Introductions

"What brings you here on this boat?" Fouracres asked kindly from his seat upon the deck. Ichorlin looked over the waves, thinking once more on the reason she had started her journey. She didn't want to reveal her true desires, but something about this man made her feel warm and safe. She could trust him.

"I uh…" She started awkwardly then stopped. She didn't know where to start! Fouracres smiled knowingly.

"You know, you remind me of a young boy I met a ways back. You got the same sorta eyes." He murmured distractedly. Ichorlin looked at him with an odd expression.

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously. Fouracres leant back in his chair, which creaked softly.

"Hard to explain. But, I can just feel somethin' the same." He murmured. Ichorlin wondered what he meant, but Fouracres didn't linger on the subject. Slapping his knees he sat forward. "Well, I guess I'll tell you my story shall I?" He asked warmingly. "Let you decide upon your own answer." He added with a chuckle. Ichorlin smiled and nodded.

"That would be great." She said. Fouracres smiled.

"Well then." He began "I'm a postman as you may have noticed." Ichorlin nodded, pretending she had picked up on the fact. "But ye see, a ways back. Actually…" He said rubbing the back of his neck. "After I met that boy. A fulgar he was with killed The Misbegotten Shrewd. A rather unfortunate end to the critter." He added in a mumble. "Well, ye see he was on my occasional postal route. And when he was killed, a lot of posties weren't so afraid to pass through the area, so instead of me plodding along by foot, they chose a faster more experienced driver to go through. So after that my route was shortened, and eventually they shipped me out of there, sayin' they needed a walkin' postie up North. Someone with guts." He said humbly, smiling as he mentioned the word 'guts.' Ichorlin stared in amazement.

"You mean you often passed The Mis… Uh…"

"Misbegotten Shrewd?" Fouracres finished with a grin. Ichorlin nodded.

"That one." She agreed. Fouracres smiled sadly and nodded.

"Indeed I did. Twas a mighty nice basket he was. Always up for a chin-wag. But a bit slow in his head. That was his downfall after all." He said grimly. Ichorlin looked on with sympathy.

"That is rather a shame." She agreed. "But I best not be saying that." She added glancing suspiciously around her. Fouracres grinned.

"Nay. We aren't meant to talk in such ways, but who can help it when one has a heart that isn't cold as stone?" He said wisely. Ichorlin nodded with a slight smile. "So, what brings you this way? Thought of a better answer?" He said laughing. "But don't you mind me, if you want your secrets kept, I'll understand." Ichorlin shook her head.

"No I… Well, just don't know what to say. To put it simply, I'm going on a little personal business along the Felix." She said smiling coyly. Fouracres glanced at her more closely.

"The Felix ya say? You mean the Conduit Felix?" He asked with interest. Ichorlin nodded.

"The very one!" She said with a laugh. "Why the sudden interest?" Fouracres grinned widely.

"That's exactly where I've been sent M'Dear. But isn't that a bit of a dangerous place for someone as young as you? Or really, a woman of any age has no sense goin' out along there." Ichorlin crinkled her mouth nervously.

"It is my duty." She said quite simply. Fouracres nodded understandably but curiosity lit his face. Ichorlin wished she could tell him the truth, but she didn't know just how he would take the truth. Afterall, a human's heart is only so deep; no matter how warm it is.

"Well. We had best stick together then. At least until we find we must part ways." Fouracres suggested humbly. Ichorlin looked at him in shock for a moment.

"I...uh…" She bumbled nervously, and then with a sigh, she smiled. "Yes. We should."

Thanks for reading so far. Just a question to all those better at writing than I am, or really anyone who knows their stuff, I'm not saying "he said, she said." sorta stuff too much am I? I kinda get a bit lost when it comes to writing how people speak. Also, any tips on writing more Cornish-style? Lol. If we can call it that ^_^ Must give a big thankyou to everyone who has already reviewed, especially SteloBrilanta for your awesomely epic review, that made me a bit more confident in my story :)