Swift Wind Desc
The eastern sky has turned slightly blue showing signs of a new day. The Swift Winds Glides through the smooth glasslike water as she sails proudly south, now a days sail south of Brithombar. The early morning is around 6am....and Erellont stands on the port side of the deck watching the soon to be sunrise...his cloak billowing in the early morning breeze....He leans against the railing, a mug of coffee in his hand..every once in a while sipping it...for now he stands there, a smile on his face.
Emerging from below, Blaithin takes a deep breath of the heady sea air, letting it out in a contented sigh. Her skirts and her hair are tossed gently about in the morning wind, giving her an almost wild look. As she wanders around the deck, a few crew members smile and nod their greetings to her before going back to their duties. She glances around and decides to head for the helm. She makes her way slowly, taking in every sight and every sound, and feeling the gentle rise and fall of the ship upon the morning waves.
Erellont empties his mug and then looks at it...and decides he wants another..he turns to head for the Galley and sees Lady Blaithin climbing the stairs towards the helm....he grins and walks towards it himself, stopping only to ask a sailor to bring him and Lady Blaithin some coffee, which the sailor turns and looks at the helm now, then turns to the Captain with a smile,"My pleasure Captain." and takes the Captains mug and heads for the Galley. Erellont walks slowly towards the Helm inspecting the condition of the ship and nods to himself as all seems in order..then taking the steps to the helm himself he soon arrives on the raised deck. Looking at the sailor at the helm he says politely," I trust the pilot-major has set a course for the cove Mellon?" The sailor nods...Erellont then turns to Lady Blaithin and walks near to her and says,"And I hope that the Lady rested well?" His smile for her seems to brighten his mood this morning even more than it was before.
"I did indeed rest well, Captain," Blaithin smiles. She pauses and turns to look towards the prow. She smiles as the ship cuts through the glassy surface, then turns to Erellont, "And you? Did you rest well?" Her gaze rests upon his face, taking in each feature individually. "I trust the weather held out overnight, then?"
Erellont looks to the sky," It seems it did ...and it seems that it holds still...which will mean good diving later today....as for resting?...yes ..well...I too rested well..and dreamed of a certasin lady.." He returns her gaze now....what is it in her exquisite eyes that holds him so....the reverie is broken by the sailor arrivingon deck with the two mugs of warm coffee. He hands one to lady Blaithin and then the Captain...with a bow to both he departs down the stairs and back to his duties. Erellont closes his eyes as he smells the steam from the mug," Ah....nothing like a fresh mug in the morning....less it is sharing a mug with one so fair....."he sips as he grins to Blaithin," Have you tried coffee before...it does have its own distinct flavor...one that some find that it takes time to get used to....if it is not satisfactory M'lady I'll have some tea brought up for you."
Blaithin flushes as Erellont answeres her questions. She lets her gaze fall to the deck as the Sailor interrupts them. Looking back up at Erellont, she accepts the steaming mug and takes a tentative sip. She scrunches her face up curiously and then swallows. "Interesting," she smiles. She takes another mouthful savouring the new flavour. "Indeed, 'tis something to get used to. A happy diversion from tea..." she smirks. Blaithin gently leans up against a railing and lets the sea breeze wash over her, occasionally sipping from her mug.
The sailorat the helm dutifully minds his own business...though there is a smile on his face..rumor on the ship has it that the Captain is very fond of the passenger aboard.....Erellont now leans on the railing next to Blaithin and asks,"So tell me some about yourself M'lady...not all..just some." He glances at her now not being able to contain his smile......
"Well, as you already know, I'm the daughter of a sailor," Blaithin smiles. "Although I have to admit that this is only my second time on a vessel such as this," she gestures to the Sift Wind in genral with a short wave of her hand. "I haven't studied much about sailing, since I was unable to concentrate on the tasks at hand, but now that I am older, I find that I'd like to resume my studies," she adds absently. Sighing, Blaithin turns her gaze up at the majestic sails.
Erellont turns and leans his back to the rail now,"Hmmm." he says as he takes some more of his coffee," So....you want to continue your studies eh...sail on this ship much and I am sure you will learn much...the crew seem to like you...though that could be because.....well...they like you..." though this seems not to be what Erellont was thinking. "Perhaps if you sail on the ship enough it will come natural....would you like to steer the helm?"
Blaithin blushes as Erellont makes his comment on his crew liking her. She raises a brow in surprise, hoever, when he asks if she'd like to take the helm. "I-I couldn't possibly, M'lord," she stammers. "I mean, I've never..." She pauses before draining her mug of its contents. Glancing over at the Sailor steering the ship, she sighs longingly. "I guess I *could* try..." she says softly.
Erellont chuckles and shakes his head," In these relatively calm waters Lady I think you could handle her...." He pushes away from the railing and walks over to the helm,"Broch, I'll take her until the Pilot-major finishes his breakfast....go ahead below and get yerself something to eat...." The sailor looks surprised and looks skeptically at the Captain, then," As you desire Captain". Erellont takes the helm and watches as Broch heads for the galley...he looks about the proud ship now....and sighs with contentment....and there he stands, hair blowing in the breeze...he looks almost majestic standing there at the helm of his ship....then he turns to Blaithin, one finger on the big spoked wheel...with a gentle nod of his head he motions her to join him.
Taking in Erellont's form, Blaithin's heart skips a beat. Smiling shyly, Blaithin moves over to stand next to Erellont. She looks up at the Captain and then down at the wheel, then back up to the Captain. Not knowing what to do, she sighs softly.
Erellont smiles warmly at Blaithin and steps back a bit and takes her hands and gently places them on the wheel..." See that outcropping of land in the distance?...to the southwest ?...turn the wheel slightly to the left until the prow is heading straight for it...tis the cove I spoke of yesterday...but be careful to count the number of pegs you turned her by...better yet..the white peg at the top means she is heading straight..so when the prow is heading that direction just reverse the wheel until the white peg is back at the top....try it." Erellont steps back now and watches ...staying near enough should Blaithin not understand what he needs her to do...
More than likely garnering a few questioning glances from the crew, Blaithin nods and proceeds to follow Erellont's instructions. She smiles as the gentle pressure of the wheel courses up her hands and through her arms. She turns the wheel as instructed and then glances back at Erellont quickly, sighing as the ship continues to move through the water.
Erellont smiles as she turns the prow of the ship towards the cove..."See you did fine M'lady..course tis easy to steer her while we're within sight of land...it would be harder if we we further out in the Belegear..or at night..then we would have to steer by the stars of Varda.." The sailor in the Crowsnest looks down and smiles and shakes his head...it was a swift turn...of which always leans the crowsnest the opposite direction....Erellont looks up and sees the smile and the wave...Erellont waves back...then looks at Blaithin," Are you ok with this?....the Pilot-major just came on deck from below...he can take her now if you wish..." Erellont steps over now to the stairs and then looks back at Blaithin...and in his mind he sees a Porcelin figurine standing there at the helm...he admires her beauty.....then the Pilot-major arrives on deck with a glance at Blaithin and thena raised eyebrow to the Captain," Want I should take over now Captain?" Erellont grins," If the lady desires it."
Blaithin steps back from the wheel slightly, and motions with one hand to the newly arrived Sailor to go ahead and take his post. Once she has been relieved of the chore, she walks over to Erellont and smiles. "I think the steering of this ship should be left to the professionals," she says with a grin. "I think I should start from the begining afore taking the helm of a grand vessel such as this." Smiling impishly, Blaithin hooks her arm gently around Erellont's. "I don't believe I got a proper tour of the ship, Captain..." she says invitingly.
The Pilot-major moves to his post and bows, then takes the helm....As she takes Erellont's arm he chuckles," Then by all means let me show you ..the rest of the ship...." they step down on the main deck and start a slow wlk along the starboard side of the ship....." So is there anything of particular interest you'd like to see?
"I'd like to see it all, Captain...'tis a beautiful ship and I wish to see her," Blaithin answers. She thinks a moment before adding, "She seems to be your pride and joy, M'lord...therefore, you should choose where to begin."
Erellont chuckles as he walks along with her...some of the crew pause and look, then speak silently amongst themselves. The Captain steers Blaithin over to the cargo hold and points to the heavy mast near the side of the ship,"We use this mast to load and unload what cargo we carry...the deck there" he points to two seemingly heavy doors," Open up and allow the loading....."
Blaithin nods as Erellont speaks. "What type of cargo is typical for the Swift Wind?" she asks. "It seems that you would be able to carry much upon this ship..."
Erellont looks thoughtful for a moment," Well sometimes we carry big loads and sometimes small loads...like the one we carry now...medical supplies for the healers in Eglarest...come let me show you." He nods and points to a couple of sailors and motions the doors. With somewhat of an effortthey open the doors to the cargo hold below....what can be seen is crates on boxes....about 100 smal boxes," These supplies were said to be needed soon...so although we could have waited for more of a load I thought it important enough to get under way..we could of waited another month for more of a load....but...we can be back in Brithombar within a month..."He shugs now..butknows the importance of getting these items there as soon as possible.
Blaithin nods garvely. "Yes, it would be better to have something quickly, rather than more too late," she says knowingly. "I guess the situation would decide how much you carry at anyone time." Blaithin glances over at Erellont to discern his reaction.
Erellont nods,"Sometimes that is the case M'lady....but as you can see there's plenty of room for alot more cargo...and the more cargo we carry...thelower the ship rests in the water...the wieght...
"More weight would mean a slower ship though, would it not, Captain?" Blaithin enquires, gazing into the cargo hold.
Erellont shrugs," Well that depends on how strong the winds are I think...a heavier load with a strong wind might get us there in the same amount of time that this load and the light wind will."
"So how long does the journey from Brithombar to Eglarest take, under ideal conditions, of course?" Blaihtin asks, her attention drawing away from the cargo hold now.
Erellont nods to the sailors to close the hold back up, then walks with her towards the Sailors quarters,"Wellan average trip should see us in Eglarest in about four or five days...again depending on the wind...Ah..and through this door is the crew quarters...not like where you spent last night..but the crew doesn't complain...and as you can see they are happy...." Erellont looks ahead now and sees that theyare nearing the cove...he moves to where he can see the Pilot-major and flashes some kind of a hand signal to him...to which he gets a wave in return.
"Aye, they do seem happy..." Blaithin gazes out at the water and smiles. "The beauty of the sea always seems to take me by surprise..." she mutters. Blaithin follows Erellont and raises a questioning eyebrow at his gesture.
Erellont looks back to Blaithin," Oh..I just gave the Pilot-major the signal to drop the anchor...when we get to the mouth of the cove....like we always do....then the crew will spend some time pearl diving....it supplements their wages..and it keeps them happy...they make a fair amount with the pearls they find and sell in Eglarest or Brithombar."
"I would imagine so..." Blaithin says, absently reaching up to touch the necklace around her neck. "My father always wanted to go diving for pearls, but he never has the time now," she says sadly. Sighing, Blaithin smiles happily and looks around the ship.
Erellont smiles at Blaithin," perhaps we can find you a couple to give to him...when we go diving soon." The ships nears the mouth of the cove and soon four crewman at bothe the bow and aft of the ship look to the pilot-major for the signal to drop anchor...the signal is given....and two loud splashes can be heard as the anchors make their way to the shalow bottom....soo the ship comes to rest,"Wellshall we adorn clothing suitable for the water?..you'll find that the water here is quite warm."
Blaithin sighs as she hears the splash of the anchors drop. "I love that sound..." she says. She moves closer to Erellont and again links her arm with his. "Aye, we shall, M'lord..." she says, tossing a stray lock of hair over her shoulder with her free hand.
Erellont nods with a smileas the sailors know why they have stopped and waste no time in throwing rope ladders over the port side of the ship facing the cove. " Aye shall we?...though ah..what I wear is in my cabin....so lets go there ..so I can change...er..get them and I'll change in the crew quarters and meet you back here..." Together they go and Erellont retrieves his trunks and then goes to the crew quarters and changes...soon he stands on the deck again in his trunks..his well toned body tanned from hours in the sun....he awaits Blaithin's return....
Emerging from below dressed in a simple one piece suit, Blaithin makes her way around to Erellont. She stands before him with a girlish smirk upon her lips. Her hair is bound in a simple braid down her back now, which reaches just above her waist. She pauses and gazes at Erellont. Her gaze is one of admiration, although not obscenely so. Her eyes play over his face before resting upon his eyes.
Erellont looks at Blaithin now......stunning is the word that comes to mind, he blushes and looks over the side then back to her," You are welcome to use the ladder Blaith...or perhaps you care to dive off the side of the ship?"
Laughing happily, Blaithin walks over to the rail and gazes out. Judging the distance carefully, she takes hold of the rail. Flashing an impish smile behind her - a silent challenge to chase her - she hoists her self up and over in one fluid motion and dives away from the ship. She cleaves the water cleanly, barely splashing, and swims under water before breaking the surface and treading water. She turns to the Swift Wind and floats on her back, gazing up at the side where she once stood.
Erellont chuckles andshakes his head as he watches Blaithin's lithfulness as she dives into the water...he looksover the side and now see her head emerge from the water...he calls out to her,"Very nciely done Blaithin." Now he steps ontothe railing and balances himself and the does a swan dive into the water a few yards away from her with a big splash....when he emerges he lets out a howling laugh and swimsover to her and smiles...."Not as pretty as your dive M'lady..but sufficient to put me here at your side...now have you ever dived for pearls before?" This said while treading water.
Sputtering playfully after Erellont's dive, Blaithin giggles and splashes him lightly. "Nay, I've never gone pearl diving before," she says, now also treading water. "But I was always told that I'm a quick learner..."
Erellont turns his head as he sees the splash comming,"Well now...before ya dive down..ya take a good deep breath and hold it...you should be able, at first to stay down at least a minute...we're looking for closed clams..you do know what a closed clam looks like don't you?"
"I do," Blaithin says proudly. "I've seen enough of them at Market," she adds with a nod. She continues to regard Erellont and smiles to herself.
Erellont nods his head and as he takes a deep breath himself he splashes Blaithin and then dives under the water and swims for the bottom....but with a grin...
Blaithin eeps as she gets splashed. Taking her own deep breath, she dives under the surface after Erellont. She pulls herself through the water easily, intent on her prey. Soon, she reaches Erellonts side...
Erellont still grins as Blaithin moves to his side ,but contiues to swim down....soon they reach the bootom and Erellont starts looking around for some clams..checking here, checking there...soon he finds one and then looks to see what Blaithi is doing....
Blaithin smiles back and then begins to search the bottom...she moves a from Erellont's side and goes a little bit off before finding her first clam. She smiles serenely and turns back to Erellont. She swims over to him and flashes the clam in front of him.
Erellont smiles and nods and then points up to the bottom of the ship and pushes off the bottom ...as he ascends he can feel the temperature of the water warming...he looks again to see where Blaithin is.
Blaithin pushes off the bottom and follows Erellont back to the surface. The water gets clearer as she nears the surface. A few moments pass and the surface gets ever closer. The warmth of the water finally registers on Blaithin's skin and she swims slightly faster for the sky. Finally breaking through the water's surface, she takes a few deep breaths as she treads water, still holding onto the clam in her hand.
Erellont breaks the surface just ahead of Blaithin and spins his head to get his hair out of his face and laughs again..then swims to Blaithin and puts an arm around her waist as they tread water," So let me see if you have found a pearl Blaithin..open yours first.."
Blaithin sighs at Erellont's touch and she smiles. Looking down at the clam she holds, she hesitates. "I'm not sure if I want to look," she says with a laugh. Giving the clam a once over, she closes her eyes, takes it in both hands and gently pries it open. Blaithin turns the open clam towards Erellont before opening her eyes. She raises a questioning eyebrow and regards his reaction.
Erellont eyebrows rise as he peers at what she holds in her hands," It seems M'lady..." he frowns now somewhat and pauses for effect......" That you have done well on your first dive....one doesn't get very lucky the first time out..even a seasoned diver as myself turns up empty more times than not....but youhave scored well this time...look at your pearl...tis as pretty as you are."
Turning the open clam carefully, Blaithin regards the pearl quizically. "It's perfect," she smiles. She closes the clam as best as she can carefully. "Where shall I put it, hm?" She inquires.
Erellont chuckles now and says,Hang onto it for a bit..we'll go bak aboard shortly...." Now tis his turn and he opens the clam..and gives the same frown as he did Blaithin a moment ago...then sighs and shows her the empty clam, then smiles,"Seems this is you day M'lady....shall we go back aboard now..wouldn't want to spoil your luck." He grins and fluffs her wet hair...then looks over his shoulder and sees numerous sailors still diving in and out of the water
Blaithin smiles and nods, offering a quick kiss on the cheek as a consolation to the empty clam before swimming carefully back to the ship. Upon reaching the rope ladder, she grabs a hold with one hand, clutching her clam with the other, and waits for Erellont to join her.
Erellont closes his eyes as she kisses his cheek..then he swims to her at the floating ladder, partially in the water," Go ahead ..I'll follow."
Hauling herself out of the water and up the ladder, Blaithin takes her time so as not to drop her precious package. She hefts herself up and over the rail and then moves away, sitting down on the deck crosslegged. Leaning back on her elbows, she turns her gaze to the side, looking for the familiar form of the Captain.
Soon over the rail climbs Erellont..seeing Blaithin sitting he smiles," You've done well Blaith...is it alright for me to call you Blaith?..and you can call me Ere..if you'd like..."
"Aye, however many just call me Blai," she smiles. Standing up, she sighs, "Yes, I have done well, haven't I?" She smiles then and looks down at herself. "I guess I should go change into something drier, hm?" she snickers. She smiles at Erellont and then make her way back to the Captain's Quarter's to get changed.
Erellont nods," Aye you have done well M'lady...I'll see you for dinner then."He watches as she heads for the Cabin....he looks thoughtful for a moment..then moves to the crew quarters to do the same...
|