The voyage

[session 5, 05.10.2023 ]
The Voyage
 
I’ve missed the open ocean. Everything about it, really. The sway of the ship under us, the constant hum of the waves, the creaking of wood that never ceases. I’ve even missed how the sea wind numbs your fingers and the tip of your nose, it makes having a warm plate of food between your palms all the sweeter for it. Me and Eira ought to earn our keep by working, and I am already itching to do something. I get assigned rigging duty, after telling the boatswain that I’ve got plenty of experience. Eira, for being on the sea for the first time, ends up working for the kitchen staff, mainly to keep her out of the way of the deck crew. With the ship sailing to Spindrift, there’s more than enough pompous nobility travelling with the Lord, and I’m happy with my post outside. Rusalka technically could travel without having to work, but they’re curious by nature and the quartermaster seems to be at a loss with his books. They tell me that there’s something fishy going on with the records, and looks like someone has been swindling money into their own pockets. Now they need to figure out who and where to find that person.
 
I believe Luciano is feeling ill once more, the rough seas not agreeing with his constitution. Kazys seems to be bedridden as well, so it is only us three wandering the ship. We have agreed on roles for ourselves for the duration of the trip, as Luciano’s invitation only covers himself and a plus one… along with their servants. And so it shall be that Kazys acts as Luciano’s personal valet, while Eira is his bodyguard. I shall be Rusalka’s bodyguard, while they are the official company for Luciano. I don’t mind, I’d much rather be a bodyguard than a valet.
 
While I work, I chat with the fellow crew members, most of whom are new hires, although not all of them. The boatswain has been with the Lord for years now, and with the same captain, they’ve run the yearly Spindrift voyage several times over the years now.
 
We all have lunch together, try to listen in on the conversations happening around us. Most folks seem to be excited to finally set sail towards the Summer Isles and the Spindrift castle. I personally do not particularly care for the parties of the rich and noble, the mere idea of dancing all dolled up and formal? The mere thought is enough to break me into a cold sweat. Rusalka and Luciano seem far more at ease with the thought, and I raise a curious eyebrow at my sibling - I know they’ve always yearned for something grander than Kit’s Shoal, but have never voiced that opinion out loud, of which I am grateful. Our mother has made the perfect home for us, and we both appreciate her efforts in our own ways. But much in the same sense as I yearn for the sea, I think Rusalka yearns for the shiny, luxurious lifestyle of the rich and noble. We hear about the wines of the Summer Isles, how the year before has been abhorrent for the wineries of the area. I wouldn’t know, and merely nod along. I’m far more interested in the folks who are not talking - the silent shadows and bodyguards, many of whom stand like they know how to fight or at least pose like they do. I notice a burly half-orc of a guy with biceps as big as my head and - yeah, alright. Maybe I shouldn’t slack off with my morning routine as much as I do now. Eira and I share a glance, and I think we’re both considering our chances of winning against any of these mercs. Among other things.
 
Luciano chats some with a banker dwarf, I don’t quite catch his name. I must have stopped listening when money was involved, but he does mention how the week-long celebration is mostly helping the nobility and their trusted servants to connect with one another and to create new, lucrative job opportunities. Or whatever it is that the nobles do with their vaults of money.
 
I bow out of the conversation and seek other company, spotting folks who seem to be servants of some noble house or other - and ask to join them. I feel much more at ease in this company, and eagerly introduce myself as Tierna, from Luciano Bello’s company. I would have introduced myself as Rusalka’s bodyguard but frankly, I do not remember the name she had given herself, and thus it might be best to remain quiet. The woman - roughly my age, introduces herself as Belinda. I chat with her for quite some time, about what I should expect when we arrive at the castle. She seems somewhat suspicious of the hostesses, but refrains from saying too much.
 
After lunch, I head back out to keep working, and blessedly get rigging duty. Sure, it’s dangerous, all work on a ship is, but the feeling of the wind in your hair when you climb up the ropes to pull sails is so much more than the sum of its part.
 
In the distance, I see storm clouds gathering, but we’re far ahead of them.