Steel romance

Two weeks had passed after my first encounter with Sannl and unlike most people, I've had an interest in, I believe she would be one I would gladly spend a lot more than just one night with. During those two weeks, I would often visit when she was done working for the day to go to the tavern or walk along the beach with a couple of bottles of ale in hand. Just yesterday before I left for a month-long voyage at sea she told me to bring her something. So there I was at the helm, staring off into the sea wondering what to bring her. "Captain?" I heard a voice say, "Oh! Voyage, I uh...I didn't see you there." "Are you alright Captain?" "Yeah...yes. I'm just thinking that's all." "What are you thinking about cap?"

I sighed and looked around the deck to make sure no one was listening, "Well...you see back home there's….there's this woman." "Uh-huh…?" "and unlike most women I've been with...I would like to spend more than a night with her." "Go on captain." "you could say I might like her." "Just like her?" "Well she is kind, and giving, and...beautiful...and her eyes, I've never seen eyes sparkle like hers. She so passionate about her work too it's astounding, sure she may be busy 90 percent of the time but for all the shortest amounts of time we occasionally spend together I wish they could last longer." Voyage gave me a mischievous smile, "sounds to me like more than "liking" her captain. Could you possibly be...in LOVE with her?" I smiled, I said nothing as she giggled out of excitement. "By the allfathers captain, I've never seen you like this before."

I laughed as I explained that she wanted me to bring her something from the journey, however, I was having trouble what exactly to bring her. Voyage thought for a moment then snapped her fingers, "I got it. On the island we're headed to there's a beautiful lily flower that grows on the island, they call it the night lily. A gorgeous flower you'd have to see to believe." "What's it look like?" I asked, "well the outer rim of the petals is white, then there's another….for lack of a better term, an outline of a darker pink, perhaps magenta, and the rest of it is a dark purple color with little flecks of white, which makes it look like a starry night sky, hence the name night lily."

I still wasn't sure I was convinced, "So what else makes this flower so special." Voyage smiled, "You see most flowers after you take them out of the ground and put them in a vase or something they die within a few months or so right?" "I mean I guess?" "Well, night lilies are said to last and stay alive for years. I remember I took one home along with a few other flowers, a month later the rest died but the lily was still bright and colorful and full of life, 20 years later and that bastard still hasn't wilted an inch." "wow...that's...I think that would be perfect." Voyage smiled, "glad I could help Captain." she said heading onto the deck.

After a few weeks of sailing, we made it to the island known as the dancing isle. It got its name mainly since there are no real dangers on the island at all, everything is peaceful and fun. The native wildlife has no natural predators, making them less afraid of people getting close to them, and the natives to the island are all kind, sweet, and welcoming people. We were there to deliver some supplies, potatoes, tomatoes, dried and salted meats, and several barrels of rum. "We thank you kindly Ulfguardians. Please stay and rest for a few days, you have made a long journey, it is best to keep your wits about you and to stay well-rested when going on long ventures." "Thank you I think the crew deserves it, it's been a while since they've had a proper break from it all." I turned towards the crew waiting excitedly to give them the word. I smiled and rolled my eyes, "as captain of the scout I order you lot to go and enjoy yourselves. Go have fun, you salty bastards." The crew dropped off the last of the supplies and cheered as they entered the town.

Following behind them I rented a room at a nearby inn. And for four days I watched as my crew went around town and the island itself discovering its beauty and enjoying what it all has to offer from the food to the people, I even watched as a small group of the crew snuck out of their inn to head over to the red light district and head into the bordellos and brothels. I smiled and shook my head as I spent these last four days searching the island for this flower voyage had told me about with no luck whatsoever. One afternoon before we finally made our journey back home a young half-orc local of the island asked me what was wrong as she served me my meal.

"What seems to be the problem? I've never seen someone this upset in such a colorful place." "Oh, it's nothing to worry about, I just heard that this flower called a night grew locally here and I haven't been able to find it anywhere, you see, it's for someone special and I've looked everywhere on the island, deep within the jungle, near beaches, everywhere." "Hmm...did you try the flower shop?" she said pointing across the way to a small flower shop where in the window was a half-elf woman tending to some flowers sitting on the window. One of those many flowers was a large bouquet of night lilies just as Voyage described them.

"Oh...huh...you know I never thought something so simple would be so possible to do or even find." "mm-hmm. Enjoy your meal sir." "t-thank you." I ate my meal, which was rather amazing if I do say so myself, after which I headed to the flower shop and got my lily. "That'll be one silver." the florist said. I paid and went on my way heading over to the ship and back home to deliver a special gift.

After a surprisingly smooth trip back home I made my way over to the blacksmith shop, it was midday so I knew I would find her working. "Sannl!" I said trying to get her attention. As she looked up to see me I could see a smile go across her face, "I'll be there in a minute lad." she said as she put a heated piece of metal back into the forge, "To what do I owe the occasion?" she asked, "well you asked me to bring you something, so I did." she looked flattered yet confused at the same time. "Y..you actually brought me something? I was just joking around, but let's see it." I chuckled as I presented her with the flower and I watched as her face lit up, "Oh my… it's beautiful, I don't think I've ever something like this in...thank you." I smiled, "I'm glad you like it." I said, "listen Shane...if you're not busy tomorrow I plan to take the day off...we could go someplace nice or...well we could-" "I would love to go on a date with you tomorrow Sannl." her face became as red as her hair, "I- you- well- I mean- greatthankyousomuchI'llseeyoutommorow!" and with that, I watched her carefully put the flower in a vase and continue working.

The next day. I headed over to her shop around midday wearing some simple clothing, but not so simple as just as some random shirt I had lying around. She was standing in front of the shop in a rather nice outfit, "Well good afternoon Mr.Crowfeather, you look quite nice today." I smiled, "As do you fair maiden Earthlord." She laughed as we began walking together through the ever-busy streets of Ulvenguard, "Where do you plan on taking me, lad?" "Well first, I plan on buying some picnic supplies with you if you don't mind?" "Ohh, a bit of a shopping spree, eh?" I nodded. We walked through the various markets, one to buy a picnic basket and a blanket, the others were food for the picnic. We bought crackers, fruit, meats and cheese, nuts, and some dried berries, and two large bottles of rum and with that, we headed off to a spot I thought would be perfect for a picnic.

Near one of the beaches of the southern Ulvenguard bay where grassland met the sand, we set down the blanket we got and sat down facing the ocean, "You know, I have a decent view of the dock from the shop but I never had a good view of the ocean. Not even when I was a wee lass, I never once saw it up close, save of course those times we've occasionally spent together after I closed the shop but this, with the sun in the sky the cool breeze, this I've never seen." I smiled at her as she stared into the ocean, the blue waves crashing and the wind blowing through her soft red hair, "I'm glad I was able to show it to you."

We sat on that grassy hill feeding each other some of the food we got until it was all gone, we drank from the rum as we leaned against one other for comfort. And we stayed there and talked and all around enjoyed one another's company until the sun began to set and I walked her back to the shop. "Thank you for such a wonderful day, Shane, I appreciate it." I smiled as I took her hands in mine, "it was my pleasure." I lifted her hands to my lips and kissed them as we said our goodbyes for the night. I went home with a smile as wide as the ocean, I haven't felt this happy in a very long time and I hope I continue to feel this way for much, much longer.