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Chapter length: 2,385 words

Current novel length: 85,675 words

Chapter 30

(Septham 3rd Year 672 of the 4th Age)

The next day everyone, including Myla, is down at the docks by the Howling Gale a few minutes early. Lorna comes out of the dockmaster's office with a sheet of paper in her hand. Her robot friend is not far behind.

Sylfinas loses his mind at Bolts. "No way! That's a Mechar?! That's awesome! I've read about the gnomes in Alkon having a few prototypes. Where and how did you get it?"

"Just met randomly in some tavern and somehow been with each other ever since."

"Clink-clank."

"We don't discuss the part in the middle."

"Clink-clank."

"Because I said so."

"Clink-clank."

"How do you know what it's saying?" Sylfinas inquired.

"We have a bond of sorts. Been looking for a device that allows it to speak like we do. Anyway, these are the people I'm smuggling?" Lorna looks at Arven, Kaera, Merrick, and Sylfinas.

Jemeir answers, "Yes, they are."

"Well, get your asses on my ship right now! Got permission from the dockmaster to leave, and the wind is in our favor. I want to catch it before it leaves."

They get on the ship while Jemeir hands the Wood Elf the platinum coins. "Here's 200 platinum. The rest are on one of those four, and you will get it when you reach Nowell."

"Smart man."

"I have experience with people that backstab."

"Gather the rest of that shit over there, Bolts, and we can depart."

"Clink-clank."

Jemeir and Radclyff watch the ship sail away, waving to Arven, Kaera, Merrick, and Sylfinas as they wave back at them. They realize that they're missing someone.

"Where's Myla?"

"I don't know, Jemeir. I thought you were watching her."

"I thought you were."

"We should start looking for her."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because I have a perfect guess on where she is, and she'll fuss if we try to get her." Jemeir points at the Howling Gale.

"She really wants to be with Sylfinas."

"Probably the first person that showed kindness towards her, and she doesn't want to let that go away."

"So what should we tackle first, mending the relationship in Belburn or stopping The Soulmonger's return?"

"I have a different idea."

"What is it."

"We paid for four nights at the Drunken Seagull. It would be a waste of money to not use all of it.

"Says the person that just gave away 1600 platinum."

Jemeir ignores the Fenri's comment. "How about we stay at the tavern for the time we still have left? We can explore the city and see what it has in store. I heard of a cave around here that has a lake we could swim in."

"I like the sound of that. I think I still have remnants of dologrun on me, so that will feel good."

"Rumor has it that there are sections of the lake that are cut off from the public for private use that you can buy time for. Let's do that and go skinny dipping."

"I am already looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Lorna shows Arven, Kaera, Merrick, and Sylfinas their sleeping arrangements on the ship. The room has multiple beds with a small container for each bed to store personal belongings. Any other items would have to go underneath their assigned bed. The four empty beds are in a row so Arven, Kaera, Merrick, and Sylfinas can sleep close to each other instead of being separated.

"Alright, people, listen up; there are some rules on the ship that you need to know. Rule number one, the captain's quarters are strictly off-limits. If you hear directly from me that you can go in for a specific request, that's the only time you can enter. I'll throw your ass overboard after I tie your arms and shoot your kneecaps if I catch you inside without my explicit approval: rule number two, no stealing. Rule number three, just because you are passengers, does not mean you can kick back and relax. You can relax for the rest of today, but I expect by tomorrow what job you'll be taking. There's food prep, lookout, janitor, cannons, and others. You can find all the jobs available on this paper right here." She indicates where the paper is. "Rule number four, don't wake up Laz. He's part of the night crew, and he can fuck your shit up so hard you're going to know what your ass tastes like if you disturb him during the day. You'll know which room is his. Anything else you need to know?"

Kaera has a question. "Since you know about the Fenri, you know how they like to sleep. Is that allowed?"

Lorna is a bit uncomfortable dealing with her. "Full clothing is to be expected at all times. Wearing just underwear is prohibited. I have mostly men in my crew, and I have them properly trained. The last thing I want is some lewdness getting them horny and letting their cocks take control of their actions. You're just going to have to deal with it while you're on my ship. Any more questions? Last time before I leave, and I don't feel like answering something hours from now."

Arven speaks, "I got one. How did you get those weapons?" He points to the two revolvers and the rifle on her back. "I know the military is experimenting with them, but the public is not supposed to have them."

"Like I follow their bullshit laws. Like I follow any nation's bullshit laws. I follow my own laws. For these weapons, I got the rifle from someone that regretted starting shit with me." Lorna proceeds to show her revolvers. "One of my mentors gave these two babies to me, and I'm sure he said he got them from a bar fight. The only way I'm giving these up is through my cold, dead hands."

"As long as you don't start something, it won't have to come to that."

"I don't start shit. I just react to it. Any more questions?" No one speaks. "Alright then, I'll definitely see you at dinner. Until then, make yourself at home. I gotta go see if the two brothers are at it again." She leaves.

When he feels that Lorna out of range, Arven speaks to the rest of the group. "I don't like her."

"We just need to deal with her until we reach our destination. Then we can go our separate ways, and hopefully, we don't come across her again," Sylfinas responded.

"I don't know if any of you noticed, but did you see how she interacted with me? She looked a bit uncomfortable when I asked her about sleeping."

"She might believe the stories of misfortunes the Fenri bring."

"That may be true, Arven, though I expected some hostility. She didn't show that."

"What do you think of her, Merrick?" Arven asked. He is staring off into space. "Merrick?"

"Huh?"

"What do you think of her?"

"I think I'm in love."

"What?"

"I think I'm in love with her, Arven."

"Don't be crazy, Merrick."

"You just barely met her."

"You're right, Sylfinas, but I know she's the one. I just need to win her heart somehow."

"Remember when one of the High Elves kicked you in the nuts when you try to flirt with them. The captain's more likely to shoot you in that area."

"I believe I can win her over before she gets the chance. Those High Elves don't know what they're missing, Kaera."

"Why her?"

"She's an Elf, and I'm into Elves. She's hot, and just by the way she acts, she might be a badass. If that's the case, she is the one."

"Best of luck."

A Beastgirl with Ki'Tsun features pokes her head through the door. "Safe to come in here?"

"Myla!" they all exclaimed at once.

"Why are you on this ship?" Sylfinas asked with a mix of shock and annoyance in his voice.

"To be with you, Master Sylfinas."

"I'm not…" he takes a moment to contain himself. "Do you know how dangerous this is? Do you know what may happen if the captain catches you?"

"Not if she doesn't find me."

"Why do you want to be with me? You'll be facing danger if you continue to be with me."

"Because you saved me, and you were the first person to take care of me. It's hard living on the streets."

"You said it," Merrick commented.

"One other thing, why do you keep calling me Master?"

"My life is in your hands. That's another reason why I came."

"I don't want that kind of relationship. Please don't call me Master. Sylfinas is just fine."

"Ok, Mas… Sylfinas."

"I'm going to take one of the medicines for seasickness before I get seasick. Anyone else?"

"I'll take one," Arven responded.

"I'll take one also," Kaera replied.

Sylfinas hands one over to Arven and Kaera. "Want one, Merrick?"

"No, thanks. I'm good."

"Suit yourself."

"So, where are you heading?" Myla asked.

"We're landing in a city called Nowell in Lutis. Then we're going through Lutis into Aeyis because it's the most friendly nation in our travels. From there, we go into Canir, which is where Kaera's from, and take her to her home village. Should take three months altogether if nothing gets in our way."

"That's a long trip."

"I can find someone in Nowell that can adopt you, and you don't have to go."

"I'm staying with you."

I was hoping that would scare you off. "Ok."

"What do we want to do until dinner?" Merrick asked.

"I've got a deck of cards. We can play card games."

"Sounds like a good idea, Sylfinas. What do you think, Arven and Kaera? And I guess, Myla?

Kaera gives her response, "I'm down with it."

Arven gives his also, "I'm fine with whatever."

Myla is not interested. "I'll just watch."

Sylfinas takes out his cards. "I'm thinking about starting a game of Crossbones."

"I love that game. My squadmates back at camp and I would play this all the time. I dominate at this game."

"Want to put your money where your mouth is, Arven?"

"I can spare a few coins. Can you, Merrick?"

"I can." He looks at Kaera and Sylfinas, "You two interested in wagering a few coins?"

"Sure, it'll spice things up a bit."

Kaera is not as enthusiastic as the rest. "This will be my first time playing, so can we play a few games so I can get used to it before we start wagering our money?"

"We can do a couple of practice rounds," Arven uttered. "Rules are easy, and the game is simple. You'll get the hang of it enough to play competently. We can teach you some tricks to get an edge over your opponents."

Sylfinas is done shuffling the deck. "Shall we get started?"

Everyone sits down on the floor in a circle and start playing a few games of Crossbones.

---

(Heilim POV)

Inside a crowded tavern at Belburn, Heilim sips his beverage while sitting farthest away from the crowd, observing the people dance energetically in the center. A dirty, empty plate sits in front of him, and a wench comes by to pick it up. He requests one more refill before she leaves.

Heilim stares over at the bulletin board for any updates to the quests he could take. So far, there isn't one that strikes him fancy. As he glances over to the board, he observes a woman in blond hair wearing clothes that signals she works for an Eptom, a high position in the Church of Salvation, post a job request. Curious, he ambulates over to it after finishing his drink and paying for his meal; he collides against another patron sitting at the bar as he walks to the bulletin board. What's this? It's in Certhi.

"Are you going to apologize?" Heilim tears the new posting, stuffs it away, and turns around, staring at a man with a saturated shirt.

"For what?"

"This." The man extends his shirt to emphasize the wet spot. "You made me spill my drink."

"I'm sorry that your fat ass got in my way."

The man charges at Heilim, yelling. The bounty hunter stops his advance, orients him in a different direction, and kicks him away effortlessly. He collides against another patron that is a Kivalian so burly that he even catches Heilim's attention. Trembling in fear, he backs away from the muscular, four-armed humanoid as the Kivalian is pissed about losing his drink.

This is my queue to vacate, Heilim thought. With the turmoil happening behind him, he leaves into the dark to his steed, galloping away. He inspects the note further, questioning the message. This is just random nonsense. What in Ireidii's name is this? He stops his horse as the same woman responsible for the note emerges in front of him.

"I figured I would catch you sooner or later, Mad Butcher."

"You must've done your research well," Heilim responded. He is on alert for any possible aggressive movements.

"I have my leader to thank for that. She's familiar with your reputation, which is why she wants you to go on a quest for her. It pays better than those other jobs you saw by a significant amount; 433 platinum."

Heilim appears intrigued at the amount. "Somebody or something must've pissed her off to warrant that amount."

"Not really. It's because the target's crucial to the kingdom."

Good thing this woman began with the amount for the reward first. "What do I have to do?"

"You have to locate a man that is also a Half-Certh called Tylon Andilar and bring him to the cathedral in Siartin. You can't miss the structure once you're in the city."

"You know where I can start looking for him?"

"My leader does. She said that he's north of Meybury, close to the Northern Barrier. From my understanding, you have quite the history up there."

Heilim does have history up there. It is the location of his former home, and his fellow kinsmen won't be thrilled to have him return. Still, the reward is nothing to laugh at. "I'll head up there at first light tomorrow."

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