The young Biqaj of almost 11 arcs moved across the lurching deck as the waves crashed against the bow. The salty spray drenched everything on deck as the storm blew closer and closer. HIs grandmother directed him to let out the forward sail as he untied it and let the line slide slowly until the canvas rippled loudly in the wind. He returned to the wheel and held onto the railing in case she needed him further. She was worried and he knew it regardless of how many times she reassured him that everything was fine.
Thunder roared, sending a ripple through the decking below his feet and up into his spine. He realized he wasn’t afraid or even worried anymore, all the conversation and story telling his Grandparent had always told him came flooding back at the very moment he needed it the most. How the stories told of the Ocean Father looking after his favored and even the Biqaj people in general wherever they may travel, the legends of his blessings with what some of the chosen could do with those blessings. Regardless of that hadn’t he spent almost the entirety of his life on U’frek’s very domain as had his parents and their parents before them, it felt as if the very ocean was in his blood not to mention his very name.
The trills ticked by as his young mind wrapped itself around these very thoughts and it all seemed to coalesce into a greater revelation while the world around him slowly became a bit smaller and a little less scary because of it. His new found realization simply comforted him as he believed the Ocean Father would look after the ones he loved and himself, the thought to question this never entered his mind but simply he believed and needed no further proof of it than that.
His arm strained against the rocking of the boat as he held fast to the railing and tied a rope around his waist as instructions were yelled over the howling of the wind. Handing a rope to his Grandmother, he grabbed and steadied the wheel while she tied herself down to the ship and neither of them would be washed overboard. With his fears calmed he could see clearer than ever before as he looked at the woman at the wheel and somehow knew he had to help her remember.
“Gamma” he partially yelled to be heard over the wind despite being only feet away from her. “Don’t you remember all the stories of U’Frek, the Ocean Father you and Pops have told me for all these years?”
Taken aback by the question or at least by the timing of it, the woman stared at the boy for a moment before she answered simply. “Of course I do, they were always your favorites.”
“Then don’t you believe the stories then? We have revered the ocean for so many generations, lived and died on it as well, and even now we are counting on it to see us through the storm tonight, wouldn’t this be his will preparing us for what is to come?” The boy asked questions well beyond his years but with a belief that was impossible not to see at a glance.
She looked at the boy as she pulled her worn compass from her pocket, worn beyond belief from decades of use. The dents and scratches gave the device a character all it’s own but she adjusted their course by it regardless as she replied with a warm smile to the boy “Of course I do but the reminder is nice too.”
The storm raged around the pair as they discussed their favorite stories, the boy’s trust in the water strengthening as they talked. The discussion only stopped for short bursts of instructions on how and why they were navigating into the storm, most people would think the sight of the pair was utterly insane. In the midst of a storm being tied to the ship, the sky opened up and rain drenched everything now, and the ship tossed about like a buoy but still passing through the storm easily as they talked and acted like it was just any other day with lessons being taught as needed.
Anybody that is except for the blind passenger hidden away just inside the hatch listening intently to the conversation behind as a small smile crossed his face. WIth this young boy showing such faith in him already it might be interesting to see what he might accomplish in the future. Looking out he easily found the boy and watched as his blessing took hold on him, the aura slowly coalesced around him until a warm soft glow emanated outward barely visible to most.