Centuries Deep (Peregrine x catalyst)

[Peregrine]

Although Ashana and Henrika led the ritual, they weren't the only ones who participated. Other people gathered along the Barracuda's railings, scattering offerings of gratitude into the wind. The wind and water picked them up delicately, surrounding the ship in endless eddies of colored powders and floating bobbers.

Most who spent their lives on the sea were followers of the Storm God to one degree or other. The correct winds were a blessing, getting trapped in still bands could lead the unprepared to death. What's more, the ocean was a fickle mistress, and fearsome storms could create such damage as to leave a ship stranded in the middle of the ocean.

Even the most stoic paused for a moment to bow their heads and give gratitude. The ships doctor Igor paused to lean against the mast, arms crossed and lips pressed together. However, in the end, he still bowed slightly, hiding his rounded features from the wind and covertly scattering a little bit of moonshine from the flask at his waist. Galijah and his assistant Kaisek came out of the kitchen, each holding a handful of vivid green lime zest and letting the wind pick it up off their hands before retreating back under the forecastle. Even Samiel came out to deck, watching the endless swirling colors, before muttering a soft prayer and heading back below.

The only person who did not make an appearance was also the only one who could be the reason for this phenomenon. The door to the captain's quarters remained solidly shut, no sign of a dark-haired man coming out to pay courtesy to divine miracle. For several moments, Dahlia kept one eye on the door, waiting to see if the captain would make an appearance.

It was unusual for the captain to leave himself so secluded from the crew. Even if he rarely ever participated in any worship, the crew's excitement in the wake of the storm was almost always enough to lure him outside. However, Varen had been behaving differently ever since they'd picked up the Oracle, and Dahlia wasn't the only one who noticed it. All of the crew had exchanged whispers about his reclusive behavior, and what it could mean.

However, Dahlia gave up on her ill-fortuned wait only a few moments later, nodding slightly to the stunned Oracle before approaching the forecastle. She kneeled and bowed to the wind three times, before lifting a handful of brilliant shell dust she'd collected from seashores around the globe. Within seconds, the wind had swept away her offering, which was swallowed up amongst the colored dye and spices the two Storm Priests continued to fling into the air.

However, after her offering was complete, Dahlia moved over to the railing, dropping her legs down between the posts and letting the water reach up to splash on her boots, even as she leaned her face against one of the ship's railings. Barring the few who had other jobs, she wasn't the only one who settled at a comfortable spot to watch the storm pass by like they'd been surrounded by a glass bubble. Some of the most intrepid crew members even scrambled their way up the rigging, joining Jake up in the crow's nest to share a round of drinks.

The storm went on for hours. But carried forward by the steady wind, the Barracuda made excellent progress on its seemingly endless journey north. When the last of the clouds faded away, it was already well past sunset. The occasional bright star glinted in the inky darkness. Simun handed the wheel over to his apprentice for a few minutes, bringing out the sextant to determine their current position after the blessing of the wind.

In the several days that followed, everything on the ship went back to its standard rhythms. The ship continued to make gradual but steady progress north, the crew hauled ropes, played card games, ate regular meals, and even set up the occasional fight. However word-of-mouth quickly spread that they'd saved almost three days of sailing in the storm, as if the storm avoiding them the whole way through wasn't enough of a blessing.

Several days later, a cold wind blew across the ship, ruffling Simun's pale hair. He knocked against the door to the Captain's Quarters before calling out.

"Chief? We're nearing Port Venkateswara. ...I'm not the only one wondering what happens next."

After a few moments, Varen called him in.

Perhaps mirroring the state of its inhabitant, the Captain's quarters had also grown somewhat messy in the time that passed. Papers were littered across multiple surfaces, maps stacked on top of each other. Several books laid catawampus across the floor, looking only a few moments away from toppling over. There was a residual mess of ink spilled across a table, clearly having dripped over the edge and onto the floor, then been left to dry.

Varen sat on the couch, feet propped on the table. He stared at Simun, eyes narrowing slightly as he pondered over how much to tell his Sailing Master. Eventually, he lifted one hand, idly scratching at the stubble that had grown across his face, and was now threatening to transform into a full beard. He couldn't be bothered to shave. Not when there were so many things to check and verify and plan for, and so little time to organize it all.

"We'll be docked for two weeks, maybe more."

Varen's words caused Simun's brows to shoot up. "That long. What will we be doing at Port?"

"Nothing," Varen spat out. "I'll be leading a smaller group further inland." His eyes unconsciously drifted to the map on the wall, lingering over the invisible marker that corresponded to the Oracle's pointed finger, a spot which seemed positively branded into his mind at this point.

"In the meantime, you, Dahlia, and Errik will be responsible for the ship and crew." They were responsible leaders, but still had a firm enough hand that they'd be able to keep a bunch of chaotic, rowdy pirates from burning down anything important.

And speaking of his crew, it was rare for them to get any form of extended shore leave. "They're free to do what they want during the break, so long as they don't run wild. If anyone gets kicked out of Venkateswara before I'm ready to leave, let them know they can head out and not come back. And if anyone misses my return, I'll also be leaving them behind. No slip ups will be tolerated here."

"Yes, Chief," Simun agreed promptly, before hesitating. Varen rolled his eyes, cutting the other man off before he could have a chance to continue.

"No, I'm not telling you where I'm going, why, or exactly how long it'll take. I don't care it's unreasonable. Call Taliah, Sam, Hayri, and Taivo to my quarters. They'll be the ones coming along for the trip."

"Yes, Chief," Simun repeated, sighing slightly before heading back towards the door.

"Oh," Varen continued, causing Simun to pause in his steps. "Make sure the Oracle and her guard come along, too. They'll get their wish to leave the ship this time."

Varen only heard a long, slow sigh filled with endless suffering before Simun closed the door once more.

 

[catalyst]

Seeing all walks of life come together to participate in prayer wasn't off-putting. In fact, it was rather uplifting. But seeing the likes of this particular crew, which was mostly made up of devil worshippers, marvel together in the midst of such a miracle was... Khelida wasn't sure what to make of it. Should it have been even more uplifting? Maybe it should it have topped her faith, filled her spirit. One look at Myran confirmed that was what the young guardian felt. But...

No luck spotting the captain. But seeing so many folks come out of the shadows with their offerings reminded the Oracle to do the same. Accompanied by Myran, the pair left and returned to the deck in the span of only a few minutes, gifts in hand. Finding a spot at the railing, they let their hands drop and the offerings with it. From Khelida, a polished abalone shell, the size of a hand, that she used for smudging. And inside sat three, small moonstones, their cloudy sheen contrasting against the deep, iridescent blues, greens, and purples. From Myran, a handful of colorful sea glass and a stone from each beach she'd set foot on since serving the woman beside her. They watched as the shell, gems, and stones fell, fell, fell... only to be picked up and whisked away by the wind.

After that, the Oracle and her guardian sat back and watched.

She never saw Varen that day. Or in the many days following. Apparently, the Captain had holed himself up in his quarters, nobody seeing him - at least not that they told Life's Oracle. With no outlet for her questions, they festered in her mind. Not even speaking with Ashana would prove useful.

All that had been confirmed was the enigma that was the Barracuda and its captain. A giant, fat question mark that remained to stare right at Khelida, almost mockingly.

It wasn't long after the air began carrying an unfamiliar chill that they were nearing port. Khelida could feel it seep through the ship even in her quarters, but she didn't focus on it. Not with Myran there.

"Has the Captain mentioned yet what exactly he's after?" The redhead asked as she stared up at the ceiling from the mattress.

"I haven't even caught a glimpse of that man since before the storm."

Myran shook her head. "I've got a bad feeling about this, m'lady." Khelida briefly paused at that - it wasn't often Myran used formality with her. "A legendary ship that changes colors, with a dedicated devil-worshipping room, and a captain who hasn't aged in decades..." Ah. So Myran had cozied up to someone enough to learn that last bit, unless she'd simply picked up the rumor as a fly on the wall. But it was a question, a push to see how much Khelida herself had heard or knew. "God of Storms can bestow all the blessings he wants - nothing about this ship is right."

"All we can do for now is see where this takes us."

A huff in response at the annoyingly diplomatic answer - not even with a sigh! - but the subject was dropped. And then a knock sounded from the door. Summoned by Simun on Varen's behalf, the pair made their way to the Captain's quarters.

The familiar faces of the ship's quarter- and battle-masters peeked from behind two larger men: Hayri and Taivo, who - in Myran's opinion - always seemed like he would be a good drinking buddy. They seemed to have just arrived.

"Well, well. What fun does the Captain have planned for this little group?" Samiel crossed his arms as he regarded the completed group. Myran ignored him, but she smiled easily at Taliah.

 

[Peregrine]

Shepherded in by the ship's Sailing Master, Varen's selected members of the crew filed one after the other.

First to arrive was Taliah, who appeared only scant moments after Simun closed the door behind himself. The brown-haired woman leaned against the wall, arms folded, silently staring at Varen through half-lidded eyes. Clearly, even without any sort of introduction, she'd deduced that this next stop at port wouldn't be a normal one.

Taliah had always been one of the quickest in the crew to pick up on subtleties. It was part of what made her an excellent—and frustrating—Quartermaster.

Next in was Hayri, the bearded man looking around briefly after he entered the room. He nodded politely to Taliah, before somewhat awkwardly settling in to lean against a different wall. Although it was doubtless unintentional, from his position on the back wall, Varen couldn't help but think that the two of them looked like mirror image door sentinels, each only one wrong move away from jumping on some unsuspecting victim.

Samiel skulked in a minute or so later, slipping through the door before going to sprawl on the window couch next to Varen. Somehow, the man was able to look as though he was dominating the entire couch, even though he'd left plenty of room between himself and Varen, who was seated in the middle with his feet up on the table.

The room remained.in a silence sitting on the cusp of being either personable or simply awkward until the door heavily banged open. Hayri had to step abruptly to the side, having been only a few inches away from his shoulder getting whacked by the wooden portal. Taivo lumbered heavily into the room, a crooked smile causing his slightly squashed features to twist into something that more resembled a grimace of distaste than the likely intended chipper greeting. It didn't stop him from walking over to the table, taking a seat opposite Varen and Samiel.

"What's goin' on, Cap'n?" he asked, voice a rough growl.

"Just shut up and wait for a minute," Varen drawled back, waving one hand idly through the air. "We're still waiting for two more."

Taivo obligingly stopped talking.

The last two arrived in a pair, Myran's bright red hair seeming to catch the sunlight for a moment as she shepherded in the Oracle. Varen finally straightened, his feet dropping to the floor, eyes seeming to hold no one in the room other than the Oracle.

"We are in Venkashtan waters," he stated flatly. "It will be your responsibility to guide this group to the origin location of your Vision once we have docked."

 

[catalyst]

Khelida met and held Varen's gaze. "What an honor," she said with dry sarcasm. Myran bit back a snort, instead channeling it to the question that was on everyone's mind.

"Where did this vision lead you?"

The Oracle surveyed the room for what it was: a mess that matched its owner's disheveled state. She briefly met cool grey eyes again as if to say, "you've been busy," before moving to the old map. "Near Sūryaraśmi. It's-"

"Quite a journey from the port," Hayri noted.

Khelida nodded. "I haven't received more guidance on the specifics, but it's only a matter of time."

"The joys of a mystic." Samiel rolled his eyes and Khelida gave him an easy smile, knowing he wasn't the only one who shared that sentiment.

"We'll be ready, Cap'n," Taivo asserted with a nod. "Anythin' else?"

 

[Peregrine]

Varen nodded faintly at Khelida's comment that she hadn't received any further guidance on where they were going yet. He wasn't surprised, but her confidence that she would receive further guidance caused his eyes to drop half-closed in satisfaction. The rest of the crew studied the map, exchanging the occasional word.

"Speak to Errik to get the supplies you all need for the journey. We'll be traveling light and fast, so don't over-pack. Hayri, you'll be responsible for scouting and supplementing our supplies along the way, so give your pack to Taivo."

The two men nodded, seeming unsurprised by this particular division of labor. Taivo faced the two temple ladies in the group, offering them a smile that looked more like a sneer. "Yer free to give some of your stuff to me, too," he offered, only to be greeted by a faint laugh from Samiel.

"You really think it's them you should be making that offer to?" the man asked, blue eyes glinting slightly as a strange smile twisted across his lips.

"Enough." Varen firmly cut their banter off. "There's one more thing, and this one is important."

The Captain leaned forward, staring at them all one by one until he was sure he had their absolute attentinon.

"From the moment we leave this ship," he began, every word punctured with heavy emphasis. "To the moment we return. There shall be. No. Prayers."

Hayri and Taivo glanced at each other, brows raised slightly. Varen could guess exactly what they were thinking. On board the Barracuda prayers were a mandatory affair. Aside from the fact that it was how the crew prepared their blessings from the day, even the non-religious were required to offer a prayer to one of the statues in the worship room, regardless of their religious inclinations.

Yet now he was demanding the exact opposite of them.

Only Taliah didn't seem taken aback by his instructions. Instead, she stared at him with her eyes narrowed, brow faintly wrinkled.

"I don't care how much you need a blessing. Anyone caught trying to pray to the gods at any point on this journey will die immediately." Varen's eyes turned to Samiel, who offered him a small grin, and then Taliah, who nodded. Then his gaze turned towards the Oracle.

"This order includes you, Oracle," he continued. "Except if I catch you, it'll be the red-head who has to pay the cost. Is that clear?"

 

[catalyst]

While Myran side-eyed Taivo and Samiel, their words rolled off of Khelida like she hadn't heard them. Her attention was focused solely on the captain who had yet to waste words.

Hayri and Taivo weren't the only ones visibly surprised by Varen's orders. To not pray everyday... Khelida didn't doubt some of the crew's faith in their worship, but for many it was more of a habit than anything. And while it may not have been any harder than merely checking that habit for this selected group, it was different for Life's subjects. Praying wasn't half-assed or rushed; it was intentional.

And for Khelida in particular... it was compulsory, yes, but more than habit or duty. It was beyond a blessing, beyond a function. It was a connection.

One she had never blocked or cut.

Khelida didn't join in Myran's bristling, but there were embers behind her eyes and a hint of a smile. "Then with those terms, I pray the gods dare not make me useless."

 

[Peregrine]

The chosen group of travelers was dismissed from Varen's room, given the couple of hours until the Barracuda docked to make their preparations for the trip. Taivo made his way to the kitchen, filling a rough brown sack with jerky, hardtack, and other preserved foods that they'd be able to eat without preparation. By the time he also finished collecting tents, bedding, and general travel tools that would be needed to support the group, there was a massive pack stacked up on his back.

Despite that burden, he walked around with it comfortably, lips twisted and eyes half squinted as he checked in with each of the people to see if they had any final items they wanted to give him.

As the rest of the crew bustled around, throwing ropes and pulling in the sails as the ship moved into Venkateswara's port, Varen emerged from his quarters as well. He'd shaved in the time that had passed, and looked confident and refined once more, especially if his current appearance was compared to the messy presentation he'd had only a couple of hours ago. There was a small rucksack slung across his shoulders, clearly only just enough to hold some basic travel supplies and a change of clothes.

However, he had traded his usual light clothes and black boots for winter clothes appropriate for the northern weather. Heavy hiking boots encased his feet, both shirt and pants had been replaced by heavy leather clothing, and a grey-fur cowl wrapped around his shoulders.

Varen blatantly ignored the eyes of the crew, instead walking up to Simun. The blond haired man glanced over at him, before focusing his eyes on the port once more, letting out a long-suffering sigh. Varen snorted slightly, before marching up to the railing.

"We'll be in port for two weeks," he announced, voice carrying over the bustling deck and causing the people to momentarily fall quiet. "Simun, Errik, and Dahlia are in charge. Consider their orders law unless you intend to stay at this port forever." He paused, before laughing loudly. "Enjoy this bit of time off. We'll be setting off again the moment I'm back, and I intend to work you to the bone."

There was a faint cheer from the gathered people, before Varen strolled off to where the gangplank would shortly be lowered. Taliah and Taivo were already waiting there.

"Anything you need me carry, cap'n?" Taivo asked politely, only for Varen to wave him off loosely with one hand. Instead, he turned to Taliah, who had been almost boring a hole in the side of his head.

Varen offered her a toothy smile, before turning to lean against the railing, staring off at the approaching city. In the almost exact mirror of Simun only minutes before, Taliah sighed deeply.

 

[catalyst]

"I. Am. Dreading this," Myran nearly whispered as her and the Oracle stared out at the port of Venkateswara. Already, the temperature had greatly cooled and although they'd traversed many different climates and terrains together, it always took Myran longer to acclimate.

"Oh, Myran," Khelida replied with mocking concern as she finished braiding the last of her hair, "it'll be fine. This isn't the first time we've been in the cold, and this new gear we have is good quality."

"No, but staying in a village where it snows and trekking through a mountain range are two completely different things."

"Point taken, but did no one have any tips for you?" She'd spent at least twenty minutes going around asking everybody for winter-living advice.

"Ugh, half of it was ridiculous! Do you know what Cadan said? Don't eat yellow snow. Everybody knows that."

"It's sound advice."

Myran gave her a look. Khelida laughed and put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You prayed for no storms and blizzards, yes? I prayed for protection. I'm sure between all of us, blessings will covered our basic needs, at the very least."

"What I should've prayed for is for Captain Varen over there," she gestured towards said man as he made his way towards their meeting point, "to get humbled." Khelida followed her gaze, watching as he exchanged words with Taivo and... completely ignored Taliah. She looked annoyed. Khelida smiled to herself.

"We make it back here, and you may just see your prayer answered."

Finally joining the four near the gangplank, they didn't wait long for the rest of the crew. As soon as they made port, the excursion group set off. While Myran was busy chatting with Taivo, amazed at his strength, the Oracle removed herself from the middle to fall alongside Varen.

"Do you enjoy keeping everyone in suspense, or do you truly believe it's none of our business?" She asked half-jokingly.

 

[Peregrine]

Varen barely waited for the ship to be tied to the dock before hopping over the railing, landing with a deep reverberation on the wooden platform. Some of the dock hands helping to get the ship in place stared at him, but Varen utterly ignored their gaze. He ignored his own little group just as much, setting off at a slow stride along the edges of Venkateswara, heading for the northern gate of the city and leaving everyone scrambling to catch up with him.

However, before he reached the edges of the dock, they'd done just that. Samiel settled in a few steps behind him, hands liesurely shoved into the pockets of his jacket, the pack he'd been carrying only moments before now pointedly shoved into Taivo's hands, looking for all the world as though he was taking a casual stroll around the block, not about to head out for a week-long trek through untamed wilderness.

Taivo and Hayri followed him, comfortably walking side by side, keeping an eye out for pickpockets or anything else that might impede their passage. Taliah followed in the rear, making sure no one straggled and nothing was lost.

Varen barely bothered to glance sideways as Khelida jogged up to walk beside him. However, he offered her a smile that was bordering on a leer at her question, before pointedly turning his gaze forward once more. Hawkers on the street cried out, almost burying his words. "If it was any of your business, I'm sure you'd have gotten an Oracle about it."

 

[catalyst]

Khelida followed Varen's gaze ahead of them, letting him decide if she was unfazed by his irritability or if she simply didn't pick up on it. "If that's your line of thinking, what if I had no insight to offer you? Rather than making me useless, would that not mean you have no business going after... whatever it is you're searching for?"

More than likely, he'd still believe the former. But despite the riposting, she was curious to see if he'd pause and think, or even hold a conversation for more than a few minutes. Beyond the enigma he posed as, something about him made her want to pick his brain. Something that just made her want to bug him....

Maybe it was the same as Myran wanting to humble him? Glancing behind her, Khelida saw that the redhead moved from her spot beside Taivo to walk beside the quiet Taliah. Khelida fought a smile before looking back to Varen.

 

[Peregrine]

Khelida's words unconsciously brought Varen to an abrupt halt. His hands balled into fists, and the breath caught in his throat. He could feel a flame burning in the middle of his chest, so hot it caused the world around him to vanish into a bloody haze.

You are worthless now. Soon, you'll be completely forgotten.

A woman's voice seemed to ring in his ears. However, despite those cruel words, her voice was completely placid, simply speaking as though she was presenting objective facts.

You lost. So suffer in silence, forever. After all, you'll never. Ever. Get it back.

When his eyes finally found Khelida again, Varen's gaze was that of a pirate captain. A leader who could subdue bloody criminals, and bend them to his will. His gaze promised her torment. Promised her a slow and bloody death.

How dare she?

And then he blinked. His hands unfurled, and he took a casual step forward. The crew that had stopped behind him, tense and uncomfortable, let out a silent, cumulative breath of release. Everyone followed along behind him once more.

Varen didn't try and pretend her words hadn't gotten to him. After all, there was no point in pretending, and he wouldn't give her any further satisfaction of knowing exactly how deep her barbed words had struck.

Instead, he looked at her for a long moment, before shaking his head. "You're so ignorant." His words were like ice, especially in comparison to the rage that had boiled him only moments before.

 

[catalyst]

Khelida nearly bumped into Varen, but caught herself just in time to stop. The look on his face made it very clear buttons were pressed.

This was the infamous Captain of the Barracuda. These were the stormy eyes that served as a warning of the consequences for insubordination. Had she been anyone else, the Oracle was quite sure she would've been killed right then and there.

And yet, all she felt was anger. A slow, burning anger beneath very high walls.

But he didn't cut her down or order his lackeys to harm Myran - who had been the only one of the group prepared to step in. Varen carried on and Khelida cautiously followed. She was prepared to slink behind when she felt his eyes again, but his comment made her eyes narrow.

"And if the gods decide to enlighten me? Would you have a real conversation then?"

'If the gods wanted you to know everything, they'd tell you everything,' she mentally mocked his answer.

 

[Peregrine]

This time, Khelida's words earned nothing but a snort of laughter from Varen. The last of the clouds of emotion that had swirled around him vanished as easily as morning mist under sunlight. Varen never held a mood for long. It was part of what made him so dangerous, his sheer unpredictability.

Somewhere in the background, he heard a faint murmur of a man's voice. He didn't bother to turn around and check who among his crew was cursing, or who was the target of their frustration. Instead he glanced at Khelida again, one brow lifted in amused ridicule.

"That statement only further proves your ignorance," he stated, his lips twitching. Now it was his turn to see if he could provoke her. "What makes you so confident the gods are going to tell you those secrets, when you can't even properly hear the voice talking to you?"

 

[catalyst]

Narrowed brown eyes met grey-green. "Who are you to tell me that?" While the presence dictating her recent visions did feel... strange, for lack of a better word, Khelida still received the visions quite clearly. What prompted the captain to say those things? Did something about the coordinates prove a lacking quality only he could see? And - wait. Was that a smug expression on his face?

"For someone who needs help, you have quite the toffee-nose, Captain Varen." A toffee-nosed, know-it-all grump, to be exact, but she wouldn't push her luck. Ashana's words about his presumed immortality echoed in her head. That could certainly grant such an attitude, but she still didn't buy it. There was no reason for Ashana to lie, except perhaps to throw an Oracle of Life off-course, but... perhaps she could bait answers out of him now that the ship's duties were out of the way. "How many Oracles have you encountered?"

 

[Peregrine]

"Sounds delicious," came Taivo's quiet, slightly mumbled, thoughtless words. Over the sound of the city, it was all but swallowed up. Yet, several members of the crew still pressed their lips together, either in mild shame or suppressed amusement.

Regardless, his words certainly took out any sting her insult might have originally carried. Varen, too, found some amusement in the description. He turned to stare at her, offering a strange, toothy smile even as one finger pushed the tip of his nose upwards. He didn't much care for her attempt to dig information out of him, but unless she chose to jab at his sensitive spots again—intentionally or otherwise—he intended to simply let their conversation slide away as uselessly as water rolling off a duck's feathers.

"Live long enough, and you'll get to meet varieties of all kinds of sorts," Varen replied, voice filled with fake camaraderie. "Your lot may be rarer than most, but not all."

 

[catalyst]

"Ah, yes," Khelida replied, matching the captain's tone with an added flair of sarcasm. "That's the first thing we learn in oracle school. Keeps us humble."

Encouraged by Taivo's comment, Myran bit back a giggle. "Varen sounds like an old man," she said quietly. "Back in my day..." She croaked like an elder and side-eyed Taliah to see if there would be any reaction. She'd been curious why the quiet woman seemed annoyed or at the very least hesitant about this mission, but she wasn't sure how how to ask. Saving Myran's life from an otherwise routine spar was one thing. Chatting like they were familiar was another.

"That way," Khelida continued, "when we're helplessly kidnapped by legendary pirates, maybe we're less likely to be killed."

 

[Peregrine]

"Trying to lower your own importance isn't going to do anything to protect you, Oracle," Varen replied with a faint, derisive snort. "Your importance to me is the thing most likely to keep you safe. I'll see everyone else in this party dead before you."

His eyes cast backwards, tracing along the line of people trailing after him an Khelida. No one in his group seemed particularly bothered by Varen's words. Taivo scratched idly at his face, while Hayri and Taliah appeared as though they hadn't heard a word. Only Samiel was watching the captain, a strange smile on his face that was impossible to read.

"I'm sure your redhead would gladly be the first to take that duty. Works for me. One less annoyance for me to deal with."

 

[catalyst]

"Has anyone told you how redundant you are?" Khelida retorted, seemingly unbothered as she kept her gaze straight ahead. "'Your importance to me keeps you safe.' 'You're the first of Life to not be killed on the spot.' 'I'll kill everyone and everything before letting something get in my way.'" His words rolled off her tongue easily, a summary of all their conversations to date. All threats.

"Myran sacrificing herself isn't news. None of this is." She finally peered to Varen from the side. "When you have something actually interesting to share, feel free to grace us with your wisdom." She turned fully towards him as she began to remove herself from the conversation. "And when I have something you value, I'll request an audience. Captain." A final formality before she slid back to join the others. She ignored Samiel's sly eye and couldn't tell if Myran's amused, slightly terrified gaze was any better. The guardian, at least, knew it was better to give the Oracle her space.

The group loosely followed Khelida's direction and the port disappeared from sight. Roads became less traveled, and eventually, frosted dirt and dead grass gave way to frosted trees and snow. On their second day trekking through the snow, soft chirps echoed through branches and across crisp air, drawing attention to the white fluffballs that were small birds. Khelida and Myran delighted in their cuteness and the beauty of the winter island, but the same couldn't be said for others in the group. It was high sun, though, and the days had been appreciatively mild and sunny.

As they walked, hawk's cry softly cut through the chirps. Khelida looked up but couldn't see anything, so her gaze naturally began scanning their surroundings and fell on a tree that housed a flock of birds. Against the blue sky, they looked like giant snowflakes or snowballs. A feeling that was slowly growing familiar spurred, and she didn't realize her pace slowed until Hayri began to pass her. "From far away, they look like stars, aye?" Khelida caught his eye as a he gave a small, friendly smile before continuing.

"Stars..." she murmured, then looked back to the birds.

She halted completely.

The birds weren't randomly perched. A few steps to the east, parallel from the group, and they lined up perfectly to the constellation she'd seen in her vision. Not stars!

Immediately, Khelida turned back towards the group and called out. "Varen! Change of direction!"

 

[Peregrine]

The Oracle's directions led the small group of pirates ever further north. As the days grew shorter and shorter with every mile they trekked, the snow grew deeper around their ankles. There were no traces of civilization left, only cold wilderness and the creatures that dwelt within it.

Hayri became the team's guide, constantly scouting ahead to ensure their route didn't become impassable. When his guidance gradually led them astray, Khelida would be the one to correct their progress. Everyone else played their part, carrying bags, setting up camp, clearing the path. Even Samiel—brought along more because Varen didn't trust he'd behave himself if left behind than because he'd be particularly useful on the trip—kept himself from becoming a burden, his loose lips quieted, itchy fingers occasionally devoted to making a simple meal when it seemed he could no longer bear the boredom.

That second day, when the birds showed her the path forward, Varen had given her a fierce, toothy smile, immediately redirecting their steps. For all her talk of being rendered useless by his orders, or her snarky threats that he didn't deserve to know where they were going, it was clear that the divine was watching over every one of their steps.

The Captain of the ship clearly took the matter for granted, casually redirecting their progress whenever necessary. However, the rest of his crew grew progressively more quiet and tense as the journey continued. It was one thing for daily prayers to be answered by the divine. It was the natural exchange between gods and those who worshiped them. But to be watched like this, constantly escorted, was different. Even nature seemed to provide from their progress, Hayri always coming back from his ventures with a couple of rabbits, a pheasant, or even a deer to supply their dinner and ensure they wouldn't starve as the supplies they'd brought from the ship dwindled.

Despite the blessings that seemed to follow them, everyone in the group studiously held to Varen's threat from before they left the ship. Not one prayer had passed their lips.

"Is it always like this when you travel. Oracle?" Taivo asked softly one evening, when Hayri returned to the group with two white rabbits clasped in his fists. He methodically blew on the small, smoking fire they'd made from slightly damp twigs and dry lichen and moss, large chest moving like bellows. "It's the easiest land trip I've ever been on. Plenty of food. No one chasing us. I like it."

Varen maintained some distance from the group, eyes fixed north. It was impossible to tell what was going through his mind, but the crew could sense the slight impatience that seemed to emenate from him like an invisible cloud. It had been a long time since they'd seen Varen in this kind of mood, and they gave him his space as much for their own safety as any form of courtesy to their captain.

Taliah watched him occasionally as well, her brows slightly wrinkled.

A range of giant mountains loomed in the distance, coming and going from sight as they hiked among the rising foothills. The peaks gradually seemed to rise higher and higher into the sky as they drew closer.

"We've got to be getting close," Varen muttered softly to himself.

"We'd best," Tahlia replied, despite Varen's words not being directed towards her. "We don't have gear to traverse those peaks."

 

[catalyst]

Amused, Khelida smiled at Taivo's inquiry.

"Not pirating tends to help that," Myran quipped first with a smile of her own. Red hair stood in stark contrast to their near blindingly white surroundings.

"We've had our fair share of being chased." Khelida shrugged. She almost lied, not wanting to burst the man's bubble. But let it be burst.

"Not that it's a competition," Myran added sweetly.

"Of course not." But there was something there, perhaps a hint of mockery, a smidgen of sarcasm, as Life's pair shared a look. Anyone who was anyone knew pirates loved competition - a bet, a wager, anything of the sort that stoked that fire in their bellies. And anyone who didn't know quickly learned.

At Varen's distant words, however, the Oracle said nothing. Sometimes she gave in to the fancy to bug the Captain, but for the most part she spoke only when spoken to. Being - or trained, really, on how to be - a proper lady, of course, required the skill to exchange pleasantries and small talk, but Khelida felt no need for that on the Barracuda and among its crew. It was actually probably her favorite thing about their situation.

Fortunately, his antsy nature would soon be soothed. At least, that's what Khelida assumed when, the next day, they came upon a glacial fissure, the ice cliff towering above them. Khelida stood in front of the group now, perplexed as she stared at the opening. Perhaps her assumption was wrong, because the crew's doubt of her directions heavily sunk their shoulders.

"It's through there," she stated.

"Uh, Oracle? That crack there ain't too wide..." Taivo pointed out.

"We can fit. It just might be..." She turned and slowly looked at the group. "...Tight."

"Are we sure it's not a trap?" Myran asked as she fidgeted with her fingers. She didn't doubt Khelida, but... everything about this trip was strange and getting crushed to death by ice walls didn't sound like a nice way to die.

"How do you know it's this crack and not another one a mile away?" Samiel asked. Khelida decided not to give a stupid answer to a stupid question. Instead, she turned to Varen.

"It's this one."

Uneasiness continued to follow the group as, one by one, they entered the fissure. Nothing but the sound of their own movements and occasional grunts could be heard. Soon after, the walls above them closed in, leaving just a thin stretch of sky to be seen. Easy to lose one's focus and let panic set in.

Suddenly, the fissure opened around them, almost like a welcoming arch. At least, that's what it felt like with what lay before them.

Across another space, a walk worth just a handful of minutes across a blanket of snow, was another cliff, also with an opening in its side. This opening, however, was not a random, natural fissure. Encircled by what was seemingly ancient symbols, it was purposefully carved through.

Not a fissure. An entrance.

Somebody gave an impressed whistle. Khelida's stare eventually switched from what felt like holy ground to Varen. But the Captain only had eyes for his treasure.