The smell of salted water had become a regularity in the time that had passed since she set out on this journey to find herself again. Kenna, having grown weary of constantly remaining within the guild’s grounds solely because of the fact that she didn’t dare go out alone and face human company, had taken it upon herself to find what it was she stood for. The things she’d forgotten, the things she wished to remember and the things she wished to erase from her memory; the maiden knew she had to face them. Just not here. Not here where she knew sanity was a necessity; not where people would recognise the sigil she wore. In this state she didn’t want people to look upon the measly heap of human she was and link it to Sabertooth. It was then that she’d decided to go somewhere far away, where nature reigned and the light did not reach as strongly. A place where she could drown in literal darkness and find her light again, be it by a mental quest of the heart or by fighting the myths that roamed the lands. The Etherborn’s destination; Shadow Island. Never had she heard of it before, nor read or seen it on any map, yet a lucky throw on where to go had made the location known to her. Only once she knew the name did she find about the island’s whereabouts, its history and stories, sparking the smallest of curiosities as to what was hidden there. Only a small sense of curiosity though; no more did her mind allow her, having unconsciously locked the sensation away by covering it with grief. So her mind was made up after another few sleepless nights to make this journey. However this time Kenna ordered her demonic protector to remain at home, much against Avide’s displeasure. Obeying her orders however he did, not wishing to upset his master on this journey of the mind. The fact that she chose to take her Church Grim companion Gramr with her however bothered the demon greatly, forcing him to swallow a bitter pill as they went on their way.
At this point in time they were but hours away from the island according to the skipper, with the sea finally having calmed down enough to allow for strolls on the ship’s fore. Trying to kill some time most passengers, who were so few they could easily be counted on one hand, decided to stretch their legs and take a walk. Kenna, having covered her typical red clothing underneath a beige cloak with hood, mindlessly walked towards the bow with her Church Grim in tow, and stared off at the dark sea in front of the ship. A rugged wave smashed into the bow as the ship skipped over the previous wave, making the water splash up high above the ravenhaired woman. Drops of salted water remained within her hair, dotted like pearls adorning a wealthy woman’s neck, giving her a somewhat more gentle appearance than her recent gloomy mood had given her at first. Gramr sat down beside his master and conveyed his thoughts telepathically as he observed the working sailors on deck. ”Kenna… you’ve been acting weird lately. And I mean weirder than normal, or even considering the situation. What’s wrong?” He said, flicking its tail against the wooden flooring underneath him. ”Nothing you should worry yourself about, Gramr.” The oversized hound let out a muffled growl loud enough for him to hear, followed by a mental snicker. ”Mhm. That won’t work with me, so spill your thoughts for me kid.” His tone was surprisingly dark and demanding, even his choice of words, calling her ‘kid’ was something he’d normally never do. Hell, if she had to admit she actually felt a bit intimidated by him, despite the fact Gramr wasn’t able to physically hurt people in any way. ”Just… that I don’t know what I’m looking for exactly. Or how I will find it. I really don’t know.”. ”Then don’t bother worrying about it. If you don’t know what you’re searching for, then let it find you instead. That’s how this world works, doesn’t it?” The Etherborn nodded and sighed. ”Perhaps you’re right, but until then I won’t be letting my guard down.” ”Wasn’t expecting you to do so either.” Gramr growled amusingly, bumping into his master’s legs. ”Now give me one of those lovely gloomy smiles of yours Kenna. Smiiiiiile~” Kenna looked at the hound’s face trying to smile and bumped him back, silently whispering ”Idiot.” as she kept her eyes pinned at something in the distance; the tiny black dot that started growing on the horizon.
When the ship finally docked and gave both the Etherborn and her companion solid ground under their feet none of the twosome could’ve been more happy. After a moment of relief Kenna paid the man for their passage, and made arrangements for trips back to the mainland. It seemed that he would remain on the island for a while longer, meeting up with fellow traders and merchants in these waters. She would be most welcome to return with them were she to return from her business before they left. Thanking the man for his services, Kenna took her own bag with her and went on her way, unknowing where fate would lead her this time.
At this point in time they were but hours away from the island according to the skipper, with the sea finally having calmed down enough to allow for strolls on the ship’s fore. Trying to kill some time most passengers, who were so few they could easily be counted on one hand, decided to stretch their legs and take a walk. Kenna, having covered her typical red clothing underneath a beige cloak with hood, mindlessly walked towards the bow with her Church Grim in tow, and stared off at the dark sea in front of the ship. A rugged wave smashed into the bow as the ship skipped over the previous wave, making the water splash up high above the ravenhaired woman. Drops of salted water remained within her hair, dotted like pearls adorning a wealthy woman’s neck, giving her a somewhat more gentle appearance than her recent gloomy mood had given her at first. Gramr sat down beside his master and conveyed his thoughts telepathically as he observed the working sailors on deck. ”Kenna… you’ve been acting weird lately. And I mean weirder than normal, or even considering the situation. What’s wrong?” He said, flicking its tail against the wooden flooring underneath him. ”Nothing you should worry yourself about, Gramr.” The oversized hound let out a muffled growl loud enough for him to hear, followed by a mental snicker. ”Mhm. That won’t work with me, so spill your thoughts for me kid.” His tone was surprisingly dark and demanding, even his choice of words, calling her ‘kid’ was something he’d normally never do. Hell, if she had to admit she actually felt a bit intimidated by him, despite the fact Gramr wasn’t able to physically hurt people in any way. ”Just… that I don’t know what I’m looking for exactly. Or how I will find it. I really don’t know.”. ”Then don’t bother worrying about it. If you don’t know what you’re searching for, then let it find you instead. That’s how this world works, doesn’t it?” The Etherborn nodded and sighed. ”Perhaps you’re right, but until then I won’t be letting my guard down.” ”Wasn’t expecting you to do so either.” Gramr growled amusingly, bumping into his master’s legs. ”Now give me one of those lovely gloomy smiles of yours Kenna. Smiiiiiile~” Kenna looked at the hound’s face trying to smile and bumped him back, silently whispering ”Idiot.” as she kept her eyes pinned at something in the distance; the tiny black dot that started growing on the horizon.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
When the ship finally docked and gave both the Etherborn and her companion solid ground under their feet none of the twosome could’ve been more happy. After a moment of relief Kenna paid the man for their passage, and made arrangements for trips back to the mainland. It seemed that he would remain on the island for a while longer, meeting up with fellow traders and merchants in these waters. She would be most welcome to return with them were she to return from her business before they left. Thanking the man for his services, Kenna took her own bag with her and went on her way, unknowing where fate would lead her this time.