The harbour was buzzing with activity. Elves and demonkin were busy loading massive crates of goods onto overloaded ships, the last ones to leave for the season, before the seas turned cold and the winds built up. Of all the ships, the sleek and graceful form of the Stormspear was the biggest. Mariel and her friends had been led aboard, and assigned to comfortable quarters, a welcome surprise for someone who would only expect a cold, damp and rat-swarming hold. As the ship slid out of Altira, all crew and passengers assembled on the main deck. The ship’s guard contingent consisted of thirty-some elves, all clad in metal plate. For crew, another sixty-odd, with several missing from the assembly to pilot the ship and rig its sails for departure. Yvrain appeared up on the quarterdeck, flanked on both sides by guards.

“Kin! We set sail for the homeland! Pray for fair winds and calm water. The winter storms are fast approaching, and we should make haste to reach the coast! I know many of you have noticed our curious passengers, and I would like to assure that they have my confidence! Set sails! And set our course for home!”

The crew cheered and headed for their stations. Soon, Altira disappeared into the sea behind them, and both wind and sea had picked up a little, making the large vessel roll. Almost immediately, Casindire and Saya hit the railing and poured their breakfast into the sea.

Mariel settled in for a moment of peace and making idle smalltalk with Siah, whom was delighted to finally have a chance to stretch her wings.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity.” Siah’s words echoed in her mind while the small mindling greedily bit into a piece of fresh fish.

“For what?”

“See new places, and get the lay of the land. I visited the island of the elves once before. That was while the old king reigned supreme and their navy was a feared weapon on the high seas.”

“And it’s not anymore?”

“The civil war made that change. The king and the queen too, were assassinated, and the navy splintered into the same factions as on land. Some elven ships are even big enough to house small towns… Maybe we’ll get to see one of them.”

She wondered about the scale such a ship would have to be to accommodate a town. Despite her best efforts, any size beyond the ship she was on seemed impossible and she felt certain the sea would swallow such a ship whole immediately.

“Then again… They were put to work as warships, with disastrous results. I’m not sure the humans heard about it, but there was a large three-way sea battle some years back. Many of those great townships sank after ramming a same-sized vessel. The battle rolled on for five whole days and ended in thousands of drowned elves and a graveyard of ships that eventually drifted ashore at what they call Wreck Rock. I guess it’s unlikely we’ll see one.”

Siah gulped down the last remains of the fish and made a sigh of sated relief. Mariel meanwhile finished up the cup of tea brought to her earlier by Saya. She had been very pale, but had asked about her condition. A few moments later she had made a dash back up on deck.

“So. Since you’re the centre of attention for pretty much every male specimen on this ship, and some female ones… Have you thought about reciprocating some feelings?”

“H-huh?!” The thought almost made Mariel choke on her tea.

“Come on… How about Saya? Though I suspect she’s conflicted about it… Then there’s Siravin… He’s your kind, and pretty useful to have around?”

“We barely know each other! Besides, he’s too quiet and serious all the time.”

“It’s your call of course, but I can tell without looking that interest is circling in on you from multiple people.”

“I just want to get home, after that I can worry about feelings.”

The evening saw the seas pick up a fair bit. The wind had turned and the gusts were gaining strength, making the great ship’s planks creaked and the hull rolled in the choppy, but manageable seas. Mariel was up on deck, watching the night and taking in some fresh air. A nice relief from the stuffy, and meal-filled buckets below deck. Tizare appeared up from the hold hatch and came over to her.

“Evening Mariel. Saya and Casindire are fast asleep, the ship doctor had some nice concoctions to ease their bellies and get them some rest. Did you know there’s a small library below? I visited it and read some interesting books.”

“About what? Anything we can use for the trip?”

“Quite a lot. I’ll save the irrelevant information until its needed, but suffice to say, you might have to do certain things…”

“Such as?” She asked with a slight hint of worry.

“Relax, its nothing like marriage or anything. But saving an elf from a predicament, carries with it certain social stigmas… Let’s say for instance, that our host Yvrain was a female. Since you had to rescue her, she would upon return be deemed unfit for combat, and relegated to making children and caring for a home… In your case, the male can redeem his honour through single combat with his saviour.”

“So, you’re telling me I have to fight him?”

“That’s right, provided of course that someone spread the rumour about what happened.”

“Which it will, but relax, I have no intention of following that particular tradition.” They both turned to find Yvrain standing behind them, wrapped in a thick cloak and looking just a little cold.

“Right, I’ll be going below deck. Don’t stay here too long. The wind will come from the north… Mr. Ambassador, you’d be wise to instruct your captain to prepare for northerly winds. Goodnight.”

Tizare left as quickly as he had appeared.

“Let’s seek shelter. I would like to take a moment to talk to you.”

They entered the command quarters and huddled next to a small iron stove, bolted to the floor and giving off a steady and very desirable warmth. One of the deck hands soon appeared to stoke the flames.

“I’m intrigued by your companions…” Yvrain pulled up a pair of stools for them to sit on. He untied the cloak and let it slump to the floor.

“They’re good people… I wouldn’t be here without them.”

“I can tell. So, what’s your story?”

She recounted her tale from the moment she fell from the sky, to the moment she fought her first duel. All throughout, Yvrain remained fixed to the stool, listening intently to her story. As soon as she had finished, he gave her some applause.

“It seems impossible, but I believe you. I received information about those occurrences. The technique of opening those holes, or zone gates, is old and thought forgotten. I found some records of its use in the capital city library… I decided to investigate. By chance, I got to see it up close. And fleeing the destruction, we met by accident.” A short pause followed. He rubbed his hands and held them close to the stove, apparently still cold.

“I have a theory. I believe princess Ennileth is behind it. She is our most powerful caster, and in some way, she could have passed on the knowledge to the humans. Now, they use it to invade the demon continent again. This time they might succeed… And if they acquired all the resources of the demon continent, my own people would soon fall… I seek to maintain the status quo… Ah to keep things as they are.”

“I have no power to influence events… So, I’m going to be content with going home…”

“Home huh? Before that, I’ll show you my home… It’s a few days sailing away.”