The sound of the ship’s activity above deck reached Elec’s ears. The subtle creak of wood, the murmur of voices, and the occasional shout from the crew as they continued their work. From the dim light that filtered into the hold, a great deal of time had passed since he last spoke with the crew. The room felt quieter now, the tense atmosphere of the battle having long since given way to a sense of calm. Elec rose slowly, taking care to avoid putting too much strain on his wounded body. The ache in his injuries screamed at him, but he found it manageable now, even without a fresh application of medicine. He attempted to stretch, feeling the stiffness in his muscles. He called for Tialha once he raised himself to a sitting position. The Elven lady arrived within a heartbeat.
“Peace be, Elec. I am happy to see you stirring without so much turmoil. This should be the last treatment you need as long as you do nothing too strenuous.”
She took down his bandages and applied fresh ointments. When she finished rebinding his arm to his chest, Elec stood up with Tialha’s aid. When he reached his full height, he hugged her. The Elven lady, surprised by the action, settled into it.
“Thank you so very much, Tialha,” Elec said, his head resting against her shoulder. “For your aid and your words.”
“It is what I am here for.” She said, hugging him back. “You should be well enough to move about and see the crew now for a little while…once you’ve put some clothes on, that is.”
Elec apologized and quickly covered himself with his blanket. With a nod, she returned to her berthing while Elec gingerly donned his pants and crept his way to the stairs. As he emerged onto the deck, the cool sea breeze greeted him, and he took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs. The crew was hard at work, their earlier tension replaced by a sense of routine and calm. His presence garnered a couple of whistles, a few claps, and brief cheers went up, but otherwise the crew maintained their rhythm and went right back to work. The first mate noticed Elec as he stepped onto the deck and approached him with a slight nod.
“Glad to see you up and about, lad. You took quite a beating out there, but I knew you’d make it through. I’ve ordered the crew to stay alert. If there’s more danger in these waters, we’ll be ready for it.”
The first mate glanced over Elec, his expression serious but respectful.
“You did well the other day. Don’t go rushing into anything too soon, though. We’ll have time to talk later.”
“I am eternally grateful. I had misread the situation out there. Had it not been for the crew on board the Sea Sprinter with their crossbows, we’d have been devoured.” Elec said, checking his bandages. “How fares the person who was in the rowboat?”
The first mate nodded solemnly as Elec spoke, his eyes flicking toward the remains of the rowboat and the crew gathered around it.
“Aye, you’re right. It was a close call, but we’ve got a solid crew, and they didn’t hesitate. We owe a lot to our skill with bow, harpoon, and blade. But that’s what we do: look out for each other.”
Although the pain flared, Elec found it bearable for the moment after checking his bandages. The first mate watched him, giving him space but also making sure he was okay.
“To answer your question,” the first mate continued, “the man we pulled from the rowboat is still unconscious, but he’s stable for now. Tialha’s doing what she can, though I’ve not had much chance to speak with her. He’s got some bites and bruises, but nothing we can’t patch up. The fact that he’s still alive speaks to his resilience. We’re hoping once he wakes up, we’ll get a clearer idea of what happened. The wreckage near the bay…there’s more to it, I’m sure. Could be we’re dealing with something bigger than just those sea serpents.”
Elec thanked the first mate, his shoulder and side steadily protesting his continued time on his feet.
“I think I need to head back down to my bunk again. Just wanted to have a look first at everyone and a glimpse at the rowboat.”
The crew set the vessel right side up when they brought it aboard. Jagged holes marred its battered hull, and the obvious signs of damage likely came from the creatures’ attacks. The tattered clothing left in the boat suggested the occupant had been in the water for some time. There are a few pieces of personal effects: a torn satchel, a small pouch of coins, and a small scrap of parchment tucked under a seat cushion. Looking closer, Elec picked up the small scrap of parchment with his unbound hand, his thumb brushing the worn edges as he unfolded it. The paper was damp and a little crinkled from the water, but the ink was still legible for the moment. On the parchment, there’s a symbol drawn in crude, hurried strokes: a rough circle with several intersecting lines radiating from the center, forming a shape similar to a spider’s web. Below the symbol, Elec recognized several hastily scrawled lines of words in an old-fashioned language that proved difficult to decipher at first glance. The couple of lines he could make out read:
…waters…
Do not disturb the sleeping…
…are waking.
The unsettling message felt like a warning. One that the occupant of the rowboat, or someone else, left behind. The words, paired with the strange symbol, suggested that whatever happened in these waters is far from an isolated event.
The strange symbols and writings bore a striking resemblance to what he had discovered before, especially the notes that seemed to reference some sort of forbidden or dangerous presence in the water. The symbols from the wreckage and this fresh note both feature circular lines radiating outward. Though the design on the current parchment is a bit more chaotic, Elec could make out the traces of the same motifs he saw before. The phrases from the previous notes also echo a similar warning tone, cautioning against disturbing forces tied to the sea. He dismissed the latter as superstition or the paranoia of pirates and smugglers. However, with this new symbol, a deeper connection emerged between the sea serpents, the Silent Ones, and its representation. Something the smugglers and the previous shipwreck were involved in? Are these creatures and the Silent Ones perhaps guardians or servants of a greater power, he wondered. One that lies hidden beneath the waters? What other part am I missing?
He felt tired once more. The potent medicine Tialha applied made his thoughts a little foggy. The growing ache in his side announced its desire for him to return to bed. He turned his attention to the torn satchel. The fabric showed wear, and the occupants’ time in the water damaged the pouch’s edges. Elec opened it up. He found a few items inside: a handful of small coins, worn down but still identifiable as gold and silver from a nearby trading port. A hand-drawn, weathered map of the Pelavor Bay area appeared ancient, featuring multiple ‘X’ marks indicating specific locations within the waters. Some of them lay near underwater features that could relate to the sea serpents or the Silent Ones. A torn piece of fabric, which seemed to be part of a uniform or a cloak, with intricate stitching that resembles the markings of a noble house or a guild.
Feeling the weight of the situation, Elec headed back to the first mate, who was overseeing the crew and organizing the ship’s next steps. The first mate looked up as Elec approached, a stern look setting in his brow.
“It’s too early to be continually on your feet already, Elec. You’re tough, I’ll give you that, but you need to get back down below and get your rest. What’ve you got there?”
Elec presented the weathered map and explained the details of the strange symbols, the marked locations, and the connection to the creatures they had encountered. The first mate inspected the map, his brow furrowing as he traced the X’s and the symbols.
“This map…it’s a much older chart. Could be one of the old explorers’ surveys, or older. Someone’s looking for something buried beneath the waves. These marks…they’re too deliberate to be random. This one here is inland too. Seems important with the chicken-scratch written next to it.”
He handed the map back to Elec with a solemn nod. Elec stared at the spot, though his mind was losing traction.
“It might be a good idea to check these locations closely, particularly if they have any connection to the sea serpents. When the time’s right and you are ready, that is. Now get back below and lie on that cot.”
Despite the exhaustion from his injuries, Elec’s anticipation for what lay ahead prevented him from sleeping as he made his way back to his small room. Elec took careful notes, transferring the strange symbols and the marked locations from the weathered map onto his own Mariner’s Map. He noted the locations of the X’s about the bay, paying close attention to the inland feature mentioned. What could be so important that you’d be looking inland, he wondered. Is that why you were paddling for the shore?
Elec updated his journal with the new information about the map, symbols, and warnings after documenting everything. He marveled at the entries in his journal. He filled the pages with a wealth of clues over the last several days. Each piece fitted together like a puzzle, but with no clear image yet. The entries he had made in the previous five days already surpassed the number of entries he had written since the beginning of the year.
While Elec wrote, Tialha tended to the rowboat’s survivor in her small compartment just across from his. The man was still unconscious, though the Elven healer had made significant progress in stabilizing him. The room was lit with candles, and the soft sound of water against the hull provided a constant background noise. Elec rose and approached, leaning in the doorframe. The survivor appeared to be a Human in his late twenties, with short, dark hair and a tanned complexion. Bandages almost covered his naked form from head to toe. Several blood-soaked bite marks on his arms and chest showed through the linen material. His breathing seemed steady now, and Tialha had applied thorough salves and bandages to each of the wounds.
“He’s resting now. As you should be as well, Elec. We’ve managed his fever, but he’s still weak. Could be a few hours or a few days before he wakes up. His wounds were pretty severe, but I think he’ll make it through. Cordival and I will keep him hydrated and fed until he wakes up.”
Tialha stepped over to him and inspected his bandages and bindings.
“Anything I can help you with?” She asked. “You’re wincing again. I can give you a tincture to ease the pain some more.”
“Please, and thank you again for all you’ve done for me. I have to ask, did anyone happen to inspect the man’s pockets for anything that might identify him or the ship he is from?”
She gave a trace of a smile and a thimbleful of liquid to drink.
“You are welcome. It is my charge aboard this vessel. But no, we haven’t yet. We were more focused on managing his wounds, getting him stabilized, and breaking his fever. I didn’t think to check his things. Usually, we leave that to the crew unless there’s a need. I can take a look now, though, if you want. Might be something important there.”
She checked the pile of scraps of what used to be the man’s clothes, his detached pockets and belongings, moving her hands with the same care she used while tending to his wounds. After a few moments, she pulled out a small, tattered wallet from one of the inner pockets, along with a necklace of small seashells that looked handmade. A few coins, copper and some silver pieces, were in the wallet, though it lacked any identification or letters. The necklace seemed more personal, likely a memento of some kind. The healer examined it before handing it to Elec.
“Doesn’t seem like much, but it might tell us something. Some of these coins look as if they’re from a trading port further south. I know little about jewelry, but that necklace seems like something made by someone with more time than money. Maybe it’s from where he’s from.”
Elec carefully inspected the items, taking them one at a time with his free, uninjured hand, and returning them to her. The small wallet, the few coins, and the seashell necklace didn’t reveal any immediate clues about the survivor’s identity or origins. The items, though modest, seemed to carry personal significance, particularly the necklace. He placed them back in the healer’s care, nodding in appreciation. She regarded him and the objects with another look of surprise before placing the items on an empty spot on the shelves nearby. Elec’s ears buzzed, and his fingertips tingled at much the same frequency.
“Thank you for your time, truly,” Elec said with a drowsy smile. “I’ll leave you to your work, then. It’s about time I lay down for a while. I trust you’ll let me know when he wakes.”
The healer nodded, giving him a reassuring smile.
“Of course, Elec. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. Sleep well, and we’ll keep an eye on him.”
With a last glance at the survivor, Elec returned to his bunk. The ship’s creaking and the steady sound of the waves below provided a comforting backdrop, but the weight of recent events lingered in his mind. The survivor, the creatures in the water, and the cryptic symbols all seemed to tie together, though the full picture remained unclear. Soon, Elec’s body settled, and he could no longer keep his eyes open. Within moments, exhaustion overtook him, and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
*
The early morning sun peeked out over the trees. The air bore the smell of grass, tilled soil, and the ever-present saltiness. Roderick stood out in the field, holding his sword level with the ground in front of him. Despite his disciplined and stoic nature, he too was finding himself becoming anxious. He let his thoughts flow while he remained static in the corner of someone’s field. The splitting stump and enormous pile of logs drew him there before, but the landowner did not leave an ax, or else he would have occupied part of his time splitting wood. This was the closest they had ever been to discovering the source of the darkness that was threatening the region, but all they had were two ruined relics and mere hints. The small group of mercenaries seemed to have some sort of idea, he thought. They would’ve moved on.
The sword in his hands remained perfectly level with the ground and perfectly still while his thoughts swirled. He sought connections or leads he had missed or had not thought of.
Seraphine had gotten on his nerves once more. While he loved the Half-elf, sometimes the young woman reverted to the version of herself he first met before the siege. He spent four years journeying with the bard. In the first couple of months of their meeting, he watched her grow from a starving, yet still spoiled girl, to…his mind shifted again to the Siege of Larkinth. Dark magic had wrought the crown that Drelk the Barbarian wore to become Drelk the Warlord. A group of bandits wielded a lantern whose light brought fear and burned the minds out of the people under its light. Or was it light? The old man had never quite said. Regardless, the same runes and the same circular symbols had led them here.
The sword remained still.
Twenty-seven years of helping those who could not do so for themselves. Killing bandits. Rescuing those kidnapped for slavery or worse. He restored what oppressors stole from the oppressed. It wasn’t until he heard the call for any swords seeking a half-talent of gold to those who would aid in the city’s defense of Larkinth. He had heard of the horde who made their way from across the seas to the plains in the southeast. Even with the promise he made to the sword master, whose sword he held now, he figured that battle would be the one to reunite him with his family.
The sword remained still.
After the siege, there was not the peace he sought and certainly no gold. The only reward he received was the companionship of a half-blooded bard who had just learned what the real world was like. She followed him. Helped him find equally challenging battles. The ancient, haunted crypt. The red-colored murderers. Now they are chasing smugglers and similar cursed relics. A ship whose captain was supposed to be an expert on such mysteries was missing. The other captain, who might be able to help find said ship, was just out on the horizon. If I don’t find it here, then maybe I will head east to Segovia or Amadiya, he thought. Maybe the end of my march will be there.
Roderick exhaled, swept the sword downward, brought it up with a parrying strike, and slashed downward once more before sheathing the blade. He brought his hands to waist level, palms downward, parallel to the ground. Steady as stone, he breathed slowly.
While he wasn’t certain the ship out on the horizon belonged to the guild master, he was certain it wasn’t the Silver Drake. At the very least, there would be some news. Something to break the monotony and put them back on the trail. He mused that she was starting to affect him, his cheek crinkling with a slight smile.
*
Elec took several breaths before he dared to move. His left side felt stiff and unsure, but he knew he could not remain in his cot anymore. Slowly, he rose from his bunk, stretching his muscles. The wounds protested his movements, and the ache from battle was still present, but his body felt much stronger now. Tialha’s attention and his rest proved incredibly effective, as he almost completely recovered. A slight, itching pinch lingered in his shoulder, and his muscles ached fiercely as a reminder of the recent battle. With much groaning and wincing, Elec dressed and headed up to the main deck. The cool sea breeze greeted him as he stepped outside.
Not even a half-mile away, it was there. Pelavora. His voyage was at its end. Elec looked upon the small town and port and was a little disappointed, despite his elation. Small buildings dotted the coastline. The town proper looked to have much of the same design, only packed tightly together. The area looked quiet, though a few larger ships in the dock suggested the small port was very active. He expected something a little bigger. Grander. It must be because of all the books I have read, Elec thought as he leaned against the rail. Still, it’s charming, though. It has a bit of a homelike feel to it.
The crew scrambled on deck, each a flurry of activity as they prepared to join the ships at the docks. The crew prepared ropes and blocks for docking, secured sails, and everything necessary to bring the ship to port. Near the helm, the first mate engaged in conversation with the captain, while the others ensured everything was in order. The Sea Sprinter slowed its approach, maneuvering to dock. The first mate looked over at Elec and gave him a nod.
“We’ll be in port soon, lad. You ready for whatever this town has in store?”
“Absolutely. Today I am the furthest from home I have ever been, and it is only the beginning. I’m ready for what awaits.”
Ograrn smiled at Elec’s enthusiasm and gave him a hearty pat on the back. The muscles along his left side protested. In truth, Elec worried about his heritage and parents’ hidden history. While the Sea Sprinter and its crew were familiar with Hinterson’s Vale’s eccentricities, he was not sure if he would be as readily welcomed on the mainland.
“That’s the spirit, lad. You’ve got the heart of an adventurer. I can see that much. Pelavora may seem small, but it is the westernmost point of the mainland. Lots of people move through here by ship and by cart along the Old Kingdom Road.”
As the ship continued its slow approach to Pelavora, Elec felt a sense of anticipation building within him. This is it, he thought, the start of something bigger. The mysteries of the sea, the unknown dangers, and the clues he’s uncovered about the Silent Ones and whatever lies beneath the waters. The Sea Sprinter glided into the harbor, the crew working quickly along with the dock-hands to secure the ship.
Drunars, Kol, Devlin, and the others set the gangplank and descended to the dock. Elec stepped to the edge, looking from the wooden planks of the ship’s deck to the planks of the dock itself. He took a deep breath and observed the bustling activity all around before he slowly descended. Sailors unloaded crates, shouted orders over the cries of gulls, while merchants haggled with fishmongers and traders. Workers, crates, barrels, and pallets clogged the width of all four piers. The breeze flowed thick with the smell of salt-soaked wood, fish, and the gritty tang of smoke from a nearby blacksmith’s forge. A couple more ships waited in the bay. Both laden with goods and travelers from afar. The wooden planks beneath Elec’s boots creaked as he stepped off the gangplank, the first mate trailing close behind him. Ograrn chuckled as he surveyed the chaos.
“Welcome to Pelavora, lad. It’s not much, but it’ll do for now. Be careful, though. Things here tend to get…noisy.”
As Elec took in his surroundings, a variety of figures stood out. A group of heavily armed mercenaries spoke with the harbormaster near the end of the docks, their demeanor cold and intimidating. A cloaked figure lingered in the shadows near a stack of barrels, watching the newcomers. Nearby, a pair of children ran past, laughing, but their clothes were patched and worn, evidence of the hardships faced by the town’s poorer residents.
Ahead, the harbor opened up into a town square, where a variety of buildings formed a semicircle around a central fountain. There’s an inn with a faded sign reading “The Salty Gull”, a general store, and what looks like a small library or records hall. Beyond that, Elec can spot the larger, more fortified structure of the local Mariner’s Guildhall, judging by the sea-themed banner hanging over the entrance.
The first mate nudged Elec’s uninjured shoulder.
“We’ve got quite a few hours here while we offload, restock, and repair. If you’ve got errands, better see to them now. Word of advice: Keep your wits about you. This place can be friendly enough, but some folk would sooner run you off than give you a fair deal. Food and lodging are inexpensive like in the Vale, but other things like weapons and equipment are ridiculously steep.”
Elec approached the end of the dock, observing the looks he drew as he passed the various dock workers and crew members going about their business. Beyond the usual, the various people present gave him only a momentary glance before they went about their duties. He waited at the end of the dock, the mercenaries taking up most of the space. The harbormaster was a stout, weathered man with a thick beard streaked with gray and a wide-brimmed hat to shield his face from the sun. He stood with his hands on his hips, barking orders to dockworkers while nodding as the mercenaries continued to speak.
Six rough-looking mercenaries stood at the end. They wore mismatched armor, dyed black, and the weapons strapped to their sides showed the wear of heavy use. They spoke in low, serious tones, but Elec caught snippets of their conversation:
“…three days overdue…”
“…last seen near the reefs…”
“…we don’t get paid unless we find it.”
The harbormaster scowled and crossed his arms.
“I told you, if they haven’t come in by now, they’re either lost to the depths or taken by pirates. You want to keep chasing shadows; that’s your coin to waste. My men and my ships don’t have time for wild goose chases.”
The leader of the group, a tall woman with scars running down her cheeks, leaned forward. She flicked a strand of hair out of her eyes with her right hand before rubbing the side of her cheekbone with her index finger.
“We’re not asking for your men or ships, yet.” She said, her voice equal parts calming and chilling, “Just information. Someone saw something, and we’ll pay for it if it’s good.”
The harbormaster muttered something under his breath, but waved a hand dismissively.
“Fine. Ask around the docks. Some of the fishermen might’ve seen something, but don’t expect much.”
Their leader gave the rest of her crew a stern look and a complicated series of gestures with her hands. The mercenaries grumbled, their expressions grim, and began canvassing the docks, passing Elec without sparing him much of a glance. The scarred lady, however, gave him a keen once-over, head to toe, but her face remained impassive. He started to mention the shipwreck from the other day, but she proceeded past him. The harbormaster let out a weary sigh and turned back to his ledgers, muttering as he wrote. He did not notice Elec’s presence. Elec looked about, and the rest of the dock seemed equally oblivious to him as well. He relaxed a bit, letting go of the tension in the back of his neck he was not aware he was holding, and stepped towards the harbormaster.
“Good day, sir,” Elec said, raising a hand in greeting.
The harbormaster looked up from his ledger, his sharp, sea-weathered eyes narrowing as he sized up Elec. He shifted his weight and leaned on the table next to him.
“Aye, and who might you be, Traveler?” he grunted, his voice gravelly but not unfriendly.
“I am Elec. I’m new to port and just arrived on the Sea Sprinter.”
The harbormaster’s countenance lightened, his head tilted as Elec introduced himself.
“Sprinter, huh? That means you’re traveling from the Vale. Figured you’d be from there. Lots of interesting folk on the island, I’ve heard. How can I help you, lad?”
“Could you tell me about the town?”
He gestured behind him.
“Square’s that way, past the fish market. Can’t miss it.”
Elec blinked, leaned slightly, and looked past the older man at the square. He waited for more of an explanation, but the older man picked up his ledger.
“Thanks…for that bit of help. If you don’t mind my asking, what were those folks troubling you about?”
The harbormaster paused, his quill hovering over the ledger as he glanced back up at Elec. His eyes narrowed further, as if weighing whether to share. After a moment, he exhaled through his nose and set the quill down.
“Those mercenaries? They’re looking for a missing ship. A merchant vessel by the name of the Silver Drake. Supposed to have made port here three days ago, but not a whisper of her since. Crew’s contracted out of Yorkfjord Mariner’s Guild, so naturally, there’s a bit of heat on our Guild to find it or at least figure out what happened.”
He scratched his beard.
“Rumors are flying all over. Pirates, storms, or maybe something worse. They’re hired muscle, those sellswords, working for a merchant with a vested interest in the ship’s cargo. Probably worth a small fortune, but chasing shadows out near the reefs? That’s asking for trouble. Those waters are treacherous even on a calm day, and lately…”
He trailed off, glancing at the horizon.
“Well, lately, the sea’s been restless. Folk have been talking about strange lights at night, weird noises. Even the fishermen are keeping closer to shore than they used to. Can’t say I blame them. Why? You’ve got a mind to go looking for it yourself? Or just curious?”
Elec marveled at the amount of information the older man provided. Much like Saltpot, a simple question yielded quite a bit more than he expected. Is my father and I’s voice so commanding, he thought. Maybe I should ask about it when I see him next…or write home.
“The crew of the Sea Sprinter and I ran afoul of some sea serpents a day or so out on the cove. Nearly became a meal of them myself. Are there any reports of other ships being troubled so?”
The harbormaster’s expression darkened at Elec’s words, his brow furrowing. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
“Sea serpents? That’s troubling, lad. Those beasts rarely come this close to the shipping lanes unless something’s stirred them up.”
The harbormaster stroked his beard while his eyes flicked to the horizon.
“As for other ships…aye, there’ve been some reports. Nothing solid, mind you, but I’ve heard talk from captains and fishermen alike. Ships disappearing without a trace, strange wrecks washing up on the shores, and even a few survivors claiming to have seen monstrous shapes in the water. It’s bad for business, I’ll tell you that much. This town lives and dies by trade, and if the routes aren’t safe…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the weight of his words hung in the air. The harbormaster’s gaze sharpened as he looked back at Elec. He leaned back and picked up his quill again.
“Anyway, keep your business tidy and don’t flaunt your coin too much, Traveler. Anything else, or are we done here?”
It wasn’t really a question, according to the older man’s tone. Elec blinked, surprised by how abruptly the conversation ended.
“I think that about covers it. Thank you.”
As Elec made his way from the docks toward the town square, the atmosphere of Pelavora shifted around him. The lively hum of townsfolk going about their business replaced the sounds of the harbor. The air carried the mingling scents of baked bread, smoked fish, grilled meat, and the faint tang of a smithy’s furnace. Modest though it may be, the square was a bustling hub of activity. Its central fountain, though simple, worn, and weathered, still flowed with clear water. Townsfolk gathered around it to chat or fill buckets. Stalls lined the perimeter, offering everything from fresh produce to trinkets and tools. The occasional shout of a merchant hawking their wares broke through the murmur of the crowd.
Elec hummed to himself as he took it all in. While vastly different, he found the town to be much like the Vale. He spotted the buildings the harbormaster mentioned. The Mariner’s Guildhall, a stone structure to his left, stood slightly apart from the other buildings. Its sea-themed banner swayed in the breeze. The town hall sat just next door to the guild, its structure both stone and wood. The faded sign of The Salty Gull creaked on its hinges nearby, and the smell of roasted meat wafted from within. His stomach rumbled with delight at the aroma of food that wasn’t boiled or mashed, temporarily taking control of his feet and mind.
