“Exploration is Human Nature”. Uhrancient Philosophy.
12940BBBC.
The meldings of D’Akanii and Navan were always easy and joyous passages. Language barriers were there to be overcome, each tribe understood uhrancient wisdoms and values of racial mingling. They also saw that as most of them lived on one small island, opportunities to meet other peoples were severely restricted. Thanks to one restored longboat their two tribes were fusing into one. Such rafts and coracles they possessed were suited for local fishing, not wider travel. Explorations of further shores could only be undertaken in that one suitable vessel, yet nearer by Northern and Eastern river and lake strewn lands produced no evidence of any Human presence. Both tribes were of origins well beyond a more distant Southern mainland coast. Surely there lay other Maelstroem survivors and or nomads unknown, yet they could be risking their old longboat, already needing some repairs.
12938BBBC.
Skandar and Birgin resolved to build another longboat, perhaps not just one. “Then I must make more and better Ziggazaagen, which will require far more shell than can be easily found” “Then you must show some of our crew how they can assist you. With the others I will first effect repairs to our existing vessel, and then, prepare workspaces between the trees and on the beach”. Both teams soon had volunteers, including Haelster, a young Navan, who scoured the beaches for suitable Ziggazaagen shell. She showed one to her mother who remarked she had seen larger similar ones on their peoples journey before the great wave. This she eventually managed to convey to Birgin, sparking his curiosity.
“Westwards, beyond the mountains where you found us, we spent some time on high islands, that separated a vast salten ocean from those same marshland your people crossed to reach Ghotaenlandun. There we found many living shell in all sizes” Birgin was puzzled by the reference to the `same` marshlands. How could this be when the mountains lay between. Haelster conferred with her mother, who marked the ground with a stick to indicate that the marshes curved around the mountains. She placed a stone near one end of this curve, crying “Ghotaelandun” and a handful of stones to the other end…. She stood smiling, moving her hands over the curve in a manner suggesting waves. Haelster explained further, “Some of our people crossed the mountains, then rejoined those who followed the coast, a few are still on those islands. My Mother says they saw signs that other peoples had passed that way, many, many cycles earlier”
Haelster and her mother were brought to Skandar, Wijken and Birgit to discuss the possibility of a coast hugging voyage to yonder islands. They settled on taking their longboat, once fully refitted, the base of the mast strengthened with a lifesize replica of Moeder av Dreyfuss’ totem, come next K’Lentenfest, even though this meant construction work on any new vessel would be at a much slower pace.
12937BBBC.
And so they paddled and sailed, Skandar, Birgin, and a few experienced D’Akanii sailors to teach their skills to the Navan who would act as interpreters on arrival. A moon and a half passed before they returned, laden with so much high quality shell that meant two of the crew had to been left on the islands. The Navan there were in good health, children had been born, and in that community were a pair of strangers, named by the Navan as Hoggermens. Skandar had managed to converse with these sturdy fellows, soon realizing they were in fact Krinjii survivors of the devasting Vlooede. They knew nothing of what had happened to the rest of their race, only that some had set out with a party of Khumodin-Alach, prior to that terrifying event washing away their entire Krinjii world. Skandar had been able to reassure them that Askara had reached the D’Akanii, and therefore Jamak’s party were safe, presumably somewhere to the Southwest. Thus were these sorry Krinjii at once overjoyed and expressed a desire to join any search for their bretheren. Skandar had promised them passage on the next voyage.
The hugging dancing updating hubbub presently abated, Birgin turned to unload his shell to see Haelster waiting patiently for him, smiling “You bring wonderous tidings Dear One, and I too have some for you.” She patted her midriff, the shell would have to wait.
That summer two more trips ferried mostly D’Akanii to the newly named Skaelpenstraendun Isles, bringing back the Krinjii as promised and those of the Navan who wished to be closer to their main contingent at Viskerbij. Work on the new longboat resumed with a taller more adjustable sail. As the workers swung and rocked the Ziggazaagen they sang songs of adventure to the steady rhymns, stopping only to replace damaged or loosened shell blades. Presently, at the ship’s fore sat a fine carved and decorated head and shoulders of Wijken. That Winter Haelster presented Birgin with a son, they named him Dhorum. Each of Skandar’s two Navan Spouses birthed their second sons.
12936BBBC.
K’Lentenfest again saw the the start of another adventure. The two longboats were to travel in tandem to their new colony. a practice run for a longer trip together. During the return voyage a violent wind first shoved the longboats into a broadside collision, then destroyed the tall sail. There were no serious injuries sustained, getting safely home was achieved, but no further trips could be undertaken this cycle.
12935BBBC.
With a shorter broader almost square sail fitted, and materials prepared for another the longboats set off again, keeping some distance apart. Again a summer storm blew up, but no mishap occurred. The older ship was then fitted with a new sail type, and off they set, Krinjii onboard, for the seas southern shore. there to search initially for safe winter moorings, which they found in a deep narrow curving channel of a multimouth estuary. It’s longer higher bank afforded good shelter below a broad stoney plain, where they built a surrounding perimeter of rocks and fallen logs. A defense against marauding animals. Small groups of nomads had briefly drifted in, curious and friendly. Whilst conversation had been difficult, one group clearly understood Red Salt groundsign, as did the Krinjii. These two stayed on with two D’Akanii, whilst the longboats carried cargoes of meat and skin back to Viskerbij. During their long absence, all three spouses of Skandar and Birgin had brought forth a further boy. Wijkens daughters and Birgit were carrying too.
12934BBBC.
Skandar told Birgin that he no longer wished to undertake longer Winter trips away. “I think that I should keep our old longboat running to Skaelpenstraendum, and concentrate on preparations for another slightly longer craft, perhaps a little wider too. You are well able to take our Wijkenship to our new winter harbor and establish a strong base for expeditions into the interior. With good fortune you could cross the sea next cycle again with two longboats” “I agree, and I think too that we should name our harbour as Annavisker for this our home here” “Indeed this is fitting”
A second Fest was planned for late Summer, a celebration of the great venture, the founding of a second colony. Held as ever by the cairn and totem of Moeder av Dreyfuss; Wijken spoke at length of the history of the Golden Lantern, of how Truth and Freely Shared Knowledge lay at the heart of successful sustainable Civilization. She ended with “May the Tribes Increase” Birgin’s vessel departed the following noon.
To be continued….
NeXt A, B, C + D, (Rescheduled) 17th Apr. C for Clarence the Rescue Cat.
NeXt Inspirational Episode, 24th Apr. Antwerpen and Tonia Mafia.
NeXt t’Otherwith Soldier, 1st May. Beeps Drive Yer Barmy. Back to Catterick.
NeXt Tale of Two Families, 8th May. Builder of the Fleet.
Thankyou, Dear Readers All, for your interest and your time. Maurice.