Day 13 on the ship
Today I was gifted a dagger and a packet of paper, since I wanted to make notes of what I'm taught. My speech is now understandable, but I need to work on my writing.
They continue to ask me of my name. I thought it was on my brooch, they laughed at this. So I keep it hidden under the right glove.
They told me I must be an elf, since I learn so fast, but I don't know what that means anyway. And some of them write in weird straight composure only. I think they will soon head to a port and leave me there.
Day 14 on the ship
One of the older men of the crew proposed a new road, to set sail to a different port than usually. They took sail to a place called Umbar. It's supposed to be visible in a about 2 days. Only things other than the water are rocks and clouds in the sky. The man that decided to change the destination is using the night's sky to navigate, he's teaching me of starts and their names. He brings fruit to me, it's sweet and if squished, could make ink, only problem is that it smears a lot. Lost a piece of paper to it, but the man told me to draw the map of lands we meet, use the red-ish colour as high mountains, and that he'll get me more fruits to draw with.
Day 16 on the ship
I could finally see the land. The crew said it'll take one more day to sail to Umbar, and the old man taught me to navigate with the stars. During the day I would help make brews and potions, but they do not allow me to make one of my own, just those that have clear instructions. I've been beaten for using the wrong coloured glass for a smoking potion. My arm still hurts. I'm waiting till night comes to get out of the barrel.
Day 17 on the ship
We've been at Umbar for not even half the sun. The old man jumped out from the ship first, and ran somewhere. I didn't want to be left alone, but they refused to let me off the ship. After sometime the old man came back. He held some paper scrolls, and folded pieces. With a gentle smile he knelt near me.
"I found something to help you out. And since you're such a good keeper of secrets, I learned of a perfect name for you." He said
"Thurinien, a daughter of a secret." And he laughed loudly.
"Thurinien!" He sprung back up. I was glad to have a name, something to be called with.
"There were some elven-runes, and some people who tried to read em. Here's some runes or whatever that elves use. I'll help you, dear, and then you'll help us decode some of these olden maps." He gave me the stack of papers, while hiding the scrolls in his own bag. "These are for later"
For the rest of the day we tried to read the poetry of elves. We had many tries but at the end of it all we came up with a translation that was mostly understandable.
Day 25 on the ship
I was advised to write again, to help relax and rest. For the past days I've been studying the maps and poetry, to be able to help the crew. They almost immediately started calling me by my name. It was a nicer change of things. The captain of the ship insisted on still calling me "kid", even tho most of the people agreed I'm most likely older than the rest. I do not know, and there is no way of telling my age. At least by the knowledge of the crew and the poetry I was reading.
The old man was impressed with the speed I was catching up to others. Yet, I'm still unable to make potions without anyone watching me.
Day 26 on the ship
The old man spent the night with me. We were scouring the night sky, when he told me of elves, and that he believes I would be considered a child within elven rules of age. I asked if he considered me a child, and he answered without a hesitation.
"Aye"
Day 34 on the ship
We've landed by Tharbad(Cardolan) again. Greyflood. They showed me the rocks that they found me on. There were still some wooden planks drifting near it, bloodied rags with them. I pointed to a shiny object stuck by the rocks, and they brought it to me. It was a brooch, same that I had, but this one could be opened. Inside of it, there was a dark green line, moving fast, as if searching for something. It pointed at me.
The captain heard of the treasure, and I swiftly switched the one in my hands with the one off of the chain by my wrist, before he had come close to me. He'd observe it for a while then said that there must've been someone from my family there. That when they found me, there was another 'she-elf' in the wreck, and it was probably hers. Most likely my mother.
Day 48 on the ship
The crew finally had me done some actual tasks, beyond navigation and map-making. The old man has loudly bragged about my map multiple times already, yet none were interested until now.
They got me to sail a smaller boat with one other person, to complete a "trade", by some place called Buckland. The sail should be up to two days each way. I'm meant to be the one actually sailing, while the young man is supposed to be there for the deal only, since he speaks better than me, and actually knows of the trade secrets. To make sure my looks won't bring any suspicion, I was given an olden slightly off-white cape with a hood to cover my ears and hair.
Day 55 on the ship
I've been back for a few days on the big ship. The road was easy to go back from Buckland. The man I was with decided it would be best if I was not in for the trade, so I had to jump out of the boat before we reached the Buckland's bridge. I was disappointed, yet agreed, as I didn't want to have troubles back at the ship. We got some honey and beeswax, alongside other fruits and vegetables. Perhaps now I'll be able to learn of more potions. I wonder what the beeswax will be used for. Now it just sits in the deepest part of the ship, untouched.
Day 60 on the ship
We went back to Umbar for a trade and to spend time on land. Supposedly, our next bigger stop would be at Evendim. We'll have to spend time at Cardolan, in between the Greyflood and Baraduin, switching into smaller boats to travel further. Half will go to Evendim, half stay at the seas. I have been chosen to go into the boats, and I'll actually be leading the way through river Baranduin, or Brandywine as some call it. If all goes well, I'd be given some sort of a reward on the big ship.
For now we stay in Umbar. I am free to trade and wander along the port. Then I am to advise the captain for the road to sail till we border Enedwaith, and then later Cardolan
to seek the river joints.
