Songs of Reamere: Nyra and Fern: Frozen waters and shimmering lights

Published Apr 16, 2022, 1:07:45 AM UTC | Last updated May 14, 2022, 12:57:55 AM | Total Chapters 3

Story Summary

The story of Fern and Nyra's first flight out of the safety of their forest home. Dwindling prey and supplies has pushed them to finally journey out into the world following Ferns old merchant routes in search of food and trade. Unknown to him something dark stirs in the waters waiting for their arrival.

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Chapter 3: Frozen waters and shimmering lights

The captain's men scrambled around the deck shooting chained harpoons at the creature who was still within range. Fern had barely gotten out of the saddle when the Captain shouted at him to help shoot at the creature. He ran to the last unoccupied harpoon gun, prayed to galyx, and shot. 

It was as if time slowed down as Fern simply stared at how the harpoon cut through the air watching it land with bated breath, its blunt tip magically binding itself to the creature as it landed on its scaly hide. Quickly the chain pulled tautly and the ship lurched forward moving with great speed as it was dragged by the creature.

 

The crew and captain celebrated Fern's shot and they spent the next couple of days without a problem. Although Nyra still didn't trust the sea creature, sneaking hisses and suspicious glares at it when Fern wasn't watching her She spent most of the time relaxed, exploring the ship, or sneaking off to ask for snacks from the crew. 

 

The temperature started to get colder as the beast dragged them northwards with incredible speed causing most of the crew and fern to switch to warmer clothes. Nyra had never been a particular fan of the cold, much more preferring a nice warm sun patch to lay in and nap, but she did enjoy catching some of the snowflakes that occasionally flew past them. 

A sharp sickening crunch cut through the air as an iceberg slammed into the side of the ship shattering the hull. The impact almost knocked them off of their feet. Fern quickly rushed to his room gathering up all his belongings, most of them still packed up, and started securing them onto Nyras saddle. She shifted around anxiously wanting to fly away from the sinking ship but not wanting to leave Fern behind. He managed to even get an extra portion of food that the crew left behind packed up on nyras saddle, her wings twitching to fly waiting for him to finish buckling onto the saddle, the water already reaching her talons and the ship began to tilt forward sinking faster into the depths. Fern patted her neck " ok time to go" he said anxiously as the ship became more and more unstable.

She took a step forwards trying to launch herself into the air but the flood beneath her simply gave way and she fell into the frozen waters below. After a few disorienting moments under the water, she was able to resurface her feathers quickly becoming too soaked to fly as she tried to keep both of them afloat. After a few exhausting hours of being dragged along by the frigid currents, the sight of land made her and Fern cry out in relief. She struggled to lift herself out of the water and onto the beach, her water-soaked feathers adding extra weight. Fern quickly hopped off as soon as the water was shallow enough for him to wade in trying to help pull Nyra along further away from the water. Both weary and exhausted, the orange glow of fire seemed like a well-deserved miracle they thought as a small campfire came into view. As soon as she was close enough to feel the warmth of the fire nyra laid down exhaustion finally getting the better of her now that the last remnants of adrenaline left. Taking a much-deserved nap. Fern smoothed over the feathers on her face " you did great girl thank you so much, you can rest now we're safe now" Fern praised as he handed her a few strips of preserved meat he had managed to pack letting her fall into a comfortable sleep. To his surprise and delight, Fern spotted who had made the campfire as the Captain appeared holding some more salvaged lumber, a large grin on his face as he saw them. After a warm greeting and the shared happy tone of their conversation quickly turned somber.

" What happened? '' Fern asked quietly with an unspoken sorrow in his voice. To which Capitan Warye responded by looking to the side for a moment before he spoke trying to avoid Fern's gaze," The creature rammed us against an iceberg I couldn't turn in time" he answered. "I think most of the crew was able to make it to the lifeboats but I don't know, to be honest, I'm just lucky that I managed to wash up here." 

He said the loss of his beloved ship and worry for his crew weighed on his words with unspoken grief. Nyra stirred for a moment as if sending his distress and shifted herself closer lifting her head to face the man before gently sort of hugging him with her neck cooing to try and comfort him. The three of them stayed like that for a while simply allowing themselves to process what had happened and rest some of their exhaustion away. 

After a few hours, Fern began to review what was salvageable from what he had packed on nyras saddle, some of it managing to get wet running a few items of leather and paper. As Well as packing some salvaged items that had washed ashore like a torn piece of the sail and broken pieces of lumber. Then debated with the Captain what their best course of action should be. Trying to return the way they came or continue forwards towards a village closer to them, where the rest of the remaining crew would most likely be and in the same direction as the creature was heading.

Reluctantly Fern agreed to the second option, they had already made it this far out and it would be better to get to a village that was closer than risk a longer flight unprepared. The shorter route to safety would be best for all of them, they decided. 

 

Once the first rays of sun arrive Nyra puffed out trying to catch as much warmth from the sun. Her feathers now ready for flying again after they were dried and preened with some help from Fern. Now coated in a shiny gloss of oil Which would protect them if she fell again. Chirping happily as He fed her some fish that he had managed to catch while she slept. 

Now that everything was packed, and secured, they were ready to go.

 

Fern helped Capitan Warye onto nyras saddle making a makeshift buckle to prevent the Captain from falling off. Patting Nyra letting her know it was time to go and directed her towards where the Captain pointed. Nyra was happy to get back in the air now more than ever appreciating the freedom of flying after that terrifying ordeal of being stuck in the water. This time launching into the sky with ease quickly adjusting to the new weight. 

While Fern and Captain were both bundled up as warm as they could Nyra was enjoying the frigid air as her preened feathers were able to keep her insulated and warm now that they were dry. She let her mind wander as she soared across the icy waters watching it with wonder as it turned into a frozen landscape. The white sheet of ice spanned as far as the eye could see. After some time they landed letting nyra take a break from flying, the colder air making flying more difficult, especially with the newly added weight. She walked alongside them at a comfortable pace, their footprints being the only sign of life on this frozen landscape for miles.

Nyra wasn't a fan of the feeling of ice on her talons but she did enjoy looking at the sparkling snow all around them, trying to eat some off the floor while Fern wasn't looking focused on figuring out the direction they should be heading with the Capitan. She quickly realized while the snow was tasty and pretty it also gave headaches when eaten too quickly her feather tufts pinned down as she walked waiting for the feeling to go away, Fern laughing at her misfortunes. 

They had traveled for a few days taking walking and rest breaks between flying, the endless expanse of ice remaining almost unchanged, the only clue to their location and how much they had moved being the stars at night which the Captain was able to read. Nyra had heard of something like this before, carried by the bird song in the Forest stories of the stars guiding lost stryx to their destiny, perhaps that's what was happening now she thought as they started to settle down making a camp for the night. 

Fern finished carving out a medium-sized hole in the ice with the help of nyra placing down a couple of lines into the water, with the hopes that in the morning they would have caught some fish while they slept. letting the Capitan take his tent and extra bedroll for the night. He finished unpacking some of the lumber he collected to start a fire. Placing the salvaged sail across nyra like a blanket to keep her warm or at least to keep the falling snow off of her. Fern placed his bedroll down next to her, after handing over his spare and the tent to the Capitan. Nyra curled around Fern tucking him closer to her under her wing like a living heated blanket helping to keep him warm and safe from the freezing air. Right as they all were about to go to sleep The sky lit up with the aurora borealis. The frozen icescape reflecting the different shades of dancing colors. The ice shimmered like thousands of jewels. It was a mesmerizing beauty that made getting tossed around the ocean almost worth it to witness this spectacle. Fern and Nyra stayed awake for a while simply marveling at the wondrous sight before eventually sleep overtook them falling into a comfortable rest. 

When morning arrived Nyra helped the Fern pull the fishing lines out of the water, chirping excitedly with glee as Every line had managed to catch a fish two of them being large enough that the Fern couldn't lift them on his own. He salted most of the fish to preserve them, cutting them into neat strips to pack away and stored on nyras saddle as she feasted on one of the large ones finishing it completely in a few minutes. Later she somehow managed to grab the other large one before Fern could finish salting and cutting it, turning to show off her 'catch' to the Captain as he finished helping pack up their camp. Who simply laughed at her silly antics as Fern tried to chase her down and get her to drop it. 

" Bet ya real proud of yourself aren't ya" Fern scolded Nyra, irritated with her for refusing to let the fish go, a small smug look in her eye as she lifted back into the frigid air continuing their journey while still holding the fish in her beak. 

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