The Smell! The Noise!

I thought I was used to the smell and the noise, living in a village with animals kept very close to home—although none are kept at the temple.

However, nothing prepared me for living onboard a ship with so many animals packed alongside so many humans. The heat of the bodies make the smell worse and the noise is unceasing. It goes night and day. The stench permeates everything—what we eat, what we drink, and of course, the air we breath. You can taste it on the back of your tongue like a fur. No matter how often you swallow, how often you drink, or where you go onboard the ship…it stays with you. Not even the ocean breezes and winds can wipe it away. It lingers like the most unpleasant spirit.

Add that to the noise of the animals…their calls, their shifting feet…and the noise of the humans…the sooner I am off this ship and with my daughter, the sooner we make the return trip home…the better. I never want to be on a ship again! The minute I am home again, my feet will never again leave dry soil.

Never.

~Shashanna

I would do things different

Drifting in this ship while the storm tosses us around, I have nothing to do but think back…well, not think back so much as wish things were how they were a few years back. When Allorana was more innocent, before her gifts started manifesting. I am exceedingly proud of her. of how she is blossoming, and how she is discovering her power…but I miss my little girl, and her innocence. She was so sweet—she still is—but she was not in the notice of other people’s powers when she was not in her power. She was more carefree. I miss my little girl, from then, and now. I wonder if she had never started coming into her powers if things would be different now, or if she would still be taken as a power-play for other purposes. the gods move in strange ways and things still play out even when we think the key elements have been changed. the chances are she would still be taken, but there is a chance she would not. If I could, I might change the fact of her powers. Then again…I might not. She would not be the being she is if it were not for her powers. I just don’t know anything any more. I never thought I would doubt anything the way I have since I woke with that clouded vision. If only this storm would pass so we know where we stand, so we can get our bearings and get to Atlantis…My entries will becoming more sporadic as our journey gets further underway and we become busier. I will enter them as I can.

~Shashanna

Rough seas

a storm is coming. The water is getting rough. the dolphins and Orca’s are up playing, they seem to enjoy it, but they are keeping a safe distance from the ship. The waves have whitecaps on them.

The night was so dark. darker than it should have been. Clouds moved in. It was really rough going. Several of the women got sick down below. it really made things worse.

It is no wonder I tended to stay on firm ground, unless I have a choice. That is, except for the spirit. I have never seen seen these seas so rough. The seas around Atlanits, yes…I have heard they get particularly rough…but it is pretty unusual for these to get this rough. They can, but it is rare.

I would battle my way through the gods and demons if I had to, to get to Allorana. And, I just may have to. This storm can’t be completely natural.

The captain is asking everyone to secure themselves again…it looks like it is going to be really bad…

~Shashanna