Chapter 88: Decisions (1/2)
Quick announcement/ message:
First of all, I sincerely thank you all for the suggestions. There were some really good ones that made deciding quite difficult.
I had originally only planned on choosing one name, but after seeing the comments, I figured 'what the heck' might as well give it a few.
As such, the dragon will be called Audra Delphine Tempestates. A bit of a mouthful, I know, but it not only meets the conditions set forth by the group (except for Brenden, poor guy), but it really rolls off the tongue as well.
So before I get into the latest chapter, I wanted to explain my selections.
I'm really a sucker for names that have double or hidden meanings, so Audra which translates directly into ”Storm” in Lithuanian, and indirectly into ”Noble Strength” in Old English was a great fit, Definitely a proud and noble name.
Delphine, which in Greek means a woman from Delphi, is therefore related to The Oracle of Delphi, and I feel that it would be well within Sera's character to name it after herself, even if she had no idea that she was doing so.
Tempest was the most on the nose of the suggestions, but it seemed like a good nod to the dragon's origins. I augmented it slightly to pay homage to the ancient roman goddess of storms. I hope you don't mind.
For those of you who gave a suggestion that I didn't end up using, please know that I had to spend a few hours mulling over this, and I'm still not a hundred percent on it.
Once again, thanks for the ideas.
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Looking again at the little dragon, Mike couldn't help but feel that it was a bit on the feminine side. Deciding to play the odds accordingly, he worked with Tal and Sera to put together an appropriate name, and after much discussion, and not a little fabrication on his part, the group came to a consensus.
”Audra Delphine Tempestates, huh? That's one pretentious name, but I suppose you can't call a Wyrm 'Fluffy' or something like that.” Brenden commented once the discussion reached a conclusion. He seemed a little miffed that no one took his suggestion seriously.
”Nothing wrong. Name acceptable.” Tal exclaimed with monotone indignation.
Sera also leapt to its defense, ”That's right! Little Delphi here deserves a great name. One that conveys the full extent of her kind and noble spirit.”
The force of her argument was somewhat compromised by the several bite marks on her hands, where she refused to learn her lesson.
”I'm still not completely convinced it is a 'her,' but worst case scenario, when the dragon grows up enough to understand such things, we can just blame it on Sera.” Brenden returned with a slight grin.
”Hey!” The Oracle shouted, indignantly.
A knock on the door forestalled any further discussion. Mike quickly hide Audra inside of his cloak.
[I'm going to need to sew a pocket into this thing, or something.]
”Yes, what is it?” He asked once he had secured the dragon.
One of the 'sailors' opened the door, looking a bit terrified. He was dressed in ragged trousers and a vest. A bandana was tied on his head, and he had a gold hoop earring in one ear.
[Yep, definitely not pirates.] Mike thought to himself sarcastically.
”Uh..Sir Mage...Uh, the captain wanted me to inform.....uh....let you know....”
Sera grew impatient. ”Spit it out, man! We don't have all day.”
”Right! There are some suspicious sails on the horizon. The captain wanted me to let you know.”
He shuffled in place after delivering his message.
”Was there anything else?” Mike asked.
”Ah, well...the captain was kind of keen on you going to check it out soon.” He started waving his hands in the air in a placating gesture. ”You know, if you are alright with it.”
Mike sighed. ”Please inform Captain Bont that we will be out shortly.”
”Aye-aye, Sir Mage.” He sketched an awkward salute, and hurried out the door as fast as he could.
[Now that I think about it, we haven't had the eponymous pirate attack yet. Its almost required when traveling by boat........why did I just think that?]
”Come on, lets go check this out. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Mike led the way out onto the deck.
He walked over to the captain, who was standing near the port side. ”What's the problem?”
”Arr, well there be a trio of sails to our southwest.” The captain replied laconically while handing over the spyglass he'd been using.
[Did he just say Arr?]
Looking in the direction he indicated, he saw three dark grey triangular sails on the horizon. They seemed to be moving in formation, to some extent.
”What's troubling about that?” He asked.
”Well, they be Theldon sails. Could be they're traders from Theldholm traveling in a group for protection. Could be raiders from The Barren Isle. We'll know soon enough.”