Jaspers Stats
6 Feet 3 Inches
205 pounds
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Scares on Right Arm
Tattoo on Left Arm - Matches scares
Moon Tattoo on Left palm
Sun Tattoo Right palm
Ymiden 70 722
Jasper was sitting at the table in Alivilda’s common room with Toka and a couple of Aesir who had decided that Jasper needed some education before he and his family left. The young man hadn’t really expect to ever leave Melrath so to be completely honest he hadn’t study outside of the nation much, and even he would admit he was ignorate of the world at large. He knew vague things, like the ancestral city of Ne’hear was to the south, some where. There was now a map of the world spread on the table before him. Jasper could now see where the Ne’hear was, as well as the city of the raiders. He continued to study and now could put locations to names he had heard. His instructors had made a point of making sure he could read a map. Which Jasper wasn’t that ignorant.
They were now focused on teaching him about Scalvoris, well as much as they knew. Jasper was making notes on a paper before him, mostly things he felt were important or felt might slip his mind, but currently there wasn’t much. Jasper finally gave in an rubbed his forehead in confusion. “Okay so the country is ruled by a Council of Pirate Lords, and the Kura, or is it Captain Kura, has ruthlessly subjugated the other Pirates.” Jasper said.
“Yes,” The Aesir from Alivilda said.
“No.” said Toka. The two looked at each other and a battle of wills seemed to ensue. It appeared that Toka finally won. “Scalvoris was ruled over by a group of Pirate Lords, which is why we don’t know much about them before about a decade or so ago.”
“As if a Pirate would give up power.” The other said, under his breath.
“We don’t know what happened to change that. There are stories, but I believe this is one of those areas where it is best just to get it straight from the Sleipnir’s mouth.” Toka said ignoring his spiritual brother. “Which will be very important Jasper. You are smart, we have all seen that, and when it comes to spirits you have been gifted with understanding, but we are all aware of you academic track record. If your not interested you don’t pay attention.” Jasper felt himself squirming as he faced this chastisement. Toka was saying it nicely and doing it with love for his young pupil, but was serious. “On this mission you will need to pay attention to mundane and spiritual things.” Toka smiled. “You have always been good about asking questions. Keep asking them, but ask more of them.”
Jasper nodded his head and took the advise to heart. He couldn’t honestly say that they were wrong. He had understood what he was taught in school, just couldn’t be convinced to actual do all of the homework. This he still felt would be different. He would have to learn about Scalvoris and the awakened Induks there.
“Okay so Kura runs this council, which isn’t made up of Pirates anymore, but rules it with a “Iron Pegged Leg.”” Jasper said looking at his notes and then looked back up.
“Yes.” The both said in together. Jasper nodded and then said. “Do we know how this council works.” The two men looked at each other, and finally the more wordly of the two said. “Not exactly, we did have reason to file a complaint with the council, but we filed it with Lady Kura herself, and with her forces called the Elementals.”
“Elementals” Jasper asked.
“Yes. The location does seem to like reverting to basic elements.” Jasper shrugged and wrote that down. “I believe that at some point the healer Faith, who I believe you meet was one the council and got ride of slavery.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow. “Yes I have meet a woman named Faith. If it’s the same woman and she worked with this Kura, then Kura can’t be all that bad, or else she is extremely…….” Jasper paused to find a good word. “determined.”
“You would know more about this Faith then we would.”
The lessons settled down and continued, but Jasper frankly didn’t feel like his questions were getting all that many answers. They knew some basics, that was really it. The country was an island, and there was rumors that it had a volcano that had exploded a couple arcs back. It traded with its neighbors, and a few expensive good were imported but not many as the distance just made the cost not reasonable. As the lesson continued Jasper got the basics. Eventually though the conversation shifted towards what route they would be taking as they studied the map.
“A ship can only hold so much cargo so it is important to make stop at settlements for long trips like this.” Jasper was told as he asked about the multiple stops.
“Dumb question there.” Jasper said realizing that should have been obvious.
“Not really.” Toka said. “As you go you will want to be stay close to the shore, but still a good ways out. There are always hidden pearls under the sea.”
Jasper looked at the Aesir in panic. “You don’t expect me to steer the ship do you?”
“By the Spirits no. I just thought it was a interesting piece of information.” The older Aesir said. The lesson continued, and Jasper kept notes, and facts straight as the moved on to sharing information about the various placed they would be stopping along the way. The closer they got the more sure the information seemed to be.
It was after late in the trial, and Jasper was about ready to throw his hands up in surrender as his brain was becoming exhausted. Before he did though the door opened and in walked Astra. Jasper smiled as his wife stopped in the door way. She smiled at everyone Jasper thought she seemed to radiate. “Gentlemen.” She said in her clear voice as she spoke to the two spiritual leaders, “Your dinner is waiting for you in the Chief’s kitchen.” She looked at Jasper and smiled. “Your dinner is being held ransom unless you join me on a picnic.”
Jasper stood up so quickly that the chair he was sitting it went flying back. Blushing deeply he retrieved the chair amidst the kindly laughter of his wife and friends. After restoring the chair Astra grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly. Jasper grabbed the basket of food as they passed it and together they marched away from the homes. Jasper wasn’t exactly sure where it was that they were heading, but allowed himself to be lead by Astra.
“How goes the schooling?” Astra asked as they walked hand in hand. They would wave as they passed various people coming in from the fields. Jasper blushed and stammered a bit.
“Its going okay.” He said and frowned. “Though I am not sure how useful the lessons will really be.” Jasper finally said. “My brothers know about it, but don’t really know anything about the place.” Astra gave him a funny look. “Like they know there is a council, but it could be made up of pirates, or maybe powerful merchants, or maybe people who volunteered because they were bored.” Jasper said and continued on sharing what he had learned with his wife as they walked. “I mean I can’t really blame them, I haven’t ever bothered to learn about even our nearest neighbors.”
“Well there is a lot to do here.” Astra said in response.
“I agree. There is a lot to do each trial, but I hate to say it, but between these lessons, and my experience when the Immortals kidnapped me, my thoughts are changing. I saw what was happening there, and saw how it was effecting even us here in Melrath. Us ignoring the outside world means that we might not be prepared for.” Jasper shook his head. “I mean its like if one of our neighbors had a son who was steeling eggs. They had stolen our eggs yet we won’t talk to our other neighbors because we are busy at home. So when all of our eggs are stolen are we really blameless.” Jasper fumbled through his explanation.
Astra stopped and smiled up at him. “I get the point Jasper.”
“Good.” He paused and looked around noticed that they were at the edge of the forest. It was one of the oldest spots in the settlement. This particular cluster of trees was the original grove of wedding trees dating back to the time of Alivilda herself. Jasper realized that they had stopped next to the intertwined trees that marked founding matriarch and patriarch of the settlement union. After so long it was actually hard to tell that they were once two trees. “Can you please lay the blanket out.” Astra said as she tossed the blanket into his hands. Jasper didn’t really look down at the blanket as he began to spread it out. Instead he wondered why they were here having a picnic. They were quiet for a few moments as they worked to set up the picnic.
“We are done packing.” Astra said as they began to eat some of the fried chicken.
“Wait I though we finished packing already.” Jasper said.
“Sweetheart. You seemed to have forgotten our mothers.” Astra said. “I found it amazing how many not used blankets, sheets and other items were discovered.” The two ate and laughed as they talked about there mothers trying to adjust to them being married. The two matriarchs had long hoped for the event, but were struggling with the fact that they were to be gone and who knew for how long. After finishing Jasper his food, Astra had been finished for a while, he leaned back against on of the exposed root of the tree and smiled at the woman he had know all of his life.
“Okay Astra, you have something on your mind.” He said with a raised eyebrow. Astra didn’t say anything she just smiled at him in a way that made his breath come more quickly as he watched her move closer to him. His smile began to widen as she pressed herself against him.
• * * * * *
The two lay holding each other with the picnic blanket spread across them and articles of clothing stuffed under their heads as a pillow. Jasper felt sleep looming at the edge of his consciousness, but something seemed to be holding him in the realm of wakefulness. His eyes wandered among the branches of the tree that had sheltered them. Eventually his gaze came to rest on a branch bearing a acron, the only fully ready one that he could see. With out thinking Jasper reached up with his free hand and as if in response the acorn fell into his hand.
Astra stirred with motion and said sleeply. “What is it.”
“The tree just gave me this acorn.” Jasper said. Astra understood the symbolism in his statement.
“We will plant it in our new home when our first child is born.” Astra said for him.
“Do you think.” Jasper asked seriously. Astra shrugged and pulled him closer. “It’s the best time for me, but lets just make sure.” She said and kissed Jasper. The two found themselves with each other.
They were now focused on teaching him about Scalvoris, well as much as they knew. Jasper was making notes on a paper before him, mostly things he felt were important or felt might slip his mind, but currently there wasn’t much. Jasper finally gave in an rubbed his forehead in confusion. “Okay so the country is ruled by a Council of Pirate Lords, and the Kura, or is it Captain Kura, has ruthlessly subjugated the other Pirates.” Jasper said.
“Yes,” The Aesir from Alivilda said.
“No.” said Toka. The two looked at each other and a battle of wills seemed to ensue. It appeared that Toka finally won. “Scalvoris was ruled over by a group of Pirate Lords, which is why we don’t know much about them before about a decade or so ago.”
“As if a Pirate would give up power.” The other said, under his breath.
“We don’t know what happened to change that. There are stories, but I believe this is one of those areas where it is best just to get it straight from the Sleipnir’s mouth.” Toka said ignoring his spiritual brother. “Which will be very important Jasper. You are smart, we have all seen that, and when it comes to spirits you have been gifted with understanding, but we are all aware of you academic track record. If your not interested you don’t pay attention.” Jasper felt himself squirming as he faced this chastisement. Toka was saying it nicely and doing it with love for his young pupil, but was serious. “On this mission you will need to pay attention to mundane and spiritual things.” Toka smiled. “You have always been good about asking questions. Keep asking them, but ask more of them.”
Jasper nodded his head and took the advise to heart. He couldn’t honestly say that they were wrong. He had understood what he was taught in school, just couldn’t be convinced to actual do all of the homework. This he still felt would be different. He would have to learn about Scalvoris and the awakened Induks there.
“Okay so Kura runs this council, which isn’t made up of Pirates anymore, but rules it with a “Iron Pegged Leg.”” Jasper said looking at his notes and then looked back up.
“Yes.” The both said in together. Jasper nodded and then said. “Do we know how this council works.” The two men looked at each other, and finally the more wordly of the two said. “Not exactly, we did have reason to file a complaint with the council, but we filed it with Lady Kura herself, and with her forces called the Elementals.”
“Elementals” Jasper asked.
“Yes. The location does seem to like reverting to basic elements.” Jasper shrugged and wrote that down. “I believe that at some point the healer Faith, who I believe you meet was one the council and got ride of slavery.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow. “Yes I have meet a woman named Faith. If it’s the same woman and she worked with this Kura, then Kura can’t be all that bad, or else she is extremely…….” Jasper paused to find a good word. “determined.”
“You would know more about this Faith then we would.”
The lessons settled down and continued, but Jasper frankly didn’t feel like his questions were getting all that many answers. They knew some basics, that was really it. The country was an island, and there was rumors that it had a volcano that had exploded a couple arcs back. It traded with its neighbors, and a few expensive good were imported but not many as the distance just made the cost not reasonable. As the lesson continued Jasper got the basics. Eventually though the conversation shifted towards what route they would be taking as they studied the map.
“A ship can only hold so much cargo so it is important to make stop at settlements for long trips like this.” Jasper was told as he asked about the multiple stops.
“Dumb question there.” Jasper said realizing that should have been obvious.
“Not really.” Toka said. “As you go you will want to be stay close to the shore, but still a good ways out. There are always hidden pearls under the sea.”
Jasper looked at the Aesir in panic. “You don’t expect me to steer the ship do you?”
“By the Spirits no. I just thought it was a interesting piece of information.” The older Aesir said. The lesson continued, and Jasper kept notes, and facts straight as the moved on to sharing information about the various placed they would be stopping along the way. The closer they got the more sure the information seemed to be.
It was after late in the trial, and Jasper was about ready to throw his hands up in surrender as his brain was becoming exhausted. Before he did though the door opened and in walked Astra. Jasper smiled as his wife stopped in the door way. She smiled at everyone Jasper thought she seemed to radiate. “Gentlemen.” She said in her clear voice as she spoke to the two spiritual leaders, “Your dinner is waiting for you in the Chief’s kitchen.” She looked at Jasper and smiled. “Your dinner is being held ransom unless you join me on a picnic.”
Jasper stood up so quickly that the chair he was sitting it went flying back. Blushing deeply he retrieved the chair amidst the kindly laughter of his wife and friends. After restoring the chair Astra grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly. Jasper grabbed the basket of food as they passed it and together they marched away from the homes. Jasper wasn’t exactly sure where it was that they were heading, but allowed himself to be lead by Astra.
“How goes the schooling?” Astra asked as they walked hand in hand. They would wave as they passed various people coming in from the fields. Jasper blushed and stammered a bit.
“Its going okay.” He said and frowned. “Though I am not sure how useful the lessons will really be.” Jasper finally said. “My brothers know about it, but don’t really know anything about the place.” Astra gave him a funny look. “Like they know there is a council, but it could be made up of pirates, or maybe powerful merchants, or maybe people who volunteered because they were bored.” Jasper said and continued on sharing what he had learned with his wife as they walked. “I mean I can’t really blame them, I haven’t ever bothered to learn about even our nearest neighbors.”
“Well there is a lot to do here.” Astra said in response.
“I agree. There is a lot to do each trial, but I hate to say it, but between these lessons, and my experience when the Immortals kidnapped me, my thoughts are changing. I saw what was happening there, and saw how it was effecting even us here in Melrath. Us ignoring the outside world means that we might not be prepared for.” Jasper shook his head. “I mean its like if one of our neighbors had a son who was steeling eggs. They had stolen our eggs yet we won’t talk to our other neighbors because we are busy at home. So when all of our eggs are stolen are we really blameless.” Jasper fumbled through his explanation.
Astra stopped and smiled up at him. “I get the point Jasper.”
“Good.” He paused and looked around noticed that they were at the edge of the forest. It was one of the oldest spots in the settlement. This particular cluster of trees was the original grove of wedding trees dating back to the time of Alivilda herself. Jasper realized that they had stopped next to the intertwined trees that marked founding matriarch and patriarch of the settlement union. After so long it was actually hard to tell that they were once two trees. “Can you please lay the blanket out.” Astra said as she tossed the blanket into his hands. Jasper didn’t really look down at the blanket as he began to spread it out. Instead he wondered why they were here having a picnic. They were quiet for a few moments as they worked to set up the picnic.
“We are done packing.” Astra said as they began to eat some of the fried chicken.
“Wait I though we finished packing already.” Jasper said.
“Sweetheart. You seemed to have forgotten our mothers.” Astra said. “I found it amazing how many not used blankets, sheets and other items were discovered.” The two ate and laughed as they talked about there mothers trying to adjust to them being married. The two matriarchs had long hoped for the event, but were struggling with the fact that they were to be gone and who knew for how long. After finishing Jasper his food, Astra had been finished for a while, he leaned back against on of the exposed root of the tree and smiled at the woman he had know all of his life.
“Okay Astra, you have something on your mind.” He said with a raised eyebrow. Astra didn’t say anything she just smiled at him in a way that made his breath come more quickly as he watched her move closer to him. His smile began to widen as she pressed herself against him.
• * * * * *
The two lay holding each other with the picnic blanket spread across them and articles of clothing stuffed under their heads as a pillow. Jasper felt sleep looming at the edge of his consciousness, but something seemed to be holding him in the realm of wakefulness. His eyes wandered among the branches of the tree that had sheltered them. Eventually his gaze came to rest on a branch bearing a acron, the only fully ready one that he could see. With out thinking Jasper reached up with his free hand and as if in response the acorn fell into his hand.
Astra stirred with motion and said sleeply. “What is it.”
“The tree just gave me this acorn.” Jasper said. Astra understood the symbolism in his statement.
“We will plant it in our new home when our first child is born.” Astra said for him.
“Do you think.” Jasper asked seriously. Astra shrugged and pulled him closer. “It’s the best time for me, but lets just make sure.” She said and kissed Jasper. The two found themselves with each other.
