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Post by Corren Laine on Nov 13, 2011 10:41:36 GMT -5
Since Leaving the Widow's Spoon, it had been a difficult journey. It wasn't just that there had been a few rocky nights about the ship but that also the Church had not given them their next clear missive. This was unusual, highly unusual because the Church tended to be overly regimented and clear. While the missive had told them where they were going, he wasn't entirely sure what they would be doing. It wasn't something he liked, he didn't know how to prepare his mind. Were they simply checking over some small town or was it going to be another serious rework, like what happened with the Widow's Spoon?
Voyages like this were often trying. It was difficult to live in the small ship quarters, much less share them with another person. Two other people. Still, he was fortunate. His men liked Topaz and that removed a lot of the would-be strain in his heart. Still, it wasn't easy. When the left the Widow's Spoon it wasn't exactly in the fashion he had been hoping. They were commanded to go instead of remain behind to help reorganize and build up what was left from the wreckage. He hated leaving people behind when their faces were so distraught.
In the back of his mind, though, was also relief. He was use to being shipped around many places. At times he had felt too sedentary at the Widow's Spoon and had begun to wonder if a demotion was at hand. He had feared that the last time he was injured so greatly by... her sister. He could have died. What if he wasn't fit enough to meet the requirements for prefect? The Church was quite strict about it. His father would have never forgiven him for losing all his rank to help a girl he'd fallen in love with. It had been worth it, though. She was constant and mostly patient with his father, despite him introducing him to a would-be bride in front of Topaz. That was the part about himself he hadn't really shared with her, she didn't know how much pressure he'd have to be getting rid of her. Now that she knew she was still there and he felt ashamed to think he doubted that she would be.
The boat rocked. They were moving on now, though. That was the past. The Brothers were gone, the town would rebuild right, even if they weren't there to oversee it. He had to believe that. Topaz was with him and had withstood the loss of her sister, which was almost the loss of him. She had stayed with him despite a flirty bride his father had put onto him. Miraculously, they had persevered.
Now he was staring out at the flat face of the ocean, the wind pawing at the sails and inching them along to their new destination. To a town called Blackberry Ridge. It was only about a day's ride from the grounds of the Church, he could see why a disruption in this town would call for his immediate need to arrive. The Church didn't like it when anything nearby fell out of order. Still... he hadn't much of an idea of what to do other than arrive and it was starting to nag at him more and more.
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Post by Topaz Delaine on Nov 18, 2011 12:08:31 GMT -5
Pacing back and forth, the cabin was small, felt smaller still with the bulk of her belly leading the way. Worry ate at her as she once again glanced through the porthole. Nothing but sea to see..
She had failed him miserably. She could not help but feel that, his fathers Man had tried so hard to teach her etiquette. She needed something to do. Felt constrained by the weight of the child on her, in her.
His father had been so disappointed by her progress. That smile masked by kindness, had tore at her psyche. She would never be a lady in his eyes, just another street rat his son had taken a liking to.
She knew this new mission weighted on Corren but he seemed reluctant to voice his doubts. She had her own but kept them to herself not wishing to add to his stress. She could not help but feel there was more, hidden beneath the layer of benevolence.
She gasped softly, moving a hand to the thump and roll of movement beneath the stretched skin of her belly. Their child moved gently, and then urgently, almost as if there where two sides to him, or her. She hummed softly as she rubbed the protrusion of hand or foot, to comfort them both as the ship rolled and bobbed...
They would be there soon...
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Post by Corren Laine on Nov 22, 2011 8:45:02 GMT -5
Sleeping in a small bunk bed was quite a difficult task to do with a pregnant woman. Not that his bed was strictly as narrow as a bunk bed, but it offered him very little in terms of privacy. The sheets were cotton, worn soft but slightly discolored from use with an old sewn quilt atop of it. They were going to be in each other's arms every day whether they felt intimate or not. He'd be holding her through morning sickness and she would be holding him through his snoring, which got quiet after a well placed elbow in his ribs.
Perhaps it was odd that he didn't think about his father's diapproval when it hung so heavily over Topaz's head. He wasn't so dense that he didn't see or understand it, especially when his father had been so blunt about it when the company had only been each other. But he was his son, what was the worst his father could do to him other than give that disappointed look from afar? His father would not demote him, his pride was too much. He was always trying to push him forward. Corren lacked the perception of his father from Topaz's viewpoint which was that he could be a serious threat to her. What would it mean to his father for her to disappear? Sure, his son's heart may grow hardened at her loss but like any man, he'd move on, wouldn't he? Corren never considered his father would have actually done such an act. His immunity to his father he mistook for also being Topaz's.
He didn't worry about that. He worried about the mission ahead.
The sun hadn't even risen. Her head, using his arm as a pillow, had caused his hand to fall asleep and as he adjusted he felt the painful tingling in his hand as his arm "woke up." The bell on deck was sounding like a eerie song in the wind. He bowed his head close to her ear and whispered. He hoped it would wake her gently.
"Hey, we've reached land." He removed the sleep from his eyes and grinned at her, "Ready to be on some land that's more steady?" One of his hands reached on the curve of her stomach. What he was really wondering was if they reached their target or if they were stopping at an island to restock some supplies. Trips in the sea could vary when the wind knocked the boat around enough... had they strayed too far off course or by miracle been shoved ahead of schedule?
Was anyone ever lucky enough to be shoved ahead of schedule?
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Post by Topaz Delaine on Nov 23, 2011 11:01:02 GMT -5
Her night had been a long one so she was awake though eyes closed when Corren stirred beside her. She remained silent as he woke up, content to enjoy the feel of him beside her, his warmth at her back.
Between the roll of the waters beneath them, the intermittent snores coming from beside her, the bump and roll of the baby, she'd slept hardly at all. At his gentle murmur in her ear, the soft caress of his large hand over the belly of their child she smiled softly.
"Mmm, yes it'll be good to be back on solid footing and gawd I so wanna soak in a tub for hours.. "
With a reluctant sigh she sat up and arched her back to work out the stiffness that seem prevalent since the child began growing inside her. She paused long enough to yet again wonder if it where a boy. Would his father not then be pleased should she give Corren an heir?
There was reluctance though to leave the ship, if they had indeed reached their destination they would be separate while he did his work. She was to far along to weather the travel his work would require. Her only hope was that he would be home often so the loneliness didn't weigh as heavy.
Rising she moved to the small wood stove and stirred the coals, setting a pot of water on top to warm for his morning clean. Moving towards the trunk she pulled out clean clothing for him and stepped out to give him privacy while she saw to his breakfast.
They had fallen into a comfortable routine aboard ship. She tending to his needs, he keeping her from giving into the temptation to climb to the crows nest.
But always in the back of her mind was the worry.
What would they find upon reaching their destination?
Would his father yet again greet them with some new chit he'd lined up to marry his son?
What devious new plan had the church for him?
Was there indeed devious plans afoot?
Would he be home for the birth of his child or was that yet another thing she would handle alone..?
So many questions, so many fears.. she felt lost, and afraid.
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Post by Corren Laine on Nov 23, 2011 18:26:46 GMT -5
The routine had become such that he didn't notice it. He forgot what it was like to get along without her. The days where so much time was spent keeping his clothes clean and materials neatly arranged was gone from his memory though she hadn't been with him a decade. When they met she hadn't struck him as the domestic sort of woman. Becoming a mother and getting confined to a ship had done that to her. The hours and days that passed where little could be done caused everyone on board to have their own routine for the sake of keeping their mind together. Corren and the men would engage in some training exercises, some of which closely mimicked games, every day as part of routine and keeping prepared.
Other times he would read, often books he had already read before. With so little space in the cabin he could only keep about two or three books. Sometimes when they docked and there was a moment he'd trade his books for something new. It was a bit of a gamble for him to do that, in the times he'd made a poor trade and gotten a book not worth the paper it was printed on the quiet times at sea had seemed to stretch into infinity.
Those experiences had changed now, with Topaz being present. There was someone to talk to and interact with. He liked to play chess with her whenever the board wasn't being used by his men or the crew of the ship. Topaz had seemed to take it upon herself to fill the hours with being a care taker. Lately he had noticed a greater eye for detail in her work. It was like becoming a mother had changed her perspective on what she was doing and the importance of it.
Honestly, he liked it because it made him feel important. Not in the way the Church did, where it was something that others were forced to recognize but out of her own volition. Her care for him touched deeper. Would his men still have loved him, still have respected him if he wasn't born into a position higher than them?If he had just been one of them would he still be the leader?
After getting ready he stepped out into the cabin, where the young cabin boy almost instantly ran into him.
"Excuse me, Sir."
"One moment, boy," Corren said, smiling slightly to him as he adjusted the neckline of his shirt, "Where have we landed?"
"It appears we have arrived early, Sir. Judging by the geography we have reached it. We're about to Dock at the harbor town of Jermaine."
He nodded to the youth and then started cutting through the narrow halls, to the dining area where he was sure that Topaz, in all of her routine, would already be waiting for him. When he saw her he smiled and spoke quickly, "We're here. Looks like we're getting a break from the sea after all."
Feet were starting to scurry about the ship. It made the wood of the ship groan with a new energy as soldiers and the ship's crew prepared for arrival. Corren sat down at the bench-style table and spoke softly, "I wonder if we're expected." When he had come to the Widow's Spoon he certainly hadn't been.
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Post by Topaz Delaine on Nov 29, 2011 14:47:29 GMT -5
Routine was a blessing. She had set the meal down and settled in to wait. He did not keep her waiting long. As always upon first sight of him, she felt that punch of attraction as their eyes met across the not so crowded room.
His smile still held the power to make her heart jump and patter for a few moments. She felt the smile spread on her face in answer and her eyes lit up at the words he spoke, but the light quickly dimmed at the prospect of being met.
She recalled the last time they'd been met and how she had ended up tossing both he and his fiance in the drink for it. She prayed that his father had not designed another such meeting, and if he did that she handled it with a bit more aplomb then the last time.
"I'll be glad to be on dry land, i'm lookin forward to a long soak in a hot tub with you. Gotta wonder if we'll find a bath big enough for the belly though." Said with a wink and a grin as she tried her best to hide her trepidation.
"Where will we be stayin? Have you a thought on this Corren?", asked as an absent hand rubbed softly against the bounce of the babe in her, as if it sense the excitement at hand...
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Post by Corren Laine on Nov 30, 2011 9:10:54 GMT -5
Topaz was odd on the ship primarily because she was a woman. The men had been civil to her but that may have had everything to do with who she was consorting with. Had she been the lady of one of the cabin boys the other men may not have been so polite. Upon thinking it, Corren was fairly certain that was why her presense came with no tension or competetion. There had been lingering looks on her but he did not fault men who had been at sea for weeks for giving the only woman aboard a lingering look. Beyond that his patience was thin, he couldn't appear too compliant. It'd allow men to have a greater boldness to their intent if he did.
Sailors had a reverence for pregnant women, her recent condition had made it considerably more easy on him in terms of watching out for her. He'd never admit that he kept an eye on his own men when it came to her.
"Already looking for a hot tub and we haven't even gotten into town?" His smile deepened into a grin, a hint of teasing in his voice, "Is the baby wearing your feet out, then?"
To her inquiry on where they would stay he began, "I don't have the missive on me but I remember some of the details. It's vague about what I'm suppose to be doing," which wasn't something that he liked. Corren worked best when something was stated to him bluntly. Otherwise it just seemed to roll around his head and crawl beneath his skin. He wet his lips and continued, "But as far as where we should stay, it gave two suggestions in the area. There is an inn over by the stables called Leviathan's, which will be ideal if we're in need of gathering horses. There's also a sort of a bed-and-breakfast building called the Sea Horse, more inland than on the harbor to it has a little more cover to it." It wasn't like staying at the inn that was half on the water at the Widow's Spoon, right next to the Rogue's Tavern, exposing them to the community like an exhibit. The description of the Sea Horse made the place sound humble but quaint, a sharp contrast to Nordic soldiers taking up the rooms. He imaged the comforters from elderly women, floral and perfumed with their grey swords stacked on top. The thought made him chuckle to himself.
"We should eat up and get back to the room and get together what we want to take." It was all good and well to leave things aboard but the ship's crew wasn't his men. It was hard to prove if anyone ever took anything or if it was lost somewhere in the roll and turn of the boat. "So which would you rather? The Leviathan or the Sea Horse?" Topaz had a vote that counted twice and he wasn't about to have a pregnant woman stay where she didn't want to. Pregnant women had the capacity to kill.
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Post by Topaz Delaine on Dec 1, 2011 7:21:55 GMT -5
A faint smile curled her lip as she listened to his almost eager voice tell her of their choices. "I suppose the Leviathan will do, darlin. Closer to yer men, transportation and the ship. I've no need for much save a room, a hot bath and a good meal... "
Already her mind was making up lists of things they would take from the ship. Her bag full of the past to be sure, never know when a theifs tools would come in handy.
"Lets be about packing then, i'm eager to shake off the dust of this ship and soak fer a day in a good hot bath. " Rising as she spoke his eagerness was infectious. She only prayed that there was no "cloud" waiting for them as they disembarked.
"Perhaps once we've settled you can tell me of this new job of yers.. What you know of it that is. " Slipping an arm around him as they walked back to their cabin, taking comfort and support from his strength.
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Post by Corren Laine on Dec 1, 2011 12:12:18 GMT -5
Once inside the cabin he reached under the bed for his thick, dark blue canvas bag. His bag of the past, marked with the wear of some years and one strap was newer than the others, it had been mended a little while ago by Topaz. They had to use things until they degraded into threads, down to the very core of what they were. He started with his clothes, folding them neatly and pressing them in tight so he could fit in as many as possible. What about a book, then, should he bring it? It was extra space. Who knew, perhaps someone in town would trade books with him.
What about a child? Where did a child fit in with this tight room with a small, circular window illuminating everything? Where did the child play, laugh, run and learn? He pushed it from his mind and continued pressing in layers of clothes until the bag was full of promise. His eyes went over to Topaz and he moved to the nightstand where he retrieved his missive, the seal broken from when he had originally opened it. He handed it to her, "Look for yourself. The details aren't much."
Prefect Corren Laine,
Below are the coordinates of where we wish for you and your men to dock. Issues in the area need to be sorted. Upon arriving there are two locations that you and your men can reside in. One is called the Leviathan, it is closer to the shore and reports tell us that the stables neighbor it. The secondary location is an inn, a bed and breakfast, more into the mainland called the Sea Horse. Either location will do, select it at your discretion.
Gather an understanding of the town and its people. Directions will follow your arrival shortly.
The Church
Never a name, always the organization. Would that happen to Corren if his rank got much higher? Soon his signature, his distinction, might disappear so that he would become one of them... His eyebrows arched up as she read it and he leaned in, "I told you there wasn't much. What do you make of it?" Not speaking of his suspicion, just his curiosity in a soft-toned voice. Watching the way the light hit her face, buffered as it was by the inner confines of the cabin, gave her a gentle glow. His lean went further and he kissed her, just at the soft give at the corner of her lips. His eyebrows arched up, "I'm sure it will be fine." Though she hadn't said she was worried.
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Post by Topaz Delaine on Dec 2, 2011 4:25:40 GMT -5
She puttered as he did. Seeing his glance go to the book, she smiled faintly and took hold of it, moving to tuck it into his bag for him. Perhaps since there was not much she could do, she could find him a replacement or two.
Her belongings where not nearly as much as his, so the packing of it when quick enough. She itched to get dry land under her feet, land that didn't roll and buck with the whimsy of the waters beneath.
Taking the letter in hand her keen gaze bounced across the lines of it. Short, terse, and not much to go on.. It made her itch. Right between the shoulder blades. They never seemed to give him much detail. The fact that her home, the Widows spoon had been left to pick up the pieces after they'd left didn't set well with her anymore than she was sure it did him.
"I agree, it doesn't seem to be much to go on. Why are they always so secretive and sparing with the details. Wondering what issues they mean... " the last said more to herself than him a she sighed softly, pressing closer at his soft kiss, taking a moment to burrow against him, and just simply hold him while their child bounced a jig between them.
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Post by Corren Laine on Dec 2, 2011 10:15:29 GMT -5
"It's how they've always been," her head rested under his chin and his arms encircled her. The boat was starting to slow down, he could hear the men overhear scampering to pull down the sails, wrap them up and strap them down. There was no immediate gratification when land was spotted. The ship slow, preparations were made and sometimes it felt like days until they actually boarded the docks. At least this location had docks and they were rowing out to land.
"I was told once it was because that way if a letter was intercepted... there wasn't much for a spy to gather. So they send many that say nothing and then, eventually, one comes that tells you what you need to know." Hopefully, it would come soon. He felt tired and relaxed holding her, as though they could go right back to the bed and sleep the weather of this new assignment off of them.
(End thread)
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