By Water

JP with Omni and Lorem

Gonyaul smiled as the transaction was accepted. They now had a direct route into the holy city without having to continue on foot. He was enthusiastic about the amount of time they would save using the river as much as he was glad that it would alleviate the labor of hiking while carrying gear. The boat was also quite different than the large ocean sailing vessel that brought them to these lands, and looked much more hospitable for traveling in.

In addition, they would be traveling now during the day. This meant he would get more of a chance to watch the landscape. He tried at night, but everything was shrouded in mystery and the contrast between things was all but lost. He enjoyed sightseeing and people watching immensely and now he would be able do both much better.

He quickly started packing up their camp alongside Voah. He then followed the man’s gesticulation to know where to strategically place their items on the boat to distribute the weight appropriately. When Voah was securely onboard, he would be the last to get on before they shoved off.

Voah was delighted at the boatman's reaction. Value was hard to navigate in this new land, but she supposed the pearl was much more than she needed to give.

She took a spot on the boat and was about to thank the Pillars for the timely rescue, but she was still feeling confused after the her encounter with Vastad.

How was she supposed to move forward with the weight of her sin with her? All she had wanted was to save people from being undeservedly punished and understand the reasons behind the bitter hatred for magik. Was that so wrong?

Was it just the potential to kill thousands in one instant? What did the Pillars care? Wouldn't Zin be grimly happy with the harvest of souls for his garden? She was starting to feel more like an exploited instrument of destruction than a helpful and faithful servant to the religious cause and to the people. It made her think of Hunter and wonder where he was now.

Did it matter at this point whether she continued to pray to the Pillars? She questioned whether she meant little to them anyway and she was as good as dead once she finished her "part to play", whatever that meant.

Being a large part of her life, she sighed and silently thanked Kupen anyway and watched the vibrant greenery of the river start to drift by as the boat picked up speed. She decided for now to stop ruminating on things and enjoy the time she had.

It was beautiful here by the river, much more evocative to the imagination than the vast desolation of the dunes. There were chattering insects and singing birds with colorful plumage of all kinds. One particular bird stood out to her and gave her the urge to be decked out in red and gold dress. She looked at Gonyaul, who was enjoying just staring off into the wild and occasionally examining the boatman, smiling all the while. She slipped her hand into his and watched him for a while.