Songs of Reamere: Preparations

Published Apr 14, 2022, 10:16:39 AM UTC | Last updated May 11, 2022, 12:16:43 PM | Total Chapters 3

Story Summary

Something is driving southern resident narwhalions from Reamere up north to the sea of Idamir, and creating an unhealthy competition for food with the local wildlife. Upon hearing the rumors of a monstrous creature attacking ships in the sea of Reamere, Samwell and his rider Anuk decide to embark on a journey to investigate the issue, and with luck, resolve it.

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Chapter 1: Preparations

The Idamir Sea was especially cold that evening when Samwell went on his last rounds of the day, checking in on the bevies of waddles and herding back any that might have strayed from the kelp forest near the shore. After this, he headed further out into the more open ocean to gather the narwhalion pods back for the night. Of late, many new pods were appearing in the Idamir, and it was beginning to cause tensions between them and the local populations as food became more scarce. What was more, the transient pods were hunting not only fish, but also some of the larger inhabitants of the Idamir sea, including the waddle bevies. Samwell and his compatriot the young Seawulf had found themselves having to drive off the new narwhalions more and more frequently as their numbers grew. It was a problem that would need to be resolved soon, before the balance of the natural order there become too disrupted.

Upon finishing his duties, Samwell returned to the icy cliffs that his rider called home. Below them was the sea cave in which Samwell slept, and where the sea sled was kept when not in use. The old sea lycan pulled himself weightily out of the water and onto the mostly dry rocks of the cavern. His rider Anuk was waiting for him there, so as to hear the nightly report.

“Southern narwhalions continue to arrive and compete with our residents for food. Seawulf works tirelessly to keep them at bay, but I fear they will soon grow too many, and overhunt this area.”

Anuk put his hand to his chin with one hand, and tapped his staff against the ground with his other.

“Hmm.” He said, his voice dry with age. “This is most concerning. Something is driving the southern residents here, up from the Reamere.”

“The Remere?”

“Yes. Something there is attacking ocean vessels and scaring away the sealife, leaving little to hunt. So the narwhalions migrate north where the food is plenty. The waters have told me as much, but their murmuring is cluttered and jumbled. I do not yet know the exact cause of this upset. On the morrow I would like to visit the nearby towns and see if I might glean more information on the matter from those inland.”

Samwell agreed, and the next morning he swam Anuk over to the straight between the towns of Norwall and Hendwall, waiting at the water’s edge as the human inquired at each of the towns. When he returned, his expression was somber.

“Rumor among the peoples speaks of a great beast that hunts down any ship that ventures too far from the shores of the main fishing village near Sol. A shortage in fish plagues the city now, and the situation grows more dire. I fear we must again journey south to investigate, and perhaps put a stop to whatever haunts the waters of Reamere.”

Samwell was silent. The human did not lightly abandon his post there, lest harm might come to the flocks, or worse yet a stryx and rider be lost to the waves by trying to cross the sea. It was not so long ago that the two of them had ventured to the grand city of Sol in it’s time of need against Senka, the Wraith. That had been a relatively short trip however. To investigate, and likely help to solve a dangerous mystery in Reameren waters could take a much longer stretch of time.

“Do you intend to leave Seawulf again?” Samwell inquired after a small while of silence between them.

“I do.”

“Does it not worry you? He is still young, and inexperienced. Would not it be better that I watch the Idamir?”

“You aught to have more faith in our good Seawulf. He is less experienced, yes. And oft to go too harshly on the flocks. He possesses more youth, however, and is rather quick finned. I do believe he would be a better choice to keep the southern residents at bay. In addition, I would rather your experience accompany me, should what we find in the south be of particular danger.”

Samwell nodded in understanding. “I see. Very well. I shall seek him out and deliver the instruction. We shall leave soon, then?”

“We shall. I need a few days time to prepare, and then we shall head south. I pray we not be needed for too long.”

The next few days were spent between the daily work, and preparations to leave. They would have to pack enough food, fresh water, furs, and other supplies for the long journey ahead. It would take a few more days of traveling to reach the southernmost waters of Reamere. Finally, the sea sled was filled properly with the supplies they would need, and the next morning they would embark once again to dangers unknown. The sea lycan rested long that night, knowing he would have to swim far in the next days.

The morning after was a stormy one. The sea was dark and angry, waves crashing into the sea cave with great force. It was as though the waters were loath for them to go. Such conditions made it difficult to attach the sled to Samwell, and even moreso to navigate out of the rocky cave and into the open water. It was something Anuk had done countless time before however. In fact the sled was used in rough weather as this more often than in the calm, as it was what they used to rescue any stryx or riders that became caught in the storms while attempting to fly over the sea. The sled was large enough to stand against the roughest waves, and while carrying stryx as large as gryphs. For now though, it need only carry Anuk and their supplies, which it did without difficulty. Once they were free from the rocks, Samwell cut through the waves with relative ease, his internal compass guiding him east to the Pernese Seas, and from there, the Reamere...

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