Roderick watched as the Rava’kin and his sailor friends cut up for a little while longer to finish their drinks. They each took turns offering to pay until the wiry one with horrific teeth agreed to pay for the group. Elec slipped several more coins under the sailor’s hand without him noticing. Making sure he had enough, Roderick figured. Again, Roderick now doubted his stance on the creature. While he did not discount the stories he heard in the past, this Rava’kin, this Elec, seemed to show more and more true colors. The tiger looked to him as his group made its way to the door and waved. Roderick nodded and watched as he left with the sailors, their steps a little unsure. He waited a few moments after they were gone before heading toward the stairs. When he reached the third floor, he paused, noticing Seraphine had left her door partially open. Roderick knocked gently on the frame. After a breath, Seraphine called him in. The old sword could’ve sworn he saw a brief flash of disappointment in her eyes when he entered.
“We’ve an outstanding haul.” She said, motioning towards the bag of coins on her writing table. “This will probably be the last set I play in this town, however. Elec has a lead or two he is following up on tomorrow. Judging from the fellows he’s running with, we should have a proper meeting with the guild master in the morning.”
Roderick nodded and took a deep breath.
“I understand that you have…more…faith in Elec than I do, but do you have to act so familiar with him?” The old sword said.
Seraphine took another drink from the mug on the table. For a moment, her face flushed red, but she did not respond. Instead, she took another drink to mull things over.
“I have to admit, things are getting weird around here.” Seraphine said, “The relics. The Silver Drake. And now the Rava’kin…I don’t know…Have I begun to act a little flirty around him?”
“Stories or no, that is a thing about their kind. They have tricks and means to get what they want from people. And I mean anything. That is up to and including bedding you and hard…I don’t want to upset you, but I would be betraying myself if I didn’t caution you about what you do or say around him. Maybe he is everything he makes himself out to be, but still be wary.”
“I will, Roderick. You keep an eye on me too.”
“I always do.”
They bid each other good night, and Roderick made sure to fully close her door behind him before retiring to his room for the evening.
*
Elec arrived at the door to the healers’ quarters just as the sun peeked over the trees and the gulls began to awaken. The door stood ajar, and inside, he could hear the soft murmur of voices. The scent of herbs and salves filled the air as he stepped through the door, and the space inside was simple, but well-organized. Tialha worked at a table, preparing various mixtures. Sekis worked quietly, tending to several sailors who had had a bit too much to drink the night before. Both looked up as Elec entered. Tialha’s expression softened but remained ever professional.
“The sun shines brighter, Elec,” She said in their native tongue, wiping her hands on a cloth.
“Pleasant is the morning air, Tialha. How’s our survivor faring?” Elec asked.
The healer nodded at Elec’s inquiry, her expression shifting to one of measured concern. She set down the jar of herbs she held and gestured towards the back corner where the injured sailor rested.
“He’s stable,” Tialha said. “The fever broke late last night, which is a great sign. He’s still weak, but he’s improving slowly. He’s been in and out of consciousness, murmuring things that still don’t quite make sense. Whatever he went through out there…It’s left a mark on him, both physical and otherwise.”
Gently pulling the curtains open, she walked with Elec to the man’s cot. The sailor’s face, though still pale, was not as gaunt as it had been. His breathing, while shallow, remained steady, and his hands would occasionally twitch as if trying to grasp an unseen object. A damp cloth rested on his forehead, and the faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air. Elec took a moment to thank Ilen that the man did not have to look like the sailor he recovered in Hinterson’s Vale.
The Elf lady turned to Elec, lowering her voice.
“If you want to speak to him, you might be able to get a few words from him while he’s awake. But be gentle. His mind is still quite fragile, and he’s not fully present yet. Sometimes he responds to familiar voices or calm tones. Sekis said you used a bit of your abilities to speak to him and bring him around. You’ve already done well to ease him before, but please do not overdo it. We all know what’s at stake.”
She stepped back, giving Elec space to approach the sailor. The room was quiet, save for the occasional murmur from the man as he stirred faintly in his sleep and the muted sounds from the coast. Elec sat next to the sailor, cleared his thoughts, and focused his mind. He felt more confident in his thought-reading ability and could find solid purchase in the still fractured mind.
“Good morning, sailor. Time to rise and greet the day. Your crew is in need of you.”
The sailor’s turbulent mind opened to him. Scattered thoughts, like fragments of broken glass, reflected flashes of memory and fear. The shards are much larger now and much easier to discern. Glimpses of stormy seas, shadowy shapes on deck, the waves, and glowing symbols etched into the ancient relic. A deep, resonant whisper echoed faintly in the sailor’s thoughts, repeating words Elec couldn’t quite make out, but the sensation of dread tied to them was palpable. When Elec spoke, his calm tone seemed to pierce through the fog in the sailor’s mind. The man stirred, his breathing quickening as if trying to respond. His lips parted, and he mumbled faintly, his voice hoarse but audible.
“Storm…shadows…they’re coming…” The sailor whispered.
His hand twitched weakly, and his eyes fluttered open just enough for Elec to see the faint glimmer of awareness within them. The sailor’s gaze shifted toward him, unfocused but searching, as if trying to anchor himself to the voice that called him back.
“They…they took them…” he whispered, his voice trembling. “The deep…it doesn’t let go…the crew…they’re…still there…”
The sailor’s mind flickered with the image of the Silver Drake, its hull shattered against a reef, surrounded by humanoid shadows. He remembered the screams of his crew, the crashing of waves, and the strange, glowing symbol etched into the ship’s remains. The whisper in his mind grew louder for a moment before fading again, leaving him trembling in Elec’s presence. The whisper echoed in his own mind, and the reverberation weakened the connection slightly.
“Yes, there is a crew making preparations to confront the deep ones and restore the seal, but we need to know where the relic is to do so,” Elec reassured. “We need to know what went wrong. What was missing?”
The sailor’s breathing quickened at Elec’s words, and his trembling hands clutched at the thin blanket draped over him. His eyes widened a little more, though they remained unfocused, and his thoughts grew more turbulent, flashing with fragmented images of the Silver Drake and the chaos that surrounded its destruction. He saw glimpses of the Waveshear as it sailed away through the storm, the black ship giving chase.
“The signet…” he murmured, his voice weak but laced with urgency. “The ring and…It was…with the captain…she…she wouldn’t let it go…”
His eyes flickered shut for a moment, as if he was straining to pull the memory into focus.
“The seal…it was breaking…we thought we could…stop it…”
Elec caught glimpses of the Waveshear’s captain: a young and strong-willed man standing on the distant deck as the storm raged around him, clutching a glowing pendant identical to the one Elec carried. The sailor’s mind flashed with the image of him shouting orders, his voice drowned out by the howling wind and crashing waves. The whispers in his mind grew louder, pulling him back into the moment of terror.
“Krost was no longer on the reef,” the sailor whispered, his voice barely audible now. “Lira stayed behind… said it couldn’t leave the bay… if the seal breaks completely…” His hand twitched weakly, his thoughts filled with a deep sense of guilt and loss.
“We…failed her…”
His body shuddered, and his eyes closed again, though he continued to mumble faintly.
“The reef…the reef…it’s waiting…she’s waiting…”
The sailor’s words and thoughts paint a grim picture: the captain of the Silver Drake had the signet ring and sacrificed herself to keep it from falling into the wrong hands or, worse, being taken by the creatures of the deep. Whatever remained of her and the ship might still hold the answers they needed. Elec produced the pendant from under his shirt and showed it to the sailor.
“I pray this is the pendant that is required…” He said.
The pendant’s faint hum filled the quiet room, a sign of the power it held. In the dim light, the runes on its surface seemed to softly glint, as if reacting to the revelation. The sailor stirred slightly at the sight of it, his eyes fluttering open just enough to glimpse the pendant. The sailor’s breath caught, and a tremor coursed through his body.
“That’s it…” he whispered, his voice a mixture of relief and fear. “Varrows’s amulet…it was…the key…and…but…one.”
His words trailed off, but his thoughts grew more vivid as Elec’s presence and the sight of the artifact seemed to anchor him. Flashes of memory surfaced in his mind, and Elec picked up on them. He saw the Waveshear again, this time with the captain holding the amulet aloft, its glow intensifying as the storm raged around him. The whispers in the sailor’s mind returned, louder and more oppressive, but this time they seemed centered on the pendant itself. The Waveshear fled, and a ghostly wreck of a ship followed fast. His captain and crew stood defiantly on the reef as the remaining shadows closed in, the memory shifting to that moment. The last thing the sailor remembered was the glow of the pendant fading into the storm as the ship broke apart in the distance.
“The seal…It’s tied to it,” The sailor murmured, his voice weak but urgent. “But…It’s broken…incomplete…You need the rest…another…still missing…”
His eyes closed again, his breathing growing shallow.
“Find the reef…find her…only then…can it be…made whole…”
The sailor’s words and fragmented thoughts confirm that the pendant Elec carries is part of the key to restoring the seal. However, it’s incomplete, likely needing something still lost on the reef or tied to the Silver Drake’s captain or somewhere else.
Elec gently placed a hand on the sailor’s chest.
“Thank you, good soul! We will make our preparations and seek your captain. Rest easy now. You are in excellent hands and safe ashore.”
The room grew quiet again, the weight of the sailor’s words and memories heavy in the air. The pendant alone won’t be enough. They needed the captain’s ring and possibly another missing piece to restore the seal. But retrieving it will mean braving the dangers of the reef, where the shadows and the Silent Ones lie in wait.
The sailor stirred slightly, his breathing steadying as he drifted back into unconsciousness, a faint expression of peace settling over his face. Though his journey back to full health is far from over, Elec’s presence and calm demeanor had given him some much-needed solace. Elec rose and turned to Tialha, who had been quietly observing the interaction. She gave him a small nod, her expression a mixture of respect and curiosity.
“You’ve got a way with words, Elec. He has been unsettled since this morning, but you have calmed him more than anything I have tried. It’s not every day someone comes along who can bring peace to a mind as troubled as his. Keep that kindness with you, especially if you’re going to face the kind of darkness he’s been speaking about. You’ll need it, and so will the people around you.”
The Elf gestured toward the sailor.
“I’ll keep tending to him, making sure he regains his strength. If he remembers anything else, I’ll be sure to pass the word along to Jorn when he stops in. For now, though, he’s safe.”
She regarded Elec with a thoughtful look before adding, “Take care of yourself out there. From what I’ve heard and what he’s said, you’ve got a dangerous path ahead.”
*
Seraphine plodded down the stairs slowly. While she didn’t have that much to drink, she stayed up late contemplating the events leading up to this point. Four years ago, they fought a warlord with an enchanted crown. Now, a mythical creature from a legendary land came bearing stories similar to hers. And not just from her adventures, but from her own life as well. The Rava’kin grew up on a farm with mixed parentage, just like her. On top of that, he had several mapped-out spots in the region, two of which seemed to be the most promising in ages. They were getting close to solving the mystery of the cursed artifacts.
Roderick sat at the table closest to the stairs. He seemed to look past her momentarily, as if expecting to see someone coming down after her. A certain someone, she didn’t have to guess.
“Gracious morning, Roderick. Anything special this dawn?”
Roderick stared silently while he weathered her sarcasm. The sparse occupants of the room seemed to be of similar sorts. Many people rested their heads in their hands, and sparse meals sat before them, though not all were hungry for breakfast.
“Just the usual.” He said.
She nodded, relenting.
“Seems we got them going pretty well last night. The Seafarer is probably lucky to have any ale left after last night.”
Roderick nodded. The innkeeper brought her a plate of buttery fish, rice, and eggs, and a mug of tea that smelled of cinnamon. She gave him a few coins and dug in.
“I take it you didn’t sleep much, then.” She went on after finishing the majority of her breakfast. “To think we may finally put an end to these cursed artifacts. Put this thing to bed once and for all.”
Roderick did not respond. Seraphine understood. It still annoyed her, but she understood. He was nervous, too. He always went quiet when he was nervous. Always strategizing and analyzing the situation. In stark contrast, she favored talking to settle her nerves. Even if it were just to hear how bad things were, she could always crack a joke or something witty to break the mood. Silence however…
The front door to the inn opened, and the Rava’kin stepped in, a note of excitement on his face. He found them immediately and crossed the room.
“Elec. Well, you seem to be a ray of sunshine.” She greeted him, her voice light but tinged with sleepy curiosity. “Good to see you up early.”
Roderick straightened in his chair, giving Elec a curt nod. Elec’s face brightened further when he saw Seraphine’s smile.
“I assume you’ve uncovered something. Let’s hear it.” The Warrior said.
“Good morning, Roderick. And a brighter morning to you, Seraphine. Yes, I have new developments, but they are not to be discussed here…mainly for the sake of not having to repeat myself. Would you be willing to accompany me to the Mariners Guild? I have allies of my own who are willing to help our endeavor as well.”
Seraphine found her smile grew warmer at Elec’s excitement and news, her dreary expression softening in contrast to Roderick’s ever-serious demeanor. Roderick leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on Elec as he listened. He gave a small, measured nod at the mention of the Mariner’s Guild, his expression contemplative.
“Fair enough. If you’ve gathered others who are already involved, then it makes sense to bring them into the fold. Better to pool our knowledge than work at cross-purposes.”
He glanced at Seraphine briefly, as if silently confirming her agreement, and then stood. Seraphine stood as well, brushing back a strand of hair that had fallen into her face.
“Don’t mind Roderick,” She said, giving Elec a wink. “He’s always this grumpy in the mornings. Lead the way, Elec. I’m curious to see who you’ve been working with.”
Elec nodded and smiled at Seraphine’s lighthearted comment before turning and leading the way out of the Seafarer’s Rest. The trio stepped into the bright morning light, the salty breeze from the bay brushing past as they made their way toward the Mariner’s Guild.
*
The walk was relatively quiet, save for the hum of the town’s activity around them. Seraphine occasionally glanced at the buildings and the people they passed, her curiosity clear, while Roderick kept a steady pace behind Elec, his sharp eyes scanning the streets with quiet vigilance. The guildhall’s entrance was open, and Elec entered as if a founding member of the guild itself. Roderick and Seraphine followed, observing several guild members moving about inside, organizing papers, preparing for expeditions, or discussing the latest happenings around the bay. Captain Jorn, with his imposing presence, was visible near the back, speaking with one of his officers and a couple of well-dressed sailors, possibly captains themselves.
“…the currents between the reefs are now choked with flotsam,” the Dwarven captain said, motioning to the map. “The northern chapters are already beginning to hold off shipments or signing new contracts until the threat in the bay has been dealt with.”
“And likewise to the south,” a tall Elvish captain said. “The caravels and smaller ships can maneuver along the coast, but we cannot maintain shipments with such a sparse number of them. We need the carracks and other large ships to keep the settlements alive, but such ships can only travel in deeper water. Regardless, any ship of any size out in the deep overnight is as good as lost.”
Captain Jorn’s keen eyes caught sight of Elec and his companions as they stood near the large table near his desk.
“Ah, Elec,” Captain Jorn called out, his gruff voice cutting through the room’s noise. “You’re back, and you’ve brought company.”
His gaze shifted to Roderick and Seraphine, his expression curious but measured. He motioned to the well-dressed sailors standing by.
“This is Captain Voc’grair of the Tempest Hammer and Captain Andrathan of the Lady Chasianna. Gentlemen, this is Elec Miraelavar of Hinterson’s Vale and his companions. I take it you’ve found something worth sharing?”
“Miraelavar?” Captain Andrathan said, mostly to himself.
The room quieted slightly as a few guild members glanced in Elec’s direction, their interest piqued. Elec and his friends shook hands with the captains. The other captains quietly held a little apprehension when shaking Elec’s clawed hand.
The Rava’kin moved over to the large desk and placed a finely crafted map on it, along with the compass, a dagger, and finally the pendant he wore around his neck. Roderick’s eyes fixed on the dagger briefly before glancing at Seraphine. Her eyes flicked to Roderick’s and back to the dagger as well, waiting patiently for their chance to speak. Elec motioned for Captain Jorn, Roderick, Seraphine, and the others to join him.
“As you may have already guessed, I am not of the common, or even rarer, races of this region.” He said, drawing a few chuckles, “Be it known that there exists the race of folks in the east akin to my tiger-like appearance, known as the Navamirath, Deceiver-Beast, Faeculda, Rava’kin, Child of Ravanna, Tholrakh, or even Rakshasa as they are called in the far eastern continents. They are among the most evil and conniving species ever to exist. But before them was an ancestry in a more noble race. The Mirithar, as they were called in the ancient Aeliryn language. My ancestry. I say this to explain my overall secrecy in dealing with each of you up to this point, even though it only vaguely relates to the situation here. My kind were hunted long ago by the Rava’kin and those who mistook them for being as such. So far, such racial animosity has largely been a thing of the past, as the Sea Sprinter and this town have welcomed me. In light of this, I bring you all together to say this: Captain Jorn and his stalwart crew, I trust beyond most anything in my life at the moment. We have shared in both labor and battles, and I use his word on this to vouch for my honesty to you, Roderick and Seraphine.” Elec allowed the seriousness to sink in.
The room grew silent, save for a few murmurs regarding the mention of Mirithar. As Elec spoke, the weight of his words sank in. Captain Jorn crossed his arms, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he listened, though there was no hint of mistrust. Elec’s command of the languages surprised the other captains, speaking with distinct accents in Elvish and Dwarvish, as well as Halfling, Draconic, and Fey. Roderick stood stiffly, his expression unreadable, but he could feel his jaw tightening as he carefully processed everything Elec revealed. Seraphine, in contrast, leaned slightly forward, her gaze soft but filled with intrigue as she studied Elec and the items laid out on the table.
When Elec paused, the silence stretched for a moment, heavy with the gravity of his admission. Finally, Captain Jorn nods, his gruff voice breaking the quiet.
“Aye, we’ve fought and sailed together, Elec. He took up the ropes and sails just like one of my own. He stood on the front line and defended my crew against creatures that could easily have sunk our vessel were they inclined to do so. That earns a man, or a Mirithar, as you’ve said, more than most get from me. Your words carry weight here, and so long as you remain true, you’ve got my trust.”
Roderick tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze flicking between Elec, the map, and the artifacts.
“You’ve given us a lot to consider. Your secrecy is understandable, given what you’ve shared. And while I’ve yet to see how far your trust in us extends, I’ll admit…your actions so far speak louder than most words.”
Seraphine’s expression softened further, and she offered Elec a small, reassuring smile.
“Thank you for sharing this with us, but you’ve already shown you’re willing to step into danger for the sake of this bay and the people in it,” she said gently. “That says more about your character than any explanation ever could.”
Captain Jorn stepped closer, his eyes falling on the map, the compass, and the pendant.
“Now, then,” he said, his tone steady. “Let’s get to the heart of it. You’ve brought us here for a reason, and I get the sense it’s more than just to share your heritage. What have you found, Elec? What’s the connection between these artifacts, the bay, and the threat we’re facing?”
Elec continued, “Very well…”
Chapter 20 – Mariners’ Counsel
