Afternoon Sun (open)

[effluo]

Glepgh leaned against the rail to a runner pasture, though his eyes were not on the runnerbeasts but instead on the silent thoughts of his mind. Nogharn was with the healers and had been all night. Returning this morning the healers had told the sailor, quite impatiently, that these things take time and that they weren’t even sure how much they’d be able to do for the small boy. It was then that Glepgh had actually taken in the particular room they had Nogharn in, with its many beds, and realized they were nearly full with children… Most showing the same signs as Nogharn to various degrees.

Still he continued to argue with the short tempered and already haggled healers until they had officially kicked him out of the infirmary. Since then he had wandered here where he had been standing for a few candle marks now.

Several times he watched people move about in their business thinking he should find something to help with so he might have food for Nogharn when the boy is feeling better, but each time he thought this he’d get agitated. Sure he was a skilled sailor; he could counter steer rough waters, he knew all of the different forms of rope knots on the ship, he could mend the rigging, he could climb the mast in a storm to raise the sails – but what good was all of that here on dry land? The last time he had been on dry land more than a day to unload and drink with the older sailors was when he was eight… and that was eleven turns ago.

[FireThorne]

Aeria waked towards the runner pasture excitedly, hurrying so that the escort she had been given watched her with mild irritation. The man, a trusted guard of Nebarcus’ and personal friend, was an older ward who had long since retired from being a warrior. Now, he watched over men’s wives who had too much leisure time on their hands. Deep brown eyes wide and excited, the heiress laughed as the pasture came into view, the many runners scattered about tossing their heads and snorting. The lands were far grander and more expansive than anything Welmatz had to boast, and the girl was awe-struck with the sheer size of the field and the impressive amount of runners that dotted it. “How beautiful!” She exclaimed, clasping her hands before her with glee.

Coming to stand beside the rail, the lady laughed again, gesturing for the ward to come closer. “Ellren, look!” Aeria said brightly, watching as a small foal tossed it’s head and bucked wildly, taking off like a shot across the field. “Is he not darling?” She asked, watching with a smile as he returned to his mother, not the least bit abashed when she nudged him reproachfully.

“Yes, my lady. Darling.” Ellren replied stiffly, watching her with a neutral expression.

A bit dampened by the ward’s uptight manner, Aeria straightened her white dress, tucking some of her dark black hair behind her ear. A few strands had escaped the intricate knot at the back of her neck. Walking along the railing slowly, watching the runners but now trying to appear far more composed, the heiress came upon a man leaning against the fence. The girl would have left him be, but his expression was dark and troubled, and her kind nature would not overlook it. “Please, Ellren, would you await me here? I am sure you can still keep a sharp eye on me, right?” At his stiff nod, she smiled, and approached the dour-looking man. “Greetings, sir.” The heiress said politely, smiling. “Are you watching the runners as well? I think they are beautiful.”

[effluo]

(((continued for fun.)))


Caught in his train of thought, Glepgh didn’t notice the woman approach and jumped visibly as she spoke to him from rather closely. Turning, the dark sailor found himself needing to look down to see the black haired woman. At her words, he raised an eyebrow and glanced back at the runners before returning his eyes to her and speaking.

“Ya, I guess.” He said, his voice rough and his words not spoken nearly as eloquently as the lady’s had been. Rather surprised at how pretty her face was framed by the black hair, he didn’t take long to realize he needed to be careful and polite – the man standing a slight distance behind her only serving as a more solid warning. He wondered if she held rank, to have someone with her, to look so clean and speak so elegantly.

After staring a moment, he made a point of turning back to the rail – mostly to put his eyes elsewhere – as he grasped for words. It’d be rude not to continue a conversation right? Somehow he wished he’d known the way of landwalkers more. This’d be easier on a ship he decided.

Turning again, he offered one of his roughly calloused and tan hands. “Sorry Ma’am, I didn’t catch a name. Mine’s Glepgh.”