The beach, early Saturday morning

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal had awoken before dawn to pray, reciting the Dawn Rites on the dorm roof, and now he and Altra were walking along the beach. They had returned from Valdemar with the problem of Veren unresolved and it was worrying at him.

Six months ago, he'd have been riding Trenor, finding peace in the time spent with his horse; now, all he could do was walk. It didn't help.

Something else might, though. When he reached Ender's raft, he sat in front of it, pondering it through Altra's eyes. After a minute, he started wrapping rope around the joins.

It was nowhere near as distracting as riding, doing little to clear his mind, but it helped a little.

[ooc: Specifically for one but open to all!]

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[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal shrugged one shoulder, embarrassed, and reached for a length of rope, winding it into a loose coil. "It was a child's dream," he said. "That is one hard decision made, with your help and I thank you for it. Hopefully no others will be required today. Now, tell me how I can help with the raft?"

[endsthegame]

"We'll need to get the next set of logs lined up in center," he said, blinking away whatever wallowing thoughts he'd found himself in the middle of. Ender rose to his feet, wiping his dirty hands on his trousers. "Or we won't have anything to sit on."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal stretched to his feet, grateful to have something to do. "And I'd prefer to have something to sit on," he said lightly. "It will postpone the falling in the water that much longer."

[endsthegame]

"Or make it worse," Ender provided. He was already combing the beach for the next log he was positive should be here. "If you can't sit on it, you probably wouldn't go in the water to begin with." It was a stupid joke, but the image it offered him made him smile.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal laughed, more release of tension than anything else, as Altra trotted down the beach after Ender, Karal following more slowly. "Perched on the frame isn't a good idea, then?"

[endsthegame]

And there it was. A few paces away from where he'd thought it would be, but still very much in perfect shape for the job. "You could try it, but it'd probably tip the whole thing." He hunched down. "Much as I look forward to seeing if a priest can float."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal made a face at him as he hurried over to grasp the other end of the log. "Priests float," he said. "We're the same as everyone else."

[endsthegame]

He lifted the log up just high enough so they could carry it well. "And I've seen a lot of everyone else sink hard," he said. It was a lie, but one he had no trouble telling.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He huffed a laugh as he lifted the other end. "Well, well have to see, then. Sink or float, I'm looking forward to this raft. I was reading a little about them in the library."

[endsthegame]

"And did you find any secrets?" With a huff of a breath, Ender moved sideways, the log heavy in his hands with the moisture that had gathered in it.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He shook his head, following Ender's lead. "Lots of advice to make sure your ropes are tight," he said, shifting his grip. The log had slippery spots. "Though there were some mentions of using a sail."

[endsthegame]

"Sailing." He looked over towards the raft. A dozen perilous steps, maybe a little more, maybe a little less. They'd make it. "I didn't put a sail on my last one. Maybe on this one, I will."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It sounded interesting. Sailing, I mean." Altra leapt up onto the raft and turned, so Karal could see the way.

[endsthegame]

"It does." Ender did relish the strain on his arms; it kept his mind from wandering off to topics that wouldn't do him any good anyway. "I've never done it before."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Nor have I." He shifted his grip again, catching the log before it could slip out of his hands. "I think," he hesitated, "I think I'd like to learn more about it, if this goes well."

[endsthegame]

"Careful."

Just a few more steps, and they'd be there. He stared down at his feet, willing them to keep everything steady. "You'll have to keep me posted," he continued, "Although it might not be the season for it soon."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I've got it," he said quickly. "And no, being wet in the middle of winter isn't the best idea."

[endsthegame]

"Spring would be a plan." Two more-- one more-- and they were there. "Still careful, Karal." He let his arms hang low and heavy, sinking through his knees to lower it.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He nodded, saving his breath, and lowered the log carefully with Ender, knees braced.