User blog:Gaylesking/Gaylesclan: Chapter One

Chapter One
The last rays of the setting sun glinted off the sea, sparkling and dancing like diamonds across the water's surface. The sunset dyed the few clouds in the sky vibrant shades of orange, red, and pink, making a stark backdrop to the dark blue sea. Over everything was the quiet rush of the sea, soothing the coastal climes. White breakers rolled in the distance, and the waves closer to shore threw up a gentle mist of water. Everything was peaceful. Or it was, at least, until a mass of five-score otters, whooping and shouting, raced down to the sea, their feet pounding heavily on the sand. It was time for the Otter's Hullabaloo. The annual celebration of the Otter's brought every holt together, river and sea otters alike, for a celebration of feasting, dancing, and general merry-making. It could last from days to weeks long, depending on how much fun they were having. Diving and flipping, spinning and twirling, the otters launched themselves into the tide. Splashing each other with water, the full-grown otters acted like babes, racing and wrestling in the sea. They moved with sleek agility, sliding through the water like fish. It was no problem for otters. They were as at home in the water as any fish. Several rushed into the spray with nets, and only moments later emerged, dripping wet, but cheering and struggling to hold the landed fish. More emerged with shrimp and clams, and soon a large pile of various edible sea life grew on the shore. From the cave set into the rocky wall that ran along the coast was rolled a giant cauldron, larger in diameter than a full grown otter, followed by several elderly otters carrying bags of spices and herbs. The pot was set atop two stones, high enough and far apart that there was a space beneath the cauldron when it was set down. This was filled with dry timber and driftwood, enough that it would make a blazing bonfire large enough to heat the gargantuan pot. Seawater was poured in almost to the brim, and the fire between the two rocks was lit. Seeing the pot, the otters rushed from the sea, crowding around it and cheering excitedly. As the elderly otters began adding herbs, fish and shrimp, the otters struck up a song. "Oh, what is every otter's wish? to 'ave some o' their favrit' dish it keeps 'em swimmin' like a fish It's soup! 'Otroot soup! Good ole' 'Otroot soup!" "It'll burn yer mouth right off yer face before you even 'ave a taste It'll set yer ears a'smokin' If it don't burn, we'll be 'art broken Soup! 'Otroot soup! Bring out the 'Otroot soup!" "Watercress an' clams galore not enough shrimp, add some more! The only thing you can't ferget, You haven't added any yet! An' if you don't you'll get the boot Don't ferget to add 'Otroooooooooot!" As the otters held out the last note, a bag of orange-red powder was upended into the cauldron, turning the soup inside a shade of dark orange, and rousing cheers from the crowd. The soup now finished, the crowd of otters swarmed the pot, pushing and shoving, even climbing on top of each other to get to the soup. Bowls, mugs, and cupped hands were dipped into the pot, and merry bantering filled the air. "Oi! Out o' the way, I was 'ere first!" "No you weren't, I was 'ere years 'afore you" "Hey, you got sand in me soup!" "Tastes better that way. Adds a nice crunch." "You're just tryin' to get away from... Hey, it does taste better!" "Told ya. I always add a healthy spoonful o' sand to me soup!" The soup now gone, the cauldron was rolled off the fire, and more wood was added, raising the flames into a towering inferno. The otters clustered around the bonfire, laughing and joking. a group of otters was pushed forward, and amid cheers of encouragement began dancing a traditional jig. The cloud now clapping the beat, a pretty ottermaided stood and started singing in a sweet soprano. "Oh, I wish that I could swim away through streams and rivers pure 'neath mountains and through valleys to where none 'ave gone before" "Hey, I'll be a wanderer the things that I will see I'll travel round the world and back just in time for tea" "I'll trek across wide deserts and summit soaring peaks I'll swim across the ocean just as I swim through creeks" "Hey, I'll be a wanderer the things that I will see I'll travel round the world and back just in time for tea" "Never fall in love with me Many chaps make this mistake I'll stay in town for just a day And when I leave their heart I break" "Hey, I'll be a wanderer the things that I will see I'll travel round the world and back just in time for tea" Amid raucous applause that echoed along the shore, the singer and dancers took their bows and sat down. The firelight stood against the dark sky, the stars shining crystalline against the great blanket of black. More otters leaped forward, performing acrobatics, and the night air was filled with gasps of awe at their feats. Only one otter, not yet an adult, but growing quickly, did not watch their show. Danwen sat apart from the rest, watching the full moon's reflection on the restless sea. He had heard the ottermaiden's song before, after all, she was his sister. But now it seemed to express something in Danwen he had never felt before. He felt... restless. He stared at the dark horizon. There must be something past there, he thought. Ever since he was a child, he had wondered what lands lay across the sea. No he had ever asked new. No one had ever been that far. There were stories, though. Danwen secretly collected as many tales as he could. If there was a traveler coming through camp, Danwen would listen to him. If an elder was reminiscing of bygone days, Danwen would be there, eating up the stories. He wished he could be like the heroes in those myths. Strong, brave, everyone looked up to them. He sat watching the sea, remembering the heroes. Then he sat up. Who ever said he couldn't be like them? His eyes took on a hard determination, though they still remained fixed on the horizon. He would go there. Nothing could stop him.