A Rocky Start

The journey to the mainland was peaceful at first, but even within the first day, the waves had become rocky, and the winds difficult to manage with the sails. It put a foul taste of seamanship in your mouth, hoping to be back on land quickly, having already tired of losing footing and being unsteady. It was poor consolation that the veteran Sailors, while having earned their sea legs, were struggling to keep the ship behaving as intended.

"Bagh" you heard one of them bellow out, loudly enough for all to hear on the deck of the small ship "Everything was fine until made way from that accursed island and brought the Moonless traitor on board."

"Wahweth must want her" Another said "Let the God take her than, before he decides to take us all"

You turned quickly in defiance. It was bad enough to be ignored for so long, to not have a single soul speak to you, but to be spoken about in such a way drove you to action. As you strode over, you found that you were not alone. An elderly elf, presumably the captain based on his finery, strode even quicker than you to address the rebellious lot.

"That will be the end of that, the lot of you!" His voice was low and commanding, as far as Elvish voices go "She is an agent of Varissa, and a guest of the Emperor himself. I don't imagine any of you wish to explain yourselves to them." There was a long pause, where not a soul spoke a word.

"Well?" He commanded

"Of course not Captain, but between us on the ship, don't you agree this is daft? Why are we going through the hassle in this weather just to transport some prisoner? Not only that, but the enemy"

"Sailor, the war is over" The Captain replied in jestering tone that received a few laughs at the protestors expense. "This is no enemy of mine" He motioned towards you "She a citizen of the Empire, same as us all, and on a holy mission that we are duty bound to aid."

"Bagh!" He responded immediately and hostile "What could a Drow possibly do in service to a God?"

"If you truly want to know, as the lady yourself. She can answer better than I..." The captain turned to you, as did the rest of the crew, who had all known become spectators of this conversation.

"I am a champion of the will of Varissa, The First of Six Sisters" You began, reconfirming what was already stated "She has given me her blessings, and with it, some of her divine power. My Matriarch, the great General Khilgana, heard the words of Varissa. She forgives my people for the past, and bids that all of us do so. She wishes to see Drow and Elf return together as one family, and my people have been chosen to do so. "

The crowd was taken back and skeptical, a sign of the impending difficulties of your mission. Another Sailor chose to speak up as well "Why you though? Why not give the message to an actual priest in Slyran? Or even the backwards elves across the Great Ocean?"

"Because Varissa is not just the Goddess of Elves, but the Goddess of Learning, and in her prophetic visions, she said to Matriach Khilgana that what is needed is for all of us to learn the vital skill of acceptance. It would be easy for you to accept the word of a God when it's given to you by the state, by people you trust. Can you learn to do so from others?"

"Heresy!" You hear from behind the throng. The solitary word caused a fury to rise inside, with your hand reaching for Khilgana's sword. The Captain moved faster than you, drawing his fencing style sword out and prominent before issuing a loud declaration.

"I will have none of that on board this ship! Do you all understand me!?" Beyond the crashing of the waves against the ship, there was total silence. With no response, he carried on "I will personally send the next person who thinks that they know better than an Emperor, or dares challenge the words of a God, to depths of the Ocean before meeting Dineth the Destroyer. I know what's in your minds. We've all been told the same things of our cousins lurking in the depths and Shadows. I also know this; that our Empire, that our people are not made stronger, by harboring old grudges, and clinging to the past for an identity the way a babe clings to the breast of her mother. We must not sucumb to hatred, not lest it define our being like those infidel Intransican bastards who would kill any Orc or Goblin on sight. Is that what we wish to be?"

There were low murmorings and shakings of heads; the crew reluctantly agreeing to the Captain's points.

"Good, than we'll not be hearing another word of this until we reach home. The next complaint I hear of Brenvira's presence will result in a lashing, is that understood?"

"Yes captain" The crew responded again, with greater clarity but not with a great deal more enthusiasm.

"Than as you were, there's work to do"

The crew scurried about, picking up their half completed tasks. The Captain quietly approached you, sword sheathed again

"My greatest apologies for you having had to see that, miss. Sailors are a surly lot. I hope it doesn't negatively impact your impressions of the Empire, or the Sylran elves."

You nodded gently in respect, your words a vague and neutral state "I feel that I have a firm understanding of the Empire from it's treatment of my people on Hylsa."

The captain seemed to understand what wasn't being said "I see. We all serve the Emperor, but we are not all so committed as Sailors and Soldiers. I am sure you will find that there is a gentler side to our way of life. You'll find more sympathetic ears who have not spent a life behind a cannon or under a helm. In the meantime, I hope you can relax on our journey, and you are free to take my quarters at any time."