The gang plank was lowered and the men on board her ship began unloading the cargo. The trip to Yoreiq had prove very fruitful, and she made an extra trade partner or two during the journey and she was excited to return to the main land and capitalize on this. For it was business, business, business, though pleasure would come from time to time, normally in the hours she set aside playing with her son. Her child, Samuel Swinden, had basically grown up onboard a ship, so being on land was a real treat for him, and he seemed to be immeasurably impressed and enchanted to all of the places his mother got to travel.
However, Dylanna Swinden knew that as her son was growing older, she'd need to establish herself back in the city, and she dreaded her trek west, to Arca. And Arca meant she had to most certainly face the man her was the unknown father of her son- which had become one of the greatest fears of her life. Ryk Handelaar was a merchant about as wealthy as she, but he was a con artist in his own right, and where her father saw potential and good in him, she- on the other hand, felt far too vulnerable to his charms. And that one fateful night upon the ocean... though he was somewhat of a hero in her eyes, she still acted like a fool- in both the night and morning after, for the man had met with her in lust, and then later- her scorn.
But her child, the beautiful, handsome boy that he was, was a God send, a real treasure, and had done wonders for her life where as before she had always felt a longing, an emptiness- for business and trade was always her life, her passion- but it was never something real, or tangible. It was not a true love, for her work could not reciprocate feelings like a man could, or the curiosity of a youth. Yes, Samuel Swinden was her whole world, and as she exited the ship, she scooped up her son before he could run off to cause any trouble. He was such a young boy then, barely three years old now.
Three years old.. had it truly been that long since she had been to Arca? Perhaps Ryk Handelaar would have forgotten about her for now, and she could go on with her life as it was. After all, no man would be interested in a woman who already had a child and was as old as she- but then again, she was not only a wealthy merchant, but a lady of nobility. And though she had a proper place in society, her love and home would always be the sea.
"Now, Samuel, calm down!" the mother scolded, but it was an affectionate scolding as she kissed Samuel upon the head and held him close at her hips. She turned back to her men, commanding them to finish unloading the ship. She was going into town, and Samuel was excited to hear about it, and when the pair had made it to the market, Samuel had squirmed hi way out of his mother's arms and went dashing off into the market, giggling excitedly at his freedom.
"Samuel!" Dylanna shouted, rushing off swiftly after her son so as not to lose him in the crowd, but it didn't take long before the poor child ran full force into some strangers leg, and stumbled onto the floor with a yelp. Moments later, Dylanna was scooping up her son as he had tears in his eyes from the fall and she held him close, cooing to him and telling him it would be alright, and as she held onto him close, she peered over at the man he had run into, one eye half covered by her dark hair as she apologized.
"I'm sorry. My son seemed to have gotten away from me."
