As Dri made her way down the path from Chief Adaro's house, she headed toward the docks. By becoming the Arisen, Dri knew she needed to say goodbye, no matter how hard. She sighed, and paused on the pathway down. Do I really want to do this? Seeing the wreckage...it'll be horrible. I guess I should say goodbye though. To my old life and to Neptune. After a few more moments of internal debate, Dri shook her head and continued on her path.
Thankfully, it wasn't a long walk to the docks from Adaro's house, but Dri's determination to walk down almost left her when she saw the damage. Looking out into the bay, it was easy to tell that the dock was half the size it was just the day before. She slowly walked out to where she had tied Neptune up, only to see that the entire vessel was gone except her mast. As she stood there, staring at the mast in utter shock, she barely registered the looks of sympathy from the others on the dock. Quina had been right, the whole village had known how much the boat had meant to Dri.
Dri sat down on the docks, looking at the wreckage of her boat. Well, I never really expected this to happen. She felt a few tears spring to her eyes, but hurriedly brushed them away. Glancing around, she saw that everyone had returned to their work, either fixing the docks or boats. Turning back to what was left of Neptune, Dri knew that she would not be out in the seas for a while, if ever. The thought saddened her greatly. After all, in a fishing village, the sea was the closest thing many had to a mother. It provided food and comfort for the entire village. Staring at the mast, but not quite seeing it, Dri remembered saving up for a year, making small payments to the local shipwright Pah'uhl. She remembered her pride in owning Neptune, one of the first women to ever own a boat and fish alongside the men.
Still lost in though, Dri also began to think about her future. It's time, I guess, to admit the truth. There will be no husband for me, not so long as the dragon has my heart. I know now that I have nothing to offer. I have no way of providing for a family, at least, not yet. Perhaps, if the Creator blessed her, she would be able to slay the dragon quickly and return to her former life. Dri, emboldened by her fate, sunk the rest of Neptune's mast. It was back to odd jobs for her.
Dri went first to Pablo's Inn and quickly found the notice board. Three requests were posted: kill 10 goblins for their ears, kill 7 mice for their tails, and kill 5 rabbits for their feet. Dri took them all, informing Pablo that they would be completed within the week. He smiled and thanked her, before adding how sorry he was about Neptune. Dri thanked him for his sympathy, remembering his help in acquiring her.
Dri walked out the inn and was headed home when Benita waved her over. "Cos, good to see you! How're you feeling?"
"Conflicted. You heard about Neptune?" The plump healer nodded. "Truthfully, I think I have healed fully, but I feel as if I am only starting down a long and windy road. How is everyone else? I know I wasn't the only one wounded."
"I'd craft dressing for the wounded, had I the makings," lamented Benita. "If only I'd known...Cos, I need a favor. Can you fetch the flowers I need from outside the village?"
"Of course, Benita. What do you need?"
Benita smiled at her. "Five more sunbrights and one moonglow would be perfect."
Dri nodded, and agreed to try to have them before tomorrow. She took a moment to see that all of the healer's mats were full, and was extremely grateful that she had recovered. Dri resumed her path home, in order to check her wood and food supplies.
It was a good thing she did. Her food was nearly gone, but she had plenty of wood for a few days. Thankful for small blessings, she decided to head to the chapel, wondering if any jobs could be found there. Making sure her equipment was sheathed and door shut, Dri walked through Cassardis, humming to herself once more.