Rhoynar lent against the bow of the ship, absently scratching the wood beneath his fingers. The wing lashed against the sails, the cloth thundering in return. The ocean to the Second East, whilst long, was spectacular. For Illinfer to see the shimmering towers of Olas upon the horizon, glinting in greeting. The port capital of the Second East blinks its welcome to all sailors. Belfrys made from Dunastian gold glimmered with each flicker of sunlight. The sphere of Olas stood as a beacon to the western kingdoms; a man may call himself King if he has the possessions to sway the more prosperous. 

The knight soon found himself chuckling at his companion. He plucked the fruit from her hands and revealed a small knife.
"Just peel the skin and eat. It will help with the sickness. I recommend avoiding the stones. We're a week from a healer." His words sounded in jest until a purple stone left his fingers into the ocean below. Rhoynar returned the small fruit to his companion, tucking into his own segment. The pulp glinted a deep red in comparison to Illinfer's paler skin. "They call it Rakt Phal, blood fruit. It's not as sinister as it sounds. There is a story my people tell of a mother and her son, he used to play tricks on her regularly. This boy went exploring a small oasis for water to drink when he stumbled on this fruit. He excitedly took a bite into the rind and saw the juice pour all over the grass- like blood. So he took several of them and covered himself in the nectar. He returned to his poor mother screaming in pain and she screamed murder as if her hapless son had been butchered. The town led a search for the mystery bandits until the healer found the oasis." A smile creased his cheeks. "At least that's the story my people tell. Everyone has their own version." 

The final inch of port settled far behind them as the vessel reached open water. Waves grew taller but further between. Rhoynar only hoped for a clean journey yet the slowly increasing winds concerned him. The hum of the sailors failed to indicate his heaviest fears allowing him a further moment of calm.
"Tell me more about yourself, Illinfer. You've spent your journey learning about myself. I know very little about you." He lifted himself and stood beside her, his back to the ocean. His brown eyes trailed a smaller gentlemen as he scrambled along the rigging, a long rope within his mouth. He'd never previously cared for the undertakings of sailors, often confining himself to sleep or the view when sailing. The captain, standing proud, with his hands resting firmly on the railing. Beside him held  a fellow with a stern brow, deep and thick, his skin darker than Rhoynar's. His arms stretched the fabric of his shirt and despite his intimidating presence, he laughed. It was a bearing that set a air of ease aboard the schooner; even more so as the captain made his way over, arms wide in greeting. 


"Ja'kata." He cheered, slapping his hand on the shoulder of Rhoynar. "And hello to you." His accent sounded similar to Rhoynar's father's, rounded and alien. The knight returned the greeting and introduced Illinfer. The man grinned, a toothy smile beneath a twisted mustache, offering his palm in greeting.