CHAPTER II

The ship rose and fell beneath his feet as Maleko lowered his spear to the deck. Bhaldryss hung his head in shame as he realized he had once again put his brother in danger by losing himself to his berserker rage. Maleko smiled at him reassuringly.

"It's alright broda(1), I'm fine, and it keeps me on my toes!"

The Roegadyn gave him a sheepish smile. "Aye, I'd imagine it would."

"It is nothing to be ashamed of my Syn(2)." the elder giant spoke. "A Sea Wolf marauder's Wuota Blaet(3) is a thing of great pride. Work hard, and learn to harness it, and you will be as immovable as a berk(4), and as unrelenting as the merl(5)."

Bhaldryss bowed to his father. "Yes, Fatyr."

"Heck, I wish I could tap into such a fearsome energy myself!" chimed in Maleko, trying to ease his brother's mood.

The elder Roegadyn turn his attention to the young Hyur. "Maleko, you grow more powerful every day. Your skill with the spyr(6) is unrivaled on the isil(7). I could see you taking a place in the Lancer's Guild of Gridania, and bringing this isil great honor."

A spark of curiosity flashed in Maleko's eyes at the elder's words. "The Lancer's Guild?"

"Yes my Syn, Gridania is the home of the famous Lancer's Guild, and the stalwart Wood Wailers that defend their kingdom. Spyr fighters from all over the world gather there to train in the Guild's halls."

"Do you believe this, Lancer's Guild, could hone my skills further, Fatyr?" Maleko asked, fascinated.

The elder simply nodded. "There is always room to improve Klin(8)."

The sun was setting over the ocean as the Sea Wolf ship reached its home port, the island of Tanima Umi, home of a rough tribe of Roegadyn Sea Wolves. The people of the island were all marauders, raiding nearby islands, and sometimes crossing the seas to raid the Eorzean coasts. Those of the islanders that were not marauders were fishermen, and sea wives. Thatched roof huts sprawled across the shimmering white sands of a sea shell littered beach. Further inland, a dense jungle could be seen, leading to sheer vertical cliffs.

Roegadyn children ran down the coast, waving to the ship as it passed. Maleko raised a hand in response as they slowly pulled close to the dock. The crew of the ship, "Und Braena(9)" heaved thick mooring lines from the ship to the waiting dock workers on the pier, who wound them around old bollards, rusted from years of ocean spray.

Maleko looked at his brother, standing next to him by the rail, and smiled. "Well, we're home broda."

The Roegadyn grinned at the Hyur beside him. It had been fifteen years since his father had found Maleko washed up on the shores of Tanima Umi, only five years old. The elder had taken him in as a second son, and raised him as his own. Now, Maleko was like a brother to him in all but blood.

The brow thudded across to the pier as the crew lowered it into place. The elder Roegadyn, standing at the prow of the ship, cupped his hands to his mouth.

"Ahoy, Sea Wolves! Ahoy, Tanima Umi!" his deep voice boomed out across the island, and the villagers emerged from their huts, smiling and cheering the return of their leader, and his crew.

That night, a feast was held to celebrate the return of the Marauders. They had returned, victorious, from raiding a neighboring island, after a dispute over the flow of established sea trade lines.

Men and women sang, dance, and drank around a giant bonfire on the beach. A more boisterous group of men had joined each other in a bawdy drinking song as they step danced, arm in arm. Small scuffles broke out over petty things here and there, but that was to be expected whenever Sea Wolves were in their cups.

Maleko sat beside his brother, a faraway look in his eyes as he watched his people celebrate. He tugged idly at one of his brass ear rings as his gaze was drawn to another scuffle.

"Is something bothering you Maleko?" Bhaldryss asked him, sensing something was amiss.

"I'm fine borda , I've just been thinking about what Fatyr was saying." Maleko replied, "About that Lancer's Guild in Gridania."

The young Roegadyn studied his brother's face. "You wish to go, don't you?" he asked.

"I don't know Bhaldryss… I feel like I do, but…" Maleko trailed off, unsure of how to explain his thoughts.

"But you do not wish to leave the island?" Bhaldryss finished for him.

Maleko looked up at his brother, then slowly nodded.

"Broda. I have known you since we were both young. You have a passion for spear fighting, nothing gives you joy more than honing your skills." Bhaldryss told his brother, "Do not worry about leaving Tanima Umi, we shall always be with you. You may be a Hyur by blood Maleko, but you are a Sea Wolf by honor."

(1) Broda - Traditional Roegadyn word for Brother.

(2) Syn - Traditional Roegadyn word for Son.

(3) Wuota Blaet - Wuota meaning Berserker, and Blaet meaning Blood. Traditional Roegadyn phrase for Berserker Blood.

(4) Berk - Traditional Roegadyn word for Mountain.

(5) Merl - Traditional Roegadyn word for Sea.

(6) Spyr - Traditional Roegadyn word for Spear.

(7) Isil - Traditional Roegadyn word for Island.

(8) Klin - Traditional Roegadyn word for Child.

(9) Und Braena - Und meaning Wave, and Braena meaning Breaker, the name of the boat is Wave Breaker