Journey to Livania

As the initial scouting of the colony began to bear fruit, Seraphina took the opportunity to get some time with Esyllt and discuss the future. Jak, Matilde, and Rithari were focused on the Duskhan Rangers. That left organizing the colony to Seraphina and Esyllt.
 
The wagon train from Swannport consisted of a dozen families. The first of hopefully many, it symbolized the hope to settle new lands and open new economic opportunities. It was guarded by the new volunteer force that had signed up to protect the new settlement. Scouts were already far ahead, scouring the wild country for dangers.
 
Esyllt rode in the lead wagon, because where else would she be? Seraphina was with her, seated next to her in fact. It seemed they would have plenty of time to chat.
 
“This is still such a whirlwind,” Seraphina confessed. “Four months ago I was in the Imperial City at the Great Lodge. Now we are starting a new colony. The parallels of my grandmother’s journey withstanding, I think this opportunity is a gift.”
 
"It is," Esyllt said. In her usual serious manner, she added, "It's also an immense responsibility. All these people are counting on us to keep them safe and help them found a new life. They know it will be hard. It's our task to make certain they can concentrate on building homes, community and business in peace. As hard as it will be for them, I think it will be just as hard for us."
 
“True,” Seraphina said in an agreeing tone. “The others are focused on rebuilding the old adventurer’s guild. I could use their help, but these were the cards we played. I didn’t expect my cousin to call my bluff.”
 
She smiled a bit, “I’m not quite used to getting everything I ask for. But, I do want to make sure these people get what they need. Peace, growth, trade, and a good life. I need you for the safety part, and to advise me.”
 
"I'll do my best. But I think we are all very new to this," Esyllt said cautiously. "I did some reading in the Archives before we left. We should remember Robert's Folley. It seems Strathfort is the only settlement that has survived in Minari territory, and that is little more than a trading post. And we aren't the first to take settlers into the jungle in an attempt to build something there."
 
Seraphina nodded, “True, but you and I have something they did not.”
 
“We have their mistakes to learn from,” she added. “There is also you and me. You are born of the Minari. I studied them and spent time with them at Strathport, and on top of that I’m not pure Duskhan. Some of my blood is of this land.”
 
"I can't hide what I am or I would. They might see me as a traitor. You could avoid that label if you hide, or at least don't mention whatever blood connection you have to this land. Minari believe they survive today, having been cast down from their cities by the raging Eye of the Cyclops and fume-spewing Mount Kilrin, because they chose never to rebuild. Now the people of Duskh, in their eye, come to repeat those mistakes and anger the gods. It may be easier to convince them their traditions are wrong, if you do not also have to defend yourself from labels.
"On the other hand, I haven't spoken to other Minari since I was a child. What do I know of what they think anymore?"
 
Seraphina said, “We learn. It is the only way. Then build bridges.”
 
"What do we do if the Minari refuse to allow settlement? What if some consider the area you wanted as their homeland, or some sacred space?"
 
“Its possible, but we are not that far from Swannport and none of the scouts found anything there - at least so far. The whole situation with the false attack is what bothers me the most. It seems like an obvious ploy to blame us. We need to follow up quickly on that.”
 
"The scouting the Duskharn Rangers are to have begun isn't finished yet. They should be before we arrive, but we'll know more soon enough.
"We do know someone doesn't want us there, and they're willing to spill blood to make a point of it."
 
“But didn’t that happen before my cousin’s announcement?” she asked. “I think they don’t want Duskh at all here.”
 
Esyllt looked at Seraphina thoughtfully. "Maybe it did. Maybe it had been intended to stir them into a rage to try to wipe out Strathfort and end Swann's last outpost in Minari territory. Still, that sure makes our jobs here more difficult."
 
“More the challenge,” Seraphina said with a confident tone. “But why haven’t they? Maybe they are not stupid savages as so many say. I’ve met them. I was much younger, but those I met seemed intelligent, thoughtful, and deeply spiritual. I think those are the connections we need to make. I think they are confused about this as much as we are. But there will be tension. We need to at least diffuse that, and fast.”
 
“We also speak the language. Maybe that will help reduce misunderstanding? At least I hope,” she added.
 
"Maybe. Or maybe they are still organizing a response. Minari live in individual tribes -- they aren't a united group. If they did unite, they might be a real threat..." said Esyllt.
 
“We don’t know enough. My cousin sent the word out and people came. These people. I think I would have rather gone a bit slower, but we are committed to the path. What do you think happened with that massacre?” asked Seraphina.
 
"I think the Minari aren't fools. I think their first inclination would be to band together, hunt down and destroy whoever did that. The tribes don't waste much love on one another, but they'll stand together when someone else threatens them. They are expert trackers and very brave warriors. They aren't afraid to die and they deal very harshly with those that trespass against them.
 
Esyllt replied, "The question in my mind is, are they angry enough with Duskhans to use this attack as an excuse to take their anger out on them? Or will they rather hunt down whoever really did it? The Duskhans have been here one hundred fifty six years. Although things have never been cordial between Duskh and Minari there has been relative peace. So, who stands to gain if Duskh and Minari war?" She shook her head in wonder.
 
Seraphina said, “Oh, I don’t know…maybe an evil Lantican sorceress?”
 
She added, “I don’t think the Empire will invest more in this place until we can make a difference and expand. If not, they may turn their attention elsewhere and abandon my family’s endeavors in Fierias.”
 
Seraphina smiled, "So we choose not to fail. We choose to succeed."
 
Esyllt thought that over. "Expand or die? Is that the imperial imperative now?"
 
Seraphina replied, "I don't think that's all of it, but from the beginning my cousin believes that some kind of rapprochement with the Minari, be it mutual defense, trade, cooperation, or maybe some shared goals would speak to that expansion. It isn't so much about control and exploitation, but trade and growth for both parties. If it wasn't, then conquest would be the approach. But no Imperial armies have marched through this land and brought order though the sword. They wish another approach, and my cousin believes that we, between the Livanian Court and the Duskhan Rangers, can pave the way where Robert failed."
 
Esyllt nodded. "I like the approach. I think that offering them something in exchange for what we need is the right path, one that will cause the least harm to life."
 
Esyllt did have another worry on her mind. "Not everyone might think the same way. There are others that I think will offer you assistance in founding Livania that don't believe in such a peaceful tactic, particularly the Holy Order of Kord's Wrath. I believe their offer might be delayed somewhat as they were deployed north toward Kilrin at the request of the Viceroy just before the announcement of the formation of Livania."
 
“No doubt dealing with the issues up there,” Seraphina replied. “We cannot begin with war, and my cousin explicitly recommended treating with the locals by learning who they are and how they live. Not conquest. That said, you and I both know that goblins have been seen and did attack innocents.”
 
Esyllt said, "We gave them quite the bloody nose, I think. But I feel like they were awfully bold to be a lone tribe. There must be more."
 
Seraphia noted, “One of the things we need to do is to catalogue the wild. The villages, the movements, the trade - if any, the rumors, and more. The success of this endeavor in many ways is in creating the Great West Road from Swannport through the Westwald and on to Rathport. We do this, then perhaps we succeed partially. But true success is turning the route into a magnet of trade for the Minari, the Duskhans, and the other peoples surrounding it.”
 
"Time will show us the way," Esyllt murmured to herself. But she nodded quietly in support of Seraphina's vision."
 
Seraphina then said, “My friend, what attracts you to this project?”
 
She gave Seraphina a long, sideways look. "I'm afraid if I tell you, you'll think less of me."
 
Seraphina smiled a welcoming smile, “Now I have to know. Please. You do me me honor by your words and doubly so by sharing them.”
 
"I follow the will of Ilana as best I can, and as best I can interpret. I don't think she has much interest in the stone and stucco of Swannport. I think she wants me out here, back in the rainforest and jungles," Esyllt said.
 
“Why would I think less of you for that?” Seraphina asked. “We go where the gods, our hearts, and duty takes us. We are not so different you and I.”
 
"Because my choice is based on a hunch and feeling, not for building home or fortune," Esyllt posited.
 
"Do you think home and fortune is my motivation?" Seraphina asked.
 
Esyllt replied, "For the people that are following us out there, yes. That's why they are coming, and they are looking to you to help them achieve those things."
 
“And it is important for them to believe. And while I care about and are desirous of these things, this is but one step of a higher calling,” Seraphina said.
 
"You've been asked to do something more important?" Esyllt looked puzzled.
 
Seraphina laughed, “I’m in my early 20s. Yes, I have many goals that are more important in the long run - some personal I suppose, but others innate in who I am. Regardless, the most important right now is them,” she said while gesturing with her eyes toward the caravan. “But I want to use this time and these experiences to learn as well. Sing and teach the people. Guide them from history. Learn their songs and the songs and tales of the Minari, weaving new tales as well. My kind seek to grow in blood and song until we can reach up to the heavens with the perfect song. I must always keep that in mind as a higher calling.”
 
She added, “It is the soul of my being and my first calling. But there are many routes to it. Fortune has painted this route and we must take it with grace and humility.” (edited)
 
"I still don't understand," Esyllt confessed. "What does it mean to grow in blood and song?"
 
Seraphina explained, "You mentioned that your were surprised I was devout. That I was more religious that I let one. To the Dréama, our pursuit of song, speech, and sound is a kind of prayer. And it must be such if we are to someday learn the song of the Gods themselves," Seraphina said. "We believe that in creation there was music. That music is the root of magic and life, and we've been studying it for untold centuries. As I grow, my lodge grows as well."
 
"Is that what you call your blood and song?" Esyllt asked.
 
"Yes," Seraphina noted. "Mostly. But that perhaps is for another day. What matters is we are both united in this task along with our colleagues who will head up the Rangers."
 
Esyllt nodded. She gazed toward the horizon before them that was broken with hills and mountains, colored by dense forest. She wasn't hard to read. She was thinking that succeed or fail, her path lay there.
 
Seraphina let Esyllt dwell in her thoughts for awhile before saying, “It is beautiful isn’t it. This land. When I first started training under my mother, 18-19 years ago, she taught me a song about this land. Would you like me to sing it?”
 
Esyllt smiled and nodded. "If you would like to."
 
Seraphina sung.