Cyree stayed with the Roberts and his family in Capetown; another small port town in Setheron. Robert’s family was almost a second family for Cyree. In the winter months the water ways froze and the icebergs made the sailing dangerous so few ships that weren’t desperate risked it. Cyree helped raise Roberts’s two kids and got along well enough with his wife.
Springtime came a little slow, and Cyree made here way to south most islands. Even the south islands still had snow on them, and the wind blew with a quite a nip. Cyree had to catch passage on a Thelian ship. The Thelians are elves known for their sailing prowess. They had the best ships and were the only ones that could make it across the ocean safe and in a fast manner. Other people referred to them as high elves, but the Thelians preferred the name of their island home. Cyree dreaded sailing with them again. While they were good and disciplined they were also very boring; everything proper and fine. They have no real personality on the surface. But she knew it was the only way to go south. She knew of the lands to the south. They were populated by humans and the Thelians island home was down there. Even the Avelar used to live on an island there before their paradise home Kelendar was found again.
Cyree got passage on the Fleece, a Thelian merchant ship. The captain’s name is Mikis and he was a nice enough sort. But the trip was boring for Cyree. There was nothing for her to do and they yelled at her when she would climb the rigging or sneak at top the crow’s nest. She was a sailor on board a ship she wasn’t aloud to crew. She was the only passenger so no one to really talk to. She had started her sailor days aboard a Thelian boat. Her mom had arranged it. It was the only way that her parents would agree to letting her leave. She had long forgotten the name of the captain and that ship. She was on it a good week when they were besieged by pirates. The Pirates just wanted the cargo and they were about to leave when Cyree invoked the Right of the Sea. It’s an old outdated right in which a passenger would be unharmed to make a deal with the captain. It origins have been lost and it was a surprise to everyone when she used it. But no one was really surprised that of all the people, and Avelar would use it. Avelar are immortal; they don’t die of old age. So, there are many things thought lost to time that the Avelar have full knowledge of. The Avelar are also well known for playing by their own rules. They see the big picture and because of the many, many times the race has saved civilization as it is known, they are given lean way. So, Cyree was let to meet the captain. And she told of her story of wanting to sail and her knowledge of sailing. But the Thelians were not the people she wanted to sail with. She was accepted on and it was suspected she would be dropped off at a port shortly. No one figured she’d stay for thirty years with them.
But that life was over now and soon she was in waters she hadn’t sailed. The Thelian ship was faster then she had been used to, it was good to feel the wind on her face. Dispite the fast ship the time went by slow. She wondering around the ship a few dozen times before anything interesting happened. And when things got interesting, they got devastatingly interesting. A storm stirred up out of the southern waters. It was on them in moments with little time to try to avoid it. The waters became rough and the sea got angry. The waves easily topped a hundred feet and it was not long before the whole ship was taken under. The storm died down fast after that. It had what it wanted.
She awoke with a bit pf water in her lungs. She was on a beach with the rest of the sailors. Some were still unconscious and many were injured. The Captain was one of the victims. The first mate was organizing the men to look around. The beach ran north and south, to the west was the water and the east was dense jungle. Cyree helped with the wounded for a few days. The sailors that had gone to explore the jungle never came back and this had the first mate worried. Cyree, like so many of her people, decided it was best to check it out for herself. So, she went with the second patrol even though the first mate was against the idea. The patrol had a hard time traveling. The roots and and trees seemed to hamper their movement, but not Cyree’s. She was moving along easily, as simple as walking across grass. She soon out distanced them in her impatience to find something. As she waited for them to catch up, they never did. She went back looking for them, but they were just gone. At that point she saw a large falcon like creature fly over head letting out a large cry. She followed it from the ground. It lead her to a city, and abandoned city. The jungle had not overgrown it at all even though it looked to be abandoned for at least a century.
The great bird flew around a few buildings and landed next to a fountain in the town square. Cyree went up to the creature, it stood a few feat taller then her. It was a griffin. There were a few chosen Avelar that had a relation with Griffins and used them as mounts. It is a partnership that originated shortly after Kelendar was lost and has been kept in practice by some even after Kelendar was found.
On the stairs to what was probably the capital of this city sat an Avelar. He is older the Cyree and one she knows well. He’s a family friend and the Philosopher King, the title of the ruler of the Avelar. He is Flynnderon, known as Flynnderon the Young. His name sake is Flynnderon the Sage, one of the most respected and intelligence of all Avelar; best known for being one of the heroes of the Valentane.
“Cyree, Cyree, Cyree…..welcome to Avelar, our home during the time the Kelendar was lost to us,” Flynnderon said.
“Um, Sir, we need some assistance. I was on a Thelian ship that crashed near here. The sailors will need help getting out of here. Also, I think there are some patrols that have been lost in the forest that will need to be found.” Cyree replied.
“It’s okay. Another Thelian ship will pick them up shortly. The ones that are lost will be taken back to the others on the shore. The jungle doesn’t like uninvited guests walking through it.” Flynnderon answered.
“So, I’m an invited guest? Because they had problems just walking through there, while it seemed as I was on a clear path.” Cyree said confused.
“You’re an Avelar, this island was made for us and welcomes us home. Even though nobody uses it anymore, the magic is still there for when we need it.”
“Did you bring me here? The ship hit a sudden storm and crashed here? Was that your doing?” Cyree said accusingly.
“Not me, that was Pontus from my understanding. When you go to the gods for help, they can at times take interest and involve themselves a bit more in your life then you’re used to. Gods use their people just as the peoples use the gods. Except it’s rarely seen how they work through us or around us. Then of course sometimes it’s less subtle as the crash your ship where they want it to be crashed. I’ve done the deeds of the gods, I’m sure of it. I’ve never been the holiest of people; I’ve honored the gods but never devoted myself to them. But Gildain is devoted to Voltar, and I’ve seen how that can be useful. Voltar gave him the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords and made him the ruler of the dwarves, much to his dismay. Sometimes the gods choose lives for us that we wouldn’t have chosen ourselves. Just be careful about making yourself to well known to them. They are their own beings and want they want might not be what you want.” Flynnderon responded.
“Why are you telling me this? I’m not mixing myself up with anyone like that. I just want to scratch my brain, get rid of this itch. “Cyree said frustrated.
“Your itch as you call it is perplexing. I can’t recall ever hearing about anything like that among the Avelar. At any rate I’m recommending you go to the city of Thesden in the country of Caladonia. It’s a good, well traveled city. I have a few friends still there. It’s the place I first meet Gildain so it can’t be all that bad.” Flynnderon said with a tone that suggested he was remembering old times.
“Um…sure. At least it’s a direction. Just how do I get there?” Cyree asked.
“I can teleport you to the Wine cellar of the Grinning Goblin. It’s a good inn that my friend owns. Actually he is the great grand son of my friend but he’s known to me and I’m known to him. Thesden will be one of the friendlier places you’ll find. Since the Avelar have left their world, we have gotten stranger reactions from people. Even when we lived there we were a rare sight, now you will probably be the Avelar these people will meet in their lifetime.“ Flynnderon cautioned.
“That’s fine. I got more then a few odd encounters being the “Sailing Avelar of the Setheron” and meeting people is always fun.” Cyree answered.
“Good. By the way I have a small present for you. It’s a mystery in itself. It’s called a Dragon Dagger. It can create a magical fire around it. An old friend, Ebin, had a collection of them. He never found them all. It seems each is unique and there is one crafted for each kind of dragon. And there are many different kinds out there. He never figured out who made them or why. But it’s a good weapon, and should help if trouble arises.” Flynnderon presented her with a finely crafted dagger. The handle was that of a dragon and the blade looked like fire coming out of its mouth.
”Thanks” she said as Flynnderon started to cast his spell “Wait, I still have some questions.”
“The young always do,” he replied with a smile,” seek your own answers. The answers you find are more rewarding then the answers you are told.”
The city faded around her and in its place was a wine cellar.