Beginning of A Journey (Caribou)

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Styrke stood at the helm of the caribou ship, shouting orders to his crewmates over the ambient noise of ocean waves crashing against the sides of the ship. Most of the Caribou were taking turns between rowing and performing other tasks, with the exception of a few Caribou who were required to have their full attention on another task, such as the wind tailor. The weather was partly cloudy and the sea a bit rough; it seemed rather dull for something as grand as the start of an expedition, but at least they weren't stuck in stormy weather so soon in their journey. Styrke took a moment to turn away from his crew towards the seemingly endless sea that laid before them. A long time of preparation and training for the crew had all gone into this moment. Styrke had spent both day and night studying and working to prepare himself for his role as captain. As the time of the Bear Paw Expedition's departure drew closer and closer, Styrke had become so involved in his work that he didn't even have the time to join in festivities with the other Caribou. They had earned their time partaking in festivities, but Styrke was far too busy as the expedition leader to spend even one night away from his duties, as far as he was concerned. He was however sure to say his goodbyes to his family and friends; expedition or otherwise, Styrke knew it would be unwise and uncouth to neglect those close to him. "Keep up the pace; we shift positions in half an hour," Styrke called out to the crew currently rowing as he walked past them, making sure the rowers were all keeping the same steady pace as they had practiced. Many of the Caribou were on an expedition for the first time like Styrke, so keeping a close eye on them was important. Thankfully Styrke could rely on the hoofful of caribou who were veterans to assist him, but as the captain he had to be just as able and willing to guide them, even if he was as much of a greenhorn as they were. Surely his father thought the same way on his first expedition... His father was a gifted bull, and one of the best expedition leaders in the history of Trottheim. Which made it all the more important for Styrke to prove that he was just as capable as his father was. (OOC: You can start doing anything that would make sense for your character at the time, and depending on how many join there could easily be more than one conversation going on.)

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Sjel's gaze moved madly from one part of the ship to another. Any slight creak sent a jolt through her. This was unfortunate, as ships at sea tended to creak a lot. Every time she found a new place to worry over, she thought back to her days working on the vessel. Every nail and board had been carefully chosen. Even at the risk of insult to those that supplied them, she had weighed and inspected every material involved. But what if her memories of diligence were more based upon pride than reality... or if not pride, then a need to feel comfortable on floating on a collection of timber out in the open waters.

Some of them had the means to find themselves back on land, but more of them would have a difficult swim in front of them. If she had failed, even slightly, she could have been the death of nearly every face that she could see. Had she accounted for the wear of the water on the bottom? She remembered doing it, but had she actually done it? Sjel had been hoping to feel like a mighty adventurer on her first expedition. Brave and facing the horizon eagerly. Instead she found herself counting nail heads and worrying that just one of them had been chosen poorly. Too short, too weak...

”Are you sure that pace is not too hardy, Captain?” She asked quietly, but seriously. ”The winds could pick up and then we would be in for quite a strain.” There did not seem to be any indication of this shift in the weather. Even if there were, that would still be a poor reason to slow down the pace. But all she could picture was an entire crew drowning and her name being synonymous with failure from now until memory failed their kin. As they still told stories of Anstendig the Mediocre, who had died before Sjel's great grandmother had been born, that would be a long time.

”Maybe there is some adjustment I could have made, I mean, some adjustment that could be made now...”

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"Hm?" Styrke had been so focused on watching the crew rowing that he hadn't noticed Sjel approach him. Judging from her expression she looked worried, so Styrke could tell that what she had to say was important. "The crew is high in spirits and vitality, so I am certain they can handle it. If the wind does pick up however, I will be sure to exercise caution," Styrke said confidently. He appreciated Sjel's concern, but Styrke was certain that both the crew and the boat could handle the strain. To think otherwise would be second guess himself and his decisions; a poor quality for a leader to have, surely. He would be meticulous in his watch over the crew, and as soon as he spotted something to worry about, he would deal with it. It was apparent by Sjel's asking of adjustments that she was worried about the ship. It was natural, Styrke supposed, for her to be nervous. It was her boat that she supervised the construction of that they were currently sailing with, and if it sank it would inevitably be her that would be blamed for it. But Styrke knew that Sjel wouldn't have made a mistake. He was confident in her craftsmanship; it was why she was selected for the expedition in the first place, after all. Besides, Styrke had a sense for the quality of wood, and he could tell simply by standing on it that Sjel's boat was sturdy. "Adjustments are unnecessary at the moment. The boat will hold together; if anything, I am worried if Sjel Jernsdatter will be able to hold together. If you are nervous, is there anything I can do to help?" Styrke asked sincerely.

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Lys Årudsdatter was having the time of her life. She was also discovering what most caribou meant when they spoke of "sea-sickness"—but that put no damper whatsoever on the pounding of her heart and the grin she pointed toward the wind as she squinted over the figurehead at the bow, even though with every wave they conquered she felt her guts heave up into her chest. But to her credit, she lost no meal, for the rations were precious. Just the idea alone of finally being out on the ocean, of exploring with her sister and her crew, made the hairs on her back stand up and pleasant prickles course through her veins. But add on to that the novelty of it, and the promise of a new and wonderful land on the other side... that made whatever dizzying lurch Sjel's hoofwork would crest next all the more worthwhile. It was not hyperbole, then, to say that she could hardly contain herself. Still, at the sound of her oath-sister's voice by the helm, one of her ears turned back—even through the wind of adventure, Sjel could always find her attention. (Or, as the case may be, step in it by accident.) She turned her eyes briefly from the clouds ahead to look behind her at the Captain's conversation. "Do not worry, Sjel!" she shouted at them. "Your vessel crushes these puny waves, aaoogh—and the skies are of one color as far as my eyes see!" She turned back around briefly to check that she was still right, and so she was. Which was fortunate, as she feared a stronger wind may yet make her relocate toward the mast and take rowing duty for a while. She hoped that she would be able to lose her B legs for some sea legs soon.

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In her concern, she had brought about the concern of both Styrke and Lys. Not exactly the best thing to do. To an extent, she knew that she was worried about things that could not be changed. On top of that, things that she had little reason to be concerned about even if they could be changed. So often, all she had needed to give herself the strength to keep trying was to remind herself who she was. To tell herself about her training and her triumphs. But here she had not just been in charge of a section or a sail structure.

The entirety of the ship had been created under her leadership. Bulls and cows were trusting that craftsbouship. And their faith was put into the hooves of a cow who did not seem to have any in herself at this moment.

She shook her head. ”No, nothing.” She smiled in Lys' direction. She did not wish them to worry about her, but the fact they did was a comfort to her. Even if she could muster anything within to help her, she could be confident that those two believed in her. Perhaps between the two of them they had enough belief for the three of them.

”You are both right,” she agreed, despite not yet believing herself, ”Everything is going as it should be. No signs of failure and nothing but possibility in front of us,” she spoke, mimicking words that had once been said upon solid ground. Fear had taken a hold upon her. She would not say that aloud, yet it was true. Fear before any true signs of danger was not admirable in her book.

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Styrke gave a small smile hidden by his dark fur and the constant motion of the boat. He was pleased to see Lys give support to her oath-sister whenever she needed, along with the knowledge that Sjel would do the same for her. It was of course Styrke's duty as Sjel's captain, and as her friend, to assist her, but there was something to the comfort of family that was hard, if not impossible, to replace. Styrke himself was an only child of course, but he knew from the time he spent with the two sisters about the strength of the bond of siblings. Still, he wasn't about to shrug it off and let Lys handle it herself. Especially since Lys herself seemed to be a little under the weather (physical ailments were best left to a medic like Vind however, so unfortunately there wasn't much Styrke could do in that regard). "Your worries are not unfounded Sjel," Styrke started, "Everything may seem fine, but what we truly fear the most is the unknown. Not what we know will happen, but we know could happen. What matters most is to be ready to face your fears when and if they come. Bravery is not fearlessness, it is staying resolute in spite of fear." Even though Styrke put on a brave face, he too was afraid of what could go wrong. But letting his fears control him only hurt the crew. Not once in his entire life did Styrke ever see his father afraid. But Styrke knew that Kenhet was afraid whenever he left on a journey that he would never see his family again. And he knew when he saw his father for the last time before Styrke departed that he was afraid that his son may never return from his own journey. His father's bravery inspired many Caribou to keep going in spite of their fear, making up for their lack of confidence with his own. If he had any hope of being a great captain like his father, Styrke too had to keep a straight face even when danger loomed ominously on the horizon at any moment.

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Lys looked again at her sister, her gaze momentarily even and thoughtful. Although they lacked for shared blood, there was one commonality for a sibling—it was clear to the other when one of them started doing something she had a history with. It seemed that Styrke, as well, had seen around the correct bravado. She intended to remember that he had minded to, and tried to reassure Sjel as well. A new captain with an interest in his crew's faith was a hopeful prospect. Yet still, if Sjel was going to feel unsafe in her own vessel, she'd simply have to point out how safe it was. So she tipped herself back on her haunches, and after a fleeting moment of worry that her rations would be returning midair, hit her back on the deck with a furry thump. "I have fallen over," she said, securing her position as Scoutmaster Obvious, "And yet, I am not in the sea. Ah! It is a boat I am on. And quite a sturdy one! Just listen to that solid sound!" She whacked the wood, hard, to punctuate her point, and then rolled over (with an undainty grunt), smiling. "I joke. But the Captain is true. We know not what lies ahead, that is part of why we are here. Anything can happen, and we must be ready! But do not forget you were trained and chosen for this, Sjel, and that those who did each knew what they were doing. You know better than us your careful habits, as well. Your worries are not unfounded, but pride would not be, either ~" She tried to push back up to her hooves, if slowly. She still had to be lookout after all. But taking a moment for her sister was important in her book, or it would be, if she wrote books.

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Their words were encouraging, but there was only so much that words could do. The sea and the sky seemed endless from out here. Her mind filled all that space with thoughts. And just as the fog that rolled in and out, it often added undue concern.

Sjel also was not a big fan of being fussed over. She heavily preferred to be doing the fussing. And that's what she was doing. Fussing about the ship. On top of that, she had already tried to retract her worries, so more encouragement was a bit unneeded. But she smiled at the attempts, especially Lys' joke. They came from the right place and that was more important than her pride.

”Yes, yes, I grew up on the same stories of bravery as you did. I am prepared to face what is ahead and I have faith in what I have done. But bravery will not see you safely to your destination. The same hooves who worked the wood and metal feel that labor as they walk upon it,” she said, trying be comprehensive enough to move on from that subject.

She took a breath of sea air, enjoying its character. The seemingly never ending ocean was humbling in the best way. Being surrounded by a crew all working to the same goal was invigorating. But the air was just as remarkable. Even when she closed her eyes, the air reminded her that she was not home anymore. And in a few days, that might wear on her. But on this day, it was welcome.

”Let us speak on something more diverting. Do we have any immediate goals or are we determining them upon arrival?” She asked. There was plenty of time to talk on that, but it wasn't easy to come up with a new conversation.

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Styrke gave a small smile at Lys' attempts to assure Sjel in a more...physical way. He admired the fact that Lys could be cheerful, serious, or even both at any given moment. A good trait to have, and one he felt he lacked himself. To the unobservant she seemed to be akin to a jester, but years of being around her taught Styrke that there was a method to her madness. When one was around Lys, it was easy for high spirits to overtake lingering worries. Even without her scouting skills, that alone made her quite the valuable member of the crew. He'd have to thank her personally for trying to help Sjel later. Sensing that Sjel had taken in their message, Styrke dropped her worries as a topic for now. It was doubtful she was completely cured of her worries, but Styrke was certain he and Lys had accomplished inspring some amount of confidence in her. Anymore discussion would simply be repeating messages already spoken; all that was left was for Sjel to have time to think about what was discussed. "In a way, I would say a bit of both," Styrke said in response to Sjel's question. "I have many points of interest and topics of varying priorities recorded, but which ones we may pursue first depend on circumstance. For example, studying the floating pegasi city of Cloudsdale was something I consider to be important, but we have to find a way to reach it safetly first. Or rather, a way for the crew that cannot fly to reach it safetly." Styrke gave a knowing glance to Lys, aware that she would likely have little trouble reaching a city in the sky on her own.

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Well, Lys had to admit, she had a point. Bravery was bravery, but it could turn to foolishness if it was at the expense of caution. But more to the point than that, Sjel probably just didn't like being the centerpiece of attention—so Lys decided she'd check up with her later, in quiet (or as close to it as the longboat got), when things were perhaps calmer. She rolled back up to her hooves and stumbled to the front, where she immediately let out a soft belch and bent her knees a little. ...What were they talking about, now that they weren't talking about Sjel? She turned her ears back, catching back on what Styrke said. Cloudsvale... what an interesting name for a place. And it flew! She turned back in time to catch his knowing gaze, and missing the subtlety in it entirely, raised her hoof. "I volunteer to scout it!" she said. "Once we are settled, of course, and have tended to higher priorities, I will tie Sjel to my back and fly her to this place, and we shall together find a way to bring the crew to this city of pegasais. With her ingenuity and my magic, we will succeed." A cross came over her brow that suggested a sudden, provoking thought. "...Though, truly. What will be our first priorities? How much do we know of the place we will land? Will there be civilization near where we may find directions to this floating city? If it is floating and we land on leeward shores, after all, perhaps this place will be blowing away from us by course of the wind."

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A city in the clouds… She would not want to miss seeing one. A pile of questions formed as she thought about it. If it was possible to visit it without being able to fly, she wouldn’t know where to start first. Naturally she would want to observe the architecture and craftswork of the buildings and any vehicles that they used, but spirits aglow, it was a city in the clouds. She would have a great time just walking around and realizing that she was in the type of place that stories began and ended.

She grinned at Lys’s valiant plan. Sjel trusted her sister, but there would not be a single moment of comfort if she had to travel while riding the girl’s back. ”That is one option,” she said, not believing Lys was serious and thus finding no reason to shoot the idea down, ”But I am no seið-kona, so if the answer is to be found by me, it will likely not be as elegant as that found by another.” She almost cringed after admitting that. She did not want her mouth to talk her way out of getting to see Cloudsdale. But her ingenuity would not be very useful when it came to a matter that seemed more magics than mechanics.

Her grin became a look of shared concern. ”A place we will want to tackle once we have already tackled the land ponies… Their non-floating cities will not escape us,” she asserted. Her pride in herself, their navigator and the crew in general was sufficient that she knew they could find this cloud city as well, but she imagined it would not be the first place on their manifest.

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It was a good thing, Styrke thought, that Lys was always so eager to go anywhere and do anything for the sake of the crew, especially since she was their scout. As close as the two of them were though, he wasn't really sure how keen Sjel would be of being tied to her sister, flying thousands of feet in the air. Not that he didn't trust either of them, but somehow he felt any plan involving tying crew to another was probably one that should be reconsidered. "I'm sure we will find a way to reach it in time. The best way to learn how will be to ask the locals, surely." This was of course assuming they had an answer, but if they didn't then it probably wasn't possible to reach the city in the sky on their own anyway. "Ah, what will we do when we first land?" In response to Lys's question Styrke pulled out a map he had for navigation. It was an old and faded map, a copy of even older maps made by expeditions generations ago. Styrke pointed to the right side of the country labeled as 'Equestria', to a modestly sized port town named 'Manehatten'. "We shall land here, at Manehatten. A good place to start, and its ports can accommodate our boat while we stay there. I imagine it's probably larger now, as this map is very old...hopefully the ponies there will be able to help correct some of the inaccuracies the map may have, as well as the location of Cloudsdale." Styrke thought of the port, imagining Trottheim then multiplying its size. Its boats larger, its buildings taller, and its citizens small and colorful. Hopefully such a place would not be too confusing to the crew.

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Lys simply smiled at their reactions to her plan. If she was joking, she let off no air saying so; but likewise, if she planned on doing exactly that, then she wasn't about to let that on either. It would, like many things to come, simply be a time of joyful discovery and the pursuit of a bold and curious nature. Still—Sjel or no Sjel, she wanted to see this cloud place. First hoof. "I see! Then we will be making a map anew, even as we follow the old," she said, peeking over at Styrke and his map. She was no navigator, but she could tell the worst was before them still. But if the stories were to believed, and she did believe them, she was looking very much forward to meeting the small and friendly inhabitants of the gigantic land of Equestria. And if they did not take a liking to her, then she would be content with just staring at them from afar, as a goat watches the birds. She looked up with another smile to make some pleasant comment; but her eyes slid right off of Styrke, behind him, and the smile drained from her face. Without a word, she quickly hopped onto her bifrost and trotted around them, spiraling herself upward and then walking in quick pace with the ship; she got to the mast's height, and then went a little higher to find her vantage point. It was as she had worried. The clouds they sailed toward had been partly hidden by a sea fog; now that the fog was being cleared by an increasing swell of wind, she saw the clouds before them went much higher than those behind, and thicker. There was no mistaking the pillars of dark thunderheads. The sky growled deep and wide, setting the fur down her neck to her tail all on end. Lys grabbed onto the mast and slid down it like a tree, hitting the deck with a stumble. "Sjel! C-Captain!" she said, her voice cracking. "Darkness! Storm ahead! Large and long—I do not see its other end! Are the weather-tailors at ready?"

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Sjel’s minimal concerns about their plans were assuaged by Styrke’s explanation. She had trusted he would have a sound plan and he said nothing that went against that. She wondered what manner of place Manehatten would be, but she did not want everything to be spoiled for her before she arrived. As meticulous as she liked to be on her craftwork, she did not wish to ruin all of the wonders that lay ahead of her.

The engineer’s mood darkened as she heard the shift in Lys’s voice. The tone betrayed the seriousness of the message before the words properly could convey the full meaning. Rough weather was a part of life in Trottheim. Even with magic to keep the wind, rain and frost at bay, it was still a constant enemy, a constant threat that needed to be protected against. Out here on the open waters, they were even further at the mercy of nature. No solid ground to brace onto and less wind-tailors to mitigate the impacts.

A sturdy ship she seemed to have built. But like many of them, it had been tempered and not truly tested. Just as a young warrior one day faces its first foe, so too would her ship now go into its first combat. It would battle for them all, aided only by the magic of her kin. Sjel herself could do not but hunker down to keep safe and believe in those around her to do what they had trained to do. Yet still, she awaited the Captain’s command before doing anything. She would stand tall until it was a sure thing that there was not more she could be doing.

(I can do the wind-tailor talk or someone else can, just keep in mind that caribou are loooow power so they don't just wish it away xD)