System Break

The river swept from the high mountains, through the hills and down towards the coast. The last few miles it snaked through the north western edge of the forest. Where it met the sea it cut through the land with cliffs on the southern bank and hills on the north.

Reyas and Addo rowed carefully for two miles while the other sailors constantly checked the rivers depth. 

I stood with the captain. "There's a bank around the next bend."

He nodded and waited patiently as we steadily moved upstream. When we wound past the bend and the bank came into view he nodded and smiled. "This is good. Can we tie to a tree?" He pointed. "The sand is good there, no rocks."

"Hand me a rope," I said, and a sailor scampered to comply.

The captain called down to Addo. "All stop." And the oars began to catch and brought us to a stop.

With rope in hand I leaped off the upper deck and flew through the air. I landed on the sand and run up the bank. The rope was tied to the front of the boat and I began to pull it slowly but surely up to the sand until the captain called, "Halt. Tie it off, we should stay afloat, and our bottom is touching."

The river was wide in this section at least sixty feet across. Everyone baring Addo disembarked to stretch their legs on dryland.

I walked with the captain and Kysandre. "We can build docks here, maybe a cabin and stock it with some supplies. What do you think?"

Kysandre smiled. "Do not put yourselves out. Is this what you want?" 

The captain nodded. "Hopefully you're not here long. But it is a good spot. Sheltered from a storm and plenty of wood for repairs."

"We like to make friends with good people. We can start small, docks, a cabin or two and over time maybe more. It was so much faster to come by ship and while we love killing monsters its not something everyone can do. You opened my eyes to the sea not for fishing but as a highway."

"You are the only madman who loves rowing on the high sea. Anyone else lets the wind do the work."

I laughed. "It was good exercise."

He waved his hand. "Build your docks if you want. It is a good spot and I will tell the others."

I grinned. "You cannot take any wood without asking. Our elders will decide what we can trade."

"Where do you live - is it far from here?"

"Yes, but we know what happens all over the forest. It would be unwise if someone thought they could sneak in and take something. If someone comes here we will be on our way if not here already."

A growl sounded from the forest and the captain jumped.

I held my arms open and a large dark bear charged between the trees. Kysandre looked at me nervously and her father backed away as fast as he could while the bear reared, waddled, and wrapped its paws around me.

"I missed you too Dark Bear." The bear proceeded to lick my face and growl his annoyance. He had grown at least double in size since I last saw him.

All the fisherfolk stared in disbelief but I was oblivious. Dark Bear was now bigger and heavier than me. Standing on his hind legs he was just as tall. I held him at arm's length. "Wow, you've grown. Been eating your wheaties?"

His low growl sounded like a whine. 

"I know you only eat qi and honey," I replied.

Kysandre asked, "Is that your bear?"

"Mine? No he doesn't belong to me. We're connected." He growled and I laughed. "No, I don't belong to you." I turned to Kysandre. "See what you started? He understands everything you say."

She was stunned and it took time for her find her voice. She marvelled at the bear and cooed at him until I shooed him back into the forest. The poor sailors were beside themselves.

"Will you stay long?" I asked the captain.

He shook his head. "I will miss you daughter." He gave her a hug then jumped into the water and climbed onto his boat.

I waved at Gisael and Reyas. "Go, find your bear and bring news. We will follow."

Gisael flicked her head. "Snow is there. She was waiting for permission to come to us. And the others will know we are here."

I smiled. "Even your bear is more sensible than mine."

She bared her teeth. "Of course. But I will go. The others are eager for news."

I waved at the captain and his crew. Kysandre stood on the bank, watched, and waited until they were out of sight.

She sighed. "I have nothing except the clothes on my back."

I laughed. "You'll soon find that clothes are optional."

She obliged by turning a shade of red. 

"You'll get used to it. But don't worry we can get you some nice leathers and we have weavers who make fine clothes."

"Leathers like Gisael?"

I nodded.

"Except boots. I need boots," she said.

"Sure. No problem." Other than our relationship with the mountainfolk wasn't fantastic, but now we knew that qi cores were better received than bars of gold.

Ailen was looking down at the river. "That's a brilliant idea. We could build a trading post here. Do you think we could build our own boat?"

"If we have our own boat why do we need a trading post? I like the boat idea we could ask the experts to build us one. What do you think Kysandre?"

She nodded. "There is a shipbuilder amongst my folk. They would fall in love with this forest, so you would have to let them down gently. Where you see a home they see timber for ships."

"Can we pay in qi cores?" I asked.

She looked thoughtful. "Yes it's valuable and even if they do not use it themselves they can trade it for whatever they want."

I nodded and thought. "I'll talk to Mother and the others first."

"When do I meet the mother?" Kysandre asked.

I laughed. "Just call her Mother. Like a name or title, it's both."

A fish jumped in the river. Ailen pointed and said, "I can fish now, but can we eat one?"

We laughed and Kysandre smiled.

I held out my arms out and took in a deep breath. "It's good to be home." I cast a glance at the pair. "Ailen can you guide Kysandre to the glade."

"Sure."

"I'm going to stretch my legs."