"This is a xiphos." Eranae said, tossing a wooden object at Pearl, "Or at least an accurate imitation of one."
Pearl caught it with his right hand, then raised it up to his face. The object was a life-size wooden replica of a leaf shaped shortsword.
"Isn't it a bit heavy for wood?" Pearl asked, weighing the sword.
"That is because its insides are hollowed and filled with lead." Eranae explained, "All practising swords are constructed that way. The one you are holding is a replica of a xiphos, the standard sidearm commonly used by almost every military in the West. Axes are also common sidearms but they are used more as a utility tool rather than in actual combat. Then there is the single edged kopis, which is more prevalent in the southern region of the Elaia empire. Some might say that it is not as good as a xiphos due to its single edge but in the hands of skilled warriors, it can be twice as deadly."
"Okay, okay, I get it, you are Cerhin." Pearl sighed. The Cerhin were originally a warlike people which somewhat made it a stereotype of them being obsessed with weapons.
"I was just elaborating the facts for your understanding. You don't have to call me out like that." Eranae responded. Then she took out another wooden weapon from the jute sack at her legs. This one was a longer and more angular sword made out of similar hardwood.
"This," Eranae brandished the weapon, swirling it in her hand, "is a spatha. It's a cavalry blade, a weapon normally used on horseback. But lifesingers have been known to use it as a secondary weapon as well."
Pearl went forward and took the new sword, handing the xiphos back to Eranae. It too was heavy. Or at least heavier than Pearl had expected. He tried to brandish it like Eranae did but couldn't do so without supplying lifesong to his wrist.
"Where did you get these?" He asked.
"I bought them from a Renaari artisan down the fourth street of the market," Eranae informed, "A practising set of two xiphos and two spatha for just three silver pieces. Isn't that a great bargain?"
"I don't know about that," Pearl gave the spatha back to her, "Sounds a bit too expensive for pieces of wood."
"I thought the price to be pretty reasonable," Eranae countered, "They are quite well-made and weigh just about right. Either way, we will begin sparring sessions from tomorrow."
"Sparring sessions?" Pearl raised an eyebrow, "Why? I am still not completely done with Rainsong and know next to nothing about Earthsong."
"The Primal Songs are not oriented for combat," Eranae sighed, "At least not until we reach the Eighth Cadence, which might take years or even decades. Therefore, you have to learn the more conventional ways of defending yourself."
"So swordplay?" Pearl raised his hands in disappointment, "Didn't you say that swords are the last weapon you would prefer to use?"
"On a battlefield," Eranae corrected, "They are probably the worst choice of weapons on a full-fledged battlefield. But for irregular confrontations on roads or shady alleys, swords aren't so bad. By the way, did you have lunch?"
"No," Pearl replied immediately, shocked by the sudden change of topic, "Why?"
"Because I didn't either," Eranae replied, putting the swords back in the sack and then swinging the sack over her shoulder.
"I saw a vendor selling cooked crustaceans at the docks," She told, walking out of the door, "There is still an hour left before the ship leaves. If we hurry, we can have some lobster or crab before departing."
"Sounds good enough to me." Pearl said, picking up his travelling pack and following Eranae on the way out.
Avi's Fortune was a single-masted Temeri merchant vessel designed to be manned by a small crew. It didn't have a rowing area beneath the deck, being facilitated with two pairs of large oars on the deck instead. The vessel was operated by a Navigator, who was a Skysinger that could sense, predict and even manipulate the rhythm of Skysong, to some extent at least.
Other than the Navigator and the Captain, the crew included ten other members. Four of them were slaves used for rowing the oars, while four others were sailors employed by Javius Avi, the captain. The remaining two were more important members, Hannus the scribe and the captain's sister, Jarine Avi, who was the navigator's apprentice and also helped around doing odd jobs, like the one she was doing currently.
"These are your quarters," Jarine said, leading Eranae and Pearl to the chamber beside the Captain's quarters below deck, "The trip will last for about twelve to thirteen days, given that you are headed for Kanark, so make yourself comfortable."
"That we will," Pearl smiled, entering the chamber and dropping his pack at the side of a cot, "Thank you."
Eranae entered the chamber next and placed her belongings there, along with the macana wrapped in the cloak and the sack of practise weapons.
"Javius is burning the offerings now," Jarine told them, "So would you like to come along or do you want to get some rest."
"I wouldn't mind coming along." Era replied.
"It's an old Temeri tradition," Jarine explained, "To offer gifts to the spirits before setting out in the sea. It makes sure that the journey is profitable."
Then she climbed back to the deck.
"Spirits of Fortune," Eranae said, "You pray to them too, Pearl, right?"
"Yes," He replied, "It's a similarity between Temeri and Nanar cultures since both are more focused on trading and travelling."
"Oh," Eranae muttered of realization.
They reached the deck. It was late evening and the sun had already set. The crew had gathered on the deck, standing around the porch beside the mast. Jarine hurried to her brother's side, who stood before the porch with various items in his hands. These included cooked meat, bread, and a handful of flowers. Javius then proceeded to drop them into the fire of the porch, his lips silently reciting the hymns
A sailor drew his axe and cut the rope attached to the mast, lowering the ship's sails. Another sailor handed Javius a cup of wine, which he poured into the porch.
"Now, the voyage commences." Javius said, as the flames in the porched raged high and the ship began moving forward.