Journey of the Messenger Cycle 2 Part 5a

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Ijah

Ijah had risen early and gone up on deck to exercise. It had still been dark when she had started, Lady Felitta’s mate had been at the helm, one of the female crew had been at the bow and the ship’s fins had been retracted. She thought it odd that the ship just coasted on the winds through the night. Surely they could have tacked and kept moving generally in the direction of their destination.

She did not know the peculiarities of piloting an airship, however, nor did she know much about how air-mages went about their business. She had to assume there were similarities between sailing a ship on the sea and what was done with a sky-ship.

As usual she started her exercises with stretches and breathing, transitioned to unarmed forms, followed by more vigorous activity to get her heart rate up. Neither of the on duty crew paid her much attention. By the time the eastern horizon was brightening she had worked up a sweat and was generating enough body heat that she removed her outer layer of clothing.

It was a glorious morning, the sky was bright and clear to the east, westwards the dark was retreating and the stars faded from sight. The contrary wind that had been blowing from the southwest had ebbed off to a light breeze. She continued to exercise and did her best to be mindful of the movements, focused on the moment. It would have been easy to let the thoughts and worries of what the next few days entailed distract her. Thankfully, a lifetime of discipline and meditation allowed her to push those concerns aside.

She gathered the johr-ne-gahl she had rescued from Lord Jostan and went through some of the basic forms. She preferred her hand and a half sword, the weight and balance of her chosen weapon was a comfort to her, like a lover’s voice. These two swords were magnificent weapons. Crafted by a master and no doubt enchanted, she cherished the opportunity to practice with them.

The mate had been acutely observant of her the moment she had unsheathed the swords. He watched with a critical eye as she trained, his brow was slightly furrowed and he frowned. He did not tell her to desist, and for that she was thankful. She graduated through the basic forms, repeating a number of them more than once, the movement and concentration was enough for her to perspire, despite the cold morning air.

By the time the light of the sun reached the deck the cook had come up and opened both of the wide doors of the forecastle. When she noticed Ijah and the swords she stopped to watch for a while. After a few moments she shivered and resumed her usual morning activities. Ijah paused, sheathed the johr-ne-gahl, shed her middle layer of clothes and drew her own weapon. She double-checked her spacial situation and began the basic forms for the longer weapon. The mate’s frown deepened, yet he said nothing.

As she graduated into the intermediate forms Datton came out onto the deck with a steaming mug in hand. His eyes went big on seeing Ijah so engaged and his silly smile blossomed across his face. He found a spot to lean against the forecastle’s wall and sipped from his beverage, never taking his eyes off of her. Ijah ignored him as she continued through her forms, enjoying the sunlight and the warm feeling she had earned through her exercises.

She had missed the moment when Lady Felitta had come up on deck, but upon turning back to the aft of the ship she discovered both the skipper and her mate watching intently. Ijah finished the form she had been working through. In that time Felitta had dismissed her mate and now stood at the helm. The mate moved to the fore of the ship as Ijah wiped her sword down and sheathed it, he gave her a nod as he moved passed.

Lady Felitta called out, “Ijah. When you get a chance would you join me here at the helm?”

Ijah gave herself a quick pat down with the shirt she had used to wipe her sword with, she took a few deep breaths then moved to the back of the ship. She was certainly curious about the helm, but Felitta clearly had something to say. She gave the young woman her full attention.

“Quite the display.”

“Just practising, Lady Felitta. I hope that was alright.”

“Not so much so, no. As a general rule there are to be no weapons on deck. Also, you did not have a tether.”

“Ah, no. I thought I would forgo the tether while I was practising and had been unaware of the restriction on weapons being on deck.”

“That’s on me, I had not said anything about weapons. But, I also had not expected you to be training.”

“Well, with your permission I will return my weapons to our room and get cleaned up for the day.”

“A moment more of your time before you do so.”

“Of course, Lady Felitta.”

“With the headwind having dropped off, I’ll be able to get us to West Port sometime around nightfall, or shortly thereafter. However, it is something to see, the city, as we fly in over it. If you will allow, I might suggest a leisurely pace today and that will have us come into West Port with the morning light, tomorrow.”

“That would be fine. Thank you, Lady Felitta.”

“Thank you. You’ve been very accommodating to my abilities, or the lack thereof.”

“This trip has saved me at least ten days of travel in a much more comfortable fashion than I had expected. It is you and Lord Jostan who have been very accommodating.”

“Well, I’ll let you get on with your day.”

Ijah gave a slight nod, “My lady.”

She gathered her clothing and weapons. Most of the crew was in the forecastle eating breakfast, Datton had gone up to the bow of the ship, his attention was less on his duties and more on her. When he spotted her retrieving her belongings he smiled and raised his mug at her. Ijah ignored him and returned to the room.

Her companions were awake, Roddarra was sitting in bed reading, she hardly took note of Ijah’s entry. Elli sat at the table looking sleepy headed, she smiled at Ijah, “Good morning.”

“It is. The wind has dropped and Lady Felitta says we should be coming into West Port early tomorrow.”

“Has it warmed up?”

“A bit. I was exercising.”

“Ah.”

“I’m going to wash up, do either of you wish to join me?”

Roddarra glanced up from the book with a considering look, then pursed her lips, “I think I want to finish this book before I get up. You two go on ahead.”

Ijah glanced to Elli, who seemed a bit surprised or hesitant, she looked over to Roddarra who gave her a smile and a slight shrug. Elli blushed, looked back to Ijah, “Sure, I’d like that.”

“Good, grab the lilac scented soft soap and a couple of sponges.”

Elli’s complexion was such that when she blushed it was very apparent. She stood and fetched the bathing supplies from a nearby shelf, including a couple of the large towels. Roddarra watched her for a moment or two, glanced to Ijah and gave her a wink before returning her attention to the book on her lap, “Have fun, ladies.”

Elli’s blush expanded below her neckline, she moved to the door, looking at Ijah with nervous anticipation, “Ready.”

Ijah smiled, opened the door and allowed the minstrel to go ahead of her. Elli darted into the water closet, Ijah followed, then shut the door, sliding the latch to secure their privacy. She turned to face Elli who gave her a nervous smile, stepped back a pace, coming up against the small basin. Ijah shed her clothing and stepped into the ornate copper tub.

Elli took her clothing off after putting the towels atop the sideboard. She handed Ijah the sponges and soap and there was a shy hesitancy in her actions. Ijah turned to the plumbing, adopted a tone of questioning innocence and asked, “Have you figured out the plumbing?”

“Ah, sure.” She stepped into the tub and drew the curtain, she reached past Ijah and opened one of the valves, hot water rushed out from the overhead spout splashing down across Ijah’s chest. Elli leaned against her to reach the cold water valve, Ijah turned to face Elli and wrapped her arms around the slim woman. Elli gave a slight gasp then melted against her as the water splashed down on them.

Ijah held the embrace for a long while, then, ever so gently she took Elli by the shoulders and pushed her back. The other woman shivered, a barely audible moan escaped her lips and she looked at Ijah with eyes full of desire. Ijah smiled at her, tenderly took Elli’s left arm by the wrist and directed the woman’s hand lower. Elli gasped, her hand opening.

Ijah gently placed a sponge into the minstrel’s hand and then took a dollop of soap and smeared it onto the sponge. She turned around, grabbing her own hair and pulled it around so it hung clear of her back, “I was serious about cleaning up. How about you start with my back?”

Ijah heard a disbelieving gasp from Elli, “You’re a cruel woman, Ijah, so very cruel.”

Ijah chuckled, “Scrub.”

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