63rd day of the 10230th year since the passing of Kriene
After three days of what had been smooth sailing marked by drizzles and mild cold winds from the north, they had been hit by a massive storm.
They had not seen Wairolight for the second day straight.
With the storm pushing the ship off course towards the south, Zander had made the announcement a couple hours past that they had managed to cross into Eventide.
But since the past couple hours the storm’s intensity had lessened to an extent that they could resume their push northward.
However, the rain had not abated and while she could not speak for the drift – Gwenyth had to get used to getting drenched since she would not and could not remain confined to the indoors which she had grown all too familiar with in her time on the ship.
Their charms and the inconveniences of weather did not stop her from spending a fair amount of time on deck, not bothering with any umbrella or such, per usual.
But a lot of the time the drift used to spend together in the common areas had shifted to the navigation room because the government officials were putting up there.
Which really was a pity because the control room was in no condition for a social gathering.
It was colourful enough, however.
Zander had figured out how to modify the lighting to have different patterns and gradients so at least they could suffer in aestheticism.
While everyone was pretty gloomy about the situation, it was Finley who was inconvenienced the most.
His conversations with Perisone had been largely uninterrupted and private until the storm hit.
Now any conversation of his with Perisone felt like a conference between the Serendipity and the Windriders since they were in a situation that nearly completely imitated theirs.
Maybe it was for the better.
The Windriders had mentioned that interacting with peer drifts was part of the richness of experience.
While the Serendipity did not have such drifts they were eager to interact with when they set out from Youvlon, the Windriders were kind of becoming increasingly integrated in their lives.
They had even made more concrete plans for the Buried Man, though neither drift was sure of what the city of Jalakide would be like and what they as drifts could do.
They had no plans for venturing out of the city, even though they had some geographical knowledge of what lay around the city.
This lack of excursional initiative had a lot to do with what gave the Buried Man its name – apart from its shape, of course.
The island was said to be haunted and overrun with all things undead and other associated beings.
But Jalakide’s safety was something everyone in both drifts was assured of, save Linny.
He had never been to the Buried Man but had heard several stories – all disturbing and horrifying.
As if his skepticism needed fuel, his first experience with the human government had not inspired any sort of confidence in the institution, or establishments thereof.
Gwenyth was actually happy to be confined to the walled city.
Not only did she desperately want to avoid any hostile spirits, she was sure there would be a lot to do in the city for at least a couple days, at which point they would have collected on the bonds and could be well on their way within three days of their arrival in the city.
Part of her did think her visualisation was idealistic and unrealistic but if she were to play the odds, chances were less that something drastic could possibly go wrong in a government fortress, which was possibly one of the most secure areas in the sixty-fifth.
It was some time in the afternoon that the drift found themselves sitting in the navigation room – half-drenched and in a state of relative quiescence.
Zander was at the helm, conversing with Therese – who in turn was being chewed out by Perisone for impeding her navigation, though the navigator of the Windriders was able to sneak in inquiries about the Serendipity’s environmentalist – which were answered briefly.
The indulgent patience for the lovers’ rendezvous, conversations and queries had been depleted very quickly since the drifts had been hit with the storm.
It was only the fact that one of the partners from each drift and relationship happened to be a navigator that prevented animosity being shown because really and truly, everyone else was tired of listening to such interactions for torturous amounts of time.
As a result, Gwenyth for one could not wait to reach their destination.
A necroneesos sounded more appealing with every passing moment.
But at least the control room was better than the common areas.
It wasn’t really the officials’ fault, they were perfectly nice and accommodating.
But they were just different.
They valued a significant amount of personal time to do their own stuff, which was mostly doing something or the other on their personal computer.
The Serendipity – in true non-Lament fashion – avoided most technology like they would the plague, despite the best efforts of the officials.
“You’ll eventually get exposed to it.” Faera had said.
“In Jalakide or Plemos.
It is unavoidable in those cities.
But I promise you it’s not all bad.”
Of course it was not all bad, but that was not the point.
Gwenyth’s (and her driftfellows’) thought process on the matter was to do their best to avoid these technologies for as long and for as many activities as was able.
Faring schools had done well in instilling the fear of the subtle seeping quality and mind-ruining capabilities of the undesirable technologies.
That was one thing common in such technologies and hostile spirits, she supposed.
Another reason to avoid the common areas – and this was more universally altruistic – was that the drift wished to give the officials some semblance of privacy.
They all had their rooms but for the officials, the common area was it.
They were pretty certain that they would not cope as well with teenagers distracting them, soiling and drenching what was supposed to be their homes and comfort areas as they could with their extended absence.
Linny of course was an exception in this regard – since his own space was in the common area – but he preferred the company of the drift over the officials.
They were closer in age, more similar in almost every regard even if one were to regard their existing bond.
There was this sense that the drift was trying to appreciate their time with Linny and vice-versa since there was a chance – unquantified, but significant – that they would part ways in Jalakide.
He had his fate to see to and somehow everyone was confident that solving obsidian supply chain problems might not be it.
It was a pity that the limited fun to be had on board – due to the officials’ presence – had been further reduced due to the storm.
Gwenyth’s thoughtful state was broken as her ears caught Zander’s confirmation that the storm was headed southeast and their progress would not be further inhibited; and that they were likely to see the coming Wairores without any meteorological obstruction.
“How much time till Jalakide, then?” Gwenyth asked, raising her head.
Zander shrugged a little.
“Three… four days max.
We’ll be there by sixty-seventh noon at the latest.”
“And we by Wairores.” said Perisone from the radio.
“Pity that doing three more years of navigation only earns you seven hours of time.” teased Zander.
“And a half.” she responded.
“Though I wouldn’t go around getting too cocky, Zanny-boy.
See, all those years of nav experience also allows me to do some subtle adjustments to our radio that even your engineer girlfriend will not be able to fix for quite some time.”
With all the sappy and mushy stuff, at least there were some gems they got to hear as well.
* * *
66th day of the 10230th year since the passing of Kriene
The next couple days flew by in good weather and spirits.
Though clouds and drizzles were still the bread and butter, they were spiced up with the intermittent radiance and the perennially looming presence of Wairo, who returned in full form as if in apology for his absence.
He even got the officials to step out and have some old-school Faring fun.
Venedir was most eager to have combat training sessions, only surpassed in this passion by Finley for some reason – most likely motivated by self-preservation – the impetus thereof becoming heightened due to the kinds of dangerous situations they found themselves in.
It was becoming a pattern and while one could blame their greed for money for all the mess they ended up in, Gwenyth was of the opinion that the intention did not matter.
Only the outcome did – which in the drift’s case had always been favourably affected by their intervention.
Nonetheless, the fact remained that Alaric had judged their abilities correctly and they needed to step their game up through whatever gradual improvements they could bring in themselves.
Alaric had introduced a lot of new things to them in their training session in Kinamel, a lot of which they would need to pick up quickly as Linny’s inevitable departure approached.
But as it had turned out, it was not only Alaric that had reservoirs of knowledge.
The government officials – especially Faera – had a lot to share with them about the nuances of fighting.
She was an all-rounder of sorts in combat, a prodigy who had been fully realised.
Gwenyth had not seen or heard of her fighting ability after the battle – perhaps because Linny had overshadowed everyone else – with the unnaturals so she had no sense of how remarkable she was.
Faera made her think of what Venedir could have been had he stuck with fighting.
At least he was getting back into it now.
Surely it wasn’t too late for him yet.
The officials also had a lot to share about Jalakide, knowledge that they withheld till the sixty-fifth, saying that it would be better if all they told the drift remained on the surface of all their memories – easy to recall.
Jalakide was a huge settlement by any standard but what made it especially unique was that the settlement had five layers of walls surrounding three sides of the city with only the ocean to defend its shoreline. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping(.)com.
The physically undead could not traverse such forms of water as lay south of the city.
The walls extended nearly a mile into the ocean on both ends.
The spiritually undead were another thing altogether and while Jalakide’s walls had some magical and spiritual protections cast on them, it did not hinder the development of Jalakide as a popular hotspot for psychics, arcanists, conduits and such.
While the humans were especially averse to stepping out of the city – and Gwenyth could relate immensely -, other species were not so reluctant as it was said that the undead from the nearby sectors could be summoned and channeled in the island so needless to say, the Buried Man in general had become a tourist attraction, especially when the human government had constructed a city which ensured the more… unpleasant aspects would stay away and that a safe haven would always be available for settlers and for travellers to fall back on basis their distinct requirements.
It was still a huge pain to manage, if Welinger was to be believed.
What the officials were still not forthcoming about was how they knew the number of unnaturals, why they were being hunted, who they were hunted by, and most of all if this ‘hunter’ could strike again, especially while they were on the drifts’ ships.
Gossiping about the officials had become a new favourite pastime in the past week, especially when they talked to the Windriders on radio.
Both drifts had antics and eccentricities to share, the Windriders having the lion’s share since they had gotten the short end of the stick, especially with Gallin.
He was overly finicky about cleanliness – most likely the victim of a self-inflicted obsessive disorder.
He was also particular about his food, which was annoying for the tenders because he did not respect their system in the kitchen and could critique their ears off about the correct washing techniques and hygienic subtleties which were apparently necessities.
Even the other officials avoided him and were victims of second-hand embarrassment, though all the poor things had to offer were fervent apologies.
All in all, Gwenyth was surprised that their drift hadn’t tossed the old man overboard yet.
Eh, maybe they were just better humans than she was.
After what they had done and were doing for the officials, if it were her being treated like that, she would have blown a fuse and her axe would have had a field day.
As they had re-entered Apricity and calmer waters, Xara and Elyria had reappeared – though with the presence of the officials, neither stuck around for more than a couple hours at a stretch.
Now that Zander was more free, his pebbling had deemed it to be a suitable time to start annoying him again, though Zander did not seem so annoyed by him in comparison to what had been expressed in his tone when he talked of Felix’s antics.
When questioned by Callie with respect to the same, he answered that it was his belief that the pebbling had helped him in Quinlac and so his animosity was blunted.
Gwenyth did not think it was so much so the pebbling that made it happen as it was what Zander himself was looking for.
Similar was Finley’s case but Gwenyth herself seemed to be incapable of finding this willpower within herself to seek a partner, or partners.
It was of some comfort that the others were not involved in any non-platonic entanglements – at least, to the best of her knowledge.
Though Gwenyth feared it would not be that long before she ended up as the odd one out – the sixth (or rather, eleventh) wheel.
But as they got closer to the Buried Man, her uneasiness shifted almost primarily from such matters – which then seemed trivial – to the undead, which she was trying to keep suppressed.
With them touching ground in less than thirty hours, Gwenyth could not help but feel that the darkness had already come over her.
She had the nervous shakes, the tightness in her chest, an inability to concentrate.
She just wanted to eat comfort food while reading a light, funny novel.
And that’s what she did for most of the sixty-sixth, ignoring her drift’s encouragement to join them in training and the control room.
Her room – which had seemed so boring in the worst conditions – had then become a haven when it was all Wairoshine and rainbows.
It was some time during the evening when Gwenyth would be halfway through a mixture of cake and ice cream when she heard a flurry of footsteps coming into the corridor and a lot of voices.
As they passed by her room, one set of footsteps halted and a knock was heard on her door.
Gwenyth told the visitor to come in, which turned out to be Callie.
She had a devilish grin on her face which intrigued Gwenyth almost instantly and she set her book down.
“What is it?”
“We’re partying in my room.
Sylviane’s gone to get the alcohol, Venedir’s getting the snacks and Linny’s upstairs grabbing other stuff from the common area.”
“What’s the occasion?” Gwenyth said as she sat up, setting her bowl aside as her legs swung from the bed.
Callie grinned a little.
“No occasion, it’s just been some time since we all had a drink and danced, don’t you think?
Plus, with this haunted city nonsense, Jalakide might not be the most… conducive environment for partying… or having fun in general.”
Gwenyth smiled.
“You think that could stop us from having fun?”
Callie laughed.
“There’s the Gwenyth I know.
What’s been up with you today?”
“Just… all this talk of ghosts and spirits makes me uncomfortable.
And now that the city is not even fifty leagues away, it’s looming over me.”
“You need a drink most out of all of us then.
Let’s get one in you.”
Gwenyth nodded and got up, grabbing her bowl before following Callie out of her room.
“You bringing that thing?”
“Of course, the ice cream will melt otherwise.
And I can continue using the bowl for more ice cream.”
Callie laughed as she opened the door to her room.
The room was still empty.
“Surprising lack of people for a party, it seems.
If you wanted to have a conversation with me, we could have that in my room.” Gwenyth said as she sat on Callie’s chair with a sigh.
“Can I play some music on your computer?”
“Yeah sure.
And they all should be on their way.
If they’re not here within five minutes, we can go to them.
Especially Zander and Finley.
I imagine they’re in the control room.” Callie said and got into a half laying position across the width of her bed.
Gwenyth laughed a little.
“Good for them, now that I don’t need to actually listen to them.” she said and then her smiled faded slightly.
“What about you, Lee?”
“What about me?”
“Did you find someone in Quinlac?”
Callie laughed.
“Even if I had, you waited till now to ask me?”
“Finley and Zander’s behaviour changed noticeably after getting into their respective entanglements, yours has been consistent.
So I assumed there was no one.
I only asked right now on the off chance that I was mistaken.”
“So a romantic or physical entanglement must bring with it a noticeable change in behaviour – is that the hypothesis, Dr.
Gwenyth?”
Gwenyth grinned and shrugged.
“I call it like I see it.
You are most welcome to prove me wrong.”
Callie sighed.
“As much as I would like to, I cannot.
I did not get past the flirtation stage in Quinlac.
Rhefalt is my next hope since I anticipate that Jalakide will not really be a place where such feelings can blossom.” she said dryly.
Love can be found anywhere.”
“It is not love I am looking to find.”
“What is it then?”
“Happiness, however fleeting.
That’s what our driftfellows are pursuing in their own way.”
“You don’t think there’s a future?” Gwenyth raised an eyebrow.
Callie laughed without humor.
“How could there be?
You know as well as I that if one is not part of the same drift as their partner, it’s hard to make things work in the long term.
If something serious is to become of their relationships, it’s not happening anytime in the near future.
They’re eighteen, they probably don’t even know what they want in this regard.”
“We’re eighteen too, you know?”
“Yes, and I don’t know anything either.
I could never be a hypocrite.” Callie said with an air of wisdom and her countenance made Gwenyth laugh – but it was only a little one which died quickly.
“I knew, though.” Gwenyth muttered before she took a spoonful of ice cream.
“What?” Callie said in a tone that told Gwenyth that she had not been audible.
She just shook her head at Callie just as the door opened and Linny came in with Zander and Finley in tow.
“Almost had to drag these two out of the nav room.”
Some semblance of a smile returned to Gwenyth’s lips.
“How goes it, boys?
At this rate, I don’t think I’ll even get to see your faces once we touch ground.”
“If only.” said Finley gloomily.
“You almost sound love-struck.” Callie said teasingly.
“I don’t know about that.
But I do like her and it’s sad that nothing will come of it.” At least he’s aware.
“It’s not impossible.” said Callie placatingly.
“But it is.
She’s going to Lament after the Windriders complete their current assignment.
So it is all I can do to maximise my interaction with her.
I don’t think it will continue after we leave Jalakide.”
“Don’t take it the wrong way, but it’s probably for the best.” said Callie.
“But it doesn’t reduce the hurt, does it?” said Gwenyth and Finley had a look of relief.
Not everyone is going to berate you, Finny boy.
Even though it is a poor indulgence you have chosen.
“It doesn’t.
But that’s why I stick so close to the radio when it is possible.
It keeps the sadness at bay.
And since it is most likely a matter of a few more days, I want to just be with her as much as I can so there are no regrets.”
“Fair… but what’s your excuse, Zanny boy?” teased Callie.
“No excuse.
Just circumstances and being inspired by Finley to engage in trysts of my own.
I also get to do some nav study while I’m at it.” he said with a grin.
“Hopeless, both of you, in your own ways.” said Linny endearingly with a smile.
“Maybe you won’t miss us so much now that we are so hopeless.” said Finley with a smile.
“Nahhh, I’d miss yous all the same.” Linny said and wrapped his arm around Finley to give him a crushing side hug which was reciprocated after a small protest.
And so the conversation moved on to more cheerful things and eventually with the pleasure of their company, good ambience and drinks, even conversations on topics like necromancy and ghosts became funny and even Gwenyth could take them in stride with good humor, even contributing to the merriment of the discussion.
Gwenyth was glad to have fallen into such happiness and did not try to pull herself out of it, for she knew that come Jalakide, such pleasantness may become increasingly scarce.
It was why she stayed as long as she could –
67th day of the 10230th year since the passing of Kriene
– well into the second hour of the next day before the remainder of the party – including Gwenyth herself – were on the brink of passing out, and it was mutually decided that the aforementioned activity might best be done in their own spaces.
Gwenyth could barely get the brushing of her teeth done, feeling as if she were in a half-dead state herself – the thought making her toothpaste covered lips stretch into a grin which she thought could hold its own against an undead being in respect to its scariness.
* * *
206th day of the 10227th year since the passing of Kriene
“You could at least tell me where we’re going if you want to make me walk this much, that too in such cold.” Gwenyth grumbled half-heartedly as they walked along the vegetation-covered edges of the Sarokosa mountain, side by side on a relatively wide trail, heading upward.
“It is a surprise, Gwen.” Hanelie replied with a frustrated huff that usually came after the third repetition – before which the tone had been indulgent and sweet.
“I don’t get the concept of surprises.
You could just tell me where we’re going.
I’m going to find out anyway.
Plus, you’ll also get to know whether I like what you have intended for me or not.” Gwenyth said as little flakes of snow blew against her face.
“Pfft.
You deem me an amateur, Gwen.
I know that you’ll like my surprise.
And it is not as fun to tell you the surprise than it is to show you the surprise.”
Gwenyth smiled in spite of herself, looking over the edge a little as the trees stopped blocking the view for a moment.
“Wait, Hanny.” she said quietly and grabbed her arm.
“Now what?” she asked exasperated but stopped and turned, realising the reason for the cessation.
“Damn.” she could just say as she stepped a little back to lean against the rock, taking in the view before her.
The daughters of Kriene lit up the sky just enough for the beauty to be ethereal and haunting simultaneously.
The unknownness and the mystery, the art of revealing an elegance just enough to make it even more bewitching than it would have been unveiled.
“Damn indeed.
You travel enough and think nature holds no new charms for you anymore, that it has no more uniqueness.
And then it just hits you out of nowhere.” Gwenyth said as she let herself fall beside Hanelie, watching the enchanting stillness of the snow-covered wooded mountains that surrounded them.
Somewhere deep in the valley, an intricate web of streams would be flowing which were unheard and unseen from their vantage point.
Hanelie smiled and took Gwenyth’s hand.
“Nature is a good surpriser too, it seems.
And you – my darling – are a perfectly good surprisee.
Matter of fact, you even like it.”
Gwenyth smiled a little and then made a sound of indignation, gently thumping their intertwined hands against Hanelie’s thigh.
“Certainly not!
You take that back right this instant.”
“And what if I don’t?”
Gwenyth shrugged and kissed her cheek.
“Then I’ll just have to let it be… darling.”