[centre][h1]The Journey to Tendlepog: Chapter 2[/h1][/centre] The crew had gathered on deck around a neatly stacked pile of what remained of Li Gongxiu’s belongings. Like any other servant, he had not owned much apart from the bonds forged with his peers, but what he had brought along were his carpenter tools, a copy of a Shengshese dictionary, and stacks of rice paper, a few pages of which had been painted with the motifs of Lower Nanhe. “... He was always a creative soul, he was,” said Li Shan with a sniff. Qiang Yi stood next to him with his hands folded. He gave Li Shan a nod, and the carpenter continued, “My friend was… He was blessed with both skills of hand and skills of art, and had he… Still been here in a few years, he-...” He cleared the sobs from his throat. “He definitely would have been worthy of joining the Wise.” Qiang Yi, Li Shan and the surrounding crew bowed inwards towards the pile of belongings. “A servant of stellar ability has passed in the line of duty - no fate is more unfortunate to befall our kin,” Qiang Yi spoke. “We will treasure his memory and adapt as the streams would in face of obstacles, to ensure no one else must suffer his fate.” There was a pause. “Our companion swims downstream ahead of us. We will miss him, but our task yet remains - we will continue northwards to Tendlepog and bring the Lordship’s divine gift to His Holiness K’nell. However, to ensure that this tragedy is not repeated, no one will attempt to fix or solve any dangerous task alone - always have a crewmate to accompany you.” The crew sounded their agreement and they all straightened back up. Qiang Yi placed a hand on Li Shan’s shoulder, receiving a determined nod from the carpenter. “Very well, then,” said the captain. “We sail onwards to Tendlepog. His Lordship’s will be done!” “His Lordship’s will be done!” the crew echoed and scattered back to work. Qiang Yi remained alone on the middle of the deck for a moment before moving up to the helmspost. He took his usual spot at the front by the railing overlooking the entire deck and scouted past the sails at the seemingly never-ending coastline ahead. “Well, morale is doing a little better now, at least,” said Zhen-zhen from the tiller. She leaned lazily against the horizontal pole, apparently reading a book. Qiang Yi turned and furrowed his brow. “Are you paying attention to our course sitting like that?” the captain asked monotonously. Zhen-zhen shot him a sideways glance and, while it was mostly covered by the book, Qiang Yi swore he could see a smug grin. “Of course, captain. The coastal waters aren’t too intense, yet not too docile. With a little weight on my end, the rudder figuratively never moves. We can keep the course without any worry.” She closed the book around her thumb. “Besides, I look up occasionally.” Qiang Yi found himself frowning skeptically, but she had not let him down before. He turned back to face the ocean ahead. Such a magnificent blue landscape; such grandness, such--... Yes, such. This warranted a poem, Qiang Yi decided firmly. He grabbed his trusty table, his brush and some paper. To get the best view, he reasoned, he had to place himself at the very tip of the bow - well, as far ahead as possible. So he did just that, placing the table down against the railing that separated him from the sea and began writing. [centre][i]Behold, my dear aboard the ship of Jiang, A blue so fair and great, beyond our kind. I sit aboard the ship of Gifts, with luck I see the waves approach, approach, approach--[/i][/centre] Why was the water approaching? The Zhengwu lurched as the waves rolled under it. The ship began to tilt slightly towards port as the ocean itself began to rise on the starboard side. A great mass of water loomed above the railings and cast a shadow across the deck as it blocked the morning Heliopolis from view. In this mass of water formed the face of a woman, looking down at the ship and its crew. The entire crew dropped whatever they had in their hands, creating some noise and hushed cursing as tools fell onto the deck and people’s feet. They slowly congregated on the centre of the deck, fronted by Qiang Yi. For a moment, all they did was stand and stare in awe. However, quickly realising that this likely was one of the creators, they all nearly simultaneously fell to their knees and hands. “Ten thousand years and more to the Queen of the Ocean, the Exalted Creator of the Sea, Her Holiness Ashalla!” they all remarkably managed to say in a somewhat harmonious unison. Ashalla looked down at the kowtowing water-humanoids with a feeling of smug satisfaction. These mortals recognised her and gave her the respect due to her. Several seawater pseudopods slithered across the deck and gently brushed against several servants. They flinched from contact with the salt water, but Ashalla needed only minimal contact to verify that these beings had been made by Shengshi and, unlike Xiaoli, were mere mortals with no divine spark. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Mortals created by Shengshi in the image of Xiaoli, why are you in my ocean?"[/b][/colour] she asked, her voice booming like a crashing wave. Even as she spoke, her narrow pseudopods crept below deck. Some of the crew shivered at the thunderous voice. Someone gave Qiang Yi’s sole a push, quickly supported by jabs and pokes from other directions, too. The captain took a deep breath and, while still facing the ground, spoke as loudly as he could. “O greatest divine of the sea, Your Holiness Ashalla, Queen of the Ocean - Your most sacred glory is awestriking to behold. These servants are quite literally specks compared to Your Holiness’ impeccable presence. Forgive these servants for their trespassing - they have been instructed with a task by His Lordship Shengshi, Lord of the Thousand Streams, the Host of Plenty, to bring a gift of wine and cider to His Holiness K’nell of Dreams, Lord of Sleep. These servants pray dearly that they have not caused Your Holiness any inconveniences.” Qiang Yi attempted to push his forehead through the floor. Ashalla’s pseudopods slithered around below deck and tasted everything they found as Qiang Yi spoke. She could even see with the pseudopods, for there was nothing limiting her form to just two eyes. She found the fermented beverages which Qiang Yi had spoken of, as well as the windmill pump which appeared to be well beyond the craftsmanship of everything else on the boat. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Your meagre presence could not possibly inconvenience me. Rather, it is a curiosity,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla eventually said, [colour=lightseagreen][b]"From where did this floating construct of wood come from?"[/b][/colour] Still talking to the floor, Qiang Yi answered: “These servants are infinitely grateful that they are not vexing to Your Holiness. As for the ship, it was built using wood, bark, linen and rope with the aid of His Lordship and His schematics. These servants do not possess Your sacred affinity for salt water, and require as such a vessel to take them to Tendlepog.” Ashalla rumbled. The ship lurched again as Ashalla gave it an experimental push. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"The Maelstrom produces many storms between here and Tendlepog,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla stated. Qiang Yi’s eyes widened. The members of the crew permitted themselves to look at one another in fear. The captain heard the careful, hushed whispers around him and felt his breathing accelerate. “Forgive this servant for asking, Your Holiness, but is there any way to circumvent these storms?” [colour=lightseagreen][b]"If you travel the other way around the continent, you can avoid the Maelstrom’s storms,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla said. A pseudopod licked one of the servants again as Ashalla measured up the water tanks. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"That would take more time, though, and there are many rocks near the coast on the other side of this continent,"[/b][/colour] she added. Qiang Yi stole a glance behind him at the quartermaster, Zeng En, who looked up at him and shook his head. Qiang Yi grit his white pebble teeth and turned back to face the floor. “Your Holiness, forgive this servant for stating what Your Holiness already knows, but we have not the sufficient amounts of water to make the trip around the other side. The tanks will barely hold to Tendlepog.” He paused for a moment. “If-... If this servant could show such horrid insolence and… Make a request, would Your Holiness deem it worthy of a listen?” There was a pause, before Ashalla said, [colour=lightseagreen][b]"You may state your request."[/b][/colour] “Thank you, o thank you, blessed Queen of the Ocean. These servants merely wish to request a window in the storm - just a smidge for us to pass through, so the winds do not take us all. Please, these servants will do whatever in their power to repay such a gracious favour.” The crew seemingly redoubled their kowtow. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"It is within my power to offer such a favour,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla said, then rumbled thoughtfully. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"What could you offer in return?"[/b][/colour] Qiang Yi felt a shiver, his open palms slowly curling into fists. “F-forgive this servant, Your Holiness, but it firmly believes that it is incapable of imagining anything worthy of one of the Exalted Creators - not even its poetry will be adequate for this, this servant feels.” The other crew members mumbled similar sentiments. “H-however, these servants will naturally complete any task Your Holiness may have in mind for them!” Ashalla rumbled again. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"I seek beauty,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla finally declared. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Hermes danced. Xiaoli played the flute. If you can impress me with some act of artistry, I shall bestow this favour upon you."[/b][/colour] “A-an act of artistry, Your Holiness?” Qiang Yi said in a hushed voice. There was a poke in his side and he shot a glance to the right. There, Zhen-zhen was glaring at him. ‘Write. Her. A. Poem.’ she mouthed desperately. Another jab, this time from the left. It was Wang Huangxia who wore a similar expression. More pokes, jabs and outright punches eventually caused Qiang Yi to rise to his feet and bow. “Th-then… If Your Holiness will allow this servant, it shall produce a poem in Your divine name.” Ashalla gave a slight swish. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Yes, that sounds good. Do that."[/b][/colour] The servants all immediately got to their feet and began fetching Qiang Yi’s tools of the trade. They placed the small table on the middle of the deck, facing starboard and Ashalla. They placed a neat little silk pillow where Qiang Yi would be sitting, a fresh ink bowl on the right side of where the page would lie, and then a page of white rice paper exactly in the centre of the table, making sure that it aligned perfectly with the four edges of the table itself. Qiang Yi straightened out his robes and sleeves, pulled his brush from the ribbon around his waist and slowly sat down on the pillow in a seiza position. The ocean stilled as he slowly dipped the brush in the ink and began to write. The brush danced gracefully across the paper, its hairs twisting and swinging as the characters bent and curved. Black lines thickened and thinned as the calligraphic stanzae grew downwards in columns like stalactites in a cave. It was slow work, incredibly slow, yet the dance could not be hurried - nor would one really want to. The brush’s steps and hops across the white surface left behind a painting with meaning, with everything from emboldened blots to near-unintelligible scratches. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Qiang Yi dusted the paper to help the ink dry and stood up. “The work is completed, Your Holiness. Will Her Holiness permit this servant to read it?” [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Yes,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla said. Qiang Yi cleared his throat and began to read slowly. [centre][i] The rivers of the jungle fill my mind As I recall the times aboard His ship; A part of me will not leave that behind, Regardless of me sailing on this trip. The rivers flow with beauty unforeseen; With nature much too fine to truly paint. A crystal ribbon through the endless green, A paradise that evil cannot taint. However, there’s a challenge from the coast: A landscape with no land nor trees nor grass, Unmatched in beauty, yes, outshining most: A span of colours and creatures enmasse. I truly praise the gods for this journey, For I can lay my eyes upon the sea. [/i][/centre] Qiang Yi sucked in a deep breath, awaiting the goddess’ reaction. A burbling sound came from Ashalla. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"What a wonderful poem!"[/b][/colour] she praised. Qiang Yi stood dumbstruck for a second. The crew looked at each other with wide smiles. “R-really, Your Holiness?” Qiang Yi asked with honeyed droplets of hope in his voice. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"Yes. I shall remember this poem you have written about me and your journey so far,"[/b][/colour] Ashalla said. She then lifted her gaze towards the northern horizon. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"No storm shall harm you on your voyage to Tendlepog. I grant you safe passage through my ocean."[/b][/colour] The aura of the ship filled with near-explosive joy as the crew members simultaneously bottled up their cheers, opting instead to fall to their knees before the goddess. “Thank You, O Holiest Queen of the Ocean, Ashalla!” they all burst out in joyous harmony. Ashalla took a few moments to soak up the praise. Then she asked, [colour=lightseagreen][b]"What is the name of this servant who writes poetry and speaks on behalf of the other servants?"[/b][/colour] Qiang Yi rose to his feet slowly and bowed. “That would be this servant, Your Holiness,” he said diligently. “This servant is named Qiang Yi and is a poet of the Wise caste among the servants. It also serves as captain of this vessel.” Ashalla nodded, then said [colour=lightseagreen][b]"May you and your fellow servants have a safe voyage, Qiang Yi."[/b][/colour] The ship lurched again as the wind caught in the sails and the waves once again yielded to the ships’ motion. Ashalla stood and watched as the Zhengwu continued its journey. The servants all headed to the stern of the ship and bowed towards Ashalla until her form collapsed back into the ocean. The crew remained silent for a moment. Then, they burst into a thunderous cheer. The ship nearly rocked more from the collective jumps than the waves, and crewmate embraced crewmate with laughter and song. Qiang Yi stood frozen for a moment, but was quickly stirred to life as the crew grabbed his every limb. “Wait, what are y-!” he barely managed to exclaim before he was lobbed into the air. “Qiang Yi, Qiang Yi, Qiang Yi!” sounded the crew. The captain tried his best to twist himself in the air, but failed spectacularly and was forced to endure the victory for a little longer. After a while, he felt himself starting to enjoy it. A minute or so later, he was finally let back down on deck and his shoulders filled with the squeezing hands of proud crewmates. Zhen-zhen stepped over and patted him on the back. “Well done, captain! It seems your skill actually paid off! Who’d have known that you’d actually get to save us all with poetry of all things?” Qiang Yi appeared to still be dumbstruck, so Zhen-zhen punched him lightly in the side. He twitched and gave her a frown, which she returned with a grin. Qiang Yi looked down at the paper in his hand. “Li Shan,” he called. The carpenter pushed his way through the crowd and gave Qiang Yi a bow. Qiang Yi bowed back. “Take your fellow carpenters and craft a shrine to Ashalla. Her favour is key to our voyage - we ought to make certain we can earn it.” Li Shan nodded and gathered the necessary workers before heading below deck. “The rest of you, good work,” Qiang Yi continued, “though I must request that you poke me a little softer next time.” There was a wave of giggles throughout the crowd. “Well, you wouldn’t react, so…” Zhen-zhen said with a smug smirk. Qiang Yi smiled wryly back at her. “We press on. Back to work, everyone.” [hider=Local Smolblob writes poetry for Bigblob - lives to tell the tale] The crew of the Zhengwu have a memorial service for Li Gongxiu. They resolve to continue their voyage. As Qiang Yi, the captain, is writing poetry, he is interrupted by the appearance of Ashalla. The crew identify her and all immediately prostrate themselves before the goddess and formally greet her. This strokes Ashalla’s already large ego. Ashalla inquires about where the ship came from (for she had never seen such an object before). She mentions that their route takes them through storm-infested waters, thanks to the Maelstrom. Going the other way is longer and goes through dangerous rocks. The Zhengwu does not have enough water for the longer voyage. Qiang Yi requests that Ashalla grant them safe passage through the storms. Ashalla agrees to grant this request if they can impress her with an act of artistry. Qiang Yi gets volunteered to write her a poem. (Hilariously, the servants have no idea how low Ashalla’s expectations are, as she had never seen poetry before.) Ashalla likes Qiang Yi’s poem and grants the favour. [colour=lightseagreen][b]"No storm shall harm you on your voyage to Tendlepog. I grant you safe passage through my ocean."[/b][/colour] (Blessing, free action under Storms and Ocean Portfolios) The crew is extremely grateful and relieved for this. They celebrate after Ashalla leaves. A shrine to Ashalla is erected on the ship. They continue their voyage. [/hider] [hider=The journey so far...][img]https://i.imgur.com/8WZRL6z.png[/img][/hider] [hider=Bloopers] "Myes, I suppose I could grant such a favour to such loyal peasants." [i]adjusts liquid monocle[/i] [/hider]