Blackwater Islands raven hunter

it was a day of greyed rain which drew chakliux out upon a swim that might change the course of his life.
the waves were choppy, the currents losing their summertime warmth and swiftly growing frigid once more. he was buffeted and choked, but stamina built from a life spent in the water kept the seal hunter afloat.
it was still falling twilight when he found his footing.
a chain of islands, forked lightning revealed, some windswept, others caked with ice.
chakliux heard the voices of seal carried upon a wintertide wind.
it was hours, days — he lost his sense of time as he traversed the seven islands.
uninhabited, unseen, and without any of the plants which marina's brother had said bestowed this sickness.
the swim back was contemplative.
and it was morningside he sought! only to find that they had moved on, perhaps, scents fading, and his heart fell starkly.