The wagons were packed again after a last check testing the ropes that held down the varous cages. It was a gamble bringing these animals, but He'd be completely lost having to use rough and heavy items meant for Bigs. He wanted his home comforts no matter where he might land, so the animals were coming too.
Climbing the ropes, he settled next to his son, just old enough try river-reining. The clan patriarch let out a whistle, to which the family phoenix let out a mythic Screeee! lighting out over the water. Immediately after, as the otterbears were goaded into swimming down the waterways, Alvy looked over the water to the smallest of their craft. His wife, Hannah, waved from the sail boat and unfurled the small sheet of cloth, angling it to catch the small breeze. The girls, who always seemed much better sailors in his clan, would take on the task of watching ahead to ensure the barge didn't run aground. The boys would provide the leverage if the barge got too close to shallow waters. Once a big had said "provide the strength" to push the barge away from dry lands and docks. Alavarus Odsbodikins chuckled, no proud Kypiq would rely on strength, surely!
Moving a whole clan made even a Kypiq packed boat heavy in the water, but Alvy smiled and sat back, dreaming a little as he recalled the letter he'd receive some seasons past. Luki, doing well at the rein already and only needing occasional correction smiled over at his father and Alvy smiled back giving the boy's hair a ruffle. Hard to thing his youngest was now able to train alongside the other boys and girls. When that first letter came, young Luki was only a name on paper.
Alvy let the words into his thougths as he dozed,
To the Esteemed Kypiqs who receive this, I introduce myself as Tenslea, Grand Duchess of Drakeolm.
It has come to our attention that you have skills and resources that would be of benefit to our mutual cause. I have located a suitable county under my domain and invite you to bring your clansmenn with you to be its leader. Our farmers, builders and alchemists will be at hand when you arrive, and are tasked with aiding you in the task of creating a domain suitable to Kypiq needs, how ever that may arise.
Please return your reply with the messenger.
In Tenebris Nos,
Grand Duchess Tenslea Darkholm
Alavarus Odsbodikins recalled his eagerness to get away from the monotony of his out of the backwaters hamlet under the Ironwoods. He had always been at odds with others, as most Kypiq were less keen to read than they were to try and wrangle a canis rabbit. Alvy always got ribbed when his books would arrive, but he would zip over to the glider lanes so he could get home quickly from the post. Books meant knowledge, and Kypiq who didn't at least become passing familiar with their words was limiting their adventures.
Now they were on the last leg to the Shrub steppe town. At last the area they were in now has some shape of the map, with a valley curving out of site to his right. They had been able to spot it when they crested a particularly high hill. Craggy, that hill was a recent addition from the trembler reported with the last letter. Alvy noticed the steam coming up from some water nearby and made a note to come here again to see if he could make use of the obviously hot pool near the base of the craggy hill. He'd have to consult the land managers about making a small home here to take advantage.
Maps had been ferried back and forth with notes and reassurances from both sides were locked into the Kypiq's head. West of the large river was flatlands, ideal for vineyards and orchards for brewing. A village called Bouldering would be the best to manage that. The seeds were ready, as promised by the Duchess, and Alvy brought his own delicacies, hoping that it would draw more Kypiq to the area. East of the deep river - deep enough to ferry his barge all the way to the town of Dark Jewel - the valley was wide and flat. A natural barrier of hills would cradle the broadleaf and Ironwood saplings they would use to raise Dark Jewel and the small hamlet of Darkharvest Hope into the canopies.
