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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 3332674" data-attributes="member: 46615">Whilst we could have set out that afternoon, I decided that it would be more prudent to travel at dawn. That way we had the entire day to reach the isle, rather than travelling part way in the darkness, which is what would have happened had we set out that day. The remainder of the day was spent preparing and provisioning the boat as best we could. It was only a day’s sailing if the winds were fair, but one cannot take enough precautions with a novice as our guide. Late that afternoon our friend Maron Devlis arrived at Yorathton answering a request from the Baron. I took him to be a gift from Srcan, god of hope, something I was very much in need of with Argonne as captain designate. We queried him on Sorcerer’s Isle and he informed us that he had travelled there a few times and that there really was nothing to be concerned about. Seeing an opportunity to have a companion that had actually been to the island, Morgan tried hard to convince him to come. He declined, citing business of the Baron’s that he would not disclose. He did, however, offer several titbits of information and one very important and very reassuring gift. He told us that there were actually three islands, not just one. Sorcerer’s Isle, the largest and only populated island, was the first, with Bleak Isle and the Isle of the Dead rounding out the small archipelago. The second piece of information, while somewhat cryptic, proved to be useful. “Gather some nice shells for your journey.” He said with a knowing smile. Whilst we tried to garner a reason for this advice, he would say no more on the topic. The gift, his most precious possession, was the loan of his dolphin Elwing. He told us that Elwing would guide us to the Sorcerer’s Isle. I was sceptical, but faced with a fish for a guide or Argonne as a Captain I was most pleased to have Elwing along for the journey. It certainly could not be worse than Argonne.With that he left us, telling us that the dolphin would be waiting by our boat in the morning. We thanked him and went to the beach to gather shells as he had suggested. My search proved to be fruitless, yet whilst I trudged along the beach I recalled a book that I had been reading at Leathes Abbey. It had spoken of a strange people called Tritons. A bizarre race that lived in the oceans and were in someway descended from the Fey folk. They were an odd combination of man and fish. From the drawings I had seen they were essentially men with scaled and finned legs. I recalled two other important things; there was a colony of Tritons that lived in the waters off Sorcerer’s Isle and that in the pictures they had been adorned with many bright and colourful shells. I told the others my recollections and we searched with a little more vigour. Whilst we managed to find several pretty shells it was Argonne who found the prize, a huge shell that seemed to glisten a rainbow of colours when the waves washed over it.On the morning of the sixteenth of Low Summer we boarded our small longship. It was fitted with eight oars and a mast. I had been told the previous day that the Swift, as our vessel was known, was a sound and speedy coastal ship and was perfect for our journey. However, this was my maiden voyage on the sea, that in itself gave me little confidence and I was yet to grow comfortable with the idea of the forester suddenly being master of the sea. At least the weather was good, or so the fisherman said as they boarded their own boats. The sky was clear, although dawn had not yet crept over the horizon, and once we were clear of the sheltering cliffs, a southerly breeze would only aid our journey. At Argonne’s request we boarded our small ship and ‘cast off’, as Argonne put it. That done, his next command was for four of us to take the oars, and for Mortec to keep watch at the bow. Upon his arrival at the front of the boat he called back that Elwing was waiting for us. That was a comfort. I felt I could rely on the fish to guide us. Strav and Morgan grabbed oars on opposite sides of the boat and Moxadder grabbed one behind Morgan. I leant on a rail as I watched, curious to see what they would do next.“Come on Gerard! Hurry up and grab an oar!” shouted Argonne, annoyed at my apparent tardiness. After several weeks I had actually become accustomed to the common use of my first name.“What?” I replied. I was in shock.“Grab an oar so we can start moving.” Said Argonne, barely concealing his impatience.“You want me to row?” I must admit it had not even occurred to me that I was required for such a menial task. “Yes!” cried Argonne in exasperation. I do not think he was handling this captaincy very well.“You want me to sit on that filthy bench and actually,” I paused as comprehension slowly dawned on me, “row?” Was it possible that they expect me, Gerard d’Mowbray, to row? A boat? Surely not.“Yes you fool!” screamed an increasingly agitated Argonne, saliva spraying from his mouth. “Sit down behind Strav and start rowing now!”I heard mutterings of agreement from the others.“But I am not really a rower. Not much physical strength you see. And think of my hands, I will ruin them. They will develop calluses!” It was my last throw of the dice to avoid this task that was well beneath my station.“Calluses?!” he spat incredulously. “If you don’t sit down now, I’ll throw you overboard.” said Argonne in forced measured tones through clenched teeth as he tried to restrain himself. The others began to murmur their approval of Argonne’s suggested action.I raised my hands in a gesture designed to placate the mob and said with resignation, “Very well. I will do as you ask.” So I shuffled meekly to the bench that Argonne had allocated to me, looked down at it, dubiously pulled one glove off, brushed the seat down vigorously, replaced the glove, and took my seat. I grabbed the oar in my hands and was about to ask how one was supposed to row when I thought better of it. Finally we set off and I learnt a new skill. One that I hoped I would never have to use again.</blockquote>

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