The Seawing had intercepted the Dragon's Talon without further incident. Galliet was now under the care of their Master Healer, and they were safely en route back to shore. They would arrive at Fort Sea Hold in about 3 days, where Tiernan would be met by a group of Master Seacrafters, and his future as a Sea Captain would be decided. He had finally been able to change into clean, mostly dry clothing, and have a proper warm meal for the first time in days.
All in all, things weren't going so badly for the Captain.
At least for now. He knew that Galliet was never going to fully emotionally recover from the loss of his arm. He also knew that he'd never stop feeling guilty about the loss of his half-brother, and that he'd never look at his father the same way.
He remembered then the packet full of items that Squirt must have found and dropped on his office floor while he was asleep. He went into the temporary quarters that he'd been offered on the Dragon's Talon, and rifled through his things until he found it. He'd peeked in it once before he left the Seawing, and had seen that it contained a few relatively nice golden necklaces. He hadn't noticed some of the notes though.
"Dearest Vanilesa,
Please accept this necklace as a token of my love to you. It pains me to know that you don't wish to leave your husband for me. I understand that it's rough that I can't be around all the time because I am off at sea, but I do think that it would be worth it for the time we'd have together. I do hope that you'll tell Fievan and Vanera of us once they're old enough to understand. Shards, Fievan is 12 turns now. He's old enough to craft. He's old enough to know.
Love Always,
Fieranan"
Tiernan's heart thudded in his chest as he poured out the remaining contents of the envelope. Vanera. There was another one. He had a sister. That was the only explanation that made sense. He picked up a harper's portrait of a little girl. She appeared to be around 10 turns of age, and had the same eyes as Fievan and Tiernan.
There was another note, this one in unfamiliar hand.
"Dearest Fieranan,
I am sorry that I have played games with your head for so many turns. It's been very hard to deal with being married to a man who doesn't love me, and to love a man who is away at sea. My husband has recently passed away, which is why you haven't heard from me, as his firelizard has went /between/. I couldn't think of any other way to get in touch with you, and Fievan has insisted that he will join the Seacraft in hopes of contacting you. I have sent this note along with him so you would believe him, although he looks just like you. I have enclosed an espousal ring. I do hope that you'll wear it.
Your Love,
Vanilesa"
Tiernan sat back and took deep breaths for a few moments. The way that Fievan had been talking, it had sounded like Fieranan had just had a brief fling with Vanilesa, and he had assumed that it was over for turns. These letters though - they spoke of a history that had spanned at least several turns.
Tiernan considered his father's actions for a moment. He remembered that 2 turns ago, when he had walked the Tables to become a Master that his father had taken him aside, and told him that he was planning on taking a position that would allow him to spend more time at home. He had blamed old age, but now Tiernan was left wondering if it wasn't because he no longer needed to visit his other family.
He sat back in the chair, resting his head against the wall of the ship. It didn't rock the same way the Seawing did, as it was a much larger vessel. It made him feel disorientated, away from home. It certainly didn't help his present mental state any.
He wanted someone to love. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to be with someone that he was comfortable around. Since the Seawing had been en route South, and he knew he'd be away for a few months, he had tried to ignore his desires to start a family. Was this a sign that he should consider another path?
