Tarlachia
20-06-2005, 21:39
The small watercraft swiftly moved past the tall strong trees of the River Aria, heading southward to the Port of Rushing Waters. Seated within the stern, Sigrun paddled with a strong steady rhythm. He gazed about the forest, smiling slightly as a deer emerged to watch his passage before dipping its head down to drink the fresh water. The canoe dodged the rocks that lay scattered throughout the river, and the occasional fallen tree that lay half submerged. Those were usually the result of past storms that ravaged the area during the rainy season.
The voices of men and elves up ahead told Sigrun that his passage downstream was almost at an end. As he turned the last bend, the city lay sprawled out on both sides of the river. Heads turned to watch him pass, and a few of the Tarlachians even raised their hands in greeting. Sigrun nodded to them in return, guiding the craft to the northern docks. Entrusting the care of the craft to the dockworkers, he strode into the city, heading to the main port that lay at the mouth of the delta which emptied out into the crystal blue waters of the Peaceful Sea. It was such a sea that called to every sentient being's inner soul, and brought harmony to their lives and a smile to their face.
The Port was thusly, a common entry for foreigners and dignitaries, at least for those who arrived by sea. It was such a reason that Sigrun now strode toward the southernmost docks, where there sat several ships of great sizes and of different purposes. To the eastern end of the port, the fishermen were busy hauling their night's catch onto the docks, amid the ice that sat melting slowly on the wooden planks of the docks and ships alike. He watched as a great vessel appeared on the horizon, barely seen in the distance. Yet, instantly, he knew it was not of Tarlachian design or of the designs of other members of the region. He knew it had to be none other than the representatives of Dionica, finally arriving. He turned to greet some of his servants whom had come upon word of his arrival.
"Prepare the docks as I instructed you." He commanded, while casting a gaze over to a little child that sat upon an overturned bucket, watching him in particular. He dismissed the servants and strode closer to the child. Kneeling to his haunches, he smiled kindly.
"Hello there."
The little boy looked up at Sigrun with a shy look. Dirty brown hair hung limply around the boy's head. "Hello, your majesty."
"How are you today? And please, refrain from my title, for you are only a child. You need not to worry yourself with the diplomacy of adults."
"I am good. My mother always taught me to respect my elders, and you are one, sir."
Sigrun chuckled and gave the little boy a pat on the shoulder, "A fine mother she must be."
He rose to his feet, indicating the little boy should do so as well, "And what has your father taught you?"
"My father's gone. He died before I was born." the little boy replied.
"I see. Have you at least heard of his stories?" Sigrun asked.
"My sister remembers him. She tells me stories of times that she and mother used to go meet him in the fields for meals. He'd take them, and hug them tightly."
Sigrun nodded appreciatively. He thought for a moment, then smiled to the boy, "How would you like to do something that would make your father proud of you?"
The boy's eyes lit up at the suggestion. He nodded enthusiastically.
Sigrun smiled and spoke, "Would you give me the honor of your service for the next few days? I could use a strong lad like yourself for some tasks."
The boy's smile only grew larger, "Yes sir, that would be great!"
Taking the boy along with a gentle sweep of his arm, he turned to the docks and pointed, "See that ship out there, on the horizon? That is an incoming ship from Dionica. They will be tired of their long trip, and I'm sure they would appreciate refreshments before their tour that I have planned for them. Will you see to this for me?"
"Yes sir!"
"Splendid. Here, take this with you, and you shall be able to get anything you require to complete the task."
Sigrun handed the little boy a brooch, one that many knew were the King's own. Yet, he did not release it immediately, "What is your name, little one?"
"Dali, sir."
"Well met then, young Dali." Sigrun replied with a soft smile and releasing the brooch into the boy's safekeeping. He watched as Dali turned and ran into town to complete his task. He turned back to the Sea, noticing that the ship was nearing with speed. He crossed his arms behind his back and waited patiently. The wind ruffled his green elven clothing slightly, intricate in design, yet simple. On his right side, Lanta, his personal sword which had seen plenty of combat in its time hung, cleanly polished and beautiful.
As he waited, he sung softly to himself a song in his native tongue, one that told of good times, of an ancient code to protect the lives of the rightful. Despite his soft voice, a few birds heard his song and landed upon nearby perches to listen intently and offer a few chirps of their own.
The voices of men and elves up ahead told Sigrun that his passage downstream was almost at an end. As he turned the last bend, the city lay sprawled out on both sides of the river. Heads turned to watch him pass, and a few of the Tarlachians even raised their hands in greeting. Sigrun nodded to them in return, guiding the craft to the northern docks. Entrusting the care of the craft to the dockworkers, he strode into the city, heading to the main port that lay at the mouth of the delta which emptied out into the crystal blue waters of the Peaceful Sea. It was such a sea that called to every sentient being's inner soul, and brought harmony to their lives and a smile to their face.
The Port was thusly, a common entry for foreigners and dignitaries, at least for those who arrived by sea. It was such a reason that Sigrun now strode toward the southernmost docks, where there sat several ships of great sizes and of different purposes. To the eastern end of the port, the fishermen were busy hauling their night's catch onto the docks, amid the ice that sat melting slowly on the wooden planks of the docks and ships alike. He watched as a great vessel appeared on the horizon, barely seen in the distance. Yet, instantly, he knew it was not of Tarlachian design or of the designs of other members of the region. He knew it had to be none other than the representatives of Dionica, finally arriving. He turned to greet some of his servants whom had come upon word of his arrival.
"Prepare the docks as I instructed you." He commanded, while casting a gaze over to a little child that sat upon an overturned bucket, watching him in particular. He dismissed the servants and strode closer to the child. Kneeling to his haunches, he smiled kindly.
"Hello there."
The little boy looked up at Sigrun with a shy look. Dirty brown hair hung limply around the boy's head. "Hello, your majesty."
"How are you today? And please, refrain from my title, for you are only a child. You need not to worry yourself with the diplomacy of adults."
"I am good. My mother always taught me to respect my elders, and you are one, sir."
Sigrun chuckled and gave the little boy a pat on the shoulder, "A fine mother she must be."
He rose to his feet, indicating the little boy should do so as well, "And what has your father taught you?"
"My father's gone. He died before I was born." the little boy replied.
"I see. Have you at least heard of his stories?" Sigrun asked.
"My sister remembers him. She tells me stories of times that she and mother used to go meet him in the fields for meals. He'd take them, and hug them tightly."
Sigrun nodded appreciatively. He thought for a moment, then smiled to the boy, "How would you like to do something that would make your father proud of you?"
The boy's eyes lit up at the suggestion. He nodded enthusiastically.
Sigrun smiled and spoke, "Would you give me the honor of your service for the next few days? I could use a strong lad like yourself for some tasks."
The boy's smile only grew larger, "Yes sir, that would be great!"
Taking the boy along with a gentle sweep of his arm, he turned to the docks and pointed, "See that ship out there, on the horizon? That is an incoming ship from Dionica. They will be tired of their long trip, and I'm sure they would appreciate refreshments before their tour that I have planned for them. Will you see to this for me?"
"Yes sir!"
"Splendid. Here, take this with you, and you shall be able to get anything you require to complete the task."
Sigrun handed the little boy a brooch, one that many knew were the King's own. Yet, he did not release it immediately, "What is your name, little one?"
"Dali, sir."
"Well met then, young Dali." Sigrun replied with a soft smile and releasing the brooch into the boy's safekeeping. He watched as Dali turned and ran into town to complete his task. He turned back to the Sea, noticing that the ship was nearing with speed. He crossed his arms behind his back and waited patiently. The wind ruffled his green elven clothing slightly, intricate in design, yet simple. On his right side, Lanta, his personal sword which had seen plenty of combat in its time hung, cleanly polished and beautiful.
As he waited, he sung softly to himself a song in his native tongue, one that told of good times, of an ancient code to protect the lives of the rightful. Despite his soft voice, a few birds heard his song and landed upon nearby perches to listen intently and offer a few chirps of their own.