....and we will call it, This Land.

[Judah Dashiell]

Arda | Sanctum Space | Fishing Village (name lost in translation)



Judah was on foot, sweat rolling down his forehead. One would think with his new, shorter hair it might be a littler cooler. How wrong he was. Either way, the salvager-CEO was hoofing it on foot to a small fishing village. The man had only been here once, for a wedding of a man he knew as [member="Seydon of Arda"] . Judah didn't know him personally and still to this day wasn't sure why had been invited. Yet the trip had been fruitful. Judah now knew of this quiet planet. Arda.


Out of the way and in Sanctum space, it reminded him a bit of his native Saleucami. Only with more water. Lots more water. Part of him wanted to cash in on Salacia Consolidated and raise Makai in such an environment, give the boy a similar upbringing to himself. Somehow though Judah was fairly certain such a thing wouldn't fly with [member="Thessa Kai"] .


Word of mouth was leading him to this location though. After a few days on the planet there were few that were willing to sell land or even familiar with the concept. Yet word had it this band of clans was an enterprising one. Perhaps they would be able to give him what he needed. At least the location was decent so far.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Trudging was suddenly becoming fruitful. Up ahead Judah could make out the reed and stone buildings of the locals. They blended in seamlessly with the island and beach, the jungle encroaching on the little village. Rows of boats were beached on the shore. Fishing nets and spears lay out to dry or for repair. Daily life seemed to be buzzing, all revolving around the sea. Naturally, it didn't take long for himself to be noticed. Judah wasn't very tan and he stuck out like a sore thumb. Clearly he was an off-worlder.


A tall, lean middle-aged gentleman was striding out to meet him. Judah made sure to keep his body language as neutral as possible. He wasn't here for attack or plunder. Palms remained open, clearly he wasn't carrying anything but the pack on his back. The villager was looking him up and down. A reaction to be expected. Slowing his long gait, Judah made sure to meet the man in the middle.


"Outsider, what brings you here?"


"A clan across the island. They tell me you may be interested in trade."


"Trade? Our clans know more than others. We will trade if the offer is strong. What do you desire of ours Outsider?"


"Land. A place to build on the beach. I am told your clan controls this side of the island, the territory and ocean is yours."


"You know much Outsider. We control these areas. Come. We discuss a trade with the council."


Nodding, Judah shifted his pack and followed the tall villager towards the center of the settlement. There was a semi-open air structure in the middle, a lodge or meeting place of some type. Around him villagers spoke in hushed tones or stared. Several other older villagers -- both men and women -- were gathering in the structure. The council he assumed. Some faces were stern, others curious. It was the hardest crowd he'd have to win over yet.


"Outsider. Make your proposal. Then we decide."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Thank you, Council."


Judah wiped the sweat from his brow and took the pack off his back. He set the heavy bag down at his feet and zipped it open. The members of the Council craned forward lightly to see, only spotting the shine of metallic objects. Judah set about laying his objects out in a row. Out of the bag came a myriad of things ; a shovel, a pick, leather/hide altering tools, several types of knives, a hatchet, and spear tips. All metal and all very durable. The last item was a length of nylon-sail fabric and equally sturdy sea rope. There was only one of each item thus far.


"As you can see, I have metal items and the nylon sail fabric, the rope. All the metal items are an alloy. They are designed to last and be used in a harsh fashion. I am prepared to offer you a crate of each item. The larger items....would be less but the knives and spear tips come nearly one fifty to a crate."


"Crate? Of each?" The Council head looked over the items, motioning for a lesser Council member to pass him the knives. All went quiet for a moment, eyes watching the man inspect the cutting instrument.


"Unacceptable. You will give me four crates of knives, spear heads, and sails. Everything else we demand three crates. "


Silence echoed through the small structure. A woman, probably the second in command, looked pleased as she heard the terms. Her hand reached for the spear tip, checking the quality over. Such a thing was important. More sea life could be caught with metal tips.


"I have no problems with those terms. If I die, my son will inherit the land?"


"Only if your son is not a man when you move from one life to the next. Otherwise he must settle with us like you do here."


"Understood. My family will not be bothered by your tribe?"


"No Outsider. Settle your debt with us within four moons. Bring us the crates and you are free to live on our side of the island."


"You will have your crates in three moons."


"This is acceptable." There was a pause. "Council, this calls for a feast!"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Judah made the journey back on foot. He had brought various crates of things with him but was short on the knives and metal spear tips. It wouldn't take long to take a short jaunt into the more populated planets of the Sanctum to finish gathering his supplies. Although to deliver them he would have to land the Siren's Song much closer and hopefully find a more rocky spot to land the vessel.


-Two Moons Later-


The Siren's Song cut through the bright blue skies, circling back over the unnamed fishing village. It took a moment to find a suitable landing zone but it was better than lugging everything for thirty minutes plus. Carefully, Judah set the vessel down, only hearing the scraping of a few branches on the shiny exterior. Immediately he put down the hangar ramp, where the crates had been stored. Hissing and settling of the ship occurred as he walked through the corridors, moving towards the back. Straps had held the crates down and Judah started to unsnap them, pushing the large boxes towards the opening.


Young lads, maybe eleven to thirteen were arriving though from the village. Working in tandem, two to four boys were carrying the large crates off into the village. Judah worked to help them, moving the crates into the same COuncil lodge-house he had been in recently. Elder women worked to open the crates and inspect them. Judah saw this as wise -- he would do the same in any position.


When the last crate had been delivered and inspected, a tanned woman nodded shortly to him.


"I approve. You are now free to use our land."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

The sun blazed overhead as Judah kept pace behind a young boy. Not older than eleven, the young villager had the task of taking him to the land they were allowing Judah to build on. There hadn't been many words exchanged between the two. The village boy was all business. Attached at his hip was a shiny new hatchet, no doubt a reward for having to deal with the 'Outsider'. Every so often the boy would use to to hack through a particularly thick piece of tropical jungle. Yet most of the trip it was clear they were on an invisible pathline through the dense underbrush.


The brush was starting to thin and the sound of waves crashing ashore could be heard once again. They were getting closer. It took several more minutes before they emerged into what looked like a cove. The jungle was thick behind them and there was a large swath of land to build on. Large rocks dotted the beaches up and down and from the vantage point another section of island could be seen.


"You build here. In front of us....huge reefs. We harvest everyday. We see you everyday while fishing. You see us. Yet we stay separate, don't get in way."


"Sounds like a plan to me. This site is perfect. I'm honored to be on your land."


After a curt nod,the boy silent disappeared back into the jungle. Judah was left on his own to get to work.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

-Two Weeks Later-


Everything about the project from this point seemed to be a struggle. Finding workers to keep quiet enough about the project. Pulling in building materials outside of Arda was one of the biggest challenges -- and one he expected. Keeping the house project a secret from [member="Thessa Kai"] was also a challenge. It was a fine line to walk. Part of the mermaid probably thought he was cheating or had a second family. Yet it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Word of the project would probably cause her to roll her eyes. Bring too many questions behind the 'why' of it. All in due time.


The sounds of hammering echoed throughout the cove. The foundation had been easy once they dug the basement, local rocks formed the lower portion. It gave a nice, blended look with the jungle surroundings. Villagers went about their work on the seas. Tanned men stood in slender canoes and kayak-like structures, tossing nets into the ocean.


Work had begun cutting through the jungle. After all, the Dashiells would have to land. It was going to be hard hiding the Siren's Song or Sirena, but it could be done. Camouflaged closed-top hangar plus the jungle would have to work. With the way the plants grew around the area it wouldn't be long before it looked as if nothing happened. At least from the air.