Kostardo's seemed properly upbraided. Even his knife was spinning with less enthusiasm than normal.
"I'm sorry, I didn't make a profit, nor did I establish a route. I've wasted our luck..." He said, tipping his head. To his credit, he was sober now-but, he would drink heartily tonight and hope Baxter would send him soothing dreams in his pleasantly drunken haze.
Kerendra raises a hand. "The omen as it read said we must make the Gods laugh-then our next mission would be a success. I think the Gods may have found humor at the admittedly dour chief of the Fire Quartz's expense-by your retelling, it was a very amusing joke. Do not lose hope, Kos." She says-her nickname for him, 'Kos'-they had run together as children, had they not? Fished the same rivers together, and lay on the grass, looking up at the clouds.
But, that happy childhood was long past, and what once had seemed like it would last forever, now seemed so short-a memory on the water is fleeting fast, so the old saying goes.
...
The rivers were calm. It was yet early spring, and the Snapping Turtle clan's boats were hauling in after a long day. Many of them were full of flopping fish for that nights dinner. The Ancestors spirits were said to have gone with them that day-no one was hurt or lost, and even the young Yokanos who managed to lose his way will arrive sometime later-and, claim he saw his departed fathers skiff floating silently on the water, leading him to safety through the night back to the clans dock.
The farmers, too, have had a tough day sowing the ground-but look forward to that bounty as well. All men of the clan love the water, but most know they can't live on it's bounty alone. The cattle drivers as well, anticipate a summer full of squalling newborns-though, many are somewhat worried none of the clans magic came to them this year.
The Weaponthanes and their shieldmaidens and spearmen and the more professional of the militia drill endlessly-when they aren't drinking-preparing for the short, hot and bloody summers every Orlanthi comes to expect. The youngest warriors are trusted with only shields and warclubs, the traditional weapon of the clan-javelins, spears and clubs are common, for the clan is well known for their woodcraft-few have true swords, and those that do are looked upon as a bit ostentatious. Many of them hope a watch tower is erected, and more Thanes come to arm soon-the Snapping Turtle's have a bad history with being caught by surprise attacks, and having trust betrayed. They want to be prepared...for, it seems their enemies always go for the boats with torches in hand when they have a chance, for the craft are the clans most prized possessions-every family makes their own skiff, that can afford it, and all of them are personalized in the manner of their keepers-and kept lovingly pristine despite their hard use. Many are passed down from father to son, or mother to daughter. They keep them close to their hearts.
Kerendra watches it all from the porch of her humble home, her eyes on the future. Only Harran's hand on her shoulder brings her back to the present, and him.
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Topic: King of Dragon Pass (Strategy/Roleplaying game)[4/4] (Read 11047 times)