For the mer, it had been a time to rejoice and remember and they had done it in style with music, dancing and plenty of food. There had been stories of daring and bravery as well as tales of foolishness and laughter. It seemed Galvin Kennard had been a friend of the mer, one who had helped them but the exact task he had undertaken seemed to be elusive, only that he had been one of three who had helped save the mer of this lake from their torment. What that torment had been seemed to be a topic not open to discussion.
The merqueen left and the festival began to wind down. Escorted to their room by their teacher when they were ready, woven bags were provided for the gifts they had received. Once back at their sleeping shell cave she told them the storm was over and they could return to their home after this rest period if they wanted. Bidding them farewell, she drifted off leaving the two alone.
Glowing, Maranda snuggled next to her husband chattering on softly about the events of the festival and her thoughts on the mer, their music and the dancing until she finally ran down and grew sleepy.
"I s'pose now the storms over, we need ta go back and get ta work, huh?" she said giving him a soft kiss. "Imagine what could be washed ashore after this one," she grinned and then sighed, looking into his beautiful blue eyes trying to imagine what he might have looked like as a seal pup.
"I love you Dorian Drake," she whispered and then snuggled into his strong arms.
A Fisherman's Tale: Dorian Drake Chapter 5 - Samheen 3
Moderator: Mods
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Dorian made a note of the name, Galvin Kennard, and quietly let himself be led back to rest, listening to Maranda talk.
"Yes," he said, simply, to her question. "But it'll mostly be picked over, unless we get a fast start. We might need everything we can scavenge, we don't know what's left." But he cared about her, and would let her sleep. She wasn't as driven as he was, to scrape every copper coin that could be made out of anything he could find. It was the reason why Drakes rarely went hungry, and had a roof over their heads. Maybe. He wasn't so sure the old shack would have survived. When she said she loved him, he brushed her forehead with a kiss and said, "I love you, Maranda." If Dorian said it, it was as true as the sun rising on the next day.
He rested, but mostly waited until it was time to go.
"Yes," he said, simply, to her question. "But it'll mostly be picked over, unless we get a fast start. We might need everything we can scavenge, we don't know what's left." But he cared about her, and would let her sleep. She wasn't as driven as he was, to scrape every copper coin that could be made out of anything he could find. It was the reason why Drakes rarely went hungry, and had a roof over their heads. Maybe. He wasn't so sure the old shack would have survived. When she said she loved him, he brushed her forehead with a kiss and said, "I love you, Maranda." If Dorian said it, it was as true as the sun rising on the next day.
He rested, but mostly waited until it was time to go.
With the constant source of light, it was difficult to know if a little time had passed, or a lot. How many days had they been under the water? A single day or more? But as it is with all things, eventually the waiting came to an end as a merman showed up to wake the couple and take them to a waiting angmuir to return them to their home.
Greeted by the merwoman who had been their teacher, she held out a small blue crystal on a very find silver chain. "Take this, Dorian. When you need us or have a message for us, place it in the lake water tied to a reed or anything stable so you can retrieve it later. Within a tide, someone will answer," she hugged the blonde and then Dorian before departing.
The ride back was uneventful and boring for Maranda. The trip into the mer city was laced with the excitement of something new. There was no way of telling what they would return to after the storm but even if their home were untouched, it hardly held the excitement of discovery and learning new things.
Well away from the shore, the angmuir stopped and the two were ushered back to more shallow waters where they could swim out on their own. On the shore, the sky had begun to clear and the morning sun blazed across the waters of the lake, streaking her long warm fingers under the clouds that sought to hide her glory.
There was a good deal of debris scattered all up and down the beach and far up on the shore. Their home still stood however. A little worse for the wear, most notibly the roof torn loose in a few places and the oilskin window that faced the lake, ripped as if something like a wayward branch had crashed into it. The boat too had been washed way up on the shore, but seemed none the worse for having weathered the storm. Curled up in front of the shack sleeping was the gray cat.
Still wearing the clothing given to them by the mer, Maranda stood looking about at the landscape, noting the things the storm had changed.
Greeted by the merwoman who had been their teacher, she held out a small blue crystal on a very find silver chain. "Take this, Dorian. When you need us or have a message for us, place it in the lake water tied to a reed or anything stable so you can retrieve it later. Within a tide, someone will answer," she hugged the blonde and then Dorian before departing.
The ride back was uneventful and boring for Maranda. The trip into the mer city was laced with the excitement of something new. There was no way of telling what they would return to after the storm but even if their home were untouched, it hardly held the excitement of discovery and learning new things.
Well away from the shore, the angmuir stopped and the two were ushered back to more shallow waters where they could swim out on their own. On the shore, the sky had begun to clear and the morning sun blazed across the waters of the lake, streaking her long warm fingers under the clouds that sought to hide her glory.
There was a good deal of debris scattered all up and down the beach and far up on the shore. Their home still stood however. A little worse for the wear, most notibly the roof torn loose in a few places and the oilskin window that faced the lake, ripped as if something like a wayward branch had crashed into it. The boat too had been washed way up on the shore, but seemed none the worse for having weathered the storm. Curled up in front of the shack sleeping was the gray cat.
Still wearing the clothing given to them by the mer, Maranda stood looking about at the landscape, noting the things the storm had changed.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Dorian had nodded at the merlady who gave him the crystal. He knew right where to put it, on the line of one of his lobster traps. For sure the Mer knew where THEY were.
"Look, it's our cat !" said Dorian with a grin, and handed off the stuff they'd been given to Maranda so he could wedge open the door. "Hullo Cat ! I have to get the bucket and the gaff to go Salvage....Maranda, if you'd like to come along, or sleep, either is fine by me." He didn't have a whit of concern about clothing - he rarely did - and there might be saleable items out there ! He also gave up the rings to Maranda, apart from the mer-gifted one, for safekeeping. Then it was off to the beach to find stuff, with a quick side-trip to see if the rope still moored his boat (which had probably sunk).
"Look, it's our cat !" said Dorian with a grin, and handed off the stuff they'd been given to Maranda so he could wedge open the door. "Hullo Cat ! I have to get the bucket and the gaff to go Salvage....Maranda, if you'd like to come along, or sleep, either is fine by me." He didn't have a whit of concern about clothing - he rarely did - and there might be saleable items out there ! He also gave up the rings to Maranda, apart from the mer-gifted one, for safekeeping. Then it was off to the beach to find stuff, with a quick side-trip to see if the rope still moored his boat (which had probably sunk).
Taking the things quietly, she giggled at his offer to let her rest or nap. Somehow she didn't feel at all sleepy and yet, she needed to check out the interior of their home. The torn window had her a bit worried as to how much water had invaded the interior. Cat purred happily and licked the water off Dorian's arm as he petted her.
Inside the house, nothing had been disturbed but things were damp, especially the feather bed rolled up against the north wall. Deposting her armload of gifts from the mer on top of the wooden chest, she kissed Dorian and wished him happy hunting and then began to work on dragging the bed outside to dry out. Hopefully the clouds would clear and the sun could do her work on the damp feathers.
The side trip to check out the boat took him up on the sandy beach where the high waves and washed the boat up. About half full of rainwater, it looked none the worse for wear though the rope that had moored it to the dock was missing. Up where the treeline met the beach, a large tree, old by the looks of it, had been split in two by the storm and the beach was littered with broken branches and bushes.
It was the same up and down the beach where the waves had washed any treasures up into the tree line many times. Driftwood abounded and there was only one other on the beach combing for treasures, the old man that had fished off the docks by Dorian's shack. He had a coarse sack that he was collecting bric-a-brac in.
"Mornin'," he smiled a crooked grin at the fisherman. "See ya weathered old Bess," he nodded.
"T'was a mad storm," he cntinued while eyeing Dorian more closely. "Fancy body trappings!" was his only comment before going back to poking in a pile of rubbish.
Inside the house, nothing had been disturbed but things were damp, especially the feather bed rolled up against the north wall. Deposting her armload of gifts from the mer on top of the wooden chest, she kissed Dorian and wished him happy hunting and then began to work on dragging the bed outside to dry out. Hopefully the clouds would clear and the sun could do her work on the damp feathers.
The side trip to check out the boat took him up on the sandy beach where the high waves and washed the boat up. About half full of rainwater, it looked none the worse for wear though the rope that had moored it to the dock was missing. Up where the treeline met the beach, a large tree, old by the looks of it, had been split in two by the storm and the beach was littered with broken branches and bushes.
It was the same up and down the beach where the waves had washed any treasures up into the tree line many times. Driftwood abounded and there was only one other on the beach combing for treasures, the old man that had fished off the docks by Dorian's shack. He had a coarse sack that he was collecting bric-a-brac in.
"Mornin'," he smiled a crooked grin at the fisherman. "See ya weathered old Bess," he nodded.
"T'was a mad storm," he cntinued while eyeing Dorian more closely. "Fancy body trappings!" was his only comment before going back to poking in a pile of rubbish.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Dorian shrugged, as clothes were more or less optional in his point of view. "Morning," he said, and took note of which way the oldster had come from, so as not to try to glean twice. He wasn't a big talker, by and large; Maranda was about the only person he'd had more than a hundred words with, for a long while. And because his time with Maranda had made him put forth a conversational effort, he continued with, "Good luck to you."
And set off to look for his own pickings. There was plenty of firewood now, a good thing; he'd go scavenge that after the valuables had been grabbed.
And set off to look for his own pickings. There was plenty of firewood now, a good thing; he'd go scavenge that after the valuables had been grabbed.
Looking up quickly with a wave, the old man smiled and nodded, "Same ta yerself," his gravely voice returned as he turned back to his search.
While the storm had littered the beach with an abundance of lakeweed, dead fish and driftwoods, Dorian didn't find much of real value. Broken pottery, assored small scraps of metal, the remains of a chest with metal hinges and clasp still intact on the lid, the bottom rotted out and left somewhere else. Not washed up by the storm but uncovered by it, the fisherman found a nest of turtle eggs that now lay open to the air. Already the birds had feasted on a good many of the fifty or so lemon sized eggs, yellow yoke making a mess of the whole nest.
Up near the treeline, he spotted what looked like a small metal chest nestled in the arms of a spindling looking bush that had survived the storm well enough but had not weathered the metal box. Several of the limbs had broke under the weight and only the fact that it fell into the thicker more sturdy trunk of the bush kept it from falling further. Dark unadorned metal, the box was locked tight and from the slant of the bush the weight of the thing was not inconsiderable.
While the storm had littered the beach with an abundance of lakeweed, dead fish and driftwoods, Dorian didn't find much of real value. Broken pottery, assored small scraps of metal, the remains of a chest with metal hinges and clasp still intact on the lid, the bottom rotted out and left somewhere else. Not washed up by the storm but uncovered by it, the fisherman found a nest of turtle eggs that now lay open to the air. Already the birds had feasted on a good many of the fifty or so lemon sized eggs, yellow yoke making a mess of the whole nest.
Up near the treeline, he spotted what looked like a small metal chest nestled in the arms of a spindling looking bush that had survived the storm well enough but had not weathered the metal box. Several of the limbs had broke under the weight and only the fact that it fell into the thicker more sturdy trunk of the bush kept it from falling further. Dark unadorned metal, the box was locked tight and from the slant of the bush the weight of the thing was not inconsiderable.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
Dorian, no stranger to messes, quickly scooped up enough eggs to make Maranda and himself a nice omelette into his bucket, covered up the rest of the nest with sand to keep out the gulls, and then went over to the chest.
He picked it up, hefting it; it ought to be worth something for scrap metal. It might have something good inside, or it might not. He tucked it under one arm and looked around for more goodies. It was strange the chest was lifted so high up; it was pretty heavy. But the wind and the waves did strange things, at times, and he wasn't the deep-pondering sort to start with. He poked about a bit with the gaff, looking in heaps of weeds and driftwood. You never knew what might turn up. He could tell he'd be making many trips down this way, to gather firewood, and of course to clean out his boat and help Maranda sort out the shack. Then maybe fish the surf a bit, for supper.
He picked it up, hefting it; it ought to be worth something for scrap metal. It might have something good inside, or it might not. He tucked it under one arm and looked around for more goodies. It was strange the chest was lifted so high up; it was pretty heavy. But the wind and the waves did strange things, at times, and he wasn't the deep-pondering sort to start with. He poked about a bit with the gaff, looking in heaps of weeds and driftwood. You never knew what might turn up. He could tell he'd be making many trips down this way, to gather firewood, and of course to clean out his boat and help Maranda sort out the shack. Then maybe fish the surf a bit, for supper.
For its size, the metal box was heavy, much to heavy to just tuck under one arm and whatever was inside moved around, shifting the weight as the box tilted. As it moved, it made a sort of rumbling sound. The box was locked so there was no danger of the top popping open, spilling the content.
By now, the sun had chased away many of the clouds and a brisk breeze blew in off the lake. At the house, Maranda had wrestled the feather mattress outside and draped it over some bushes to dry out and there was a good sized stack of driftwood and broken limbs on the side of the shack opposite the lake. She was bent over at the edge of the water doing something. Coming off it's perch on the dock, the gray cat ran to greet the fisherman, meowing happily.
By now, the sun had chased away many of the clouds and a brisk breeze blew in off the lake. At the house, Maranda had wrestled the feather mattress outside and draped it over some bushes to dry out and there was a good sized stack of driftwood and broken limbs on the side of the shack opposite the lake. She was bent over at the edge of the water doing something. Coming off it's perch on the dock, the gray cat ran to greet the fisherman, meowing happily.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
"I found a box, dearest," grunted Dorian, hefting the thing. "I'll smash it open later. There's some good stuff and plenty of wood down along the shoreline, and I found some turtle eggs for dinner. Hullo Cat," he greeted the cat as well. "I better find something for her to eat too."
He paused to kiss Maranda, stow the box, leave the bucket, and pat the cat's head before roaming back out to look for more salvage. Time to grab wood, and whatever else might be useful; winter was coming.
He paused to kiss Maranda, stow the box, leave the bucket, and pat the cat's head before roaming back out to look for more salvage. Time to grab wood, and whatever else might be useful; winter was coming.
Hearing Dorian's approach, the blonde stood up, holding the curtains from the window dripping in her hands. Wringing them out quickly, she smiled and went to meet Dorian returning his kiss with a soft mmmm sound.
"Ooooo, eggs! What a wonderful find," she cooed and gave him another quick kiss as she took them from him.
"Looks like perhaps an important box. I wonder what is in it?" she asked, more wondering out loud than expecting an answer while placing the eggs in a wooden bowl she had set by the door.
"I've been cleaning up from the storm," she sighed. "Something put a bit slash in the window. I don't think it is something I can sew up. Can the oilskin be repaired? Or will we just have to put a board over the window?"
Lakeweed and driftwood was abundant all up and down the beach mixed in with the broken limbs of trees and shrubbery. The gray cat followed the fisherman, eyes alert for any movement as he picked up wood. There weren't many rodents or small critters to be found, but he did find piece of scrap metal, nails and a bolt. Down the beach, the old man was working his way towards Dorian's shack.
As he returned, Maranda was in the process of trying to turn the feather mattress so the sun would dry the other side well. The clouds had blown clear and the warm sun beamed down out of the blue sky while a stiff breeze blew, but this time not off the water.
"Ooooo, eggs! What a wonderful find," she cooed and gave him another quick kiss as she took them from him.
"Looks like perhaps an important box. I wonder what is in it?" she asked, more wondering out loud than expecting an answer while placing the eggs in a wooden bowl she had set by the door.
"I've been cleaning up from the storm," she sighed. "Something put a bit slash in the window. I don't think it is something I can sew up. Can the oilskin be repaired? Or will we just have to put a board over the window?"
Lakeweed and driftwood was abundant all up and down the beach mixed in with the broken limbs of trees and shrubbery. The gray cat followed the fisherman, eyes alert for any movement as he picked up wood. There weren't many rodents or small critters to be found, but he did find piece of scrap metal, nails and a bolt. Down the beach, the old man was working his way towards Dorian's shack.
As he returned, Maranda was in the process of trying to turn the feather mattress so the sun would dry the other side well. The clouds had blown clear and the warm sun beamed down out of the blue sky while a stiff breeze blew, but this time not off the water.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
"I'll look for a flat piece of wood or old sailcloth. Oiled up cloth with the right fish-oil, it'll let the light through and keep the rain out," said Dorian, Mr. Practical (and Cheap) Home Repair. A rock was a hammer. He had nails. Bonus. Nails weren't cheap (Anything not found for Free was by definition Expensive to a Drake). He smiled at her kiss, though, because Maranda was Priceless.
"Best I turn the boat upside down, let it dry," he said. "I'll fish the surf today. Have to feed the cat, and I thought it might be wise to take a fish to your Auntie and to Redlon, in town. Chances being they haven't had a chance to come looking for food." He helped her flip the mattress, and only belatedly realised he was still wearing the mer-clothing when he went to look for pockets to store fishline in. Blast. "Where's my breeches ?"* It wasn't as if he had more than one pair, for who could wear more than one pair at once ?
Re-dressed in something that had pockets (a main reason why he wore clothes, at all), he went to turn out the water in the boat, and left it to dry on the sands. Have to drag it back and tie it up again. And then he wanted to catch some fish, while the light was good. He nodded to the old man (about his limit on most conversations) and went looking for bait, trying to ignore the maiowing cat. Then something occurred to Dorian, who was not the Fastest Thinker around by any road. He looked at the old man and connected a thought to another thought, which was a lot of effort. "You knew my father, Old Nate Drake," he said, more of a question than a statement, really, the fishline coiled in his hand. "Didn't you ?"
*He's married. Asking daft questions that he could easily answer himself, well, that's normal. Wives know things.
"Best I turn the boat upside down, let it dry," he said. "I'll fish the surf today. Have to feed the cat, and I thought it might be wise to take a fish to your Auntie and to Redlon, in town. Chances being they haven't had a chance to come looking for food." He helped her flip the mattress, and only belatedly realised he was still wearing the mer-clothing when he went to look for pockets to store fishline in. Blast. "Where's my breeches ?"* It wasn't as if he had more than one pair, for who could wear more than one pair at once ?
Re-dressed in something that had pockets (a main reason why he wore clothes, at all), he went to turn out the water in the boat, and left it to dry on the sands. Have to drag it back and tie it up again. And then he wanted to catch some fish, while the light was good. He nodded to the old man (about his limit on most conversations) and went looking for bait, trying to ignore the maiowing cat. Then something occurred to Dorian, who was not the Fastest Thinker around by any road. He looked at the old man and connected a thought to another thought, which was a lot of effort. "You knew my father, Old Nate Drake," he said, more of a question than a statement, really, the fishline coiled in his hand. "Didn't you ?"
*He's married. Asking daft questions that he could easily answer himself, well, that's normal. Wives know things.
"Sailcloth? Like canvas," Maranda asked. "Somethin' that lets in light would be better. I could get some light canvas from Marta. Sometimes she has good-sized scraps left from a job. I'll check with her," she smiled as they turned the mattress.
"Breeches? Over on that bush dryin'," she pointed up to the tree line where his breeches and shirt were hanging to dry in the wind. "I think aunt Dora and yer friend Redlon would appreciate fish for dinner. Yer so thoughtful Dorian," she giggled and kissed his cheek while he pulled on his breeches.
Trying to be helpful, she followed him to the boat and helped push it over though her help was actually minimal, staying out of the way of the rush of water flowing down the beach back towards the lake. Bait wasn't difficult to find as dead fish and jellyfish littered the beach up and down the shore, many of them already torn and party consumed by birds and other scavengers. Cat, who didn't seem hungry, had no doubt had her fill of washed up fish.
At Dorian's question, the old man stopped his poking and turned to face the fisherman, nearly toothless mouth drawn into a friendly smile.
"Aye, that I did," he replied. "Valued freedom and his pride," he added, nodding his head to Dorian then squinted and looked at the shack and Maranda working out front of it.
"D'ya stay in that durin' that demon storm?" he asked, coughed and spit the other direction from Dorian before squinting back at him. "Pretty little missus ta be weatherin' such storms. Strange weather these days," he shook his head.
"Breeches? Over on that bush dryin'," she pointed up to the tree line where his breeches and shirt were hanging to dry in the wind. "I think aunt Dora and yer friend Redlon would appreciate fish for dinner. Yer so thoughtful Dorian," she giggled and kissed his cheek while he pulled on his breeches.
Trying to be helpful, she followed him to the boat and helped push it over though her help was actually minimal, staying out of the way of the rush of water flowing down the beach back towards the lake. Bait wasn't difficult to find as dead fish and jellyfish littered the beach up and down the shore, many of them already torn and party consumed by birds and other scavengers. Cat, who didn't seem hungry, had no doubt had her fill of washed up fish.
At Dorian's question, the old man stopped his poking and turned to face the fisherman, nearly toothless mouth drawn into a friendly smile.
"Aye, that I did," he replied. "Valued freedom and his pride," he added, nodding his head to Dorian then squinted and looked at the shack and Maranda working out front of it.
"D'ya stay in that durin' that demon storm?" he asked, coughed and spit the other direction from Dorian before squinting back at him. "Pretty little missus ta be weatherin' such storms. Strange weather these days," he shook his head.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Dorian smiled with that daft in-love smile at his wife, smooching her back, and watching her head back to the shack for a moment before returning his attention to his work.
He looked at the old man, his heart suddenly beating fairly fast. Old Nate would not have taken his skin....would he ? Was he so lonely that he'd taken away Dorian's skin ? No, Dorian wasn't willing to believe that of Old Nate. Not yet. But he was learning that love could make you do almost anything, for he would do anything that Maranda needed or wanted, no matter what. And he would do anything to keep her, anything at all. It was at once comforting and frightening, but in his soul he was pledged to her forever. "We were safe," he said, thoughtfully, in the way he had learned from his father - the man who had raised him. "And...thanks. She is."
He paused then, his thoughts clunking slowly into place, like bricks into a building. "Did....Nate ever mention where he found me ?"
He looked at the old man, his heart suddenly beating fairly fast. Old Nate would not have taken his skin....would he ? Was he so lonely that he'd taken away Dorian's skin ? No, Dorian wasn't willing to believe that of Old Nate. Not yet. But he was learning that love could make you do almost anything, for he would do anything that Maranda needed or wanted, no matter what. And he would do anything to keep her, anything at all. It was at once comforting and frightening, but in his soul he was pledged to her forever. "We were safe," he said, thoughtfully, in the way he had learned from his father - the man who had raised him. "And...thanks. She is."
He paused then, his thoughts clunking slowly into place, like bricks into a building. "Did....Nate ever mention where he found me ?"
“Where he found ya? No secret ta that son,†the old man squinted at him. “Surely ya heard th’tale yerself? T’was a demon storm, awful lot like the one we just had. Winds and waves s’high you’d think the water was goin’ ta swallow the land. Mercy be fer any ships out on the lake durin’ that horrible time. They all sank ta the depths, bodies washin’ up on the shores for months after. Lotta salvage ta be had fer month too,†the old man coughed and spit again.
“Didna wait months fer you though. Old man always said t’was as if K’tan hisself had brung ya here to this shore, holdin’ onta a bean a wood what kept ya from drownin’. Took being yer pa real serious, Nate did. Said it was destined by the gods. Tried ta find out who ya was and about yer parents, but never could find out much. Most o’the rumors he heard turned up dry. Figured ya was a rich man’s son travelin’ on some ship that went down in the storm. Not many childrens on ships, but coulda come from anywhere and Nate never made it ta World’s Mouth ta see what could be found.†He paused a moment thinking, scratching his gray stubbly chin.
“Figured you were from somewhere close though, he did. T’was a ship left from King’s Court carryin’ a family and another from Roque carryin’ a father and his son. Either coulda been yer family he reckoned, but t’was never sure enough about it ta tell you I s’pose. B’sides, none of the adults survived th’storm. Can’t believe he didna tell ya about it but I guess it didna make much sense ta tell ya bout somethin’ that didna matter no more.â€
“Why all th’questions youngin’?†the old fisherman crossed his arms over his chest, squinting at Dorian, his expression one of concern.
“Didna wait months fer you though. Old man always said t’was as if K’tan hisself had brung ya here to this shore, holdin’ onta a bean a wood what kept ya from drownin’. Took being yer pa real serious, Nate did. Said it was destined by the gods. Tried ta find out who ya was and about yer parents, but never could find out much. Most o’the rumors he heard turned up dry. Figured ya was a rich man’s son travelin’ on some ship that went down in the storm. Not many childrens on ships, but coulda come from anywhere and Nate never made it ta World’s Mouth ta see what could be found.†He paused a moment thinking, scratching his gray stubbly chin.
“Figured you were from somewhere close though, he did. T’was a ship left from King’s Court carryin’ a family and another from Roque carryin’ a father and his son. Either coulda been yer family he reckoned, but t’was never sure enough about it ta tell you I s’pose. B’sides, none of the adults survived th’storm. Can’t believe he didna tell ya about it but I guess it didna make much sense ta tell ya bout somethin’ that didna matter no more.â€
“Why all th’questions youngin’?†the old fisherman crossed his arms over his chest, squinting at Dorian, his expression one of concern.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
He never told them what he thought I was, Dorian thought to himself. It had to be obvious, to Old Nate. Young Dorian was more in the water than out, and he'd....he'd remembered crying now and then, because it was different to swim now, he had to learn it all over again. That knock on the head had been a hard one, to make him forget his own skin. And not wanting to wear clothes, because Selkies didn't, and speaking their language......Dorian's dark brows wrinkled in heavy concentration. That was half-right......his mother was Selkie, so was his sister. He didn't remember his father with a sealskin. The dark-haired man. Not Old Nate. It was all very confusing for a slow-thinking man.
"My - memories are coming back......" he managed to say, out of the tangle of his thoughts. "Where would I go, to find out about the ships that sank ? I had a sister. I had a mother........somewhere.........I was on a ship, with my father, but they weren't there........" he trailed off, staring out at the water again, willing the memories to come out of the morass of shadows and faded images in his memory. "I am Nate Drake's son," he said, at last, with the solemnity of pronouncing a truth from the depths of his soul, "but I came from somewhere, and the family I had before might be looking for me."
"My - memories are coming back......" he managed to say, out of the tangle of his thoughts. "Where would I go, to find out about the ships that sank ? I had a sister. I had a mother........somewhere.........I was on a ship, with my father, but they weren't there........" he trailed off, staring out at the water again, willing the memories to come out of the morass of shadows and faded images in his memory. "I am Nate Drake's son," he said, at last, with the solemnity of pronouncing a truth from the depths of his soul, "but I came from somewhere, and the family I had before might be looking for me."
"Well," the old fisherman scratched his ear. "Docks are usually best place ta learn anythin' about a ship but that storm," he shook his gray head.
"That storm wasn't normal, not by any means. Lotsa ships sank in that storm; anything that was out on the waters was lost. And after all these years, isn't likely anyone still looks fer ya son. Hard as that might be ta hear. They'd likely have just assumed you drown with the rest, specially since yer pa drowned. Doubtful yer ma or sis ever even saw the body of yer pa." Pausing a moment, the old man looked out over the lake, small waves glistening under the sunshine.
"D'ya know the name o' the ship you were on? That would help if ya were ta ask around about it."
"That storm wasn't normal, not by any means. Lotsa ships sank in that storm; anything that was out on the waters was lost. And after all these years, isn't likely anyone still looks fer ya son. Hard as that might be ta hear. They'd likely have just assumed you drown with the rest, specially since yer pa drowned. Doubtful yer ma or sis ever even saw the body of yer pa." Pausing a moment, the old man looked out over the lake, small waves glistening under the sunshine.
"D'ya know the name o' the ship you were on? That would help if ya were ta ask around about it."
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
Dorian shook his head slowly. "I never knew the name of it," he said. A ship was a thing, and while he could remember some small details of it, he didn't recall a name. He couldn't read, for one thing, so the glyphs he saw that meant things were difficult to remember. "Thank you," he said, then, with the reflective manner of a Drake, who squeezed all the work he could out of a day, "I'd better start fishing."
He nodded a polite, tacit farewell to the man and set off to the water. There was much to think about. And fish to catch.
He nodded a polite, tacit farewell to the man and set off to the water. There was much to think about. And fish to catch.
Nodding, the old man gave a smile. "P'haps it'll come ta ya as more of yer memory comes back. Luck with the fishin'," he offered and turned back to scavenging. Fishing however was dismal as if the storm had swept all the living fish elsewhere, leaving only floating carcasses here. Patience has its rewards but even the ever patient Dorian only managed to snag four pretty good sized fish before his wife wandered over.
"Hiya love," she beamed a smile at him. "How goes it? D'ya catch some fish ta take in ta Redlon and Aunt Dora? Anythin' I can do ta help?" she said, slipping her arms around his waist and giving a quick nibble on his neck. "You an the old man had a good long chat. What'd he have ta say?"
The sun, now well past the noon pinacle, shining brightly in the now cloudless sky, highlighted the ripples of waves on the lake while sea gulls flitted down the shore still cleaning up the dead fish that had floated in.
"Hiya love," she beamed a smile at him. "How goes it? D'ya catch some fish ta take in ta Redlon and Aunt Dora? Anythin' I can do ta help?" she said, slipping her arms around his waist and giving a quick nibble on his neck. "You an the old man had a good long chat. What'd he have ta say?"
The sun, now well past the noon pinacle, shining brightly in the now cloudless sky, highlighted the ripples of waves on the lake while sea gulls flitted down the shore still cleaning up the dead fish that had floated in.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
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Guest
Dorian certainly forgot about his woes as she snuggled up to him, and warmly returned the affection, cuddling her close and kissing her cheek. "Caught four. Two for us, one each for them, can't be fairer than that. I'll put out on the water tomorrow with the nets and the traps, after I scavenge up some bait."
He answered her question as well, in the plodding, thoughtful manner characteristic to himself. "He knew Old Nate," said Dorian. "I wanted to know if he knew anything about me, and I told him about the wreck and that my memories were coming back. He said to check on the docks in two places - King's Court and Roque, to find out about the ships he knew about. I'll go in the spring. More memories might come back, this winter, that could help."
He went to scavenge some more dead fish, for his traps tomorrow, and also cleaned the fish he had caught, handing off two to Maranda with a few handfuls of fresh seaweed. "That'll make a good soup," he said. "If you'll put the pot on the fire, I'll take the other two fish to town." He strung them up and gave her another kiss before heading off to find his Aunt (well, by marriage) and Redlon. The bait he left in the bucket, out of the reach of the cat, though the fresh guts were certainly hers to dine upon.
Town looked....well, wrecked, but he knew where Redlon lived and was pretty sure he knew where Maranda's Aunt Dora was staying. It felt a bit odd to be walking around with only two fish, but he reckoned that neither of the two he was looking for had gotten out to do any shopping. As usual, his progress on land was clumsy, and he took it slowly and carefully.
He answered her question as well, in the plodding, thoughtful manner characteristic to himself. "He knew Old Nate," said Dorian. "I wanted to know if he knew anything about me, and I told him about the wreck and that my memories were coming back. He said to check on the docks in two places - King's Court and Roque, to find out about the ships he knew about. I'll go in the spring. More memories might come back, this winter, that could help."
He went to scavenge some more dead fish, for his traps tomorrow, and also cleaned the fish he had caught, handing off two to Maranda with a few handfuls of fresh seaweed. "That'll make a good soup," he said. "If you'll put the pot on the fire, I'll take the other two fish to town." He strung them up and gave her another kiss before heading off to find his Aunt (well, by marriage) and Redlon. The bait he left in the bucket, out of the reach of the cat, though the fresh guts were certainly hers to dine upon.
Town looked....well, wrecked, but he knew where Redlon lived and was pretty sure he knew where Maranda's Aunt Dora was staying. It felt a bit odd to be walking around with only two fish, but he reckoned that neither of the two he was looking for had gotten out to do any shopping. As usual, his progress on land was clumsy, and he took it slowly and carefully.
Further away from the shore, obvious damage was less though everything was still wet and standing puddles of water were everywhere. Meanwhile, clean up from the orc standoff continued.
Redlon had recovered from the fever and was looking better. Thanking Dorian for the fish, he asked how the fisherman and his new wife were doing and chatted just a bit before allowing the young man to go on his way.
Dora was at the Laughing King. Grant had been found alive and teams of townpeople were assisting in tearing down the burnt remnants in preparation to rebuild the tavern. Busy trying to determine what could be saved of the kitchen, the woman smiled at the sight of the fisherman.
"How good ta see ya Dorian," she beamed, wiped her hands clean and hugged the young man. "How's Maranda? What do you have there? Fish?" she chuckled. "We're not quite ready ta start buyin' food stuffs yet, but give us a few weeks. Tis good ta see ya. I did worry about the two of ya during that awful storm."
Redlon had recovered from the fever and was looking better. Thanking Dorian for the fish, he asked how the fisherman and his new wife were doing and chatted just a bit before allowing the young man to go on his way.
Dora was at the Laughing King. Grant had been found alive and teams of townpeople were assisting in tearing down the burnt remnants in preparation to rebuild the tavern. Busy trying to determine what could be saved of the kitchen, the woman smiled at the sight of the fisherman.
"How good ta see ya Dorian," she beamed, wiped her hands clean and hugged the young man. "How's Maranda? What do you have there? Fish?" she chuckled. "We're not quite ready ta start buyin' food stuffs yet, but give us a few weeks. Tis good ta see ya. I did worry about the two of ya during that awful storm."
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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Guest
"This fish is for you," said Dorian, grinning at Aunt Dora. "Maranda and I are fine, she has two fish and some lakeweed stewing right now. I'll be on the water tomorrow, and if you need it and we have it to spare, I can front the inn some fish until the inn's back up and running proper-like."
That was a lot for Dorian to say, but it just showed that Maranda was a good influence on him. He left the fish (but took the string, being as he was a Drake), and went back home to get something to eat. After his meal he'd pick up some more driftwood, and see what the afternoon tide washed in, then spend some time checking out his lobster traps. And swing by where the family had been staying, to see if they'd come back yet.
He had an idea in his head, that might solve a lot of problems of food for the winter. He needed a bigger boat, and willing hands. It took a lot of work to get a tuna, one of the big ones, but the flesh off it would feed many hungry mouths. The idea was slowly coming along, for Dorian mulled things over until he was sure of what to do. And he'd have to ask Maranda about it, for she was the clever one.
"Maranda," he said, finally, as the sun was set and he was patiently unknotting cords and refitting trap doors on his lobster traps by the light of the fire, "I have a thought. The town's a mess. People are hungry. There's big tuna in the lake, great big ones, too big for my boat and me to handle, nigh a ton of flesh and bone. But if I could get the loan of Redlon's boat, and willing hands, at least five men, and fit a shaft to the harpoon head I found, I could take a big tuna. The smokehouses could dry the meat to save it, and no one would be hungry, not for weeks."
That was a lot for Dorian to say, but it just showed that Maranda was a good influence on him. He left the fish (but took the string, being as he was a Drake), and went back home to get something to eat. After his meal he'd pick up some more driftwood, and see what the afternoon tide washed in, then spend some time checking out his lobster traps. And swing by where the family had been staying, to see if they'd come back yet.
He had an idea in his head, that might solve a lot of problems of food for the winter. He needed a bigger boat, and willing hands. It took a lot of work to get a tuna, one of the big ones, but the flesh off it would feed many hungry mouths. The idea was slowly coming along, for Dorian mulled things over until he was sure of what to do. And he'd have to ask Maranda about it, for she was the clever one.
"Maranda," he said, finally, as the sun was set and he was patiently unknotting cords and refitting trap doors on his lobster traps by the light of the fire, "I have a thought. The town's a mess. People are hungry. There's big tuna in the lake, great big ones, too big for my boat and me to handle, nigh a ton of flesh and bone. But if I could get the loan of Redlon's boat, and willing hands, at least five men, and fit a shaft to the harpoon head I found, I could take a big tuna. The smokehouses could dry the meat to save it, and no one would be hungry, not for weeks."
“The One bless you son,†Dora hugged him after taking the fish from him. “I was worried about the two of ya on the water with that storm. You’ve set my mind ta rest showin’ up here. And I am sure Grant would appreciate the fish when ya have some ta spare. Tis a shame Maranda’s ma and pa never got ta meet ya. They woulda been very proud ta call ya their son, Dorian. Tell Maranda that I send my love,†the woman beamed and hugged her nephew again before letting him leave.
Back home, the blonde had the fish and lakeweed stewing as well as a pot of tea, the feather mattress moved back into the house and around their dwelling cleaned up of debris and limbs save those stacked at the end for firewood. Greeting him with a bright smile and a kiss, she dished up his meal and asked about Redlon and her aunt as they ate.
The family was nowhere to be found and damage to the lobster traps was minimal. That night he sat working on his equipment, his wife working on a piece of embroidery work she’d promised her friend before the storm. At his mention of his idea, she stopped and watched him thoughtfully. It sounded like a large project, but she figured if anyone could do it, it would be her Dorian.
“Sounds like a wonderful idea, Dorian. Would the ones helpin’ need ta be fishermen too? Or sailors? Or just folks lookin’ for work? Maybe Redlon could help since it’s his boat you’d be wantin’ ta use,†rambled on voicing the thoughts that came into her head as she was sometimes prone to do. A small frown creased her brow.
“Would it be dangerous? You’d have ta go out pretty far for big fish wouldn’t ya?â€
Back home, the blonde had the fish and lakeweed stewing as well as a pot of tea, the feather mattress moved back into the house and around their dwelling cleaned up of debris and limbs save those stacked at the end for firewood. Greeting him with a bright smile and a kiss, she dished up his meal and asked about Redlon and her aunt as they ate.
The family was nowhere to be found and damage to the lobster traps was minimal. That night he sat working on his equipment, his wife working on a piece of embroidery work she’d promised her friend before the storm. At his mention of his idea, she stopped and watched him thoughtfully. It sounded like a large project, but she figured if anyone could do it, it would be her Dorian.
“Sounds like a wonderful idea, Dorian. Would the ones helpin’ need ta be fishermen too? Or sailors? Or just folks lookin’ for work? Maybe Redlon could help since it’s his boat you’d be wantin’ ta use,†rambled on voicing the thoughts that came into her head as she was sometimes prone to do. A small frown creased her brow.
“Would it be dangerous? You’d have ta go out pretty far for big fish wouldn’t ya?â€
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
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- Andolin
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-
Guest
Dorian nodded, thoughtfully. "Aye, the deep water," he said, in his slow way. He could remember Old Drake and a bunch of the tougher fishermen going out, to come back with a big tuna. He had not been allowed to go until he had nearly a man's height and strength to him. It was dangerous. Men could be killed. Certainly he had seen them injured. A ton of fish could go where it fairly well liked. It took a lot of strength, skill, and knowledge of fishing to control that. He did not speak quickly, as these were heavy thoughts.
"And all aboard would need to be men who can sail and fish. Redlon's still recovering from the illness, but I'll ask him. If it were not going so fast into winter, and so many hungry, I would not suggest it." He remembered coming in, in pitch dark, with a tuna, the last one he'd fished with Old Nate and his mates. The women had been on the dock, with torches and lanterns, waiting and worrying for their men. They'd cut fish until nigh dawn, til they were shaking from the cold and weariness. And the meat from that tuna had kept many families fed, that winter. He knew that he would have to be the one who threw the harpoon; he was hale and strong, and could swim. With the ring of the Mer, he stood much less chance of drowning, and more than likely he would have to go into the water to secure the fish.
Then, there was also the risk that the fishing boat would be capsized. A big boat was hard to right. He pondered this for a while. They might want two boats, one smaller, one large. It would bear more thinking. "I'll ask him tomorrow, when I'm back with the catch," Dorian said, finally. Redlon might have advice on the matter. Then he kissed away the frown on her brow, and settled her into his strong arms.
"And all aboard would need to be men who can sail and fish. Redlon's still recovering from the illness, but I'll ask him. If it were not going so fast into winter, and so many hungry, I would not suggest it." He remembered coming in, in pitch dark, with a tuna, the last one he'd fished with Old Nate and his mates. The women had been on the dock, with torches and lanterns, waiting and worrying for their men. They'd cut fish until nigh dawn, til they were shaking from the cold and weariness. And the meat from that tuna had kept many families fed, that winter. He knew that he would have to be the one who threw the harpoon; he was hale and strong, and could swim. With the ring of the Mer, he stood much less chance of drowning, and more than likely he would have to go into the water to secure the fish.
Then, there was also the risk that the fishing boat would be capsized. A big boat was hard to right. He pondered this for a while. They might want two boats, one smaller, one large. It would bear more thinking. "I'll ask him tomorrow, when I'm back with the catch," Dorian said, finally. Redlon might have advice on the matter. Then he kissed away the frown on her brow, and settled her into his strong arms.
She had looked up from her sewing to give Dorian her full attention. Never voicing any doubts, his eyes spoke volumes as he thought about going out, no doubt thought about others who had gone out and faced disaster. Still, it would be good for the city and it was in Dorian's heart to do so. How could she hold him back because of her fear? As he kissed her brow, she beamed a smile at him and snuggled into his arms, proud of this man she called husband, proud of the goodness of his heart.
"It's a very good idea, husband mine. One o' the reasons I'm so very happy ta be yer wife," she kissed him softly. "Ya have such a generous heart, so willin' ta be helpful ta those that need it. You ask Redlon an if he says yes, I'm sure there's fishermen ta be found about that'd be willing ta help. I'm goin' ta town t'morrow ta take this work ta Marta and see how she fares. We could walk inta town together," she smiled and kissed him again.
"If I can manage ta turn loose of yer sweet lips that is," she lifted her warm hand to his face following the contour of his hairline with her fingers. "And find my way out of those wondrous blue eyes of yers. How'd a girl like me come ta be so lucky?" she sighed happily.
"It's a very good idea, husband mine. One o' the reasons I'm so very happy ta be yer wife," she kissed him softly. "Ya have such a generous heart, so willin' ta be helpful ta those that need it. You ask Redlon an if he says yes, I'm sure there's fishermen ta be found about that'd be willing ta help. I'm goin' ta town t'morrow ta take this work ta Marta and see how she fares. We could walk inta town together," she smiled and kissed him again.
"If I can manage ta turn loose of yer sweet lips that is," she lifted her warm hand to his face following the contour of his hairline with her fingers. "And find my way out of those wondrous blue eyes of yers. How'd a girl like me come ta be so lucky?" she sighed happily.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
- Andolin
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