Private Tales Breaking Waves

[Kasim Areth]

Water washed over him, ebbing into already soaked clothes and touching his skin with a warm yet cool embrace. Slowly it retreated, and then once again returned.

His face twitched slightly, pressed against tiny grains of sand.

What had happened? Where was he?

Kasim couldn't remember, as he lay still within the sand. Surrounding him were dozens upon dozens of pieces and great splinters of wood. Directly in front of him was a larger chunk of debris, a piece of what seemed like the curved hull of a galleon. Down the shore more pieces presented themselves, enough that they could have built a small boat in it of themselves.

There was no sign of the rest of the wreck, nor of any other beings that must have been upon the ship Kasim had been traveling on.

He alone seemed to have made it to the beach, his fingers digging into the sand as he slowly regained consciousness. His body screamed with pain, his lungs burned with sea water. Cuts, bruises, and a broken rib called out to him. His clothes were bare tattered rags, soaked with ocean water and torn to shreds by the coastal reefs found just off the shore.

A groan escaped him, followed by a long series of coughs.

His mouth was filled with sand, and for the first time in what seemed like hours Kasim moved, shifting just enough to spit out some of the white grains.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

There were flashes of crashing water. The creaking of wood. The taste of salt that coated the tongue and a deep weight against the lungs that burned. A clap of thunder and suddenly Illyria shot up from her perch, twin eyes radiating softly in the vestiges of the visions.

Her chest gave a heave, dragging in fresh air into her burning lungs. There was a sheen of sweat over her face and brow, beads of silver trickling down her temples and neck. It took her a few seconds to recognize where she was at. The roar of waves was replaced by the bubbling of a river. A deep groan of frustration rose from the Eldari's throat, her hand coming up to her palm could rub her face.

Over her chest, there was a slight pull, right over her shoulder. The dark stain gave a throb, one the Eldari gently began to massage away. Blinking to clear her sight, Illyria took stock of her bearings. She had taken a small nap along the shore of the Liani River, seeking an hour rest before continuing on her path. Staring at the sky, the approaching dark clouds foretold that a storm would arrive soon. She still had two days of travel and the shore of Galise to cross before setting camp again.

With a curse, the young Eldari came to her feet. Taking her bow and slinging it onto her back, Illyria gathered the rest of her belongings. With a quick step, she would follow the river to the shore.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

Kasim's head was spinning, aching, as he pushed himself upright in the sand.

The ocean was still lapping it's waves against him as he managed to get to his knees, sand still coating his tongue. His eyes were nearly sealed shut, hand coming up to slowly wipe away the muck that had gathered there. As lids peeled apart, the Jester saw nothing but a swimming vision of sand and trees.

"Ugh." The man groaned quietly, his fingers sinking into the dirt as he tried to push himself to his feet.

He found his strength waning, and even after a few moments it was a difficult task to stand. Finally, he filled his lungs with a deep breath and forced himself up.

Kasim had no idea where he was, but he knew one thing; those clouds above looked darker than he'd like.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

Well worn leather boots laced up and around her calves, providing warmth and comfort to the Eldari as she continued on her trek. Not only that, they ensured that her bare feet wouldn't be sliced upon the sharp obsidian rocks that scattered the landscape. The black sands would shape the coast as far south as the Earth Eldari lands to the Northern regions of the Sun Elves. They originated there from the volcanic forges, hot magma bubbling up to meet the sea, hardening only to erode over the ages as the black sand and gravel that enriched the crops and allowed the filter of saltwater to fresh.

She was quiet, deft in her stride. A Moonshadow Spider cloak would shield her statuesque figure, the light hood pulled low to protect her head as well as to dampen the soft glow of her skin. Come sundown, the Star Elf would become as one of the stars directly overhead, flesh glowing softly as if containing a bio-luminance of its own. It was a boon as much as it was a pain. While the glow offered light even in the darkest of nights, it also flagged Illyria to be easily spotted as a darting figure through the trees and the approaching beach. Had she not worn her Moonshadow Spider silk armor and cloak, it would make it all the more difficult to conduct her trek alone.

A small puff of air blew from her mouth, and her right ear gave a slight twitch. There it was again, that nagging sensation the grew into a dull ache in her head. They were triggering more often than naught nowadays. A grimace lined her angular features. As she was young, she still had much to learn on the process of divination. Or more aptly, what they actually meant. It was often more confusing than anything and had no sense of time. She was assured by the Elder that this would ease in time, but Illyria remained doubtful.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

For a few seconds Kasim simply stood in the sands, letting the water continue to assault him as he tried to get his bearings. Five minutes passed as he stood beneath the cloudy skies, thunder rumbling in the distance.

After a time he realized that things wouldn't be getting any better. He had absolutely no idea where he was or anything else that might be helpful. Pieces of the ship were scattered everywhere, but what he could see of the beach did not look at all familiar. For that matter, neither did the trees at the edge of the coast. He frowned slightly, and then finally began to walk forward.

He found that his legs ached, tiny scratches attained from the corals stung him and general soreness seemed to cling to his bones.

With a grimace the Bard began to stalk his way up the beach, slowly walking within the sands as his shoes made an odd sort of squish noise with every step. "I hate water."

Kasim grumbled to himself as he checked out some of the debris. He was hoping to find something he could use, a loose backpack, a crate of food, anything that would help him survive. For all he knew he had landed on Nagai, and anything at all that even might be useful could keep him alive.

For a little while at least.

Eventually as he dug through the sands he found a small pouch, likely carried by one of the sailors. He frowned and pulled it open, discovering a piece of flint, two pieces of parchment, and a few coins of silver.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

That's when it began to rain. There was no warning beyond the storming clouds overhead; there rarely ever were. One second the air would be thick with the scent of approaching rain, then next, a shower would downpour to saturate the earth. It was one of the reason why flash flooding was common along the riverbanks. At the very least, they would flow out into the sea to prevent much damage. The natural easements assisted also in this matter, but it was always a good idea to keep an eye out for anything that could indicate an approaching flood.

Light feet wandered just along the tree line towards the beach. The sounds of waves over the fall of rain was near deafening here. She could smell the salt of the sea. Illyria brought her hood a little lower over her face. It was already reacting slightly to the darkening sky, a light glow of her skin. Annoying at times, but she could do little about it. Only the Moodshadow cloak and armor were capable to dampening the extent of its shine.

Perhaps this would be what the castaway might catch at the corner of his eye. A dim glow that from this distance had the similar quality of that of a will-o-wisp. It faded and came to view off and on, almost to the maddening point of making on wonder if it was even really there or just a figment of the imagination.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

Kasim frowned slightly, catching a glimpse of...what was that?

The beach, the night was empty, at least as far as he could tell. The debris had left nothing behind for him save for the one little bag of tools. There was no food, no rations, nothing that would allow him to survive. The only things he had were the clothes on his back, not even his sword had washed up alongside him.

Or his instruments for that matter.

A scowl pulled at his lips as he blinked, reaching up to rub his eyes to see if they were fooling him. When his lids fell open again he saw the light again, slowly passing by the trees. Was it a torch? No, it wasn't bright enough for that and...it almost seemed to disappear.

The scowl on his face deepened, and slowly he stepped forward towards the light.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

Illyria continued on, unaware of the approaching human in the distance. The combined roar of the waves and the rain made it difficult to discern much, but once the stranger would draw closer, the young Eldari would soon recognize a dark shape.

This area seldom saw any visitors. The Ocean Elves made sure to keep the currents flowing out and away from the island, with the intention of preventing any outsiders from finding it. That in conjunction with the Sky elves who would weave spells to guide thick mists, it was easy to simply sail away and out towards the open sea than to bother with the island. For so many centuries, the Eldari have done their best to remain isolated from the rest of the world.

So many other stories would allow the reinforcement to not attempt to land on their shores. Not just the geography of the land, but the tales of Kiva, an ancient goddess of the ocean. Not one that the Eldari believed in, but the rumors and the harsh sailing environment made for reinforcing the lore of this place.

A benefit of the elves of the stars meant that they had the ability to see in utter darkness. They were, indeed, a light in the dark. So when Illyria caught sight of the dark figure, she froze. Who was that?

Could it be a Moonelf? No, they would move differently. Who was it? Wary, Illyria called out in the language of her people, one that would be familiar to all Eldari.

"Ni am Illyria, man na- tar?" the language was musical in nature, lyrical in tone against the rain.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

Through the darkness he heard a voice, and immediately his head jerked to the side. What the hell was that? Singing?

Was it a nymph?

Kasim had heard the stories of course. Spirits that lived within the wood, part of the trees themselves. They sung the forest into existence and lived among them as part of them. He had no idea if they were real, but those words...those words sounded like a song. He frowned for a moment, glancing around.

Was it connected to the light? It had to be. His lips thinned for a moment and he took a breath. Weary and tired, he couldn't help but wonder if he was hallucinating. "Hello?"

The Jester called out.

"Is..." He stood, turning slightly. His eyes were not those of an Elf's, he could not see Illyra. "Is someone there?"

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

It was the reply that gave Illyria pause. They were unfamiliar, foreign. Immediately, her hackles rose and the tiny hairs at the nape of her neck stood on end. A deft movement and the Eldari brought her bow out. Another brought an arrow to nock.

"Cín est-? O where ceri- cin tul- o?" what was his name? Where did he come from? The rain made it hard to fully make out his features, but Illyria had been raised to be wary of any outsiders -- not that she really knew just what any outsiders would look like. Her kind had been separated from the world for over several millennia.

"Whui are cin hi? " they were at a crossroads as Illyria did not understand the common tongue. That language had all but been discouraged as there was no need for an Eldari to learn to speak it. Ever so cautiously, the young elven woman took a few steps forward. Once again, that odd soft glowing light seemed to drift closer to Kasim, the voice seemingly ethereal with its resonating quality.

 

[Kasim Areth]

It was the sound of an arrow knocking against a bow that finally pulled Kasim's vision to where the woman was standing. He would not have been able to see her, not without how dark it was, but then he realized that there was something there...it was that light, that bare wisp of something he'd seen.

It was her skin! Kasim couldn't help but gape for a second, his eyes bugging out in a mixture of shock and confusion before he suddenly realized something. "Wait!"

He cried, raising his hands.

The woman...thing...sprite...Kasim had no idea what it was but it was very clear that whatever she was she had a weapon and knew how to use it.

"I don't mean any harm." He called out, raising his hands above his head. He had no idea if she could understand him, but he hoped that his hands up high meant she'd at least know he wasn't going to attack.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

Whatever he was saying it wasn't registering. None the less, Illyria was able to catch other universal methods of communication, like the fact that his voice grew in pitch in growing panic and the way his arms rose over his head.

"Dorth-" Illyria would warn, telling him to stay put. The rain was pelting at her cloak and it was difficult to see, but she took another step forward. He was about three meters away from her. Another couple of steps and she was two meters out. The closer she drew, the more evident that under that shadowy cloak, there was a slightly glowing figure. Tall, willowy, hidden behind what appeared to be armor that would blend her into the shadows.

"Cín est-?" she asked for his name again, her pale blue eyes darting around to see if there were others. "Cin eriol?"

At this distance, the state of his dress became a bit more apparent. His clothes were tattered and torn. His dark hair plastered against his skull and he was drenched through. Even then, it was hard enough to determine where he came from. Or who he was at all.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Her weapon was still pointed squarely at him, panic thundered in his chest, but he tried to be as calm as possible. His hands were still well above his head, but he began to speak a bit more calmly. "I was shipwrecked here..."

The rain thrashed against him, he shivered, but he wasn't entirely sure that it was because of the cold. His entire body seemed to scream at him to run, to move as fast as he could, but he thought that would end with an arrow loosed and finding his flesh. Instead he continued to speak.

"The crew...the vessel...all of it gone!" He called above the winds. "I am Kasim Areth. A bard."

The only survivor. "I don't want to hurt you."

He just wanted to know where he was, who was pointing a weapon at him, and some goddamn warmth.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Kasim Areth

Dark blonde eyebrows drew together in confusion. The more he spoke the more foreign he appeared to be. She'd met her share of other Eldari, but they had a common tongue and would have declared themselves by now. Was he really alone?

Illyria contemplated for a few more seconds. Slowly, she lowered the tip of the arrow to the ground. She did not remove it from her nock, but it appeared that in the meantime, the woman was considering what he might have said. Well, at least seemed to. Illyria could still not understand a word he was saying.

"Esse? Mana na- your esse?" Another step, two. Until finally she was about a meter away. At this point, Kasim was able to discern more of the woman's features. They were elfin, delicate, and seemed to be carved out of soft glowing alabaster. While her ears were still hidden within the confines of her hood, at the very least one could tell that the woman before him wasn't human. Nor like any other species he had the fortune of coming across.

However, just like Kasim was now able to get an even better look, so was Illyria of the castaway. Her eyes went wide in growing surprise -- his ears, they were not pointed at all. Wait, that couldn't be right. The thought of someone washing to ashore had never come across Illyria's mind. It simply just never happened. At least, enough for the news to spread across the clans. If they had, they most assuredly had been taken care of before any alarm spread.

"Mana are tye?" What was he, Illyria inquired, her musical voice dripping with curious wariness.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim tried to puzzle out the woman's words...he was pretty sure it was a woman anyway. Her features were fair, beautiful, every line of her seeming to be carved by the most careful of sculptures.

He couldn't help but be reminded of an elf, but...there was something different he could not quite settle on. A frown touched his lips for just a moment, though he didn't speak. Instead he thought for a moment, glancing at her lowered bow before he took a breath and finally answered. "I..."

The Jester had no idea how to answer, or even what she had asked. Did she want his name? Where he was from? What he was doing here? A thousand questions, ran through his mind, and then he settled on the one word that he had understood.

"Are."

It seemed clue enough, at least for a simple man like him.

"I...I'm human?" Kasim said, still keeping his hands raised. She had lowered her weapon, but she was a glowing creature standing a meter away from him. For all he knew she could make him explode with a single breath.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

It took a few moments to register. Likely long seconds that Kasim did not appreciate standing in the rain and freezing his bones off. However, this was an Eldari who had never met a human before. In fact, to her knowledge, no other species had ever set foot on their isles since the Great Divide. The idea that there would be a human standing in front of her was as if telling her a myth was flesh and blood.

So needless to say, Illyria gave a confused scowl, water trailing silver rivulets down her cheeks.

"Eyeh Huu-man?" her mouth seemed to fumble over the words, but even then, it was still pleasant to the ear. She repeated it anew, as if doing so might clarify. Huu-man? Eyeh Human?

Human!

Icy blue eyes went wide and she immediately brought her arrow back up to point at him. What else was one to do when someone claimed to be a legend brought to life? Was he lying?

"Hilde? So na-hilde?" there was a slight nudge of the arrow that would indicate he should turn to the side.

"Quer-cor!" Illyria instructed him to turn around, wanting to confirm without him peering at her.

 

[Kasim Areth]

"Kiva-fuck alright alright!" What the hell was this glow-person?

It seemed like one minute she was curious and then another she was threatening his life again like she had just flipped a coin. The nudge of the arrow, the slight jerk was enough of a clue for him, and quickly Kasim turned around.

The rain still slashed at his skin, the cold of it settling into his bones.

He couldn't help but start to shiver, his hands still held above his head so that she wouldn't loose and arrow and kill him while he turned away. His mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, desperately searching for an idea, for something that he could do to understand her or help this situation.

His fingers flexed, the feeling from them slowly beginning to fade as the cold consumed his body. Part of him wanted to scream at her, to make her just understand and get him to a fire or something, but he knew the moment he raised his voice he'd likely end up dead on this beach.

Please. Kasim begged whatever deity watched over him. Please let me survive this. I'm too handsome to die here.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

He was angry that much Illyria could discern from the lurch of words that fell from his mouth. He spun around anyways; he had little choice in the matter when someone had an arrow pointed at his chest.

After a few seconds, Illyria quietly relaxed her grip on the bowstring, removing the arrow. The rain would smother the noise, allowing her to swing her bow and return the arrow to the quiver on her back.

Wary, but curious, Illyria took another step forward, closing the distance until she was but a couple of feet away at Kasim's back. The Eldari did not need light to discern his sodden features, from the slick mat of hair that stuck to his skull to the salt of the ocean he seemed to radiate. Did he come from the sea?

That question, however, was brushed to the side, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing on her objective. There, pressed close to Kasim's skull against his closely trimmed hair, were his ears. However, instead of the distinct sharp point, Illyria expected of Eldari, they were alternatively curved much like a shell. Rounded. Not an elf.

At this point, poor Kasim was to see that faint glow draw nearer. While Illyria wore gloves to dampen the light, her face was still softly radiating under the darkness of the storm. So when she went reaching out to touch the shell of his ear, he'd be able to catch that soft glowing light draw closer.

Curiosity bathed Illyria's features. Could he be a human? How strange. Much like a child, Illyria attempted to test out if Kasim's ear was real or not.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Out of the corner of his eye he could see the soft faded glow growing closer to him. In the back of his mind he began to wonder if he was about to die, an arrow launched through the back of his neck, a blade slashed across his throat. Both would kill him instantly, but...he didn't want to die.

Specifically he did not want to die here out in the rain, his clothes soaked and his skin losing all of it's feeling. If he had to choose his death he would have one surrounded by beautiful women in a bed. Out here?

Out here was pure Misery.

Yet as the elf grew closer he prepared himself, his chest rising and falling faster and faster. He felt his heart thunder in his chest, eyes closing as he tried to think of some place far away. Memories of his childhood flashed through his mind, thoughts of Vel Anir, of his brother, of when he'd first run away.

All of it seemed to be right in front of him, almost as though the memories were playing out as some kind of moving painting. His entire body shivered, panic entered his heart, and then he left something touch his ear.

A flinch jerked him to the side, but the hand did not relent it's touch.

Fingers groped and fondled at the helix of his ear, feeling at the curve there with a more than clear curiosity. Kasim stood, frozen, his expression growing from certain death to simple concern. "What the fuck."

The words spilled from his mouth without thought.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

The curse seemed to resonate throughout the sodden Human's body. To his benefit he didn't move, instead stood shock still as the Eldari in essence, would fondle his ear as if to determine if it was true.

Oh, the other wasn't spared the attention, for, in a quick moment, Illyria gave a curt, "Termáre!" instructing him to stay still. All the while she managed to pull off a Moonshadow cloth glove, intending to feel the helix of Kasim's ear for herself again.

This time, the source of the soft radiance of light could be discerned to come from her skin. There was distinct bioluminescence illuminating from her flesh. It was an even cast, almost akin to the aura that a candle could contain if one stared at it for too long.

Long, slender fingers might have been a bit distracting as they went to verify if Kasim's other ear was a match.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

Kasim liked to have his ears nibbled as much as the next guy, but this was a bit much even for him. As she felt up his ears the Jester couldn't help but feel goosebumps trail all over his body. The odd sensation of her fingers flexing and folding the rounded tops of his ears was nowhere near pleasant, more something he could not describe at all.

For some reason, he felt like he was being judged.

The fascination she had with his ears did make him think though. There were a few species in the world with ears different than his, though they were all rather strange in appearance. Tieflings, Komodi, and of course Elves. That list was by no means complete, but the last option on it made him wonder.

Was she some sort of elf?

Her skin glowed, which was something he'd never seen happen to an elf before, but she was...well immaculate. A complement that could be given to most elves.

Kasim frowned, trying to solve his own puzzle as the rain continued to pelt his skin.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

It was real. Not artificial or crafted from animal skin. There didn't seem to be some sort of illusion cast or glamour he used; Star Elves had an affinity at spotting what couldn't be seen much like shades and ghosts. Of course, that came with the drawback that it was easy to spot a Star Elf if their bioluminescence wasn't dampened by Moonshadow cloth.

The stranger now was standing there, still sodden and saturated from ocean water and the rain. Currently being poked and prodded like an earth rat for an experiment.

Either way, with Illyria confirming the truth of the matter, she now had to deal with it. Her trek to the Moon Elf lands may very well bring with it a new word. Certainly, the Elders would want to know.

Staring at him a bit closer, Illyria gave a frown. At this distance, she had an ability to get a better survey of his clothing. A flash of lightning and the pounding waves of the ocean drew her attention. She swung her head to the left, staring at the black waves.

Suddenly, her earlier flashes made sense. Turning back towards the stranger, Illyria gave him a distinct nudge for him to walk forward.

"Linne-, hilde," in that same melodic tone that would confuse the mind with its pleasant resonance.

He will come with her, Illyria decided.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Illyria Daemyar

Kasim frowned slightly as he felt the woman nudge him in his side. He was almost positive that she was form of Elf...or maybe a sprite of some sort. Her interest in his ears had been a pretty big clue, but her clothes and hood obscured most of her so he still couldn't be sure.

That coupled with that odd glow...no, he didn't really have an answer. His lips thinned, and his muscles seemed to ache as he took a single step forward.

The Jester knew that he was in no position to argue. He had no weapons to fight with, and on top of that his body was beginning to seize up from the cold. If he stayed out on the beach for much longer he would fall into what was called the Cold Blight in Vel Anir. It was a sickness of sort, brought on by being cold for too long.

Ones skin turned blue, feeling was lost, and eventually limbs would quite literally fall from the body.

Kasim did not want to lose his limbs, he didn't even want to lose a finger. He needed those.

So instead of arguing, instead of saying anything at all, he simply nodded his head and did as the elf clearly wanted him to do. He shivered with every step though, and he'd already begun to lose feeling over most of his body.

 

[Illyria Daemyar]

Ilyria would nudge and address the Human in that melodic language, guiding him along the black sand beach towards the jungles. He was lucky that they were near the southern end of the Eldari Isles where it was warmer. Had they've been situated north, where the chill of the sheer cliffs of the Sky Elves dominated, he'd have likely been frozen to the bone now.

None the less, Illyria was able to catch the increasing state of shivers and trembling from the Human. Do they not handle the rain well? A thought crossed her mind that with his clothing in tatters, he had no real protection from the elements. She wasn't an Ocean Elf that could manipulate water, nor was she a Sun Elf, capable of producing heat and fire with a summon of a Fire Crystal.

No, they had to go about this the old fashion way; by finding shelter. If she could recall correctly, there were a series of caverns up ahead along the basalt cliffs.

"Hurrime, hilde" Ilyria warned the stranger that he should hurry along the path. Slender glowing fingers would show him the way. " Or tye indóme freeze ana faire símen."

Otherwise, Human curiosity or not, he would freeze to death.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Kasim watched as she pointed a glow-stick of a finger in a direction, and then nodded in understanding.

As she spoke in that odd sing-song voice he picked out the word freeze. It wasn't obvious, her manner of speech made the words almost flow together, but he was trying to listen as carefully as he possibly could to everything she said. He had absolutely no context clues, but he guessed...hoped that she was trying to prevent him from freezing to death.

"I understand." The Jester said with a nod, moving along the path that she had pointed towards.

He tried to think of a handful of good things that the woman could be planning, mostly because he preferred that to the thought of her doing something bad.

As they moved, some of the feeling returned to his body, though the slashing cold of the rain continued to pelt at him. Eventually white sand turned to rock, and Kasim found himself moving along the edges of jagged cliffs. In the back of his mind a thought crept up, an idea of her sacrificing her to some sea-beast.

His head shook, dispersing the thought as ridiculous. At least I hope it is.