. Which, may or may not have been the second one since she returned to the tavern. "That reminds me of when I was out hunting about...three years back? I was tracking down a large buck, which I had wounded. Well, I was able to find it in a small clearing after passing through some brush, but to only be ambushed by a giant forest lion." she chuckled, taking another sip of her drink. "It got me good in the left shoulder, left a pretty nasty scar, but I was quicker with my draw of a bow and well, let's just say I had two large pelts to turn in that night." Ros mused.

"Looks like I'll have some good competition over in the new world, huh Korrin?"

Lemnia continued shaking in her mother's lap with a face pale as a ghostly white sheet, squeaky whimpers escaping her lips.

"H-h-h-ha wha?" She asked as she looked up at Ros. "You k-k-k-killed a flower kitty?"

Cretas, meanwhile, continued scoffing and stifling her laughter at the stories, as well as her daughter's reactions to them. Sometimes she was too cute even for her mom.

"Quite the feat." She managed to slip through the chuckles for Ros.

Lemnia continued trembling and whimpering on a stammer as she looked between the two hunters.

Korrin, noticing Lemnia’s reaction to his story slowly felt nervous at how she reacted to it. Maybe the wild boar wasn’t a great idea to tell and decided to try and mitigate the damage. ”It was more like a ‘Bonk’ then just ‘smash’. If I hadn’t dodged, well, I think someone else would have went smash instead.” He said, with a nervous look on his face as Ros asked her question. ”Pretty much, if I didn’t roll out of the way it would’ve killed me like it did several other hunters who tried to bring it down. I think either Desmiel was looking out for me that day or I was just very, very lucky.”

But then he realized what Cretas suggested he be dubbed, as an embarrassed blush spread across his face as he slowly sipped what little remained of his mead to hide said blush. ”Very funny. But I guess it’s a lot better then what my... what my Father called me. I won’t say what that is as there are children present.” as he said this, Korrin realized Lemnia was trembling as she looked between Ros and him after the former told her story of a Forest Lion attacking her, and thus he slowly put two and two together. ”Oh Lemnia I didn’t meant to make you upset with all the hunting stories. I’ve never really told stories before and this was my first time telling this one with a younger listener present.”

Even the Flame at the back of his mind seemed to cower a bit at the sight of a possibly scared child. Korrin had to figure out how to make her laugh and not focus on the stories of animal slaughter, and fast!

Cretas gave Lemnia a bit of a bounce by pushing her knee up, causing the little creature quivering at the stories she was being told to look over her shoulder in confusion.

"Don't worry, my love. The all the animals will be born again in new forms. They're probably out there right now playing in the flowers."

Lemnia blinked twice, and a big grin appeared on her face.

"You think so?!" She asked, eyes sparkling with hope.

Cretas nodded.

"I'm certain of it."

Lemnia giggled, lifting one leg over the other so she could twist around and wrap her arms around her mother's neck.

"Yay!" She cheered. "The aminals like flowers, like me!"

"Animals, my love." Cretas chuckled. "But yes. They love the flowers just like you."

Lemnia giggled and snuggled against her mother who rubbed her back and gave Korrin a wink.

Collen ran through the city streets pushing the now empty wine cart. He had been sure to let another crew member know he'd be gone for a short moment just in case the Captain decided he wanted to use him for something. The boy still tried to be quick on his errands, and the empty cart was light and easy to push.

”EY! Get out of the way!” Roared a voice behind him.

Collen's head whipped back towards the source. ”Dad? What is he doing here?” There said with a scowl on his face.

As his eyes looked for the source of the sound, who turned out to be a man he didn't know, Collen missed a crack in the cobblestones beneath his feet which caused him to stumble and push the cart which slipped from his grip and went sailing down the inclined road ahead.

Cursing like a sailor he got back up from the ground and run after the cart.

Meanwhile...

"Dammit all." He growled.

Tora had wasted a good chunk of time attempting to gather more information. Nobody else knew anything. So he'd have to do some more dirty work later in order to confirm his suspicions.

Lost in thought, he turned a corner and was greeted by the sensation of something slamming into his legs. His feet were thrown to the side causing him to fall on the object, a wooden cart, tipping it onto its side and cracking the length of one of the wooden panels. Tora rolled onto his back and then quickly onto his side and to his feet with one hand on the hilt of his sword.

Collen run after the cart but didn't able to catch it in time to stop it from hitting someone. Collen barely gave the man a glance as he didn't feel the need to apologize to the stranger for such a minor incident. Instead he grabbed the cart and pulled it closer before spotting the crack. "This can't be real." He muttered under his breath.

Turning his head towards the man. "Do you always break other people's things?" He asked sharply.

The instant Tora saw that it was a child chasing the cart, his hand lifted away from the hilt of the sword and he stood to brush himself off. At Collen's question, Tora glanced down at him.

"My apologies. I didn't see it coming."

He glanced to the cart, noting its age and the crack now along its length.

"Was it important to you?"

"At least Captain's wine bottles are on the ship," he thought, subtly shivering from the thought of breaking one and facing the Captain's wrath. He would prefer an angry Gus over an angry Captain any time.

"Someone lent it to me." He replied.

Tora appraised the young man's response and gave a subtle nod of satisfaction.

"I see. Again, I offer my apologies. Shall I come with you to give it back so I can help explain its current state?"

Collen shrugged. "Whatever. Do what you want."

He didn't wait any longer as he grabbed the cart and continued to push it towards the inn. The quicker it was done, the better. Collen kept up a good pace as he jogged towards the inn while paying more attention to his surroundings. Tora followed him closely at a brisk jog, and neither of them exchanged any more words even as they arrived and opened the door. As the boy stepped inside he gave a small wave of hand at Gus behind the counter, who waved back to him with a smile as he began walking over.

"Hey kiddo. Thanks for bringin' the cart-... Uh, what's that?" He asked, pointing to the crack.

"The fault for that would be mine, sir. In my clumsiness I fell on and damaged your cart."

"Ah. Well, it seems in tact enough to still work. A quick nail or two should do it."

"Do you require any compensation for the damages?"

"Mm? Nah. Thanks though. Hey, kiddo. You should run along. Don't need ol' nasty face giving you a hard time now, yeah?"

As Collen gave another wave and dashed out the door, Tora followed Gus to the counter as he put the cart away behind it.

"So ya fell on it, eh?"

"Indeed. My apologies."

"Heh. Yer a good lad, aren't ya."

Gus turned around and leaned on the country looking at Tora.

"Ya don't seem the type to just fall like that."

"How so, sir?"

"With a sword like that, and how you've stood with perfect balance since the moment I saw you walk in, there's no way yer that "clumsy" ta just fall on the cart."

"Hm."

"It's not a big deal. Like I said, the cart's still usable and a good nail or two will make sure it stays that way for a good while."

"I see. My apologies for the charade."

"Heh."

Gus took a swig of water.

"Ya know, the boy's a good kid. He don't have anyone really lookin' out fer him. So yer little act to try and take the blame is enough fer me ta overlook this."

"How so?"

Gus looked around the room to make sure nobody was listening before leaning in a bit closer.

"The boy's in the service of the Captain. Lohran or whatever his name is. Kid's been left alone so far. But that guy's reputation is long enough ta cover the entire floor of my tavern. It's only a matter o' time before he does something ta hurt the boy."

"Is that so?"

It was Tora's turn to lean forward on the counter and whispered to Gus.

"I'll be candid with you. I've heard much about the Captain and have come to ascertain the truth about him for myself. If he's as bad as I've heard, I have every intention of ending his life. Given what you've said, it seems I've no choice but to escalate the pace of my investigation. He's leaving soon, is he not?"

"Yeah. There's a lady in town, some crazy map lady and her daughter, who are going ta "discover a new world." And they got the Captain ta agree ta take em there. They leave in two days er so."

"I understand. Thank you. Do you know where I can find this woman and her daughter?"

"They're at another tavern just down the road, last I heard. Map girl is the talk of the town these days for the crazy crap she's always spouting. Hard not to know where she is at any given time."

Tora chuckled.

"My thanks, sir. I'll be on my way."

As Tora turned to leave, Gus stopped him.

"One thing, lad. If ya go after the Captain, watch yerself. He and his crew ain't exactly known fer playin' fair or accepting open challenges with grace and all that."

"I wasn't expecting anything such. But you have my thanks."

With that, Tora left the tavern and Gus returned to cleaning the glasses and dishes of the patrons.

"Good luck lad."

Korrin sighed in relief. That was a close one. Good thing Cretas gave Lemnia an easy concept to understand about rebirth. He only wished he thought of that one sooner. ”Oh well. Better luck next time with telling stories like that to her. Still, I’ll probably leave it to her mother. I’ll just try to find a way to keep them both safe.” He resolved in his head. He noted Cretas winked ever so slyly and he acknowledged it with a nod of his own.

”Well. I indeed look forward to many things. A good competition, a great adventure, and the chance to make a name for ourselves!” He declared with a wide grin upon his face. ”Here’s to making new friends, a brave and wonderful journey, and of course to the New World!” with that he polished off what little remained of his ale.

”Here’s to proving that bastard wrong as well. May whatever success I find be another sting of regret he feels for his actions against me. Desmiel willing I garner enough fame or honor to make a barb sharp enough for him to feel. If I fail in this... Mother and sisters forgive me.” So were his thoughts that swam with the ale. Pains he kept deep under his grin. Things that’ll be left alone, but not forgotten, the next morning as he prepares to go off to the New World with his newfound friends.

In the blink of an eye, the day of departure had come. The entire crew of the Silver Moon had gathered on deck, and a large crowd had gathered, more out of curiosity than celebration, to see the event. The Captain waited in his quarters, not one for conversation or festivities. Cretas, meanwhile, was on deck with Lemnia waving to the crowd.

"Everyone! Thank you so much for coming to witness history in the making! A new world awaits beyond the horizon. And WE shall claim it for our own in the name of Mar' Valoa!"

Exchanged looks and murmurs spread through the crowd. And as she looked to Gus from the tavern, Cretas gave a wink.

"Gus. Look after Derf for us, okay?"

Gus gave a thumbs up, patting the dog's head with his tail wagging happily.

"Everyone... Farewell!"

A customary glass of wine was broken against the hull, and the anchor was raised. The ship slowly drifted into the bay, and then opened the sails before turning and heading out towards the open ocean.

They were underway. And Lemnia looked sadly back at the shore as her mother stroked her hair.

"Don't worry, my love. We'll come back for Derf once we discover the new world and build a home for us all to live in."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Plus, this ship isn't exactly dog proof. We'll need a better vessel to carry him in when we bring him to our new home."

"Okay." Lem said sadly as she hugged her mother's leg.

Korrin looked about the ship before it began moving out of the Bay and into the open ocean. Waving at the small gathered crowd as the ship went. It took the young hunter/warrior a lot to not marvel at the open water. The most captivating thing about it was it was so large and blue! He never saw water much like it. Though the way the ship moved about in the water, made Korrin a little bit uncomfortable. If boats moved in water this big, does the waves get big as well was a question floating in his head.

“Well, maybe that will finally snuff out the Flame crawling in my mind.” Korrin thought to himself. But that was pure speculation, for how can one put a fire inside their own mind? Sighing he reflected on the crowd that gathered. ”Would Mother and the rest, excluding certain parties, have seen me off if I wrote to them beforehand of what I was doing, here and now? It’s been... Desmiel knows how long. Oh well. I’ll just do the Job and come back safely. Give Cretas enough credibility about the New World. That would be enough.”

Korrin simply stared out at the Horizon, and took a deep breath. Then almost gagged at the salty scent of the ocean. It seems traveling by sea had a few more caveats for him to get used to. ”Does the sea air have to be so salty Ms. Cretas?” He asked aloud coughing at the word ‘salty’.

After fluffing Lemnia's hair and giving her a pat on the shoulder to go do something fun, she turned to Korrin.

"Unfortunately, yes. You get used to it after a while. Or you'll start getting seasick. One of the two." She said while giving him a clap on the shoulder as she walked past him towards the bow so she could look at the horizon.

Meanwhile Lemnia ran up to the second level of the deck where the steering wheel and Captain's Quarters sat. Leaving enough room for the man at the wheel, she ran in circles and chased an imaginary friend from one side of the deck to the other, giggling and chirping with enthusiasm as to the "outcome" of their little races.

The man at the wheel couldn't help but shake his head and roll his eyes. Although he also couldn't help but let a smirk cross his lips at the child's antics.

"Kids." He muttered.

Collen wasn’t one for farewell celebrations. He had gone up the deck for just enough to see Gus, give him a small wave and then return to his work below the deck. As usual he was doing whatever he was told to. Running around the ship’s nooks and crannies had become familiar to him.

“Ey boy! Cap’n wants his breakfast.” A cook shouted as Collen was walking past the kitchen area. Collen just gave the man a little nod as he took a tray with the food. He walked up carefully, the ships movements felt natural to him. He stepped out from below deck and headed up the stairs towards Captain’s quarters.

Lemnia leaned on the guard railing at the edge of the ship as a small school of flying fish were leaping out of the water and soaring like birds a short distance away. Her eyes sparkled at how beautiful the rainbow created by the spray of the water as they leaped about was.

"So prettyyyyyyy." She cooed.

As the fish began to disappear behind the ship she hopped up, dusted herself off, and hopped in place.

"Mom needs to hear about this!"

The instant she turned around and took one step across the deck, Lemnia face planted into the hardwood floor with both arms outstretched ahead of her. The crewman at the wheel jumped at the sound, brandishing his sword.

"WHO DARES TA-... Oh."

Sheathing the sword, he walked over and helped Lemnia to her feet.

"Ya all right there missy?"

With watery eyes and a quivering lower lip, she nodded and continued on her way. Dashing across the deck to the far-side stairs, she planted her foot and turned too late to see Collen below her. The fault in her concentration caused her foot to slip from beneath her, and she tumbled down the stairs directly at Collen.

Collen had no time to react as the sudden hit made him fall backwards as well, causing the tray fall from his hands.

"Hey! Watch where you're go...i...ng..." his harsh voice faded as he realized that the girl in front of him was the daughter of that important lady on the ship. He didn't want to get into trouble for shouting at the girl.

He pushed himself up quickly remembering the food. "Shit." He cussed as he saw it spilled over the stairs. That he was going to get in trouble for.

Lemnia rolled onto her side facing away from Collen, gripping her elbow and half curling into a fetal position.

"Ooooowwwwwie." She muttered, trying her best not to cry despite the watering in her eyes beginning to build.

Collen was cleaning up the food as glanced at the girl who still hadn't gotten up. "Uh.... You okay?" He asked carefully now worried the girl was hurt because of him. "I'll be dead if she is" He thought in his mind as he moved closer to her. "Can you get up?"

Lemnia continued to grip her elbow and, unsuccessfully, fight back her tears as the pain shot through her arm.

"Oi! Boy! What'd you do?" One of the crewmen asked as he approached the scene.

Collen swallowed from both seeing the girl cry and hearing the crewman shout. "I-i-it was an accident!" He said quickly. Knowing full well he'd get all the blame he didn't even try to claim the girl was one running into him. "I'll clean it up!" He got back down on his knees to pick up the food in a hurry.

The crewman knelt down next to Lemnia and helped hoist her up.

"Did Collen hurt ya, girlie?"

Sniffling and holding her elbow, Lemnia shook her head.

"I slipped down the stairs." She sobbed.

"Didja now? Well, be careful wouldja? Takes a while ta get yer sea legs."

Lemnia nodded, and the man turned to Collen.

"Boy. We'll clean up here. Go get a fresh one fer the Cap'n. Keep him waitin' and it'll be all our backsides fer not helpin' ya get him his meal in good time."

"Y-yes sir!" Collen scrambled up and practically run back to the kitchen. "I need new meal for the Captain." He said to the chef in a hurry hoping they wouldn't ask too many questions.

"Wait. Whaddya mean you need a new meal? What happened to the first one?"

"Uh.... an accident." He said carefully and then rubbed behind his neck. "It fell in the stairs" Collen knew the cook would hear what happened sooner or later so he might as well admit it.

The cook shook his head.

"Boy... You'll be the death of all of us."

The cook quickly whipped up the Captain's meal again and handed the tray to Collen, holding tight to it for a sec before letting go again.

"Drop this one and I'll be the one to tan your hide. Got me?"

Collen was waiting as he made the meal staring down most of the time. He hated being on this ship. He hated Lohran and most of his crew. He had no say in anything and simplest mistake could be a death sentence.

"Yes sir." He simply stated knowing full well the threat was true. He took the tray and walked back up, this time being extra careful.

He reached the Captain's quarters and knocked on his door. "Breakfast Captain!"

"Come in." Came the Captain's voice from inside the cabin.

As Collen stepped in he saw Lohran standing at the back of the cabin facing away from Collen with his hands behind his back and looking out the big window at the ocean. The boy placed the tray down on the table and turned back to leave.

"What took so long, boy?"

Collen froze and turned back at him. "Sorry Captain. Won't happen again"

His left hand was in a fist, gripped at the wrist by his right hand. The fist opened and the fingers rolled before becoming a fist again.

"That's not an explanation, Collen."

Collen swallowed as Lohran was getting irritated. He knew that just like the cook, Lohran would hear about it sooner or later. Collen braced himself for his anger as he spoke "I accidentally run into the girl and the food fell on the deck so the cook had to make second patch Captain." He said once again taking full blame.

The Captain turned his head ever so slightly, but not enough for Collen to see his eyes.

"How do you accidentally run into someone, boy? Is there not enough room for two children on deck to move around?"

He swallowed again frozen in place like a scared deer. "I-I wasn't paying attention Captain."

He was certain if Lohran wasn't going to throw him overboard right away, his punishment was going to be even worse. Especially if he found out the girl was hurt.

The Captain turned halfway, glancing at Collen out of the corner of his eye.

"We're at sea now, boy. This is the last place and time to lose focus on anything... Understood?"

"Yes Captain" As Lohran waved him away, Collen hurried off. His face was paler than he realized as he had no clue how he was alive still. The boy hurried off and hide back below deck hoping to avoid anymore problems for the day.

"Ahh..."

"That was quite the sigh."

"Huh? Who?"

She turned in a circle, twice, searching for the source of the voice.

"Up here, miss Cretas."

Looking up, she beheld quite the handsome dark haired gentleman sitting on the beam of the forward sail.

"Oh. Um... What are you doing up there?"

"Enjoying the wind and the smell of the sea. How about yourself?"

"I'm well. Thank you. I don't recall meeting you. Have we met?"

"Not in person. But your reputation precedes you."

He hopped down onto the deck beside her and gave her a slight bow.

"My name is Tora Lithenmiir. A mercenary, after a fashion. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"A mercenary, you say? From your attire, I'd have guessed you were a traveling monk were it not for that sword at your hip."

"I see." He chuckled. [color=#f111796]"Admittedly it puts many off. I come from an old and traditional family. And this attire is more cultural than anything else."[/color]

"Ah. I understand."

"May I be so bold as to inquire why you sought Captain Lohran for this voyage?"

"Mostly because he seemed eager to find the new world, just like me. He's one of the few people I've held long-winded mutual conversations with about the subject. Most people abandon me to my enthusiasm within the first minute." She chuckled nervously.

Tora chuckled in response.

"Understood, milady."

"Oh my. You are traditional, aren't you?"

"Would you prefer another identifier?"

"No, no! That's fine. It's kind of nice, actually, to be addressed that way for once."

"Has nobody done so before?"

"Only my ex-husband when he was courting me. After I agreed to marry him, he stopped calling me that."

"Ah, my apologies. I didn't mean to bring up what must be a sore subject."

She gave a wave of her hand.

"Don't worry about it. It worked out well for both my daughter and I to have moved on. He was going down a dangerous and self destructive road. And I didn't want Lemnia to remember her father like that, or worse."

"Quite commendable. Still, it saddens me to hear such stories. Especially if it involves a child."

He turned around and saw Lemnia thanking the crewman who helped her up and brushed her off after her tumble down the stairs.

"She's quite charming for her age. She's what? Ten?"

"Close. She's nine. Going to be ten in about three months."

"I see. So she may enjoy a birthday at sea, then?"

"She just might. And what a birthday it will be with all these people here to celebrate it."

"You think they will?"

"Ooh, they will. Don't you worry about that. If they don't, they're going to find themselves a little less manly when we reach the new world."

Tora was about to comment, but his tongue froze in his mouth as he turned and gave Cretas an incredulous look. She gave him a wink and mimed kicking Tora in the nether regions, which made him quietly gulp at the thought before Cretas burst into laughter and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much about something like that, Tora. I'm sure you'll be there for her, won't you?" She asked, giving him a sweet and yet somehow subtly dangerous smile.

Tora merely nodded.

"Perfect! Maybe you can put on a demonstration for her with your sword!"

She gave him another clap on the shoulder, and he watched as she made her way over to Lemnia and hoisted her up into her arms to walk her around the deck.

"... I see why the Captain has taken an interest in you, miss Cretas." He whispered while looking up towards the Captains Quarters, where the young man he met in town was just exiting the doors on the upper deck at the rear of the ship.

"You're exactly his type."

Tora took in a deep breath and leaped up, grabbing the beam of the sail and hoisting himself up to sit on it once again to enjoy the breeze while also getting some shade from the sun under the cloth.

Korrin felt the pat on his back and nodded to Cretas with a small smile before looking at the shores of what he called home shrink with every minute of distance, heaving a small cough every now and then as he acclimated to the scent of the sea air. He hoped for a time that would be it for his sea problems. It was then he gave a smaller, sadder smile at the distant shores.

”Goodbye Mother. I’ll be back home soon.” He silently said in farewell to Mar’Valoa.

However, during his reverie, Korrin did not notice until it was too late that Lemnia took another tumble, this time running into a young man carrying a breakfast tray, probably for the Captain of the vessel. Wincing Korrin decided to focus on taking stock of his gear.

“Sword, check. Bow, Check. Good stock of arrows, Check. Cloak, Check.” He muttered, nodding in satisfaction. Looking up from his gear check he noticed Cretas conversing with a stranger he hadn’t met yet. Another passenger perhaps? Or a Hired sword, by the weapon at the man’s hip. His thoughts turned to the end of the conversation however, as they talked about Lemnia’s oncoming birthday and the conversation turned slightly humorous, the eavesdropping hunter chuckled before realizing that punishment she both mimed and intoned applied to him as well.

As such he swallowed nervously at the thought of it. Shaking his head he sighs with satisfaction as Mother and daughter got together again. ”What a pair they make.” he said aloud, Walking to the mast and leaning on it, before saying to himself, ”Well Korrin, you’re on your way to Honor and Fame.” With that, he enjoyed the view of the Horizon silently.

Tora subtly looked down, catching the view of Korrin leaning on the mast out of the corner of his eye.

"Homor and fame, eh?" Tora asked aloud, not really looking at Korrin so much as at the horizon.

"Are you sure that's what awaits you at this supposed 'New World?'"

”If we return to Mar’Valoa with proof it’s there anyway.” Korrin shot off a reply to the man as he looked at him through the hood of his cloak. ”Of course, there is the added benefit of perhaps hunting down a creature and bringing back it’s hide as proof. That’s the fame. The Honor is in being a part of the entire journey to begin with.”

Fully looking up at the man, and getting a better look at him. ”Though I’m sure a little bit of fortune might come our way at the end of all this, if that’s what enticed you on this journey. But forgive me, we are chatting so idly we should at least know each others names. I am Korrin Arzan. Hunter, and Fighter. And your name swordsman?”

Keeping his head up, Tora glanced down out of the corner of his eye to take in the measure of the young 'Hunter and Fighter' beneath him.

"Hm." He grumbled.

Looking back up towards the horizon, he took a deep breath of the ocean air.

"I'm here for less tangible reasons."

Hopping off the beam and to the deck, he stood up tall and looked at Korrin.

"A hunter and fighter, and yet so young. Your family must be worried about you. No?" He asked.

Korrin’s stare at the man hardened into a glare. ”One, I am old enough to take care of myself. Two, unless you have two tankards with one offered to me, don’t ever bring up the subject of my family. But I will indulge you this once. My mother and sisters have been worrying for ages. What’s one crazy round trip more?” Korrin said with a restrained stern tone.

He could feel it now. The Flame waking up and crawling around in his mind. His jade green eyes seem to display the hidden anger in his words. His hands clenched into fists, once, then twice, then relaxed again, holding his glare at the man. The Flame was tempting him to fight him, but there was being on an unknown Environment, in other words the very ship itself that seemed to put Korrin against such an idea.

So instead, he only held his glare in angry silence.