Soothsayers & Rocky Shores [Marr blitz]

Gander Ellesmere

He’d heard Cove over the radio during the debate. He hadn’t seen much written about him, didn’t know him as a quantity of district four. That he kept to himself was an initial positive; the people of the Rock were not keen on outsiders who preened themselves and want to assert real authority over the whole of the district. They believed their island functioned better with autonomy, and the fewer outsiders that came to their shores, the better.

“Eh, yeh, if’n you’s got in on Mayor, y’n gonneh send folk to ours island or nah?” I ask the question just as I had to Althea, maybe with a thicker twang (I never was much for trying to sound like a mainlander). The Rock was counting on me to offer a decision on the vote (though I knew my father would vote however he wanted). And so I would take this seriously, as the face of the island in quite some time.

“And what’re yeh gon’n do fer us if yah win?” I added, curious to see if he knew the slightest of what we needed.

Gander Ellesmere

Cove was not like any mainlander Gander had met (not that he had paid much mind to those that he had). He dressed differently, spoke differently, and seemed to have an interesting point of view. Sanctity sounded much like what his father would say about the island. He and the other older men would go on about the number of years they had been on the Rock, and how it had been preserved by a few good families. They talked about how it predated the dark days, and felt that as much as the world would continue to change, ours would at least retain some of its roots.

He promised not to send anyone to the island, which was enough for Gander. It was a simple request, but a promise made. One that had better be kept, should the man win office. They would not take kindly to anyone crossing their shores. If it became a problem, he could see some of the older men deciding to take action against the powers that be. They had little fear of repercussions, or death. All of them had died once before. They had seen the afterlife – or the emptiness thereof – so who was to stand in their way?

But Cove doesn’t stop there. He asks the boy what he would do for him, if he won. Gander’s expression didn’t change; he didn’t have an answer ready and waiting for him. They didn’t do much for the district, other than provide trade. He was however sent to represent the islanders. So what he would say could live on, if things came to pass.

“Em.” He started, clearing his throat. “Me ‘n ours promise nah harm ‘n boats’s that come’n close afore a warnin’, yeh? N’ should teh moment come’n we’d stand side ‘n side wit yah.” He gave a nod. “But most I can promise yeh we’d leave yah alone.”

Gander Ellesmere

Gander glanced back at the man as he listed promises off for the Rock. They might have a chance at shipping lanes, and being taken care of under Cove. But Althea had been more reasonable, and had given him a dose of reality as to what could and couldn’t be done. Still – it was intriguing that this man seemed ready and willing to concede to a plan that would benefit his island. He gave a few more nods as the man continued, asking him what was happening on the island and why there was a need for trade.

“We make whats needed n’ try not ter bother much,” Gander replied. They had sheep on their island for wool, to be spun and died with dyes they could make; they fished for their food and had trees for fruits. Vegetables were harder to come by though they managed, and traded what they caught for what might’ve been needed. There were other supplies though that they couldn’t create on their own island – things that necessitated some kind of communication with the main land.

“Yah can’t git all o’ what yeh need on it though. Gotta have someone to give and get with. Not much tah do ‘bout that.” Gander said. “As fer dah unannounced, yeh could put a boat out ‘o the way teh stop folks. Could be nice.” Gander gave a smile. Maybe one day he should run for mayor.

“Yeh surf yah?”