The distance was long from the earth tribe territory to the ocean. The clan that she had joined in the hopes that she may apply her crafting skills disbanded in a sense that no one was around for it and the presence of its leaders were unknown. Alani did not mind it as she believed that perhaps it wasn't meant to be for her to be there. Sometimes there were things that seemed right and others not so right. In her time since awakening to this beautiful world, she was learning that and lived her life day by day, moment to moment.

However one thing was certain, she wanted to become a good merchant in selling her sea-inspired wares to others so that everyone may have a little piece of those wild waters with them. Therefore before she officially returned to her ocean side home, Alani wanted to visit the Water Tribe’s Capital. She had heard great things about the capital including the flourishing culture. No doubt they would be healthy with a marketplace to sell her unique, one of a kind creation of the ocean. Alani made sure to have only certain items of limited quantity as she wanted everyone to be as unique as those items of earrings, paw rings, bracelets, anklets, full body adornments, and head adornments and so forth. Even snack foods of dried seaweed, coconut milk and shavings, pottery and so on.

The Nahtil’s mind was ruminating on and on at the thought of the prospects in the capital when a sharp voice cracked through her thoughts and the air as if lightning could have a physical form. ”Halt!” Came a sharp voice that cut through the air and through her internal musings of what Alani would hope to accomplish. Stopping in mid-stride she looked to her left, then to her right then straight ahead as a large, imposing Tahtil came forward. Alani’s breath hitched at the sight of this impressive male of all blue with a thick mane and braids, glinting armor and a fierce expression. At his side was a red, white and blue creature that stood with a soft growl of his own. The only thing that prevented Alani from retreating was the fact that this male was of her tribe; only she had never seen a male as large and powerful looking as this one. It made her curious about that difference….but before she could ask such a question there was a matter of letting this Tahtil know that she was no foe but a friend traveling.

Gundisalv had begun to patrol the South and Western border of the tribe with his companion Vetersalv. They both walked the borders as part of their daily routine as he would alternate with the other Braves in his slowly growing army. However, Vetersalv had grown tense and growled softly, catching something, or someone, pausing. Gundisalv stopped as well with his companion at his side, looking around quickly until a black and orange figure came through the crop of trees. Snapping a single word stopped this b'alam in their tracks as he quickly took inventory of their appearance. The unexpected intruder, or guest, was black and orange with silver water orbs and deep blue eyes carrying a satchel full of items heading towards the tribe.

Gundisalv stared at the black and orange Nahtil that returned the look but of one in caution and fear. Clenching his jaw then relaxing as best as he could, "Why are you in this area, Nahtil? It is dangerous for you to be in this area alone and so far away from the tribe."

Alani blinked slowly then tilted her head to the side with confusion. "Tribe? I do not belong to a tribe. My home is at the seashore. I am traveling from an old territory that once belonged to a clan. They have disbanded because the leaders disappeared." "Were they Magus?" "What is a Magus?" She asked in confusion. Gundisalv stepped forward with Vetersalv sitting back, his tail moving from side to side slowly then yawned with his eyes trained on both b'alams. The large Tah showed his great height as a Magus. "I am a Magus. We are the cubs of the Grand Weaver that has woven us to do great things in our life's journey. I have been blessed by the Grand Weaver to carry the mission of protecting our tribe and all who call Mirro te Weavia home."

Alani stared wide eyed at the exact height of this Tah as she was now paying more attention. "No they were not Magus. They were like me but a collective clan bringing different members of all the tribes together to have our skills be used for good things." The Nahtil looked up with her deep blue eyes to meet the unique blue shade from Gundisalv. "It is also rude to not introduce yourself." Alani pointed out matter-of-factly in a moment that could be considered an interrogation from this warrior, just as the expression from this warrior struck her with amusement. Gundisalv jolted ever so slightly at the correction from this stranger and he glared at the Nahtil. ”I am Gundisalv, Brave Leader of the Water Tribe known as Mirro te Weavia.” He offered with a growl.

Chuckling softly, she bowed her head respectfully then straightened up as she looked up at him. ”I am Alani, former member of the Clan Bayeux, and forever resident of the sea.” There was a hint of a tease in the last of her words but she smiled with apology. ”I couldn’t help myself but it is an honor to meet you, Brave Gundisalv.” ”Tah Gundisalv. When you wish to address another it is either Tah or Nan and then their name.” Returning the correction he had been given on manners. ”Ah yes, Tah Gundisalv, it is an honor to meet you. I apologize for trespassing in this area.” She said smoothly but saw that the Tah before her glowered.

Gundisalv glowered at the Nahtil then sighed before turning his head away to keep that glower from melting her on the spot. ”You are not trespassing. I thought you were a tribes-Nan wandering away without protection. It can be very dangerous beyond our borders even with the presence of other tribers entering our home either to seek knowledge or for those who have found their lifemates.” He said wanting to make clear the reason for his harshness but he turned to look at Alani. ”You have a reason for coming to Mirro te Weavia. Tell me the reason and I will escort you into the Capital.” Gundisalv offered, forcing himself to relax and soften his expression.

Alani’s lips twitched as she watched him attempt to be a little nicer and nodded to the larger Tah. In the time since her awakening, she had begun as a lazy and easy going Nan until she found her calling to create items from the ocean coast after joining Clan Bayeux. Yet when she had left the clan’s territory lands to retrieve more materials to create, the clan had disappeared. Not a single thing was left behind. It was hurtful to Alani at first but she reasoned that the Grand Weaver had greater things for her to do and one of those things was to become a merchant in her tribe and now that she had indeed found the borders of the Water tribe and Tah Gundisalv was willing to escort her to the Capital, everything was falling into place. ”I am here to be a merchant in bringing coastal items that I have created to sell and to bring the great ocean to my fellow water tribers. I suppose there is a proper entrance to the water tribe which I do apologize for not knowing about beforehand but I just came from the Clan Bayeux’s former territory and came this way. I would be very grateful for your assistance….” She said politely and with her warm smile that touched her blue eyes like the sun warming the water.

Blue eyes that seemed to have momentarily distract the hardened warrior from responding but the shifting of Vetersalv caught his ears and he nodded, turning around with his back to the Nan. ”Follow me, Nan Alani. I will lead you to the marketplace of the Capital. There you may have the opportunity to share your wares with everyone.” Though silently as he began to walk back towards the Mirror te Weavia with Vetersalv following into step at his side, Gundisalv did wonder what those items would be considering as he never left the tribe before to scout and felt that there was no reason to do so. As if reading his mind, Alani followed the warrior and smiled even more. ”I create things from sea shells, coconuts, palm leaves and bark, among many things that the coast provides you. I also make little food snacks that are very tasty especially from seaweed and coconuts.”

”Seaweed? What in the world is that?” Gundisalv asked, surprised that she would be open, and comfortable enough, to speak to him about her trade just as he couldn’t help himself in asking. Seaweed? It sounded horrible. When he turned his head to look at Alani she had paused and went through her satchel to produce a dark greenish item to him. It looked plain and repulsive. Moving closer he raised a brow at her. ”Is this it?” ”Yes this is seaweed. If dried it in the sun to is has this earthy and salty taste. This one in particular was dipped in coconut milk and its absolutely wonderful. Please try it.” Gundisalv did not want to try it especially when he made a face at the foreign item. ”I will not try it.” ”Yes you will, now try it.” Growling low he shook his head, stepping away. ”I said, I will not try it.” ”Then the great Tah Gundisalv of the Braves is scared of eating something new that is delicious.” ”I am not scared to try anything, Nan Alani. I am not interested in trying this…..seaweed.” He growled sharply. ”Just a little piece? Here we can share this one.” Alani broke it in half and presented a smaller piece to Gundisalv. ”I’ll eat with you. Besides I am a little hungry and this is as good as any time to eat something until I have something more filling…..Please Tah Gundisalv?” She let her eyes widen to attempt to look adorable.

The look made Gundisalv scowl especially when he could not believe that he was having this type of conversation with this Nan. Of course he had no choice considering that Vetersalv trotted over and went onto his hind legs with a happy bark and showing his own willingness to try it. The move from his companion annoyed him to no end. Shooting a glare at Vetersalv that was ignored by his companion, he sighed then took the offered treat. Together, Gundisalv and Alani ate their snack….and the bursting tasty of sweet and salty hit his tongue. It was a curious combination but one that was actually…quite….good. It made Gundisalv scowl even more but what set off the male was the fact that Alani looked pleased with herself and had a knowing gleam in her eyes that she just knew how much he liked that small little taste. ”I do not like it.” Alani rolled her eyes and snorted softly before throwing a piece for Vetersalv then began walking past Gundisalv with a spring in her step. ”If you say so, Tah Gundisalv. Let us be on our way so that I may share more of this with others to gain their opinion….” She said with a cheerful tone.

Gundisalv turned to look after the Nan and glared but deep within there was a spark that appeared from the quirky exchange that left curious about her. Never had anyone spoke to him in such a comfortable and bold manner, even letting the size and position he held in his tribe go over their head as if he was truly an equal and not just someone to be curious when approached and revered. Shaking his head slightly, he followed after Alani with Vetersalv trailing behind him and caught up with her to walk along side this Nahtil. The great Tah led the way towards the heart of the tribe to show her the marketplace that would provide her with a rich experience and further her own knowledge of crafting as well as becoming a merchant…all the while he didn’t want to leave her side just yet, using the excuse of her being a newcomer to make it that way. Alani couldn’t believe she spoke to this large, intimidating looking Tah in such a way but it came naturally to her. The Nan didn’t look at titles and positions but at her fellow b’alam with an open mind and it had been amusing to see the internal struggle on his face. Even though Alani was sure that he was a Tah that didn’t let his expressions show too much, not with his position as a warrior. Yet the warrior was kind enough to show her the way to the capital, along with the entrance of the tribe, blown away by the life of the marketplace. Gundisalv indeed told her that this would be the place to learn and have the opportunity to become a successful merchant for her type of wares and snacks….of which she had offered Vetersalv and Gundisalv another bite of the coconut flavored seaweed. Of course Vetersalv was eager for another piece and Gundisalv grudgingly tried it again to make sure his opinion stood even though she could tell that he liked it. Alani also noticed that he didn’t leave her side, which made her quite happy as she didn’t know anyone here and while the warrior had other duties to fulfill she liked the grumpy Tah next to her, he made her laugh even when he only scowled more at her poking and teasing. It seemed as if they had formed an unlikely friendship but she wouldn’t tell him that…not yet at least.

(Word count total: 2,363)