Post by The Librarian on Sept 2, 2011 5:35:41 GMT -8
“You lost the line!” Phaen exclaimed passing a bottle of ale to her tiller man.
“I did not, you set the rigging against the current!” Joel replied taking the bottle and uncorking it.
They both laughed as they sat looking down on two days haul off the southern coast of Jhelom. Fishing had not only put Phaen’s body to work, harder than it had in some time. But it also freed her mind of the concerns she had been consumed with on land. Smiling brightly she thought over the past two days hard work, her hands ached from hauling net, her back ached from the strain of the labor but she felt a peace had returned to her mind.
“Who knew fishing could be therapy?” she said out loud taking a long draw on her bottle.
“You darlin’ Joel said pointing at her past his own bottle, “will never really develop land legs, ya been at sea all yer life and you may be happy at yer inn in the mountains but you will never be free of this old mistress.” Joel slapped the side of the Twilight Dreamer and pointed out to the horizon across the deep blue green expanse of water. “Many men have found love in the arms of more than one woman, no reason you can’t either. Just don’t neglect one for the other both can become jealous but this one,” Joel stamped his foot on the deck of the ship,’ this one will kill ya if you neglect, or disrespect her.”
Phaen nodded she knew all to well the dangers of becoming complacent about a ship or the sea; there really was no more wrathful mistress when made jealous. Too many good sailors and friends had been lost to the oceans jealousy. Phaen was happy to see the dolphins off the bow their first afternoon out, as she sat sails fully unfurled catching all the wind they could speeding then across the water wind whipping her hair across her face. It was always a good omen to see the dolphins while out for a good haul. They raced the dolphins for a good time before they had to tack to good fishing waters.
Phaen smiled remembering her dreams from the night before, her and Elisandra racing each other through the waves trying to catch the sun before it sank below the horizon. Diving, jumping and swimming as fast as they could, racing for the gold and crimson of the setting sun. James calling out their progress as a seagull soaring on the currents of air hovering above them as they crossed the sea in their pursuit. Phaen thought she needed to remember to tell Eli of this dream; it had been so free and exhilarating.
Phaen’s attention came back to the present when she heard the low rumble of laughter that was Harkoen approaching the ship. Hark a second father to Phaen was the best man to bring their haul to, a fair price and it kept business in the family where it belonged.
“I ain’t cleaning them, you can hire some dock boys to do that for you!” Phaen yelled down to the dock.
“You lazy tadpole, think you’re above us sea folk living up on Yer Mountain?” Harkoen yelled back.
“Ha! Several hundred feet above ya as a matter of fact.” Phaen replied winking at Harkoen.
The two embraced when Hark boarded the Dreamer and walked over to the fish they had hauled in. Hark’s eyes widened when he saw all they had brought in.
“This is a good haul, and I can use it. Jink and the maiden have come up short the past month or so. They headed back out this morning but asked I say hi and send over their love.” Hark said rubbing his chin.
“Jink falling behind the Maidens berthing fees or have any other needs Hark?” Phaen asked.
“Jink is still in the black don’t you worry bout him.” Hark said lowly. “I think market price minus 20% is fair darlin don’t you?” Hark offered.
“Aye Hark, fair and square.” Phaen replied shaking on the deal, “though put the gold in Joel’s account, I am fine myself.” Phaen whispered.
“You really doing well for yerself up there at yer inn?” Harkoen questioned.
“You and dad need to come spend a weekend with me, I promise you a time unlike you have ever experienced before!” Phaen answered with a wink.
“I… may just take ya up on that offer littlun.” Hark said quietly.
Phaen left Hark and Joel with the ship and the haul to settle accounts and clear the deck. Once everything was battened down Joel would berth the Dreamer and head home to his wife and family. Phaen went to the bank to deposit some treasures they had fished up and asking the virtues to guide her home targeting her rune marked for the Winters Rose she returned to the sturdy rock of her mountain hideaway feeling the chill breeze off the new snow and taking a deep breath of clean mountain air free of sea brine. Phaen smiled thinking of her two lovers so separate yet both needed.
“I did not, you set the rigging against the current!” Joel replied taking the bottle and uncorking it.
They both laughed as they sat looking down on two days haul off the southern coast of Jhelom. Fishing had not only put Phaen’s body to work, harder than it had in some time. But it also freed her mind of the concerns she had been consumed with on land. Smiling brightly she thought over the past two days hard work, her hands ached from hauling net, her back ached from the strain of the labor but she felt a peace had returned to her mind.
“Who knew fishing could be therapy?” she said out loud taking a long draw on her bottle.
“You darlin’ Joel said pointing at her past his own bottle, “will never really develop land legs, ya been at sea all yer life and you may be happy at yer inn in the mountains but you will never be free of this old mistress.” Joel slapped the side of the Twilight Dreamer and pointed out to the horizon across the deep blue green expanse of water. “Many men have found love in the arms of more than one woman, no reason you can’t either. Just don’t neglect one for the other both can become jealous but this one,” Joel stamped his foot on the deck of the ship,’ this one will kill ya if you neglect, or disrespect her.”
Phaen nodded she knew all to well the dangers of becoming complacent about a ship or the sea; there really was no more wrathful mistress when made jealous. Too many good sailors and friends had been lost to the oceans jealousy. Phaen was happy to see the dolphins off the bow their first afternoon out, as she sat sails fully unfurled catching all the wind they could speeding then across the water wind whipping her hair across her face. It was always a good omen to see the dolphins while out for a good haul. They raced the dolphins for a good time before they had to tack to good fishing waters.
Phaen smiled remembering her dreams from the night before, her and Elisandra racing each other through the waves trying to catch the sun before it sank below the horizon. Diving, jumping and swimming as fast as they could, racing for the gold and crimson of the setting sun. James calling out their progress as a seagull soaring on the currents of air hovering above them as they crossed the sea in their pursuit. Phaen thought she needed to remember to tell Eli of this dream; it had been so free and exhilarating.
Phaen’s attention came back to the present when she heard the low rumble of laughter that was Harkoen approaching the ship. Hark a second father to Phaen was the best man to bring their haul to, a fair price and it kept business in the family where it belonged.
“I ain’t cleaning them, you can hire some dock boys to do that for you!” Phaen yelled down to the dock.
“You lazy tadpole, think you’re above us sea folk living up on Yer Mountain?” Harkoen yelled back.
“Ha! Several hundred feet above ya as a matter of fact.” Phaen replied winking at Harkoen.
The two embraced when Hark boarded the Dreamer and walked over to the fish they had hauled in. Hark’s eyes widened when he saw all they had brought in.
“This is a good haul, and I can use it. Jink and the maiden have come up short the past month or so. They headed back out this morning but asked I say hi and send over their love.” Hark said rubbing his chin.
“Jink falling behind the Maidens berthing fees or have any other needs Hark?” Phaen asked.
“Jink is still in the black don’t you worry bout him.” Hark said lowly. “I think market price minus 20% is fair darlin don’t you?” Hark offered.
“Aye Hark, fair and square.” Phaen replied shaking on the deal, “though put the gold in Joel’s account, I am fine myself.” Phaen whispered.
“You really doing well for yerself up there at yer inn?” Harkoen questioned.
“You and dad need to come spend a weekend with me, I promise you a time unlike you have ever experienced before!” Phaen answered with a wink.
“I… may just take ya up on that offer littlun.” Hark said quietly.
Phaen left Hark and Joel with the ship and the haul to settle accounts and clear the deck. Once everything was battened down Joel would berth the Dreamer and head home to his wife and family. Phaen went to the bank to deposit some treasures they had fished up and asking the virtues to guide her home targeting her rune marked for the Winters Rose she returned to the sturdy rock of her mountain hideaway feeling the chill breeze off the new snow and taking a deep breath of clean mountain air free of sea brine. Phaen smiled thinking of her two lovers so separate yet both needed.