SEA: A Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By

Posted on Fri Jan 10th, 2025 @ 3:50pm by Sr Journeyman Cameel & Master Craftman Mari
Edited on on Mon Jan 13th, 2025 @ 12:48am

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: The high seas
Timeline: MD 2 D20

The sea was calm today. It was, in fact, a little too calm for Master Mari’s taste. There was just enough of a breeze to keep them moving, but that was all. She preferred a stiffer breeze and a few waves- just enough to gently rock the ship and remind her she wasn’t on dry land. Somehow, this large expanse of open ocean felt wrong without movement.

Most people who did not spend a lot of time at sea preferred the still waters, but Mari disagreed. No ship should feel this solid, even if it was. She supposed it was her tendency to compartmentalize things that made it feel wrong to her. No matter. If she stood very still, she could feel the slight sway of the ship. It would have to do for now.

Cameel was bored. Life on a ship was boring without a little action, as a healer, she should be happy with not much to do but as the captain's wife it was awful as it meant he was unhappy with the speed they were going. “Good Morning Master Mari.” The woman said politely joining her on the deck with a mug of klah.

“Good morning,” Mari replied with a grin. “It’s a… not loud one. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my turns,” she explained, “it’s to never use the Q word. Not unless you want it to stop being not loud.”

Cameel laughed a little at the Harper having caught on to the way of sailors. "Indeed I am sure my husband would be less than pleased if you used the Q word as we are down our dolphineer this crossing." It was not often they could not get one but with the last-minute change to their schedule to cross from the North to the South it had meant that they could not align properly.

“Even Harpers have a bit of trouble with that one,” Mari laughed. “Never say it unless you want the apprentices to get into trouble.”

Cameel laughed a little as she leant against the ship and stretched her back against it. She loved ship life but she hated the bed. Maybe she could sweet-talk Kallen into getting a woodcrafter to make a better one with a little more space now that they no longer had a cot in the cabin.

“I’ve always been surprised at how much I enjoy being at sea,” commented Mari idly. “It’s peaceful. And solitary. I may have to write a song about it. Pipes and drums, of course,” she added with a grin. As if she had ever written anything else.

Cameel laughed a little. "I would love to hear it once you are done. Pipes are the perfect musical instrument for the sea to be fair." She decided quietly. "Have you done many crossings?" She wondered. Harpers normally arranged a rider to take them between but once in a while, they got a crossing with guests.

“This would be my first,” replied Mari. “Farthest I’ve ever gone by sea is from Keroon to Ista. Fort Weyr would have given me transport to Southern, of course, but how could I resist the opportunity to go by sea?”

"Well, I am glad it is such a calm crossing for you at this time of turn. Sometimes it can be a little rough and no one needs that for their first crossing. What brings you south?" Cameel was not sure she had asked before now as she had been a little drunk when they had spoken before.

“I’ve been assigned to Kymos Hold,” Mari explained. “And while I’m down there, I’m supposed to check the drums on the heights at the Weyr, too. And I imagine I’ll wind up at the smaller holds from time to time, too.”

“Kymos is lovely. Lord Marcano has really turned things around after last year and the murders at the Far Site Gather caused by the former Lord holders daughter.” Cameel still winced at the thought of how they had all came about. It was horrible thinking of the deaths and destruction.

“Well, that’s good, then,” replied Mari. “I’m only vaguely aware of those events, though. Is there anything I should know about them that we wouldn’t have heard up north?” Ever the Harper, Mari was always gathering information.

"Not overly. Dragon Hold wanted Dragon. Stole a dragon egg and then tried to kill riders and weyrfolks until they chose a gather and attacked everyone and the Lord Holders conveyed and chose to burn it to the ground and punish the leadership and soldiers." Cameel had heard it all from the Dolphineers as they had watched the riders come back from destroying the place after the people had been removed some forcefully and other thankful for being rescued.

“Yes, that’s about all we heard, too,” replied Mari. “Was the egg okay? Did it get back to the sands in time?”

“It hatched and impressed someone at Dragon Hold, unfortunately. All dead now sadly. The kid knew no better and was played by the real masterminds behind the cause.” Cameel sighed it was not something that she liked to discuss over her morning klah whilst trying to deal with a hangover but there they were. It was such a sad story Manor had never wanted to destroy the Weyr but damaged people were easily fooled.

“Tragic,” agreed Mari, genuinely sad. “The poor thing. And the poor rider. Nobody deserves that.” She took a deep breath. “Anyway, let’s not talk about that anymore. How fares the hold now?”

"Far Site seems to be recovering. It holds Southern's Beastcrafter Hall so they are very involved in Runners and stuff. All the Lord Holder's Children are apprentices or journeymen and very involved in it all which is nice." Cameel grinned a little as she watched a dolphin about 40 dragon lengths from them jump out of the water chasing the ship.

Mari grinned at the dolphin, too. She loved seeing them. “That is good news,” she replied. “It’s best when Hold, Hall, and Weyr all flourish.”

“I find the south has its moments but then it fixes things and the harmony returns.” The healer assured. She loved the south, it was where she had born and grew and she could not imagine being in the north for long. She smiled and turned as she saw her husband standing on the next deck watching the pair.

Mari followed her gaze and gave a small wave and a smile to the man. “I’m a Harper; Pern is my home,” she replied. “Although I’ve never been to Southern, I look forward to this new adventure.”

The captain inclined his head before he disappeared back into the cavern. “Ignore him. He is not a morning person and he has to bring a ship into port.” Cameel laughed.

“It’s quite all right,” replied Mari with a grin. “I’m not actually a morning person myself. Usually. The sea air makes me sleepy earlier than normal in the evenings, I think. I was asleep at least a couple of candlemarks early last night.”

"I did not sleep early but that is my own fault." The healer never knew her limits sometimes which was why she married a seafear but he had gone to bed early and left her to her own devices. “Well here is to new adventures for you Harper Mari.” The healer raised her mug of klah to the woman.

Mari glanced between her empty hands for a few seconds before shrugging and holding up an imaginary cup. “To new adventures,” she agreed with a cheeky grin.