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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7516421" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>I have one more post queued up for Friday, then it's a month off for NaNoWriMo.</p><p></p><p>* * * </p><p></p><p>Chapter 225</p><p></p><p>A steady breeze blew off the water as flocks of sea birds danced and darted in the air over the docks of Colverston. The wharf, which extended for almost half a mile along the edge of the bay, bustled with activity as men and horses worked to load and unload the score of ships lashed to the piers of the harbor. Smaller fishing boats slid in and out between the larger craft, delivering their catch before the sun faded beyond the horizon.</p><p></p><p>Bredan sat watching the scene from a perch along the sea wall near the southern end of the wharf. It was funny, he thought. Colverston was a proper city, easily ten times the size of Crosspath even leaving aside the many travelers and traders who came and went via the busy port. But after his time in Severon and Ironcrest, it seemed small, even provincial. The tallest building in the city was the keep, but it could not rival even the humblest of the monumental structures he’d seen in the two capitals.</p><p></p><p><em>The world is the same,</em> he thought. <em>It’s me who’s changed.</em></p><p></p><p>“You know that we’re supposed to stay together,” a familiar voice said, drawing him out of his reverie. “None of us should be alone here, especially you.”</p><p></p><p>He looked up and smiled at Glori. It was good to be together again. All of them… though it had taken some persuading to get the wizards and the King’s men to agree to let Kosk accompany the expedition. The Ironcrest dwarves had not let up in their protests, even when the monk had agreed to turn himself over to their custody—<em>after</em> the mission to Weltarin was concluded.</p><p></p><p>Glori smiled back at him and took the space next to him along the sea wall, careful of the scattered spatters of bird guano on the stone.</p><p></p><p>“I thought this might be the last chance to be alone for a while,” he said.</p><p></p><p>“That’s true. Not much privacy on a ship.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve never seen the sea before,” Bredan said.</p><p></p><p>“This is only the start of it,” Glori pointed out. “This bay here connects to the Gulf of Arresh, which is pretty tame, or so I’ve been told. The Blue Deep is out beyond, an ocean bigger than all of Voralis put together.”</p><p></p><p>“You’ve seen a lot in your travels,” he said.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve never been here,” she admitted. “But I visited Shellas Point with Majerion, and took a few brief voyages, mostly just short hops from one coastal city to another.”</p><p></p><p>“I heard that you saw him in Tal Nadesh. Are you okay?”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. I guess I sorted out a few things. And I got a new lyre.” She shifted to show him the instrument that rode now on her hip. It was a beautiful instrument, its body a rich golden color.</p><p></p><p>“Nice,” Bredan said. “I noticed it, of course. I didn’t want to say anything… I know how devoted you were to your old one.”</p><p></p><p>“I still have it,” she said. “This one’s magical. Actual magic, not the… Well, it can cast several powerful spells.”</p><p></p><p>Bredan knew what she’d been about to say, that Majerion had lied to her about her old lyre’s magic to help her adjust to the reality of her own budding magical powers. She’d held on to a lot of anger, both about that and her feelings of abandonment by her former mentor. Bredan knew that she’d tell him more when she was ready, so he didn’t push her on it. The days since their reunion had been busy with activity, especially after the revelations in the Vault of the Book. But they would have plenty of time to share their respective tales on the coming journey. From what he had been told, it would take weeks if not months to reach their final destination.</p><p></p><p>“That could come in handy, where we’re going,” he said.</p><p></p><p>For a moment they just watched the fading day in silence, then she said, “What do you think of Kalasien?”</p><p></p><p>“The King’s man? He seems to know his business, I guess. Why?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know. There’s something about him, it just makes me uneasy.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, he is a spy, of sorts. And we will need his skills and knowledge to get where we’re going. Has he said or done something that triggered your instincts?”</p><p></p><p>“No, nothing specific. We’d encountered him once before, you know. Before the Vault, I mean.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. That first meeting with the Circle, in the Apernium. The man in the back.”</p><p></p><p>“I wasn’t sure you’d noticed.”</p><p></p><p>“Why, because I looked like I was going to whip out my sword and start chopping wizards in half?”</p><p></p><p>She laughed, but it quickly turned back into a serious expression. “I’d never seen you so angry,” she said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t justified, not after what happened to you. But it was… scary.”</p><p></p><p>“I know. I’ve changed, I know it. It scares me too. But this… I have to do this, Glori. Have to see it to the end. Wherever that is.”</p><p></p><p>“I know.”</p><p></p><p>A clank of metal announced the arrival of Quellan. The cleric’s heavy armor made it difficult for him to creep up on anyone undetected, but after what had happened in Underhold he tended to wear it any time he was not actually sleeping.</p><p></p><p>“The sea captain we were supposed to meet has arrived,” Quellan said. “Kalasien is meeting with him.”</p><p></p><p>“Where’s Kosk?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>“Meditating,” Quellan said. “I do not believe that he is looking forward to the sea journey.”</p><p></p><p>“This is only the first stage,” Glori said. “It should be easy compared to the next one.”</p><p></p><p>“I did not feel that Kosk was receptive to such reminders at the moment,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“What about Xeeta?” Bredan asked. “It cannot be easy for her… the thought of returning home.”</p><p></p><p>“Arienne,” Glori said to Bredan. “You should start getting used to it now, that way you’re less likely to make a mistake when it matters.”</p><p></p><p>“You’re right,” Bredan said.</p><p></p><p>“I spoke with her on the way here,” the cleric said. “She said that she considers ‘home’ to be with us, wherever we are. She understands the need, that the only place where we can find a crew that can make the arduous journey to the Weltarin continent is in Li Syval.”</p><p></p><p>“A pity we cannot rely upon the wizards for speedy transportation this time,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“There are no teleportation circles in Weltarin,” Quellan said. “And from what I understand, teleportation without one, to a destination that is not well-known, can be quite hazardous.”</p><p></p><p>“It is what it is,” Bredan said. “I suppose we should get back, meet this captain.”</p><p></p><p>“He is supposed to be someone trustworthy,” Quellan said. “He’s Arreshian, a man who’s worked for the Crown in the past.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, I gathered he’s made this journey plenty of times in the past,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>Bredan brushed off his leggings as he rose to his feet. “I’d still like to see for myself.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll all go,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>The three of them made their way back along the docks toward their inn, while around them the bustle of a busy afternoon along the wharf continued, ignorant and unconcerned with their affairs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7516421, member: 143"] I have one more post queued up for Friday, then it's a month off for NaNoWriMo. * * * Chapter 225 A steady breeze blew off the water as flocks of sea birds danced and darted in the air over the docks of Colverston. The wharf, which extended for almost half a mile along the edge of the bay, bustled with activity as men and horses worked to load and unload the score of ships lashed to the piers of the harbor. Smaller fishing boats slid in and out between the larger craft, delivering their catch before the sun faded beyond the horizon. Bredan sat watching the scene from a perch along the sea wall near the southern end of the wharf. It was funny, he thought. Colverston was a proper city, easily ten times the size of Crosspath even leaving aside the many travelers and traders who came and went via the busy port. But after his time in Severon and Ironcrest, it seemed small, even provincial. The tallest building in the city was the keep, but it could not rival even the humblest of the monumental structures he’d seen in the two capitals. [i]The world is the same,[/i] he thought. [i]It’s me who’s changed.[/i] “You know that we’re supposed to stay together,” a familiar voice said, drawing him out of his reverie. “None of us should be alone here, especially you.” He looked up and smiled at Glori. It was good to be together again. All of them… though it had taken some persuading to get the wizards and the King’s men to agree to let Kosk accompany the expedition. The Ironcrest dwarves had not let up in their protests, even when the monk had agreed to turn himself over to their custody—[i]after[/i] the mission to Weltarin was concluded. Glori smiled back at him and took the space next to him along the sea wall, careful of the scattered spatters of bird guano on the stone. “I thought this might be the last chance to be alone for a while,” he said. “That’s true. Not much privacy on a ship.” “I’ve never seen the sea before,” Bredan said. “This is only the start of it,” Glori pointed out. “This bay here connects to the Gulf of Arresh, which is pretty tame, or so I’ve been told. The Blue Deep is out beyond, an ocean bigger than all of Voralis put together.” “You’ve seen a lot in your travels,” he said. “I’ve never been here,” she admitted. “But I visited Shellas Point with Majerion, and took a few brief voyages, mostly just short hops from one coastal city to another.” “I heard that you saw him in Tal Nadesh. Are you okay?” “Yeah. I guess I sorted out a few things. And I got a new lyre.” She shifted to show him the instrument that rode now on her hip. It was a beautiful instrument, its body a rich golden color. “Nice,” Bredan said. “I noticed it, of course. I didn’t want to say anything… I know how devoted you were to your old one.” “I still have it,” she said. “This one’s magical. Actual magic, not the… Well, it can cast several powerful spells.” Bredan knew what she’d been about to say, that Majerion had lied to her about her old lyre’s magic to help her adjust to the reality of her own budding magical powers. She’d held on to a lot of anger, both about that and her feelings of abandonment by her former mentor. Bredan knew that she’d tell him more when she was ready, so he didn’t push her on it. The days since their reunion had been busy with activity, especially after the revelations in the Vault of the Book. But they would have plenty of time to share their respective tales on the coming journey. From what he had been told, it would take weeks if not months to reach their final destination. “That could come in handy, where we’re going,” he said. For a moment they just watched the fading day in silence, then she said, “What do you think of Kalasien?” “The King’s man? He seems to know his business, I guess. Why?” “I don’t know. There’s something about him, it just makes me uneasy.” “Well, he is a spy, of sorts. And we will need his skills and knowledge to get where we’re going. Has he said or done something that triggered your instincts?” “No, nothing specific. We’d encountered him once before, you know. Before the Vault, I mean.” “Yeah. That first meeting with the Circle, in the Apernium. The man in the back.” “I wasn’t sure you’d noticed.” “Why, because I looked like I was going to whip out my sword and start chopping wizards in half?” She laughed, but it quickly turned back into a serious expression. “I’d never seen you so angry,” she said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t justified, not after what happened to you. But it was… scary.” “I know. I’ve changed, I know it. It scares me too. But this… I have to do this, Glori. Have to see it to the end. Wherever that is.” “I know.” A clank of metal announced the arrival of Quellan. The cleric’s heavy armor made it difficult for him to creep up on anyone undetected, but after what had happened in Underhold he tended to wear it any time he was not actually sleeping. “The sea captain we were supposed to meet has arrived,” Quellan said. “Kalasien is meeting with him.” “Where’s Kosk?” Glori asked. “Meditating,” Quellan said. “I do not believe that he is looking forward to the sea journey.” “This is only the first stage,” Glori said. “It should be easy compared to the next one.” “I did not feel that Kosk was receptive to such reminders at the moment,” Quellan said. “What about Xeeta?” Bredan asked. “It cannot be easy for her… the thought of returning home.” “Arienne,” Glori said to Bredan. “You should start getting used to it now, that way you’re less likely to make a mistake when it matters.” “You’re right,” Bredan said. “I spoke with her on the way here,” the cleric said. “She said that she considers ‘home’ to be with us, wherever we are. She understands the need, that the only place where we can find a crew that can make the arduous journey to the Weltarin continent is in Li Syval.” “A pity we cannot rely upon the wizards for speedy transportation this time,” Glori said. “There are no teleportation circles in Weltarin,” Quellan said. “And from what I understand, teleportation without one, to a destination that is not well-known, can be quite hazardous.” “It is what it is,” Bredan said. “I suppose we should get back, meet this captain.” “He is supposed to be someone trustworthy,” Quellan said. “He’s Arreshian, a man who’s worked for the Crown in the past.” “Yeah, I gathered he’s made this journey plenty of times in the past,” Glori said. Bredan brushed off his leggings as he rose to his feet. “I’d still like to see for myself.” “We’ll all go,” Glori said. The three of them made their way back along the docks toward their inn, while around them the bustle of a busy afternoon along the wharf continued, ignorant and unconcerned with their affairs. [/QUOTE]
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