Arc 720, 20th of Ashan
Erik Ki'Ufnaj did not often find time to relax. He worked long trials that consisted of long breaks, and the role of a harbour master was never quite finished, especially in a place as busy as Scalvoris Town.
But - the gods be blessed - he had somehow found himself with half a break to spare, and he used the rare opportunity to wander down one of the more narrow and less used piers. The main part of the docks were where the caravels and cogs would bring their wares from other parts of Idalos, but this was narrow and somewhat out of the way. It was mainly frequented by the occasional fishing boat, or, indeed, people used it in an attempt to catch fish without leaving the island.
The biqaj had always had a fondness for that particular jetty, for the relative peace and quite it gifted him enabled him to reflect on life and some of the hardships he had experienced. He would often stare out at the Hollow Sea and recall his sailing trials, but in his loneliest moments, he would stare back at the docks themselves, feel the wedding ring on his finger, and grieve the loss of his wife.
This was no such trial, however. He was feeling refreshed and unusually upbeat as he walked briskly down across the wooden planks, letting a contented smile form at his lips as a pair of gulls overhead argued about something trivial.
With nobody else standing on the jetty, the harbour master had initially thought he was alone. It was only as he neared the end that he heard the sound of something wooden bumping up against one of the piles that kept the structure from tumbling helplessly into the water. The man peered over the edge, and the sight he saw caused a guffaw of laughter to escape his lips.
"Darius Baer!" he called down from the pier, and he received a startled cry in response.
Darius, meanwhile, was in his rowboat. The Lady Jean had been gifted to him by his father, and he had only recently returned from his initiation as a sailor, so had decided a few breaks earlier to take it for a row around the bay. He had taken lunch with him and had found the gentle rocking of the boat lured him towards a morning nap. The next thing he knew, he was waking up to the familiar sight of Erik Ki'Ufnaj, though it took him several moments to regather himself and get his bearings. Rubbing his eyes, he realised he must have relaxed a little too much while enjoying his lunch, and the tides had pulled him to the docks.
"Harbour master," the bearded blond acknowledged, using the biqaj's title rather than his name.
"I do hope I haven't disrupted your siesta," Erik chuckled in his slightly accented voice. "How is your father?"
But - the gods be blessed - he had somehow found himself with half a break to spare, and he used the rare opportunity to wander down one of the more narrow and less used piers. The main part of the docks were where the caravels and cogs would bring their wares from other parts of Idalos, but this was narrow and somewhat out of the way. It was mainly frequented by the occasional fishing boat, or, indeed, people used it in an attempt to catch fish without leaving the island.
The biqaj had always had a fondness for that particular jetty, for the relative peace and quite it gifted him enabled him to reflect on life and some of the hardships he had experienced. He would often stare out at the Hollow Sea and recall his sailing trials, but in his loneliest moments, he would stare back at the docks themselves, feel the wedding ring on his finger, and grieve the loss of his wife.
This was no such trial, however. He was feeling refreshed and unusually upbeat as he walked briskly down across the wooden planks, letting a contented smile form at his lips as a pair of gulls overhead argued about something trivial.
With nobody else standing on the jetty, the harbour master had initially thought he was alone. It was only as he neared the end that he heard the sound of something wooden bumping up against one of the piles that kept the structure from tumbling helplessly into the water. The man peered over the edge, and the sight he saw caused a guffaw of laughter to escape his lips.
"Darius Baer!" he called down from the pier, and he received a startled cry in response.
Darius, meanwhile, was in his rowboat. The Lady Jean had been gifted to him by his father, and he had only recently returned from his initiation as a sailor, so had decided a few breaks earlier to take it for a row around the bay. He had taken lunch with him and had found the gentle rocking of the boat lured him towards a morning nap. The next thing he knew, he was waking up to the familiar sight of Erik Ki'Ufnaj, though it took him several moments to regather himself and get his bearings. Rubbing his eyes, he realised he must have relaxed a little too much while enjoying his lunch, and the tides had pulled him to the docks.
"Harbour master," the bearded blond acknowledged, using the biqaj's title rather than his name.
"I do hope I haven't disrupted your siesta," Erik chuckled in his slightly accented voice. "How is your father?"
