Eiv06/Kat06 - On the Road Again

They step through to an area of standing stones, the ground covered in a layer of snow and their breath misting in the frosty air. Eivor looks around and finding no welcoming committee sighs and makes her way downhill toward a longhouse where a stream of smoke from the chimney is suggestive of a warm hearth and company.



"Don't worry, I'll get us mounts and we'll be on our way. There's no need to tarry here long. This is Gersemi, one of the Northern Kingdoms of Fortitua. I come here to be alone, usually." Eivor says.



A wall of pine trees rise from the mist to greet them as they walk, following a hidden path that Eivor has clearly trodden many times. Thankfully there's not even a breath of wind to disturb the snow, so crossing the distance between the stones and the hut is much easier than it would otherwise have been. The sky is leaden, but there's no hint of snowfall at present. The sun is low on the horizon, peaking under the cloud and creating the blinding light that Kat saw through the gateway. Reaching the heavy wooden door of the longhouse she pounds on it, and after a few heartbeats it is pulled open by a bearded man in furs who cries something unintelligible (something in praise of the gods, perhaps) before wrapping her in an embrace. Eivor responds somewhat awkwardly and mutters something about "horse" and "companion". The man eyes Kat appreciatively before shouting "Drink!" and gesturing them both inside.



There follows a full hour of Eivor attempting to diplomatically leave the longhouse without offending her hosts, who keep producing flagons of ale and trenchers of bread and meat. The air is thick and smoky, filled with laughter, raucous singing and a seemingly endless round of toasts.



At length, the ladies are led to a paddock where small study ponies wait expectantly and Eivor breathes a sigh of relief.

"Sigurnd means well, but he can be a bit...overpowering," she says apologetically when they are finally left alone. The short day is coming to an end, but Eivor seems in no mood to delay.



"Time to follow the path to a warmer country, I think. Tell me about it as we go, it will help."

"Yes, we'll need a ship but I intend to take the shortest route," Eivor replies. "I don't want to risk getting held up by pirates again."

As they ride South, she is already concentrating and the snow gives way to lush grass and meadows of flowers. The icy cold is thawed by the warmth of Spring, and the shaggy ponies become leaner, taller and with smoother coats. What buildings they see are distant stone fortresses rather than wooden halls, but they don't encounter any soldiers, just the odd tinker trying to sell pots or offering to sharpen their blades. There are signs of festivals and markets in some of the villages they pass, but Eivor avoids them and while courteous to curious locals she does not encourage a discussion. The day seems to stretch as hour after hour passes without the sun ever touching the horizon, dipping down only to rise once more to warm their backs.

They crest a ridge and in the distance a thin line of blue describes a coast.
"Somewhere over there is Eilean Mhòir," Eivor says. "Once we get there I'll get us a ship. Hopefully something more robust than the Antelope"

"From? Where is anyone from?" Eivor asks. "I think we are supposed to reply 'Amber' but I never felt at home there. All roads may lead there but there but I prefer the path less traveled. I have spent many years in these parts, so it is more of a home than Amber ever was but it is not where I am from. Truthfully, I don't know where I'm from and I don't think it matters. At least you have that; a land to return to where the people who know you."

Eivor keeps riding, the nature of the land shifting subtly as she goes. A storm blows in but flashes overhead in a matter of minutes. They pass an inn, the warm light spilling onto the road invitingly but Eivor travels past, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Does it matter who your real parents are? Home is where the heart lies and that is where you are from, even if you do not truly belong. ," Eivor replies. "It takes a cold heart to abandon a child. Searching for your real parents may not bring you the answers you are seeking."

They wend their way down a long incline, and the air changes from the dry coolness of the vale to misty dampness and the hint of salt spray. Thier mounts are tirung, but plough onward with stubborn persistence.

"Tell me more about your homeland, do you have any pictures of it? When I said I would help you I meant it, though we may need to raise an army first."

"if it's similar to Amber, most likely it is not far," Eivor replies. "The most faithful reflections of Amber are those closest to the Pattern. Unfortunately the seas are as treacherous here as anywhere, but we are better sailors. It is a shame you could not meet Uncle Gerard; he could make the most hardened landlubber fall in love with the sea."

"What you have witnessed is the battle for the cosmos on a smaller scale, but you are right. Those of Lonharron must not prevail."

They come upon the harbour suddenly, a turn at a crossroads dipping into a gully before opening out onto rows of whinstone houses thatched with reeds. They cluster close to the water, which laps gently but persistently against the dock. The water is dark and jostles the clustered ships which creak in rhythmic protest. Eivor dismounts and ties up her horse before striding up to one of the houses. It takes Kat a moment to realise this is a hostelry of some sort, distinguished only by the storm lamp hanging by the door. Eivor puts her shoulder to the door, allowing light and the bubble of chatter to flow out, and she gestures for her to enter.

"Now we find a captain."

Reflections Kat does understand, but wanting to travel on the seas she's definitely not so sure about.

"Our seas are not just treacherous, they are impossible to traverse without ending up drowned or worse. No one has attempted to travel them in years after so many were killed in the early days trying it. I will have something to tell everyone back home now. That I have successfully travelled on water, although they might not believe me."

A warm draught of something yeasty or a nice wine was probably more than she could hope for from this notorious looking place, but Kat could always create her own if needed. Mirror made food though always seemed to her though to be a lot more bland that real food.

"Can we get someone who is more competant that Captain Barrett please? I wonder why your relative saddled us with him and his half sinking ship?" 

Kat looks at the sharp wine. "That doesn't bode well for the food on the journey. Do you trust your newfound Captain and do you have the coin to pay, that is if you need to?"

The man agreed to take Eivor too readily without the normal negotiation on price, which means to Kat that something else is going on buried within their conversation. They obviously knew each other for the man to change his sailing plans so easily and without any complaints or demands for additional money. 

She chooses some kind of meat stew from the menu. They can't (she hopes) get that very wrong.

"Your new Captain didn't blink an eye at going somewhere strange that he'd probably never heard of."