Journeys with a stranger

Journey with a stranger

Born into a family of farmers, fishermen, and weavers; This is the story of a soon to be exceptional warrior whom soon meet an unusual stranger. Her name is Riada. She is an only child. She is born with blonde hair and a boyish demeanor. She grew up hearing about the tales of an elite force. Like many boys around the villages around her, she wants to be a member of that elite force of warriors. This force is called the Black Hand. They are re-known for their mastery in combat as well as the mastery of the sea.

The Black Hand have a strict code of conduct. They use this code to control the Sea of Deadly Knives. A vast sea that is filled with jagged rocks and hidden corals. However as part of their code, they do not allow women among their ranks. The reasoning is mostly just a superstition at sea, and partly to respect the wishes of village elders of that region. Despite that, Riada still wants to join. Her reasoning is that she does not want to stay in her village. She figures that the only way off is to join.

At the age of nine, she gets a chance. Or so she thought. Many families of her village prepares for the selection of sons for the apprenticeships to their future mentors. She tries to prepare herself by dressing up as a boy. Unlucky for her, her father caught her before the ship that brings the warriors came ashore. He disapproves of her course of action. He plans to groom her to be weaver or a farmer. He yank her towards their home. An argument between father and daughter ensures. This draws the attention of one of the warriors. Curious that he was, he see something following them. This shadowy figure is following from a distance and closing in.

As the ship unloads the mentoring fighters, the Eldest of The Black Hand is notified. He hear sounds from the direction of the father and daughter. There he sees the dark figure moving quickly. The figure moved as if it was appearing and disappearing. He calls to the other members. He is convinced of foul magic at hand. He orders a team to apprehend and capture. And he orders the rest to hurry, select, and send the recruits onto the ship. The most trusted of his followers starts their chase of the figure. And few more try to cut its escape off.

Hours later, when they lost sight of it. The men split up. Few of them find and follow the two that the figure followed earlier. Meanwhile the ship sets off shore with its cargo of boys. Inside the home of the two was dark except for the candle light at the right side. Riada's father drags his daughter in and scold her for her actions. He yells at the top of his lungs. He yells about his embarrassment of seeing his daughter dressing like a boy. He feel betrayed by her. When the men enters the home, he stop. They look around from the doorway. They took one look at her and frown. All but one of them walk away. The man then draws his spear at Riada. Her father got scared. Then a young girl with short brown hair appears behind Riada. With her yellow eyes, she stares at the warrior. Thinking that it is funny to be caught, she smiles. Riada turned and looked at those eyes. This is the first time she sees a stranger. The strangers looks at Riada and grabs her. The father screams at the stranger. And the stranger smiles.

The wall behind them shake and opened up. The salty air breathe in the room. The warrior's and the father's own eyes can't believe it. Both the stranger and Riada gets sucked into the hole. The brave warrior rushes into the hole before it closes. All three of them find themselves onto the ship. Riada is surprised to be on the ship at sea. The spear men calls for his fellow companions. They rush and surround the two girls. They aim their weapons at the stranger. "Well! this is a certainly a strange welcome," the stranger exclaims. As one lunged at her, she jumps toward the spear man. He thrusts his spear and miss her. He feel astonishment about the speed of this stranger. She catch his helmet with one hand and laughs. Angrily, Riada runs towards her and pull out the spear man's dagger. The stranger lets go of the helmet and catches Riada's arm.

"THAT IS NOT NICE LITTLE GIRL!" the stranger barks. The spear man turns at the stranger'r direction. "Witch, your fight is with us,"The spear man seriously yells. He then lowers his spear. "A fight,... A FIGHT! What fight," she reply while laughing,"Is this my...<laughs> reward for bring her onto this...<chuckles> ship?" Riada's eyes widen. What? This stranger be helping her? The stranger lets go. Without any more resistance, she gives up. They tie her up and take her journal. Before they can turn the ship back, a storm approaches. The harsh winds blow the sail and the ship away from the village. The ship rocks and the children recruits head down below deck. The Captain walk to the spear man and asks about Riada. Both of them look at Riada. And the spear man mention to The Captain that he should get her to go below deck. The warrior walks away as The Captain approach Riada in a warm gesture. "Welcome to The Shallow Tides!"