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Splintered Light Chapter 9.4: Looking Ahead; Looking Back

Tobias Severna was a man of science, but he also held a very deep-seated respect for the Church. He had been raised by a very pious father who believed strongly that a life well-lived was the greatest prayer that could be provided. Tobias had been taught by his father from a young age that any man, regardless of breeding could be a gentleman so long as he showed respect for himself, for those around him, and, most importantly, to God. Although he did not always see eye to eye with his father, Tobias learned many things from him and looked up to him as a source of wisdom, insight, and guidance.

Tobias Severna was a man of scholastic study, but he learned to also rely on the gift of personal experience and practical use. He had been raised by a loving mother whose knowledge came from the natural world and through stories and knowledge passed down through the ages among the tribal folk of north eastern Lehsinua. It was from his mother than Tobias learned the importance of identifying everything around him-- not just because of the innumerable uses for even the common dandelion, but because it was all worthy of being known. Her idea of comprehension went far past the words in the book; it was about true understanding.

Family was a difficult topic for Tobias to discuss. He had lost his mother to needless violence in his late teens. Although his father was still alive, the old carpenter had found it difficult to forgive Tobias for abandoning plans to study with the Mehnzilian Church and choose instead to follow a path of scholarly pursuit with the University of Progressive Understanding. The Severna family was fractured, and the meeting Tobias had to say farewell to his father was rife with tension, and accusation that Rolf was stealing away everything in the patriarch's life.

Tobias was the younger brother, and his father's plan for a child to join the church was ruined when Rolf, who was several years the elder of the two left his studies to travel far and wide as an apprentice sailor, tutored by a missionary; it was somewhat ironic that Tobias had found himself on a ship not only with Rolf, but also that very same missionary: Reverend Fischer. The Prong Horn gave himself a mental palm upside his head-- 'ironic' was not a suitable word to use for the situation. The fact that both Severna siblings were traveling aboard a ship which was also inhabited by the self-same Otter was more a satirical mockery of what their father had seen as their life.

They were dour thoughts that went through Tobias' mind as he gazed north eastward toward the mountainous island that was just barely visible through the dark mist and early-morning light. Although it was not yet dawn the ample cacophony of sailors readying to row the rest of the way to the island made it difficult to sleep. Tobias was not disturbed by the awakening; having spent plenty of time afield, the Prong Horn was used to rising with the dawn and he did not consider himself a glutton when it came to sleep hours. While he wouldn't specifically say that he was well rested he was content to know that he had rested 'enough'.

The Prong Horn remained at the bow of the ship, not just to get a good look at the landmass as they approached, but also so he could stay out of the way of the crew. The Wave Rider was an amazing ship with some of the finest sailing equipment available, but to watch the workers transition the vessel from sail to oars was a marvel to behold-- for all of ten minutes. The entire process took nearly an hour and, while the methodology was intriguing to observe the repetition of the actions required to make ready to be underway eventually lost his interest. His attention wasn't the only one that had strayed and eventually he realized he was not alone.

Tobias recognized the sound of Christine's footwear on the deck so he was able to identify her without even needing to turn around. "Good morning, Doctor."

Dr. Brownell stepped up beside him on the rail, resting her white gloves on the wood as she leaned forward to mimic his stance. "Hello, Mister Severna."

He saw that she was wearing the same short gown and petticoat that she favored when not tending to patients; the Prong Horn was actually quite surprised that she wasn't dressed in breeches, which she usually flaunted to the high born 'overly proper' gentlemen of society who thought it was a woman's place to be adorned in as much clothing showing as little form as possible. Only when her eyes turned toward him did he realize that she had joined him at the bow for more than just the view. He hoped to approach the topic casually. "It has been quite a trip, has it not?"

Her nose scrunched up in that cute way he so enjoyed indicating that she realized he was being overtly polite; she never much cared for his excessive dedication to courtly manners. Regardless, she humored him. "Indeed... but we have only just arrived at our first stop, and if we plan to return in good order then you could say that we have barely even completed half of our total travel."

Tobias glanced back on deck and saw that all of the sailors were hard at work. He then looked to his companion at the rails and rested a hand on her gloved paw. She turned to regard him and he leaned forward, presenting her with a kiss on the cheek before pulling back to gaze appreciatively into her eyes. She had humored him and so he would humor her, dropping the oh-so-proper gentility for something more familiar. "How are you coping, my darling?"

It got a smile out of her and she squeezed his hand with her paw. "Better now."

She went to her tip toes to sneak a quick kiss on his muzzle, but then went back to the railing so as to provide him an opportunity to blush in private; he accepted the invitation and did just that. Moments later he joined her looking out over the sea, standing beside her rather than at a 'respectable distance' and he felt the end of her tail curl around his leg just above the hoof. He ignored his own blush as he spoke up again. "I wonder what this island will bring."

It had been a constant topic between them whenever Dr. Brownell had any spare time. Since her last patient was finally released she'd found some extra minutes in her day but the past twenty-or-so hours had been spent reviewing medical supplies and preparing what would be needed for landfall. He knew she was having concerns over the landing party's health and, despite it sounding egocentric, the Prong Horn would have liked to have thought that no small amount of that concern was for him; as the resident scholar he would obviously be going ashore and she would likely fret until his return.

As if to mirror his own thoughts, Dr. Brownell immediately turned to facts. "Injuries are common in the wilderness and I am concerned that most of these men do not know how to handle them."

Tobias attempted to make certain his laugh didn't sound condescending. "My dear Doctor Brownell, I would think most grown men know enough to--"

She apparently didn't want to listen to his reassurance. "Other than you and myself, how many people on this ship do perceive to be familiar with any kind of first aid proficiency?"

The Prong Horn shrugged. "My brother at least... the Reverend... I would assume Brother Zoari, and perhaps--"

Dr. Brownell continued speaking as if he'd been trying to answer a rhetorical question and began listing off problems on her fingers. "Aside from minor trauma, there's shock, drowning, poisoning, bleeding, fractures, dislocations, sprains, concussions, heat exhaustion, sunstroke, burns, blisters, imbalance of humors--"

He pressed his hand down over one of her gloved paws. "My dear... I have spent great lengths of time in the wild, and I will be there to help provide guidance. You need not worry."

She let out a deep sigh, but at least the frantic nature of her words seemed to slow. "I am not entirely reassured, but you are right, Tobias. Still, I can't even begin to fathom how much more work this will create for those of us who know how to handle these concerns."

He offered a much more genuine smile and gave her paw a gentle squeeze. "I promise you that I will be safe once we disembark."

Chris nodded, letting out another breath before smiling as well. "Good. I promise too."

It took him a moment to make sense of her statement; she would obviously be safe aboard the Wave Rider while the-- it suddenly sunk it. "Wait-- you aren't going ashore... are you?"

Rolf's voice caught Tobias' attention before Chris could respond. "The captain hasn't decided yet, but it is on the table for discussion."

Tobias shook his head. "That isn't a wise idea; the ship needs its doctor on board and she can't very well manage a--"

The Mouse spoke right over him. "I would be wasted on the Wave Rider since the injuries will be happening out and about near camp. It is a VERY wise idea to have me where I will be of the most use."

Rolf, as usual, had something to say, and it was (also, as usual), not supportive of Tobias' viewpoint. "I agree with Dr. Brownell; it makes far more sense to have the ship's surgeon where she can do the most good."

Tobias scowled. "Thank you for your insight, Rolf... as helpful as always."

Chris smiled, extending the paw not being held by Tobias and using it to pat the bosun's forearm. "My thoughts exactly."

The scholar sighed, half out of fatalistic surrender and half out of good natured humor; all told, he did love them both. "They're all against me."

Rolf didn't help very much. "It's not that we're against you... we're just usually right more often than not."

The Mouse's smile widened. "You see that, Tobias? Your older brother DOES have things he can teach you after all."

The conversation was on the brink of turning more lighthearted and playful but it didn't get the chance as the ship vibrated; the two anchors were being weighed and a moment later it heaved faintly as the first strikes of the oars pushed it forward. From there, Rolf's words turned much more official. "The Captain decided that it would be most beneficial to play it safe and approach the island quietly; we'll be rowing the Wave Rider to closer range of the island and look for a sheltered cove or an easily accessible shore."

The movement of the ship hardly sounded 'quiet' to the scholar, whose ears were besieged by the rhythmic slapping of the numerous wooden fins as they hit the sea accompanied by the shouts of the First Mate and the Foreman calling out the beat for the sailors manning the oars. The captain and most of the rigging team had their attention facing forward toward their chosen path; Tobias knew that approaching uncharted islands could be dangerous because of underwater obstructions and having as many eyes posted for possible problems was important.

He thought back to the only major shipwreck he remembered hearing of in his youth; an Ilysean freighter had run aground of some rocks during low tide on an approach to Newport back in Lehsunia and it had resulted in a half dozen casualties. It was a frightening thing to consider, especially since that had been close to civilization where help was only minutes away. His mind began to race with different thoughts of what might happen if the Wave Rider did something similar; assuming there weren't any serious injuries, would the damage be bad enough that the ship wouldn't be able to make the return trip? Would they be stuck on the island until help came? ... would help come? No... surely they would be fine and nothing of the sort would befall them on their approach.

In a turn of dramatic irony (yes, he decided, 'irony' was suitable in such a context), a moment after he attempted to reassure himself the ship lurched to the side, tilting in time with the sound of a spine-tingling groan and creak of stressed wood; the Prong Horn was certain he heard a crackle and a snap. Cries of alarm went up immediately and several of the riggers began pointing in one direction. Mr. Zuider, the seemingly unshakable Goat calmly shouted out orders for two sailors to do something, and three others to do something else, and another set of someone-or-something to happen; Tobias was certainly not polished up on his maritime speak, but in short order the ship seemed to recover from whatever malady had caused the issue.

Captain Jacksoni joined the three of them at the bow a few moments later. "well... that was most... exciting."

Rolf was immediately all business. "Problem, sir?"

The Tiger pulled his headgear off and gently polished the monocle with a kerchief. "Inconvenience. We weren't up to enough of a speed to take any real damage, but we had accidentally set upon a small obstruction. According to the carpenter below it isn't serious. There is some leaking and it will require repairs once we arrive at a decent anchoring point but we aren't in any real danger."

Tobias let out a breath. "Good thing we weren't using the engine... it might've been worse."

Alistair smiled genuinely. "Ah... a double sided blade, Master Severna-- had we been using the engine we could have possibly avoided it. Sadly, the bulk and hull shape of this fine vessel brings with it some lack of maneuverability while under oar power. Thankfully Mr. Viktor's rigging team caught sight of the issue and we were able to slow enough and align it for a glancing blow."

The Prong Horn reached up and rubbed the side of his head. "Hmm... I am afraid that there is far more to the craft of seamanship than I can follow, Captain."

Rolf reached over and threw an arm around the scholar's shoulder. "That's why there's so many different kinds of people in this world, Budder-- everyone has their talents."

The Captain smirked at that but the conversation was interrupted as the ship's Foreman approached. The Goat nodded to the Tiger and spoke immediately. "We're past the worst of it, Kaptain... a little too rocky to begin but we have a good approach."

The First Mate was just a step behind. "We can circle close to shore and look for a sheltered harbor or cove." He paused for a moment before speaking in a slightly quieter tone in the tongue of the Tribesmen. "... if the Mother is merciful and kind."

Having spent years among the tribesman while studying nature, Tobias knew the language well and had enough of an understanding of the peoples' spirituality to know that the First Mate's prayer-ish statement was in reference to a spirit rather than a deity. He responded to the Jackal in Mehnzilian. "She is, Friend Ash-Moon. We'll be fine."

The tribesman looked his way and appeared just about to say something, but his gaze shifted past the Prong Horn and a look of surprise washed over his face. Others saw the change in the First Mate and all eyes went to where he was looking. An enormous rock was jutting out of the waves but, as the ship rowed past, the view became that much clearer. Captain Jacksoni was the first to speak. "Well I'll be..."