FROM ACROSS THE SEA: I
A Journey Begins
15th of The First Seed, 111 SA
It was from her place atop the the Ignus Seat that the Lady-Regent of Avir, Oth'alia Vaedrar, had addressed her youngest child and daughter. The entire court of Ceru'igne had been gathered, from the Regent's own ruling council to the scullery maids who milled about the halls. In the two-hundred years since the beginning of Lady Vaedrar's governance over their secluded island citadel, no mali'aheral had ventured beyond shores of Avir. Whilst they maintained active trading routes and kept their port open, the interest of learning what lay beyond the sea had seemed to lessen with each generation born. Lady Oth'alia likewise did not encourage correspondence overseas, unless of course it proved to be of benefit to council and the House of Acal'elor themselves. However, with each year that passed, it seemed the Regent grew more and more restless herself, burdened by her endless stewardship of a place that still did not truly belong to her.
These feelings of dissatisfaction came to culminate in that aforementioned day, when the Lady-Regent announced to the peoples of Isle Avir that her youngest daughter, Lady Vaela Vaedrar, would be sent across the seas to the distant lands of Almaris. It was the intention of Regent Oth'alia to learn of what time had done to those the Acal'elor had left behind so long ago, the Lady Vaela acting as her personal ambassador and point of contact. However, another goal was kept under the surface, hidden beneath the guise of diplomacy and furthered opportunities for their people. A union, one that might strengthen the position of the Vaedrar talonnii and ensure an alliance with those who might likewise seek advancement of their own. The facts of this private matter, however, were only bestowed upon that young daughter, days before the Regent's finest galleon was made ready to take her on to an unknown future.
Thus, did a child of Avir venture beyond the horizon for the first time in two hundred years or more, a letter bearing the Regent's seal kept safe and ready for its intended recipient. Vaela Vaedrar, accompanied by a small collective of attendants and sailors, paid no mind to the gulls that circled and screeched overhead. Her thoughts on the matter, positive or no, were drowned out by the great cacophony the waves rising and falling around them created. The port town of Dion'diraar faded into the distance behind them, eventually being entirely concealed by the heavy mists that perpetually kept Avir hidden from those who were not keen on maritime navigation. For the first time since her mother's announcement, the young elfess considered that she might never return to her homeland again.
The only thoughts that seemed to keep her from fleeing this ordeal were of her own position or lack thereof, being the youngest of five children with no prospects of her own. In this distant realm called Almaris, she could put her keen mind and ambitions to good use, earning a life for herself that might never have been achieved within the confines of Ceru'igne. Perhaps she'd locate an Acal'elor or two, as well, to send back home to her mother and her people. For now, though, her attention remained on that horizon, her fate waiting just beyond...in a city called Celia'nor.