Just Another Day

The following morning they were up early, had a quick breakfast downstairs, and were out the door. Shanku made a few inquiries around the town before heading to the docks. She came to a sudden stop and stared intensely at one particularly ship.

"Is something wrong?" Ina asked.

"That one there is the La Sirenita," Shanku said softly. "Captained by Muskar."

"You know him fairly well?" Ina asked harmlessly.

"Well enough to know he is strictly a merchant vessel not keen on passengers," Shanku said quickly and strode off again, trying to forget when she was forced to serve on the Brelland Seacat pirate ship and they had chosen to raid Muskar's ship.

"Passengers? We're going for a cruise then?" Katari asked as he jogged to catch up. He caught her hand and stopped her. "I don't mind a little spontaneity, but I'd like to know a bit more before we take off on a ship."

"Bhadarukia!" Shanku grinned broadly.

"The land far beyond L'aernth?" Hilael asked. "Why?"

"I never really got to visit Bhadarukia that much way back when," Shanku replied. "And if we pick the right ship, we'll be going right through Mruha, and have a quick stop in Ila-tyaq. No sense dragging you all the way down here and over there without saying 'hi' to Dawson on the way!"

"What about pirates?" Ina asked worriedly. "I overheard a fellow last night going on about raiders at sea!"

"Don't worry about pirates," Shanku said darkly with a mirthless smile. "They'll catch the Black Plague if they try to board our ship."

"We're going to sail on a diseased boat?" Ina asked, quite confused.

"Ah, not quite," Katari interrupted. "Why don't you go make whatever necessary inquiries about getting us on board one of these things?" Sufficiently distracting both dams by that, Shanku set out to find who was taking passengers. When she had found one and arranged passage for them, they went into town to browse the shops and enjoy themselves until it was time to set sail.

"Hey, Ina, come in here with me," Shanku beckoned in front of a strong-smelling building.

"Why?" Ina asked as she wrinkled her nose.

"If you're going to be a scribe, you need to start writing, no?" Shanku asked and stepped inside.

Ina followed her out of curiosity, and found the inside was full of many books and writing utensils. Shanku summoned her over to one section of dark sticks wrapped in a layer of string.

"These are some newly invented writing utensils. There was talk of it last time I was sailing through here, and it looks like they've finally managed to make a few for sale. They call it 'graphing lead' since it was used mainly by the architects and mathematicians in their work, and then the artists and scribes got hold of it as another dry alternative to ink and paint, since the only other dry material is charcoal and that stuff is really smudgy," Shanku explained. "It's also a lot more water resistant than ink, so it'll be great for you at sea or if it rains."

"I see you know your graphing lead, ma'am," the clerk said as he stepped over to them. "These aren't exactly like the elite leads used by the artisans. These are actually carefully constructed by gathering the dust from sawing the graphing lead, and then mixed with clay and fired in a kiln. Thus, affordable for us more common literates and sketchers. And should you make a mistake, some freshly baked wheat bread effectively removes the markings!"

"Fascinating!" Ina exclaimed and carefully picked one up. "May I have one?"

"Aye, pick out a few, and we'll get a book or two for you to write in too," Shanku nodded. "Go with one of rag paper, it's pretty durable."

Ina found two medium sized books that were comfortable for her. Shanku paid for them, and Ina carefully tucked her lead into the birch box with her books. "I feel so expensive for you lately."

"Eh, don't worry about it," Shanku shrugged. "If I need some more silver I'll just go find the local tanner and butcher to see if they're needing any wild animals. It's where I got all my silver from before."

They met up with Katari and Hilael, and before long it was time to board the ship. Shanku found she regained her sea legs rather quickly and took to ocean life as if she had never left. Ina struggled at first, but was fine after a few days. Katari and Hilael stayed just a touch queasy for the entire voyage to Mruha. Ina was relieved that no pirates made an attempt on their vessel.

"Oh, sweet land!" Katari said as he stepped off the gangway. "Farewell, seasickness!"

"Wait until you find out how sweet!" Shanku said excitedly and almost rushed off without them into the port. "You've never had such fruits as Mruhan fruits!" Flooded by old memories, Shanku was quick to seek out all her favorite stalls and shops to show to her companions, including the diner where Doctor Newbury had first treated her to a proper Mruhan meal, keen to pay the treat forward.

"Ready to meet some kurach?" Shanku asked after they had finished their supper.

"There are kurach here?" Ina asked. Shanku nodded and lead them away to where the dancers and musicians performed just outside of town. Ina was captivated by them. Shanku carefully picked her way through the stages until she found a familiar face. She waited patiently for all to finish for the night before approaching.

"Shalu!" Shanku called. A dancer with long, crimson hair and a brilliant red dress stopped and looked curiously at the stranger who knew her name. "It's me, Shanku Ravenwing! I sailed with Dawson."

"Shanku!" Shalu exclaimed hopped off the stage to embrace Shanku. "It has been so long!" Shalu squeezed her tight and released her. "Too long!"

"I know. I'm sorry. It never even crossed my mind to try to send a letter. So much has happened," Shanku trailed off.

"Who are your friends?" Shalu asked as she gestured to them. Shanku introduced everybody to one another. Shalu invited them to come back with her to her village. The Sylvans were quite relieved to be able to leave their human forms. Dawson was thrilled to see his old friend, and it quickly became a very bittersweet and stressful moment for them both.

"You were one of them," Dawson stated bitterly.

"Not willingly," Shanku said with disgust. "I did manage to kill a few when I escaped."

"What's done is done," Shalu said gently. "Why don't we catch up? I'm sure we all have lots to talk about."

Dawson described how he had managed to provide a bit for his family through fishing, and of course Shalu was still dancing. Rangi made a brief appearance before he was back out roughhousing with the other cubs.

"I swear, he never stops," Shalu sighed. "If I had half his energy, I could really dance!"

"So, after your escape from the pirates, what all has happened in your life?" Dawson asked.

Shanku began her tale of how she was alone for a few months before stumbling across the Highland kurach, how she spent a bit of time with them before seeking out the Arctic kurach and learning of the bitter feud between the Sylvans, and then the games that followed to settle the dispute and bring peace back to the tribes. Dawson and Shalu were both quite surprised.

"You've been a little busy since we last met," Dawson muttered.

"Just a little," Shanku giggled.

"How come you didn't tell me any of that?" Ina demanded. "As much time as you've had and you didn't!"

"It never came up," Shanku shrugged. "But, seeing as how it's night, is Tasura around, by any chance?"

Shalu grinned. "You know where to find him. You can leave your packs here if you'd like."

Shanku squeaked and beckoned the others to follow. She bid a quick farewell to the Dawsons and was gone. Soon she found Tasura and his mate on the beach preparing for a swim.

"Hey, Tasura, do you remember me?" Shanku asked excitedly and flared her black wings around her.

"Ah, yes, the curious little pup from across the sea!" Tasura nodded. "You have brought friends too!"

"Do you still take people to your cave?" Shanku asked.

"Of course. Come, we were just about to swim out," Tasura nodded.

"May I walk? I don't think I have the energy for a swim," Ina asked tiredly.

"Of course, miss," Mataio replied. "The moon is full tonight and perfect for a stroll by the water."

"Ah, I do not believe you have met my mate!" Tasura said excitedly. "We were still courting when you were last here."

"Nice to meet you," Shanku said and Mataio bowed his head to her.

Tasura and Mataio lead the way, chatting to each other in the language of the islands. Shanku and Katari were next in line behind them, and Shanku was pointing out different plants and noises she recognized. Hilael and Ina were last, with Innugati sitting on his shoulder between them. Hilael glanced over at his companion. Ina looked very much at peace as she watched the gently crashing waves of the ocean. She was a few years older than him, but seemed more innocent than he was. He wasn't immediately sure if that was just her nature, or because he had already lived through a few more things than she had. Hilael smiled softly. He was curious to see how Ina would react when it was her turn to get dragged into an introduction with the Goblin Hound like he had been, and then he shook his head. Maybe Shanku's deviousness is genetic?