It would be about the time for the festivals to begin in his home village. Emiyn let out a soft sigh as he leaned against the ship railings, his amber gaze occupied with the ocean waves moving before him while his mind wandered back across them to Matori. “I wonder how they are doing?” He had sacrificed so much so that his grandmother could get Belrean medicines and he could only pray that she was out and about enjoying the festivities as she had done for so many years before. “Ubeli’ae watch over her, please.” He murmured to the ocean breeze, his voice as quiet and gentle as ever. Yet, it seemed the strongest of voices with the wisp of natural magic that accompanied it across the ocean. Of course it was nothing compared to the ruckus going on in the ship’s galley below, the crew celebrating the summer season with their abundance of food and wines. For its lack of religion Belrea had its own worshipers of sort when it came to innovation and the sciences and the crew was a scattered sort with beliefs all over the place. Emiyn could only think fondly of the few Geians on board who actually believed that there were some sort of natural spirits in the mountains which he related to his own beliefs of the ocean goddess and her spirits that swam beneath the waves. The others from the capital believed more in their sciences and thought that such beliefs were a waste of time when they could instead be working with their tools which Emiyn also respected in a sense. The Matori chuckled at the sight of some of the crew as they emerged and could only shake his head at the food offered to him.

“Oiy! Ya can’t just stare into the ocean all day.” Quipped a small Geian boy who forced a plate of food towards Emiyn. “If ya don’t eat now then they’ll take it all by eatin’ themselves silly before going back into port for even more festivities.”

A small smile crossed Emiyn’s lips as he relented and took the plate into his hands. “Just don’t expect me to drink as well. I’ll enjoy this in my cabin soon enough, thanks.”

“As usual the answer don’t surprise me none.” Quipped back the boy with a grin. “Ueli is the name by the way. Don’t see many Matori in the area….that’s right, right?” He asked with a tilt of his head as he studied Emiyn, his pale blue gaze scanning the Matori’s speckles as if comparing them to his own array of freckles that were scattered about his face.

“Matori is correct.” Emiyn replied with a nod. “Is it really strange?”

“Nah, you’re just a person like me and we’re all stuck on the sea together.” The boy shrugged. “Just seemed strange that ya weren’t celebratin’ with the rest of us. Do you not celebrate the summer season?”

“We do. We actually worship gods and place out food for their blessings.” Mused Emiyn with a slight nod. “Still, I’m not as closed minded as others so how anyone celebrates is their own thing, but I am a bit adverse to loud singing and dancing.” That much was true. Emiyn didn’t mind if they celebrated until dawn as long as he wasn’t involved and it didn’t hurt their voyage. At least one of them had to stay sober throughout the night. He just hoped their captain thought the same along with a few select others that could steer the Misty Maiden in the morning. However, once he left the younger Geian along the decks the conversation had stirred his thoughts about his homeland and their neighboring countries. It was not as strange comparing Oba and Matori since their religions crossed over with one another. In a twisted sense he could actually say he missed Oba with its finery and desert sands. Despite the drama and the frustrations that his mother’s situation had brought him, Emiyn had enjoyed the culture that he had experienced within the desert cities. Moreso he enjoyed the mystical aspects which he found lacking in Belrea with its haughty scholars and the like. A small sigh left his lips before he sat down at his table and focused on the food before him. “Belrea doesn’t matter now.” Emiyn stated softly as he plucked a grape from the plate. “Just the ocean.” It was not as if Belrea did not have its perks after all and he had made several friends while within its borders. Perhaps the longer he stayed around them all the more he would appreciate their cultural differences in time. Either way even Emiyn could appreciate enjoying their summer festivities as their voyage continued.

[790]