Set Sail

"I see it's finished," said a soft voice from behind.

Sellen turned to watch a gorgeous jeweled mantibab strut up to him. Her scales sparkled in the dimming dusk, the sun laying down for her rest until dawn. The shimmering reminded him of the ocean glimmering in the sunlight. He smiled, leaning his head to the side as he glanced toward his vessel. "Yes, my love. It's finally done."

The boat was small, able to fit one abled body into the hull with some room to stand on the prow for navigation. The sails hung fresh, still shimmering from when he was handed the material from the two strange crederians. The shipwright was also a huge help, allowing the kanti to save some time.

"Where do you plan to sail? You've never been on a boat in your life," asked the mantibab, settling herself into the sand. Paws spread to allow the shore between her toes.

"I might visit Prika's Steps. It's busy this time of year," he answered, setting himself across from her. Both watched the horizon as the sun nestled beneath into the ether to allow the moon her time. The couple sat there half the night, discussing and planning for the future, knowing they had obligations in the morning. They did not care. The world stopped for a while.

Eventually, the mantibab stood from her sandy bed and said her goodnight. She had to return home to their child, no doubt asleep with cozy dreams floating around his head. Sellen watched her until he couldn't view her figure any longer, lost to the darkness, yet he still searched. He hoped once the first rays of sunlight veiled the beach, she would shine against it. Alas, he was alone. The ocean was his only companion that morning.

Today was the day, however. The day Sellen would set sail and explore around the reef beds and possibly the islets. Who knew where the wind would take him? The kanti enthusiastically pushed his vessel off the shore, jumping in to pull the mast down, exposing his symbol. He smiled as pride swelled against his chest. "Let us sail forward!"

The gale on the Eladrian Sea was strong, letting Sellen soar across the surface effortlessly. The smooth currents allowed his vessel to race through the reef and into deeper waters. Flying fish sprang up from the surface, following the bow in rhythm. Sellen tilted his head up, breathing in the fresh ocean air, allowing his hair to flow behind him much like the boat trail he left in his wake. There was nothing more thrilling and relaxing than sailing, which he had never done before. Now he understood immediately why so many found solace in a ship.

Even so, he would rather soar underneath the surface.

With the sun now at peak height, Sellen could view the small islets of Prika's Steps. He couldn't yet hear the roar of the crowds from the races but could imagine the crowd. He wondered how different it would be from the festivals in Lothian. They were pretty large, but not dense. He wondered if Lothric would be enthusiastic to try the games here, they seemed up his alley. The jeweled kanti had doubts the red kanti would back down from any challenge, nervous or not.

Soon the roar of the crowd could be heard, and the hum of crowds buzzed lowly over the entire island. Sellen parked his vessel to the side since it was smaller than most of the others there. He'd drag it ashore some to keep it from sailing away from him.

"Prika's Steps," he said, standing before the entrance. "Let's see what you have to offer."