Chapter 11 - A dying mans dream

Chapter 11- A dying mans dream

           

Gin was abruptly awoken by Sarthan. He stretched and yawned as he rose out of bed. Sarthan alerted him of the pending danger in the throne room. He woke up earlier and stood looking over the city. Nostross and the aerial unit landed at the stables. They made their way through the town. Sarthan ran to alert Gin. He got a little lost but found his door. Now they were headed to the throne room.

            They each picked a side of the vale that closed the throne room off. Nostross talked with eliros who denied seeing his nephew. Nostross looked over at the vale but they quickly jumped back. Gin and sarthan heart raced as they hoped he didn’t see them. Nostross noticed the vale moving but kept silent. He bid elifan a good day. He asked him to alert Lorax if he found Sarthan. Eliros grew annoyed by the sound of his name.

“I have more pressing matters to attend to. My guards will show you out” Eliros said

            Nostross left quickly, gin and sarthan came out from behind the vale.

“Guards leave us!” Eliros said “ not you gardon

            Gardon was a dwarf who was growing quickly in the ranks. He was a bit older than sarthan and had more experience. He stood next to the two boys. His facial tattoos were covered by his beard and facial hair. Sarthan looked down at the short soldier and grinned.

“I fear we may not be able to trust the clerics. Gardon escort my nephew and his friend to esidarap. Keep them there and wait for my message. There is trouble in thandor it seems” Eliros said

“What about my brother?” Gin asked

“I will take care of him but if they find you here. It will not help the situation.” Eliros said getting off his throne.

            He walked over to Gin and hugged him tightly. Eliros had watched over the years as Domori mourned Eleanor. The drinking of firewater changed him. He no longer laughed or seemed happy. Domori blamed himself for not destroying the arrow that killed her. Consumed and festered inside of him. Eliros moved to Sarthan and stood in front of him. He looked him up and down and in the eye. Sarthan stared back and didn’t look away.

“Thorgan be with you” Eliros said to him as he put his hand across his chest.

            Eliros moved down to Gardon.

“Take three horses from the stables. You need to be in taru by midday tomorrow. I will have the harbor master get you seats on a boat.” Eliros said

“I will guard them with my life” Gardon said

“Thorgan be with you” Eliros said

            Gardon slammed his hand over his chest. He headed toward the vale. Gin and sarthan followed behind him in silence. They made their way to the palace stables and retrieved the horses. Sarthan and Gin giggled at the steps gardon brought to get on the horse.

“I hope you two are as good with your arms. As you are with your mouths” Gardon said

“Is that not why you are here?” Gin asked sarcastically

“Do you need me to feed you too young prince?” Gardon asked, “ enough yabbering we can’t delay”

            Gardon kicked his horse and galloped forward. Gin and Sarthan laughed with each other and caught up. The three roads out of the city headed to taru. They would have to ride their horses through the night. Gardon was no stranger to the land. He knew it well enough and could avoid gaurds searching for the boys. He couldn’t believe he got stuck with them. I’m a soldier not a babysitter gardon thought to hisself. The sound of the horse’s hooves echoed throught the forest.

            They reached taru by the morning. They blended in perfectly with the morning crowd. They put their horses up and headed to the port. Gardon made sure to keep them close. They entered the port master’s shop. He was a Naidni with heavy tattoos all over him. The shop had fish of all types and sizes mounted around the walls. Boats inside bottles hung on top of various mantles.

“I got the message from king elifan and I have got you seats on the next boat. You’re lucky this is the only boat heading that way now” the port master said “the boat is the lionheart and the captains Erse”

            Gardon thanked him and paid him for his services. They headed to the pub to find the captain. Gardon thought it was offly early to be at the pubs even in taru. Captain Erse was a known sailor in the Naidni Empire. He had slayed the dragonoff a couple years back. The dragonoff was a giant jellyfish that caused vessels to perish. Year after year sailors and soldiers tried to kill it. Captain Erse had become obsessed with the beast. He had recruited many men over the years to aid him.

            Captain Erse finally killed the beast. He was celebrated in kalinga and the empire as a hero. Gardon, Gin and Sarthan had never seen him but knew of the legend. They reached the pub and gardon asked the bartender for the captain.

“Aye what are those youngin’s doing in here” the werewolf bartender asked looking at Gin and Sarthan

“They are with me, they are alright. Where is the captain Erse?” Gardon said

            The bartender pointed to an older man sitting and drinking in the corner. There were but a few people in the pub. They watched the strangers as they drank. Gardon dropped a few gold coins on the table, which was taller than him. He signaled for the boys to follow. They walked over to Erse in his booth. Where he drank alone. Erse looked up at the three.

“No autographs right now” Erse said then went back to drinking.

“Where not here for your autograph” Gardon scoffed

“So what you want?” Erse asked putting his mug down.

“We are passengers going to Esidarap” Gardon said

“Oh oh yes the port master told me... Well we leave mid day. Are you gonna stand there the whole time?” Erse asked

“You boys go get some supplies and stay out of trouble. Be at the ship by the time Dorlin gets to the highest point in the sky.” Gardon said jumping up into the both with Erse.

            Gardon threw some coins at sarthan and he caught them.

“I don’t know why you giving them to me. I’m old enough to partake in the spirits” Sarthan said giving gin the coins.

            Sarthan bumped gardon a little with his hip. He slid into the booth. The three men looked at the younger gin.

“I have all right to be here. I will not go fetch supplies like a maid. Im the pri—oww” Gin said before Sarthan kicked him in the leg.

            The few people in the bar turned and looked at the commotion. Gin composed himself and stormed out the door. Erse motioned to the bartender and he brought over three mugs.

“Start a tab for the lads Darto” Erse said

            Darto the bartender looked at them then at Erse. His fangs gleamed and he wiped his claws with a rag. Darto threw the rag over his shoulder. He placed his hands on the table and leaned in.

“I don’t like trouble... Word is the clerics are looking for some fugitives. Erse you might want to set sail on time today. Don’t bring your troubles in here” Darto said

“Trouble” me Darto??” I would never cause you trouble. These men are adventurerers and the young lad doesn’t know his place.” Erse said with elegance

“Just make sure you pay your tab this time or the clerics will be the least of your worries!” Darto said dragging his claws across the table.

“These are paying passengers and as paying customers you should be more nice” Erse said

            Darto growled turned and walked away. Erse raised his mug in the air with a laugh. Sarthan and gardon fixed their serious faces and toasted with him. The three men took swigs of ale and laughed. Gardon ordered another round after tasting it. Gin however was not laughing or smiling as he looked for the shops. He kicked the dirt and mumbled under his breath in outrage of them treating him as a child. He outranked Gardon and Sarthan didn’t even have a rank. They should be getting this stuff. Gin mumbled to himself as he reached the first shop.

            The sun beat down on Taru and the windhardly blew. The smell of the sea and sounds of the waves was everywhere. Gin entered the shop and greeted the clerk. He picked up food and fruits. Gin ate as he browsed. Eating the food made him cheer up a lot. He walked to the clerk with a mouthful of food. He placed all his items down and bagged them. The clerk watched him silently ans took his gold piece. Gin left the store getting a weird vibe. He continued onto another shop. It was a candy store.

            Gin walked out the shop moments later with a huge grin on his face. He ate some candy and began walking along. His grin quickly changed to a frown. Clerics were talking to the shop keeper he was at earlier. Gin ducked behind the building trying to get out of sight. One of the gaurds spotted him turning the corner.

“Prince Gin stop” the guard yelled prior to giving chase.

            Gin started to run the bags were heavy in his hand. He focused his aura and started to freeze the bags. The bags put together made a round shape at bottom. Gin pulled the circular base to his chest and chopped the handles off. The circle dropped to the floor as gin ran. He felt like he was playing litric with the ice ball of groceries in his hand. A shopkeeper was selling hats. He quickly grabbed one and sat down in a chair outside the shop. He put the ball on the floor and the huge hat on his head. The guards came running up.

“Which way did that running man go?” a guard asked

“That way” Gin pointed

            The gaurds took off running and Gin got up. He smiled at the shopkeeper and tossed the hat back. The shopkeeper caught it and picked it back up. Gin ran off but forgot the groceries and turned around. He picked up the ball and turned around. The gaurds turned back around and spotted him. He took of down a small alleyway. Gin blew himself up above the house. He placed the ball behind him on the roof. The guards walked down the alley carefully. One of them went towards the back of the house. The other held guard to keep watch.

            Gin’s ice ball started to roll as he peeped. It rolled to the edge and fell over. It hit the other guard over the head. It knocked him out cold. The sound of the crash jumped Gin and the guard. They both ran back. Gin jumped down to grab his ball. As he did the guard turned the corner.

“Sorry” Gin said as he blew a strong wind.

            The guard flew back out the alley and into the street. Gin took the opportunity to quickly slip away. He made it all the way back to the pub undetected. The bar was livelier now. Naidni, Zartanites, Centaurs and Werewolves alike sat and drank. Few looked at him sweating and carrying the ball of ice. He made his way over to the table.

“We need to leave now” Gin said leaning over the table

            Before they could say a word three clerics walked into the shop. Gin jumped into the booth and turned his face. They looked around the packed bar. Musicians were playing as patrons drank and laughed. Captain Erse looked at the three of them and shook his head. He then turned to darto who was looking dead at him.

“Prince Gin stop right there” the cleric yelled as he pointed.

“Oh boy... Im getting to old for this” captain Erse said

            A zartanite stood drinking a few tables from them talking to a Naidni. Erse blew a wind and made his drink splash in the face of a naidni behind his friend. The music stopped as the clerics headed toward the table. The wet Naidni turned around and transformed to a werewolf. He smacked the Naidni in front of him across the room. He kicked the zartanite in the chest, sending him toppling over patrons. The music started playing again and Erse blew a wind. It sent a chair flying across the room cracking a Cyborg over the head. An all out bar fight broke out. Erse signaled the group to run in the chaos. The clerics fought to get through the crowd. The group slits up during the fight. Gin gets bumped and his ball goes rolling. A Zartanite punched Gardon. He get up and jumpes on him. They begin fighting. Darto comes after Erse with a butcher’s knife. A cleric tries to grab Sarthan. He flips over a table to get away.

            Gin is crawling on the floor after his ball of groceries. A Centaur backing up tripped over him. He knocks over the cleric going after Sarthan.  The cleric and centaur fall on top of gardon. Who was punching the zartanite that punched him. Gins grabbed up his ball as sarthan pulled gardon out the pile. Captain Erse blew a wind toward Darto knocking him into another brawler. He ran to the door. Gin got to the door first and was about to open it. He got pulled back as a butcher knife hit the panel. Gin turned to see captain Erse’s smiling face.

            The group ran out the bar and headed to the port. The Lionheart was second to last boat in the harbor. The crew was still loading things aboard as the three ran toward the ship. They ran up the plank following captain Erse. Who immediately began giving out orders.

“All aboard that going aboard” captain Erse yelled “raise the plank and anchor”

            Running buffalo sat by the steering wheel in his meditation style. Gin Sarthan and Gardon stood on the deck of the massive ship. The crew buzzed around getting ready to depart. The anchor was raised and the boat shook as it backed out. The clerics and Darto ran to the docks as the boat started to turn. The sails dropped down and picked up wind. A horn began to blow signally the port closing. The Taruvians got the Garrothians to design a gate, it gave them more control over the port and who came and left. Captain Erse looked at the two gates coming together slowly.

            Below the deck of the Lionheart, A zarga sat beating a drum. A huge chubby naindni walked up and down the row

“Row… row… row.. You salty dogs” the Naidni yelled

            Three big ores stuck out both sides of the ship. Two men sat on a bench and rowed per ore. They moved in unison with the drums and yelling. Back on the deck captain Erse waved to Darto as the boat picked up speed.

“We won’t make it” Gin shouted looking at the gates getting closer to each other.

“Have faith boy” captain Erse yelled

            The boat picked up speed as it got closer to the closing gate. Gin, Sarthan and Gardon braced themselves for impact. Two clerics of water stepped up to the edge of the dock. As they started to glow the water began to rise. A wall of water formed behind the ship heading to the gates. Gin looked at the walls in horror switching his head back and fourth between the two. The clerics pushed the wall of water forward. As they did Erse blew a wind and the ship began to float.

            The lionheart lifted into the air. The bottom of it touching the gate as it closed. The wall of water slammed into the back of the ship, which had a box being towed with it. The box disappeared in the water and the deck got soaked. The boat safely pulled out the harbor and rowed toward the clouds.

“Ha haa aha aha ah” Captain Erse laughed “you must have faith boy”

            Gin shook the water off him and grinned. The port and clerics were off in the distance getting smaller by the stroke. The crew cheered as captain Erse walked down to the deck. He held his hands up for them to hold their applause.

“Let me show you to your humble quarters prince” Erse said pointing the group to the stairs

            They followed the captain below the deck. They walked down the steps past the rowers. To the next level down, it was the sleeping quarters floor. The crew busily moved up and down the cramp hallways. Zartoons, zartanites, naidni, kalingans and dwarfs ran past the group. All of them men from different races working in unison under one captain. Erse stepped in front of a door and turned around

“As you can see I have a packed ship. You will have to stay with twitchy. Don’t worry he is harmless. The old sea dog saw the dragonoff and never been the same since. Just whatever you do don’t ask him what happened. He goes crazy and no one wants that. But other than that dinner is at sunset in the mess hall downstairs” captain Erse said smiling.

            Gin, Sarthan and Gardon looked at each other. They each had the same expression on their faces. Captain Erse opened the door. The room was lit by one window and the sun poured in. it had four wooden cots inside. Two on each side of the wall bunk bed style. Twitchy sat in a rocking chair drawing. He looked up and pulled the book closer to his chest.

“Twitchy these men will be staying here during the voyage. I expect you to be on your best behavior” Erse said

“I’ll be nice” twitchy said looking up at the group

            Twitchy was a kalingan like Erse. He was medium height and white. He was bald except for one thick strand of white hair. The braid hung down the front of his face. He flipped his head back sending it to the side of his head. There were three teeth in his mouth. One on the top his gums and two on the bottom row of gums. He was older than the captain it seemed but not by much.

“Now gentlemen get gomfy. The latrene is down the hall” Erse said

            Gin went to drop his ball of groceries on the bottom bunk.

“its mines, that’s mines, that’s mines, that’s mines, wipe your feet your tracking mmmuuuuddd on mmmyyy f ffloor” twitchy said as he jumped out the chair with speed.

“Twitchy be nice and share” Captain Erse said

            Twitchy backed into his rocking chair. He quickly placed his drawing pad in his hand under his pillow. He glared at them and then started rocking back and fourth.

“Well glad to help chaps. I have other matters to attend to” Captain Erse said walking out the door and slamming it

            The three men looked at the closed door and then at twitchy in his rocking chair. Gardon walked over to twitchy bunk bed looking him in the eye. He climbed up the ladder to the top bunk and laid down.

“Wake me for supper” Gardon said laughing as he looked upon the two boys still standing there

            Sarthan began to walk to their bunk and Gin grabbed his hand. He looked him in the eye then looked at twitchy. Whose bloodshot eyes stared right back at him. Gin looked away quickly back to Sarthan.

“I’m getting the top bunk” Gin said

“No way you already went for bottom live with it” Sarthan said pulling away

            Gin stood in the doorway confused and perplexed. Both his comrades were doing what he wanted to. He could feel twitchy’s eye burning into him but he refused to look.

“Gardon I order you to give me you bunk” Gin said

“I’m not under your command young prince. I’m an escort. Don’t be a girl. Leave me be I’m tired” Gardo said grumpily

“Twitchy no like spoiled children” Twitchy said

“I’m going to go explore the ship” Gin said backing up to the door.

            Gin walked out in the busy hallway again and closed the door. The ship swayed from side to side as he made his way back to the stairs. His big ball of groceries seemed to become heavier. He made his way up back to the deck he walked to the front of the ship and looked out into the sky. The ocean was beautiful and the wind felt marvelous. All the stress on gin’s mind went away as he looked out inot the endless sea. The frozen ball that was in his began to melt. Since he broke the handles of the bag off they fell to the floor.

            Gin picked up the groceries out the puddle of water. He put them all in one of the bags. He went to go back downstairs as he juggled the groceries. Running buffalo caught his attention and gin walked up to the captain’s deck. Running buffalo discipline tats were on on the left of his face. He sat motionless in Indian style focused on his task. The boat sailed through the sky gracefully.

“What are you doing?” Gin asked

“Guiding the ship while the captain is away” Running Buffalo said

‘Can I help my aura of wind is quite strong” Gin said

“Strength may move a mountain but the wind splits it in half effortlessly” running buffalo said

“Oh” gin said turning around to walk away

“Sit young prince” Running Buffalo said

            Gin sat down next to running buffalo who was not glowing. Gin felt his power and looked at the sailor. He was an elder but not farther from Gardon and no older than Erse. His level of discipline was incredible. Now Gin could feel the wind carrying the ship. As a naidni of air how could he of overlooked such strength for so long.

“Clear your mind young prince. Release your emotions. Feel the wind around you as you breath.“ running buffalo said

            Gin began to clear his mind as he did he began to glow. His aura was white and engulfed him as he breathed in and out. The wind began to pick up Gin could feel the boat. It was heavy he started to pick the wind up to try and carry it.

“Be calm young prince. I have it just assist me”

            Gin started to sweat, the boat shook a little. He took a breath and relaxed. The wind slowed down and gin felt Running Buffalo’s power. The boat balanced out as the two naidni synced their efforts. Gin felt the whole boat in his power he remained calm, although he was growing excited at his accomplishment. The boat floated in the air with ease. Running buffalo stood up and looked into the setting sun. Gin felt him release his hold of the ship. He relaxed and maintained his efforts of keeping the ship afloat. The ship was not as heavy as he thought it was originally. It felt as a pea that he was levitating at his dinner table. The dinner bell started to ring.

“Go eat you prince you did fine” Running Buffalo said sitting down and taking back control of the boat.

            Gin stood up and looked at Running Buffalo focused sitting Indian style. He picked up his bag of groceries. He went below the boat and returned to his room. The room was empty he placed the groceries on the table.  The room was dark he lit a match and put it to a candle. The book twitchy was drawing in laid half out his pillow. Gin looked around once more to make sure he was alone. He walked over and picked the book up.

            The book was long and the cover was black. He opened it and looked at the pictures. It was full of random doodles. Twitchy was a good artist gin had to admit. He flipped the page and turned the page. It depicted a batlle on the sea. The dragonoff sat in the water against an armada. Captain Erse stood on top of the biggest ship. Gin flipped the page and looked at the next picture. It depicted the dragonoff attacking the ships. Now a lot of ships were sunk and he moved closer to captain Erse’s ship. The door opened suddenly making Gin jump and slam the book closed.

“What are you doing?” Sarthan asked

“Nothing” Gin said putting the book back down

“Let’s go to dinner im starving” Gin said blowing the candle out

            He pushed Sarthan out the room. They headed to the stairs and to the dining hall. The whole crew sat eating and drinking. The hall was loud as men laughed and talked. They headed toward the captains table. Captain Erse and Gardon sat waiting for them. Gin and Sarthan sat. They over looked the two long tables of crewmembers in front of them. The chef came in a line and placed food on the table. Gin looked in disgust at the food. His stomach growled as he looked at gardon tearing into the meal.

“I know you are not use to this prince but try it you’ll like it. Marzo is the finest cook on the three seas” Captain Erse said pointing to the chef.

            Marzo was a massive werewolf with an eye patch. His drool dropped down from his fangs and into the pot. Gin looked down at his plate once more. He took a gulp and grabbed his spoon. He dug into the oats or grits he wasn’t sure. He gulped it down then smiled. It was delicious, he scarfed it down. Gin grabbed the chicken and tore inot it. The corn was juicy and sweet. Gin gleaned his plate and looked for seconds. Marzo came and served him a second helping.

“I don’t think we accounted supplies for the young lad’s appitiete” captain Erse said

“We will be fine” Gardon laughed

‘Captain Erse tell the tale of how you killed the beast’ a black kalingan yelled from his seat

            Before Captain Erse could respond twitchy jumped up and began yelling.

“I saw the devil and she touched me” Twitchy yelled running out of the mess hall

“She touched me and she’ll be be be back..” Twitchy yelled running upstairs

“She’ll be be be bee back” Twitchy yelled on the deck

            The rest of the crew threw things at the laughing kalingan; Twitchy would be yelling til he got tired.

“Ok ok settle down you salty dogs” Captain Erse yelled

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            An armada of kalingan and robandian ships sailed through the seas. There was a heavy fog floating over the sea. Everything was quiet and still as the boats sailed the water. A younger captain Erse stood on his deck over looking the armada. This was the 7^th year of his campaign to destroy the beast. He had lost many good soldiers trying to accomplish the feat before him.

            A loud crashing and crackling sound that he knew well snapped him to attention. It was a mass of ship that cracked. They found the beast again. All the ships sprung into action they each had their own task. Captain Erse pulled out his sword and prepared for the beast. His crew ran around handling the ship headed to the action. The fog made it hard to see. The Dragonoff body glowed yellow, green, blue and red. It kept up that roatation. The armada approached the colors as it appreared and disappeared in the fog. The sounds of cannon fires and men screams filled the once silent seas.

            The lionheart approached the carnage. There was five ships including theirseves left of the armada. Men were trapped looking with dead eyes, through the jellyfishes clear body. The dragonoff was still pulling soldiers up its mouth with its tentacles. It grabbed a ships mass with one tentacle and broke it off. The crew ran as the massive mass toppled down. It smashed through another ship, sending its crew jumping overboard off the sinking ship.

“Tarlus straight ahead ram the demon” Captain Erse yelled to his first mate

            Tarlus was a younger Twitchy. He steered the boat straight toward the beast. The Drangonoff was destroying the rest of the armada. The Lionheart plunged in to the Dragonoff. Captain Erse blew a wind and flew on top of the beast. He dropped into its soft jelly body and looked down. The dead soldiers just stared back at him as the beast digested them slowly.

“Die you beast” Captain Erse said plunging his sword through the Dragonoff.

            The beast started to shake uncontrollably. He grabbed Tarlus and slammed him into the mass. Captain Erse grabbed a piece of its eposed body as not to fall. The guts and dead soldiers started to slide out into the ocean. The Drangonoff grabbed Captain Erse with its tentacles. Its stingers dug into his side he felt the burning sensation. It dove down with him freeing itself from the lionheart.

“Captain” Tarlus shouted running to the front of the boat.

            Captain Erse held a ball of air around his head as the beast dove deeper. He felt cold and numb as the burning sensation went away. He felt weak and his air bubble started to shrink. The Dragonoff took him deeper in to the dark depths of the ocean. Captain Erse finally stopped struggling he gave up and accepted his fate. He was in Draygor coffin now and there was nothing he could do. His air bubble went away and his green aura started to fade away. The flashing lights of the Dragonoff were all he saw in the darkness. The beast slowly raised him into his mouth. Captain Erse caught his breath quickly as water rushed around him.

            The captain regained his composure and focused his energy. He made another air bubble as the beast stopped. A shiny pink egg laid to the bottom of the ocean. The Dragonoff reached one of its tentacles toward the egg. Its tentacle stopped short as it died. Captain Erse floated out the hole he burst in the Dragonoff. He began to swim away but looked at the egg. He turned and swam toward it. He pushed it with all his might and it rolled. Erse pulled together what little strength he had. He forced a mighty wind under his feet. He the egg and the carcass of the Dragonoff flew toward the surface.

            They blew out the water. The massive carcass of the dragonoff came out the water in front of the lionheart. Tarlus looked it face to face and peed his pants. He grabbed his heart and started twitching. Captain Erse and the egg floated down on the deck. The exhausted captain laid out on the deck. He couldn’t believe he survived but he couldn’t feel his left side. The crew rushed over and pulled him up. Tarlus regained his composure looking at the carcus floating in the water.

“Captain is it it dead” Tarlus said stuttering and twitching

“Yes” Captain Erse said catching his breath

“Is that is’ egg?’ he asked

“I don’t know maybe” Captain Erse said “ tell no one of it” he said before passing out

The crew braced his fall. They pulled back his jacket exposing his wounds. The barbs of the Dragonoff stuck into his side. They carried him to his quarters and left him with the doctor.

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The crew cheered as Captain Erse finished the story.

“Now fella’s I will leave you to enjoy the night” Captain Erse said standing up

            He bid the table a due and walked out the mess hall

“I saw the devil” Twitchy yelled from the deck

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