Chương 286: Wiglock and the Vagor
The sounds of a bustling harbor filled the air of the east side of the Kingdom. The steps making thud sounds on the sturdy wood that made the majority of the place.
Workers of different kinds moved about, doing their jobs diligently. Ships docked along the harbor, moving along with the waves. The smell of the sea can be both refreshing and nauseating. To the party, it was neither.
Their guide pointed to a large boat docked at the left of the harbor, "That's the Vagor, the ship you'll be taking to your destination."
It was a Carrack, a large boat built for long travels across the sea. It's large body was almost something of comfort.
The guide walked towards the Vagor, "You'll be joining a ship that's tasked with delivering supplies. Due to how far out the island is, there are several sea beasts that may attack. So the crew of this ship is something we place our trust in. All the members are at Second Stage, with the captain at Third Stage. With this your safety to the island is essentially guaranteed."
Yielya looked at everyone, "Alright, how many times will we be attacked? I'm hosting a bet."
Tilia joined in, "Fifty thousand on five times."
Jarvis hesitated before joining as well, "I'll do a hundred thousand on seven times."
Kan'na pondered before asking the guide, "What's the usual rate that the ships get attacked?"
"Rarely, most of the time the ship goes without a scratch. But occasionally we do stumble across one or two along the way."
She nodded before turning to Yielya, "Forty grand on three times."
Yielya nodded, "Some good bets, I'll refrain from betting this time. So will you join Wrock?"
Wrock adamantly shook his head, "I quit gambling! But I will predict that we will get attacked only once."
Akiol closed his eyes and pretended to not hear what was occurring.
The guide watched as the party bet on absurd amount of times that they were going to be attacked. The highest amount of attacks that had occurred was three in a single trip!
Givale was puzzled. So she asked, 'Why are they so confident in being attacked so many times?'
Akiol replied, 'A superstition, coincidentally I have never been on a boat without being attacked. So they believe with me along the chances of being attacked are much higher.'
'. . . Really?' -Givale
'Hahaha, is that really the case?' -Stars
'I am positive I will prove them wrong this time.'
The guide lead them up the ship. As they landed on the the boat a burly middle-aged man walked up, "So this is the 'special cargo 'ehn?"
The guide nodded, "This is the group specially selected by his Majesty. Everyone, this is Captain Wiglock, he will be assuring you a safe travel."
"Aye aye, I'll show 'em around. So get your pampered self outa 'ere."
The guide smiled, but anger was visible behind it, "I'll leave them in your care. I hope they arrive in one piece, else it's your head Wiglock."
"Heh, I've never failed my job before. Now get off mine ship before sending you flyin'."
The guide bowed to the Party, "I wish you safe travels."
The guide then promptly left, not willing to see if Wiglock would keep his word.
The Captain scratched his head, "Alright, we have a set of rules to follow on this ship. You break them, you're off. Don't matter if you his Majesty specially chosen or whatnot."
Akiol nodded, "This is your ship, we'll follow the rules."
"Haha! I like a pair who can follow directions. Now, there are three key rules. My order is absolute. Stay out of the crew's way. And don't touch anything your not supposed to. Any questions?"
Yielya asked, "The stuff we aren't supposed to touch is just about everything right?"
"Good! You lot catch on quick. Now follows me. I'll show ya to your quarters."
They followed Wiglock to the lower levels of the boat. The Party watched as the crew moved quickly and efficiently. In and about carrying objects that varied.
Their attention was drawn to a rolling barrel. Rolling down the hall until Wiglock stopped it with a foot, "Oi! Who dropped the cargo?!"
"Sorry Captain!"
"Don't drop the cargo, else it will be you I'll be droppin'!"
"Won't happen again Captain!"
"Then pick this up and get movin'!"
"Aye Captain!"
Wiglock grumbled something under his breath before continuing down the hall. He then stopped to a hanging piece of cloth. Pushing it out of the way he gestured inside, "It's not much, we aren't used to transporting living cargo you see. There's enough room for all yee, and a window if you want some salty air. During storms that will be shut tight however, else I'll have y'all mopping the floors dry."
Inside was pretty lackluster, it was a room large enough to hold all six of them with decent space. A wooden bench was against the left and right walls.
Wiglock suddenly stroked his greying beard, "Mm, if any of ye lassies are uncomfortable with sharing a room. I can arrange somethin."
Yielya laughed, "I doubt they would even think of trying something."
Wiglock rose an eyebrow, "I too doubt the lassies would try somethin."
Yielya stared Wiglock directly in the eyes, "I think there's a small misunderstanding here Captain. I too am part of the 'lassies'."
Wiglock rose his eyebrows before nodding, "My apologies then."
Akiol walked out of the room, ignoring the commotion. Instead he asked, "We're along to wander as long as we follow the rules right?"
"Aye, you can do whatever you want as long as you follow the rules. We'll be leaving as soon as the sun starts to set. If you have any issues you can find me in mine quarters."
Wiglock wandered off to his quarters, his footsteps heavy.
Akiol began following him, "I'm gonna chill top deck, let me know if you guys find anything interesting."
Akiol followed the path upward, once he reached the top he looked to the sky. Finding his target he began to leap across the masts. He then landed agilely onto the crow's nest. A crewman examined him, "Need something?"
"Mind if I relax up here?"
"Not enough room for you to fit in the crow's nest. Otherwise you can relax anywhere else."
"I appreciate it then."
The crewman stared at Akiol, who was sitting on one of the wooden beams, "I take it your his Majesty's chosen?"
"One of them."
"Interesting. If you have any questions feel free to ask."
"I was told to stay out of your way."
"Haha! That is one of the rules isn't it? No matter though, my real job doesn't start until we start sailing. So I got some free time."
"Then why are you up here?"
"I like the wind, feels nice and quiet up here. Not many of us are willing to make the climb up here you see."
"Wasn't too difficult though?"
"The climb isn't, especially not for any Second Stage. However this poses quite the danger for any flying monsters looking for a quick meal."
"So it's more annoying than staying below."
"Precisely, but I use the bow. So my eye is sharper than most. It just works out you know?"
"I don't see a bow around."
"Ah! I get to show it off!"
The crewman lifted his hand a showed off a ring with a small pearl inlaid in it. The pearl swirled in a faint color, suddenly a bow appeared in the crewman's hand.
He spun it in his palm before it disappeared again, "Lovely ring allows quick access to my bow. Wonderful object."
"Quite useful too."
"Eh, it can only hold a three different items though. So it's a little limited."
"Hmm? Then what about your arrows? Or do you not use those?"
"No no I use arrows, I found out that a quiver full of arrows counts as an object. So I have two quivers full in this ring."
"Ah, so it's a portable storage."
"Yep!"
Akiol turned to see the sun getting closer to set. Which prompted him to ask, "Why are we setting out at night?"
"Sea's more dangerous at night. However a good fifty or so Nauts from the harbor is a safe haven. We can clear that distance in a night, meaning by the time we leave the safe zone it will turn day. It essentially grants us a safer passage for a good chunk of the beginning trip."
"How interesting, would it not be dangerous to set out a night? Considering this is a bustling harbor?"
"That's why leave while there's a little sun left. The size of our ship is quite hard to miss, so if any little guys are in our way. That's on them for not moving."
The crewman adjusted his hands in a strange position and moved them over to the sun, "Alright, you'd best head down now. We're going to set off."
"Alright, anytime I can come up here again?"
"Usually during the day, my job is pretty easy during that time."
"Then you'll be seeing me again. I'll head off now."
Akiol jumped off and landed softly. He watched as the crew moved to their positions. Wiglock stood at the helm and shouted, "Light her up! Lead her out gently!"
Magic runes began to alight on the side of the boat as it began to move forward. Slowly but steadily the boat left the harbor and began to venture out into the sea.
The journey to the island had begun!
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