Anthin departed the Citadel that afternoon while Tanisin, Dav, and their companions were still sorting their own departure out. He had a mission and a long way to travel. Enlightened Relmar had assigned him the task of finding out what exactly was going on in the Wayran Territories but he was informed that the order had come from The Witness himself. All contact with Enlightened Prestache in Wayra’s capital had come to a halt. What reports that did come through both from the Corps command and other Church officials were confusing and chaotic. Anthin wasted no time. After giving the blessing, he was packed and on the road within an hour of saying his goodbyes to Dav and Tanisin.
Church officials had written to the Citadel claiming Enlightened Prestache had sequestered himself inside the Wayran Cathedral. Refusing to see anyone other than a few select people, none of whom were forthcoming with requests for information. What messengers and envoys that had been sent had failed to return or even write. Captain Somolian–head of the area's Corps command–wrote placating reports, assuring those in the Citadel that all was well. Yet outlying officers wrote of not being able to access the capital and being denied entry outright. Furthermore, other eyes and ears in the area were reporting strange occurrences in and around the city and the disappearance of more than one notable government official.
Anthin’s mission. Find out what was going on, make contact with the Enlightened and the local Wayran officials and return to the Citadel with news. It appeared to be an affair that would take some time both with travel and to sort out the truth of the matter.
He chose to go alone despite being offered an escort. In simple country garb, breaches, a tunic and a cloak with his clergy robes stored in his saddlebag he posed no outward threat to anyone, just an old man travelling alone. Besides he felt better without the thought that his every move would be reported back to the Citadel. Old or not he was capable of defending himself and carried a sword at his side with the ease of someone who knew how to use it. No, he feared no trouble on the road. Upon his arrival in Wayra, well he would see when he arrived and he was not without his own resources in the area.
He travelled south to avoid a trek through the Dreadlands and to save time. The route was less direct and meant taking a ship from the Felden capital of Phai, but the ship would cut days of riding off the trip. His path skirted Lake Pel and the rolling southern prairie spread out before him.
The start of this journey was a glorious thing to Anthin, after almost a year inside the Citadel it felt liberating to be riding, simply to be doing something. Despite the tidings that occasioned it. It’s been too long. He thought to himself. Too long since I’ve had nothing to do but ride, too long since I could order my thoughts. Life had gotten in the way of such trivial things as travel for the sake of travel, and even on his forays into the Westwood to study Veliar ruins he’d always had the boys on his mind or some matter regarding his parish. He relished the idea of being alone for a while.
He wondered how Dav and Tanisin would fare knowing he could do nothing for them should they encounter problems on their trip. He knew they were capable. Both had learned much and grown since their training had commenced. He did worry about Relmar's intentions, especially concerning Dav. He had no love for Enlightened Relmar, too much history, too many differing ideas on the direction of the Church. He knew the feeling was mutual though both kept it contained. He was of the opinion, like many others, that Relmar was the true master at the Citadel. He had The Witness’ ear and was often in company with him behind closed doors. He knew for fact that the Enlightened was foremost amongst the opposition to Anthin’s candidacy for Witness so many years ago. A true conservative and orthodox traditionalist opposed to Anthin’s liberal reformation ideologies. Still at the moment there was nothing to be done about it.
He recalled one exchange between them, during the debates that came with campaigning for election. He’d been outlining his idea for returning wealth to the communities and reforming the Church’s collections policies. Relmar had been staunchly opposed to the idea.
“Our esteemed Enlightened Anthin would leave the Church poor and unable to support itself.” Relmar had countered. It was a common argument against redistribution, one many of the Enlightened agreed with.
“Enlightened Relmar forgets, we do not sustain ourselves. We rely on the Grant, its citizens and the charity of the four realms to provide.” Anthin paused to collect his thoughts. “We leech off of the realms, our upper crust hoards wealth and power. Growing richer while the citizens of Etrusia suffer.”
That debate had brought no closure on the issue. Indeed the idea was one Relmar and his cronies had latched onto and used to stifle support for Anthin’s candidacy. The argument that day had devolved after that to basic name calling, to the point that blows were almost exchanged. Still and again he thought back to those times and remembered that without that opposition he’d never have returned to Dimabri City and become guardian to the boys.
He dwelled too, on what he would find on his arrival in Wayra. Highly unusual this series of strange events and the lack of communication. He knew Enlightened Prestache personally as a capable administrator and devout in his faith. He also knew that Prestache was one of the rare few in the Church’s history to have actually communed with the spirit of Sayoshti on his pilgrimage. Such things weren’t talked about openly amongst the Faith. It was officially proclaimed by the Church that all who made the effort reaped the reward of such communion. The truth was that barely a third of them had experienced it, and those numbers had declined alarmingly over the centuries.
Anthin had himself made the connection when his turn came. He hoped beyond hope that young Dav would as well. What transpired at the barrier was different for each that went and was usually personal and always confusing. Some didn’t learn for years what the various images and messages passed to them meant while others never truly found out. Then of course those that didn’t make the connection never knew. One common thing among them all though was the sense of peace, tranquillity, divine protection and faith that infused them upon making it. Even those who Sayoshti chose not to commune with gained some measure of it. This alone made the journey worthwhile for the acolytes.
The four day ride to Phai was blissfully uneventful, presenting nothing more challenging than some light rains and heavy thoughts. He arrived at the city weary and saddle-sore yet content with his progress.
The city of Phai was a bustling port that sat directly on the southern border with Dimabri at the north east coast of the Bay of Loss. So named because of the Havens, a treacherous scattering of small islands, shoals, and sandbars dotting the mouth of the bay. The bay had brought about the doom of many unprepared ships, even the many of the smaller fishing vessels that plied the bay. The way through was fraught with peril. Only Fendenian navigators knew the way. Access along the remainder of Fenden’s coastline was inhibited by the coastal fens that ran for the whole of the coast. The area was a rich delta teeming with exotic fowl and rare plant life. It was virtually impassable due to changing tides, water flows, high cliffs on the shoreline and floating masses of vegetation within the fens.
The Navigators Guild controlled the flow of ships in and out of the bay. They ran two stations where Nav’s–as they were known–were ferried out to waiting ships. One on the largest island of the Barriers for inbound shipping and a second on the docks in Phai for outbound shipping. In order to maintain the secret of passing the Barriers only guild nav’s could pilot vessels into or out of the bay. The tradeoff for other nations was that Feden was the primary source of shipbuilding in Etrusia, other countries did build them but the Fendenians did it better and provided finished ships for cheaper than anyone else.
Anthin loved the city of Phai and the Fendenian people on the whole. Similar to their Dimabrian neighbours in appearance they tended to be slightly darker in hair and eye colour. Many families in both nations claimed common bloodlines. The people of Fenden were a creative and vibrant folk. Ship makers, carvers, artists and musicians. Poets and scholars. Phai contained one of Etrusia’s most sought after universities and libraries as well as being an epicenter of trade and finance.
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He drank it all in as he traversed the streets. The city hadn’t changed much since his last visit many years ago. The main roads and thoroughfares originated at the docks and spread out from there fan like, connecting the shipping district to the rest of the mainland. The air was warm and the sun was out and shining down on the inhabitants. This time of year mornings were typically nice with afternoon rains bringing a break in the day. The rains tended to get heavier the more into the late summer, culminating in a winter typhoon season that could potentially bring the whole city to a standstill.
Through the gates one could take the main road directly to the docks, passing through the areas of the city designated for certain aspects of Fedenian life. Arts and learning were found in the first district with the University forefront. Theatres, studios and craftsmen and a good selection of inns and common rooms for those looking to get off the road. This transitioned into a market district where goods and services from all ends of Etrusia were available. The administration district was next. A sprawling area filled with municipal offices, government officials and the offices of the Church in Feden tucked within a grand cathedral. Overshadowing all on a high central hill, the Royal Palace.
Continuing on brought one to the LandO, a callout to the Law and Order district. With courts, magistrates, the local constabulary, militia, Corps command and administrative offices for Feden’s military. Beyond there as one came closer to the sea came the customs and duties district then the docks and shipyards that kept Feden at the forefront of commerce in the land as well as more inns, common rooms and drinking halls that served mostly the harbour traffic and travellers from the sea. These were rougher than the ones found closer to the gates.
Anthin made a quick stop at the Cathedral where he cornered an administrator and had a message sent to the Citadel advising Relmar of his progress, he kept it short.
Your Grace.
I’ve reached Phai on schedule and will take a ship from here. Expect to be in Wayra in seven to eight days, the tides and weather willing. I will write again once I’ve made contact with either the First Minister or The Enlightened Prestache.
Yours in the Faith
Anthin
He pressed the administrator to confirm the letter would be in the next post and made his way back to the city streets. No doubt he’d hear later how he’d offended the Enlightened in charge of Feden with his lack of an official visit. He simply did not have the time or luxury to delay. Mounted again and heading for the shipping district he wasted no time. Once close, with the smell of the sea, tar and fish from the docks assailing his nostrils and the din of men working he found an inn close by. He tied his horse to the hitch out front and slung his saddle bags over his shoulder.
The common room was packed with sailors, shipwright workers and dock men. It was approaching evening by then and many were there unwinding after a long day. There was the raucous air of rough men letting loose about the place. Drink flowed, several dice games promised some would lose their days' pay. Shifting his load Anthin headed towards the bar. The place was clean for one so close to the docks and the smell from the kitchen promised good food to be had.
Behind the bar was a large surly looking man who was completely bald but sporting a set of large sideburns down the side of his face. His clothing typical of those who plied his trade was also clean and spoke of a man who cared about such things. A good quality for an innkeeper in Anthin’s opinion.
“Your pardon, good master. I wonder if you could tell me of any ships headed to Wayra scheduled to leave anytime soon?” Anthin asked the man.
“Good day to you.” The inn keeper looked Anthin up and down, eyes lingering on the sword at his side. “I’ve no knowledge of the shipping schedules or the captain’s destinations...” He declared bluntly. “But if you’ll talk to those fellows near the back there.” Indicating several tables occupied by folk who looked a bit more prosperous than the rest of the clientele. Most seemed to be well-off captains and merchants.
“Excellent, I will do so. Would you happen to have a room if I need to stay the night?”
“I do, should you require it.” Was all the answer he provided.
Anthin wandered over to the group of tables the barman had indicated. The occupants were all engaged in conversation as he approached and he was hesitant to interrupt. The necessity was mitigated as one of the men looked up and noticed him standing there.
“Stranger.” The man said.
“Evening good sirs.” Anthin started. “I’m travelling to Wayra and looking to see about a ship bound for there.”
“None of us that I know of.” Replied the one gentleman.
“Ahh, ok then. Sorry to trouble you.” Anthin turned to leave but as he was stepping away another at the table spoke up.
“You could try Captain Dormon. He’s Wayran and I’d heard he was heading home on the morning tide.”
“This is good news indeed.” Anthin answered. “Where might I find the captain?”
“At the docks with his ship, Swell’s Mercy. He’s overseeing preparations for departure. Not sure he has any more room for passengers but he’s a good fellow and will squeeze you in if he can.”
“Wonderfull.” Anthin was elated. He’d hoped he’d be at sea sooner rather than later. “I thank you for the assistance. May Sayoshti smile upon you.”
He went back to talk to the innkeeper and secured a room. Arrangements were made he left his saddlebags there with instructions they be put in his room and that his horse be stabled for the night. It wasn’t much further to the dockyards and he could stretch his legs a bit. The cost was another matter. It seemed the recent issues with crops and rumours around the land had affected pricing. He paid up front while grumbling on the price and left the inn.
A few questions along the docks soon provided him with the berth of Swell’s Mercy. The evening was turning to dark by the time he found the captain.
Dorman was a squat bulky man, with a dark frown on his face as he directed his crewmen from the docks. Issuing orders here and there and fully expecting them to be expediently carried out. The harried workers seemed to be used to the treatment and more than capable at their jobs.
Anthin ventured to interrupt Dorman. “Pardon me, Captain...?”
“Dorman. What do you need?” A terse reply, annoyed at being interrupted.
Anthin cut straight to the point. “I’m looking for passage to Wayra and was advised by some of your compatriots that you were destined there.”
“I am, yes.” He took a closer look at Anthin. With no vestiges of his holy calling visible he appeared to be just any old man. One with a sword however. “I’ve a shared cabin with one of the others aboard. If that suits?”
“Yes. I also have a horse if you have room for it. If not, I'll make other arrangements for it.”
“Nah, can’t take the horse. My hold is full. We leave after dawn with the tide. Payment before boarding and I won’t wait for you if you’re late.”
“Wonderfull, I’ll be here. See you on the morrow and may Sayoshti smile upon you!”
The captain made a wry face at the blessing but otherwise just returned to his prior task. Anthin hoped someone back at his inn would have need of a horse otherwise he’d have to pay for stabling until his return.
His return to the inn found not much for change in either the patronage nor the atmosphere. He approached the barman and got his attention. “Do you know of anyone nearby who would want to buy a horse?”
The Innkeeper directed him to a man down the street whom he took the horse to and sold with his tack for an agreeable price. He returned again to the inn and was shown to his room. It wasn’t much. Admittedly I’m used to such things. He settled into sleep and in the morning he’d be aboard the ship headed to Wayra and answers.
