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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7558461" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 253</p><p></p><p>Quellan woke and blinked against the intensity of the light that sifted in through the dirty porthole. It was already well into the day by the looks of it. He was alone in the cabin. He felt a momentary pang of guilt that his companions had let him sleep while they were already up and contributing to the repairs that had been a constant effort over the last few days, ever since they’d slipped away from what the crew was calling Crocodile Island on the evening tide.</p><p></p><p>Such feelings were foolish, he thought as he got up, used the chamber pot, and got dressed. His armor he left where it was; it would only get in the way on ship, and if he was knocked off the ship for some reason it would be a death sentence. He knew that ensuring that he—and Glori—got an uninterrupted long rest was important for the sake of the entire expedition. Over each of the last few days he’d burned his entire reservoir of spells. It was mostly healing, though the men he and Glori had treated after the desperate fight against the sahuagin would have recovered on their own, given time. But with a million tasks that needed doing, getting everyone healthy and able to work had been a priority.</p><p></p><p>But he’d also used his magic to help with the repairs. Here the flexibility that he had as a cleric gave him the advantage over Glori. While she had only a small cohort of spells that she could cast, he could pray for divine aid each day, selecting magic that suited their current situation. He’d already used that power to create water, augmenting the supplies that they hadn’t been able to refresh at the island. He’d enhanced the strength of various members of the crew, a boon that had been especially helpful when they’d raised the new mast. He’d even been able to summon magic to allow a party of crewmembers to be able to walk on water. The sailors had been quite nervous at first, even with ropes tied to them to ensure they didn’t drift away from the ship, but ultimately it had enabled them to make at least a few repairs to the battered hull of the <em>Gull</em>.</p><p></p><p>His morning preparations complete, Quellan knelt facing the porthole and opened his mind to his god. As always, he felt a sense of awe as he tapped into the divine wellspring that fueled his magic. To his surprise, he felt his awareness expand as he concentrated on channeling that power into the spells he would retain for the day. As it had so many times already since they had left Crosspath roughly a year ago, his ability to tap into that power had increased.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you,” he said, as he focused on locking the assorted spells into his mind. Once again, he chose magic that he thought would help the ship, its crew, and its passengers. It was not something that one could predict with any surety, and he often worried that he would fail, that someone he cared about would need magic that was beyond his reach due to the choices he’d made. But he was used to that uncertainty and did not let it delay him long.</p><p></p><p>He paused at the door to the cabin that Glori and Xeeta shared. He placed his hand on the wood but didn’t knock or try to enter. He missed Glori, especially as the trip dragged on, but knew that right now they had to focus on their mission, and keeping each other safe. His sense of duty felt heavier than any armor as he turned down the corridor toward the hatch.</p><p></p><p>As he made his way up onto the deck, he could feel the steady pulse of the ship around him. The gentle rocking did not bother him as much as it had; it was a reminder that the <em>Gull</em> was alive and well. He could hear the bustle and shouts of the crew even before he made his way up through the hatch onto the main deck. It still amazed him the way that they would climb high up into the rigging, only one misplaced hand or unexpected gust away from plummeting to the deck below.</p><p></p><p>He looked at the mast, now held in place by a ring of wooden staves tightly banded with coils of pounded iron. Bredan had helped with that, putting the skills from his past life to use. The mast still had a jury-rigged look to it, with partial rigging and only one sail, but it was better than what they’d had when they’d left the island.</p><p></p><p>As he came fully out onto the deck, he caught sight of Kalasien. “Good morning,” he said to the Arreshian agent.</p><p></p><p>“Quellan,” the man said.</p><p></p><p>“Seems to be holding, so far,” Quellan said, gesturing toward the mast but then broadening it to include the whole ship.</p><p></p><p>“A tough vessel,” Kalasien said.</p><p></p><p>“Did Captain Sond have anything new to say today?” Quellan asked.</p><p></p><p>Kalasien shook his head. “Just that the repairs seem to be holding for now, and that if we avoid any more rough weather we should reach Weltarin in a few days.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that’s good news,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“Yes. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can do what we came here to do. Excuse me.”</p><p></p><p>He slipped past and went down through the hatch before Quellan could manage more than a lame, “Ah, see you later.”</p><p></p><p>The cleric made his way over to the staircase that led up to the aftcastle. Captain Sond was there, along with the helmsman and Torrin, her first mate after the loss of her first in the storm. Bredan and Kosk were also there, talking with the captain. Both men waved as they saw him.</p><p></p><p>Quellan walked over to join them. “Everything all right?” he asked.</p><p></p><p>“So far, she’s holding together,” Sond said. The halfling woman looked exhausted, with deep bags under her eyes and a paleness to her flesh that spoke of the concern she had for her vessel and its crew. Quellan knew she’d been drawing deep upon her magic, using it to keep the wind from putting too much strain on the new mast. He thought of the amount of energy it took to cast his own spells and had a new appreciation for the tiny woman’s force of will.</p><p></p><p>“But something’s not right?” he prodded.</p><p></p><p>She gave him a hard look, perhaps not knowing how much she was letting show in her expression and manner. “She’s feeling a little sluggish,” she said.</p><p></p><p>“Understandable, given the damage she’s suffered,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“There could be some damage to the rudder, or something else,” Sond said. “I was considering heading down to take a look.”</p><p></p><p>“Into the water?” Quellan asked. “Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, while we’re underway?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t see any harbors around,” Sond said.</p><p></p><p>“That’s not the only problem,” Bredan said, nodding toward the aft rail behind him. Quellan went over to take a look. It only took him a moment to notice the forms just visible around the ship’s wake.</p><p></p><p>“Sharks,” he said. “Do you think that means the sahuagin are still following us?”</p><p></p><p>“Even with half sails and the damage to the hull, we’re moving pretty well,” Sond said. “It’s not unusual for sharks to follow a ship’s wake, but we haven’t been tossing slops or dumping waste since I noticed them.”</p><p></p><p>“Won’t they, ah, eat anyone who goes into the water to take a look at the keel of the ship?” Quellan asked.</p><p></p><p>The captain managed a grin that restored some of her usual manner. “That is a complication, yes.”</p><p></p><p>“I might be able to offer an alternative,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>“Alternative to what?” Glori asked, as she stepped up onto the aft deck, followed by Xeeta.</p><p></p><p>As Quellan turned to look at her, he could not help but smile. Her clothes were starting to look a little threadbare, and she had a bit of a sunburn on her neck and ears, but the wind caused her hair to form a halo around her features, framing her face in a way that set off her natural beauty. She quirked a brow and shot him a sly grin in return.</p><p></p><p>“Ship’s holding together but is a bit sluggish, Captain Sond was going to take a swim with the sharks to take a look, but Quellan might have some magic to use instead,” Bredan said. “There, you’re caught up.”</p><p></p><p>“You were saying,” Sond prompted.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes,” Quellan said. “I have a spell that enables remote viewing from a safe distance. It might work.”</p><p></p><p>“Well then, let’s try it,” Sond said. “We can always drown ourselves later if it doesn’t work.”</p><p></p><p>They formed a half-circle around the cleric, giving him room to work his magic. Torrin took a few not-so-subtle steps away, making a hex-mark with his fingers. It was a reminder that while magic infused every part of their world, most ordinary people were still wary of its workings, especially when other-worldly entities were involved.</p><p></p><p>Quellan ignored all of them, already focused on his spellcasting. He took up his holy symbol and closed his eyes. His voice sounded slightly deeper, subtly changed, as he intoned,</p><p></p><p><em>Lorekeeper, grant me sight beyond sight,</em></p><p><em>Open my inner eye,</em></p><p><em>Reveal to me secrets kept hidden,</em></p><p><em>Brighten the light within shadow.</em></p><p></p><p>As the companions watched his holy symbol began to glow faintly, and a moment later a similar glow materialized directly in front of him. It lasted only a moment, but they caught a brief glimpse of a small translucent sphere, eerily like the eye it was supposed to replace. Then it faded from view.</p><p></p><p>“That’s cool,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“Impressive,” Xeeta said. “I have heard of the <em>arcane eye</em>… it is a powerful spell. I did not know that Quellan had mastered it.”</p><p></p><p>Quellan’s eyes remained closed as he maintained the concentration on his spell. Bredan and Glori looked over the railing but could not see when the tiny eye entered the water.</p><p></p><p>“Can it see underwater?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“It has darkvision,” Quellan said. “I don’t see anything… wait.”</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Sond asked.</p><p></p><p>“There’s something there, I think. I… ah!”</p><p></p><p>He jumped, causing a few of the witnesses to start as well. “What?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>“Sorry,” Quellan said. “A shark, it startled me. Hold on, let me get my bearings again.” The others watched while he focused, his brow furrowed with concentration. “There’s something there, attached to the ship.”</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Sond repeated.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know. It’s shaped like a claw, looks like it’s made of metal. It’s embedded in the hull. Big, as big around as one of those rope baskets. There’s something inside it, I can’t quite make it out, it looks like a sack or bundle of some sort.”</p><p></p><p>“Whatever it is, it shouldn’t be there,” Sond said. “And I doubt that whoever put it there means anything but ill will for the <em>Gull</em> and her crew.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7558461, member: 143"] Chapter 253 Quellan woke and blinked against the intensity of the light that sifted in through the dirty porthole. It was already well into the day by the looks of it. He was alone in the cabin. He felt a momentary pang of guilt that his companions had let him sleep while they were already up and contributing to the repairs that had been a constant effort over the last few days, ever since they’d slipped away from what the crew was calling Crocodile Island on the evening tide. Such feelings were foolish, he thought as he got up, used the chamber pot, and got dressed. His armor he left where it was; it would only get in the way on ship, and if he was knocked off the ship for some reason it would be a death sentence. He knew that ensuring that he—and Glori—got an uninterrupted long rest was important for the sake of the entire expedition. Over each of the last few days he’d burned his entire reservoir of spells. It was mostly healing, though the men he and Glori had treated after the desperate fight against the sahuagin would have recovered on their own, given time. But with a million tasks that needed doing, getting everyone healthy and able to work had been a priority. But he’d also used his magic to help with the repairs. Here the flexibility that he had as a cleric gave him the advantage over Glori. While she had only a small cohort of spells that she could cast, he could pray for divine aid each day, selecting magic that suited their current situation. He’d already used that power to create water, augmenting the supplies that they hadn’t been able to refresh at the island. He’d enhanced the strength of various members of the crew, a boon that had been especially helpful when they’d raised the new mast. He’d even been able to summon magic to allow a party of crewmembers to be able to walk on water. The sailors had been quite nervous at first, even with ropes tied to them to ensure they didn’t drift away from the ship, but ultimately it had enabled them to make at least a few repairs to the battered hull of the [i]Gull[/i]. His morning preparations complete, Quellan knelt facing the porthole and opened his mind to his god. As always, he felt a sense of awe as he tapped into the divine wellspring that fueled his magic. To his surprise, he felt his awareness expand as he concentrated on channeling that power into the spells he would retain for the day. As it had so many times already since they had left Crosspath roughly a year ago, his ability to tap into that power had increased. “Thank you,” he said, as he focused on locking the assorted spells into his mind. Once again, he chose magic that he thought would help the ship, its crew, and its passengers. It was not something that one could predict with any surety, and he often worried that he would fail, that someone he cared about would need magic that was beyond his reach due to the choices he’d made. But he was used to that uncertainty and did not let it delay him long. He paused at the door to the cabin that Glori and Xeeta shared. He placed his hand on the wood but didn’t knock or try to enter. He missed Glori, especially as the trip dragged on, but knew that right now they had to focus on their mission, and keeping each other safe. His sense of duty felt heavier than any armor as he turned down the corridor toward the hatch. As he made his way up onto the deck, he could feel the steady pulse of the ship around him. The gentle rocking did not bother him as much as it had; it was a reminder that the [i]Gull[/i] was alive and well. He could hear the bustle and shouts of the crew even before he made his way up through the hatch onto the main deck. It still amazed him the way that they would climb high up into the rigging, only one misplaced hand or unexpected gust away from plummeting to the deck below. He looked at the mast, now held in place by a ring of wooden staves tightly banded with coils of pounded iron. Bredan had helped with that, putting the skills from his past life to use. The mast still had a jury-rigged look to it, with partial rigging and only one sail, but it was better than what they’d had when they’d left the island. As he came fully out onto the deck, he caught sight of Kalasien. “Good morning,” he said to the Arreshian agent. “Quellan,” the man said. “Seems to be holding, so far,” Quellan said, gesturing toward the mast but then broadening it to include the whole ship. “A tough vessel,” Kalasien said. “Did Captain Sond have anything new to say today?” Quellan asked. Kalasien shook his head. “Just that the repairs seem to be holding for now, and that if we avoid any more rough weather we should reach Weltarin in a few days.” “Well, that’s good news,” Quellan said. “Yes. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can do what we came here to do. Excuse me.” He slipped past and went down through the hatch before Quellan could manage more than a lame, “Ah, see you later.” The cleric made his way over to the staircase that led up to the aftcastle. Captain Sond was there, along with the helmsman and Torrin, her first mate after the loss of her first in the storm. Bredan and Kosk were also there, talking with the captain. Both men waved as they saw him. Quellan walked over to join them. “Everything all right?” he asked. “So far, she’s holding together,” Sond said. The halfling woman looked exhausted, with deep bags under her eyes and a paleness to her flesh that spoke of the concern she had for her vessel and its crew. Quellan knew she’d been drawing deep upon her magic, using it to keep the wind from putting too much strain on the new mast. He thought of the amount of energy it took to cast his own spells and had a new appreciation for the tiny woman’s force of will. “But something’s not right?” he prodded. She gave him a hard look, perhaps not knowing how much she was letting show in her expression and manner. “She’s feeling a little sluggish,” she said. “Understandable, given the damage she’s suffered,” Quellan said. “There could be some damage to the rudder, or something else,” Sond said. “I was considering heading down to take a look.” “Into the water?” Quellan asked. “Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, while we’re underway?” “I don’t see any harbors around,” Sond said. “That’s not the only problem,” Bredan said, nodding toward the aft rail behind him. Quellan went over to take a look. It only took him a moment to notice the forms just visible around the ship’s wake. “Sharks,” he said. “Do you think that means the sahuagin are still following us?” “Even with half sails and the damage to the hull, we’re moving pretty well,” Sond said. “It’s not unusual for sharks to follow a ship’s wake, but we haven’t been tossing slops or dumping waste since I noticed them.” “Won’t they, ah, eat anyone who goes into the water to take a look at the keel of the ship?” Quellan asked. The captain managed a grin that restored some of her usual manner. “That is a complication, yes.” “I might be able to offer an alternative,” Quellan said. “Alternative to what?” Glori asked, as she stepped up onto the aft deck, followed by Xeeta. As Quellan turned to look at her, he could not help but smile. Her clothes were starting to look a little threadbare, and she had a bit of a sunburn on her neck and ears, but the wind caused her hair to form a halo around her features, framing her face in a way that set off her natural beauty. She quirked a brow and shot him a sly grin in return. “Ship’s holding together but is a bit sluggish, Captain Sond was going to take a swim with the sharks to take a look, but Quellan might have some magic to use instead,” Bredan said. “There, you’re caught up.” “You were saying,” Sond prompted. “Ah, yes,” Quellan said. “I have a spell that enables remote viewing from a safe distance. It might work.” “Well then, let’s try it,” Sond said. “We can always drown ourselves later if it doesn’t work.” They formed a half-circle around the cleric, giving him room to work his magic. Torrin took a few not-so-subtle steps away, making a hex-mark with his fingers. It was a reminder that while magic infused every part of their world, most ordinary people were still wary of its workings, especially when other-worldly entities were involved. Quellan ignored all of them, already focused on his spellcasting. He took up his holy symbol and closed his eyes. His voice sounded slightly deeper, subtly changed, as he intoned, [i]Lorekeeper, grant me sight beyond sight, Open my inner eye, Reveal to me secrets kept hidden, Brighten the light within shadow.[/i] As the companions watched his holy symbol began to glow faintly, and a moment later a similar glow materialized directly in front of him. It lasted only a moment, but they caught a brief glimpse of a small translucent sphere, eerily like the eye it was supposed to replace. Then it faded from view. “That’s cool,” Glori said. “Impressive,” Xeeta said. “I have heard of the [i]arcane eye[/i]… it is a powerful spell. I did not know that Quellan had mastered it.” Quellan’s eyes remained closed as he maintained the concentration on his spell. Bredan and Glori looked over the railing but could not see when the tiny eye entered the water. “Can it see underwater?” Bredan asked. “It has darkvision,” Quellan said. “I don’t see anything… wait.” “What is it?” Sond asked. “There’s something there, I think. I… ah!” He jumped, causing a few of the witnesses to start as well. “What?” Glori asked. “Sorry,” Quellan said. “A shark, it startled me. Hold on, let me get my bearings again.” The others watched while he focused, his brow furrowed with concentration. “There’s something there, attached to the ship.” “What is it?” Sond repeated. “I don’t know. It’s shaped like a claw, looks like it’s made of metal. It’s embedded in the hull. Big, as big around as one of those rope baskets. There’s something inside it, I can’t quite make it out, it looks like a sack or bundle of some sort.” “Whatever it is, it shouldn’t be there,” Sond said. “And I doubt that whoever put it there means anything but ill will for the [i]Gull[/i] and her crew.” [/QUOTE]
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