{"sf1_id":1681866,"sf2_id":"RnowkMxn","title":"Age of Cataclysm: Book 1-Chapter 33","author":"Sephiroth05","words":3777,"posted_at":"2021-02-07T10:14:35.000Z","tags":["Anthro","Elf","Epic","Fantasy","Female","Fenri","Half-Elf","High-Fantasy","Human","Hybrid","Male","Naked","No-Yiff","Nude","Nudity","Pirate","Sailing","Story Series","Wolf","Wolfess","beastman"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1681866-age-of-cataclysm-book-1-chapter-33","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/RnowkMxn","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=1681866\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"Imported from SF2 with no description.","content":"Chapter length: 3,773 words\n\nCurrent novel length: 96,064 words\n\n**Chapter 33**\n\nBarion rides Chestnut, his favorite horse, at full speed down the road to Skye's house with Aila at the back lying face down on the saddle. Aside from makeshift bandages from Cordea, Aila is still nude. Skye lives just outside Belburn in a small shack. He tethers Chestnut to a fence when he arrives. He relentlessly pounds on the door.\n\nSkye opens it partway, appearing agitated. \"Who are you, and why do you dare wake me at this hour? And why do you look like you've taken on an ogre and barely lived?\"\n\n\"My apologies. I'm in desperate need of your medical talents. I'm Barion and-\"\n\nSkye cuts him off. \"Barion? You're one of Aila's children?\"\n\n\"Yes, and she-\"\n\n\"I'm not interested in what you have to say.\" She attempts to close the door.\n\nBarion sticks his foot in the gap. \"My mom is severely wounded and on the verge of death. Can you please help?\"\n\nSkye struggles to remove his foot. \"I'm not in the mood. Now get your foot out before I press charges on you.\"\n\n\"Necerek!\"\n\nSkye stops what she is doing. \"What did you say?\"\n\n\"Necerek. My mom told me years ago that she helped you in Necerek, and you owe her a favor. She said to invoke it if you're stubborn- like right now- if I or any of my siblings need help. Well, I'm using that favor, now.\"\n\n\"Was hoping to never hear that word. Ugh, bring your mother in, quickly!\"\n\nBarion gingerly brings Aila inside. The inside of Skye's house has trinkets, symbols, and garlic in any spot she can put them. Despite these and Aila's blood, it is well organized and clean.\n\n\"Put her on the table. Let me get a good look.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\nBarion obeys. \"Do you think you can save her and the baby?\"\n\n\"Saving one is hard enough as it is. Saving two is borderline impossible. I'll try my best. Now tell me everything that happened.\"\n\n\"Our house was invaded. There were a group of sixteen men. They wanted to kidnap the triplets at least but would prefer all of us. Who gave the order and why I don't have a clue. Some of them lived through mom's knives to get inside. One was a hulking Goliath, and he did this to me.\" He does a gesture with his hands, showing Skye his injuries. \"Damn near killed me when he hit me with some object, and I blacked out. When I came back, I saw he was about to rape her, so I grabbed a fire poker and whacked him multiple times with the pointed end until I was sure he was dead. I saw that mom suffered a wound, and after killing everyone else that broke in, I came straight to you.\n\nSkye absorbs that information as she brings out some equipment. \"Did any of them used poison?\"\n\n\"No.\"\n\n\"Rules out the slow-acting poison. The wound is definitely sword-based. Significant loss of blood. The good news is the weapon barely avoided hitting the vitals.\"\n\n\"So she's going to make it?\"\n\n\"If I work fast enough. I would greatly appreciate some space.\"\n\n\"I'll sit on the couch over there.\"\n\nSkye retrieves her equipment and commences her work. She opens a bottle of crystal clear liquid. Aila squirms as the liquid makes contact with the wound, washing away the blood before Skye pats it dry. Skye then proceeds to combine four different liquids into one yellow concoction; the rapid sound of a pestle and mortar pounding dry items into fine powder echo throughout the house. Skye blends the liquid and the powder into a brown paste in a pestle and mortar. She smears it on the wound of Aila's belly before it quickly hardens.\n\n\"What is that?\" Barion asked.\n\nSkyes adds more of the paste. \"It's a special kind of paste. It destroys any infections the alcohol can't get to, and the properties inside it allow faster healing. Unfortunately, this version doesn't have that property since I need it to harden quickly to shield the wound to get to the one in the back. This is really pushing its capabilities. This may not be enough.\"\n\nShe flips Aila on her back as soon as the paste solidifies and repeats the process again. \"All we can do now is wait and hope that time was on our side.\"\n\n\"How long?\"\n\nShe sits down next to him. \"I honestly don't know. If we made it in time, a day at least before she wakes up. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a week or more.\"\n\n\"And the baby?\"\n\n\"It has gone through a lot of stress. The female body of humanoids and mammals has ways of protecting babies inside the womb during dangerous times. This is way beyond the stress levels. You need to start thinking about the worst-case scenario.\"\n\n\"It's dead?\"\n\n\"Not 100% sure, but don't get your hopes up. I'll get the guest room ready, and you can spend the night here.\"\n\n\"I appreciate that. Thank you.\"\n\n(Septham 4th Year 672 of the 4th Age)\n\n(Arven's group)\n\nMorning arrives, and the night crew switches places with the day crew on the Howling Gale. Arven, Kaera, Merrick, and Sylfinas are on deck while Myla goes into hiding from Lorna and her team. The winds are in favorable conditions for sailing purposes with halcyon waves and hardly any clouds in the sky except for a storm way off in the distance on the ship's starboard side. The door to the captain's quarters opens as Lorna and Bolts come strolling out, scanning at the ship's newcomers.\n\n\"Remember when I said that you four will be performing tasks while on this ship? Have you decided which will you do, or do I have to throw your ass somewhere myself?\"\n\nSylfinas does the talking first, \"We haven't forgotten, and we took a look at the posting after you left. I decided to take the lookout position.\"\n\nLorna points up, \"You're going to be up in the crow's nest with Irin. Next!\"\n\nArven is the next one to speak, \"I'll take the cannons. I figure that's the best spot to be for my experience.\"\n\nLorna has the widest grin on her face when she hears that. \"Cannons would suit someone with your traits very well. Have fun with the brothers down there.\"\n\n\"You made a brief mention of them yesterday.\"\n\n\"I did. The brothers, Dagobert and Evorul, are very curious and get into just about everything. They are always tinkering in their free time, and they are obsessed with blowing shit up or lighting it on fire. I worry when I hear them, and I worry even more when I don't.\"\n\n\"Then why are they still with you?\"\n\n\"Some of their inventions are very beneficial to the crew, and when it comes to aiming the cannons in a naval fight, they hardly miss their target.\" Lorna shifts her attention from Kaera to Kaera and Merrick. \"Which one of you two would like to go next?\"\n\n\"I'll go,\" Kaera volunteered, \"I want to be with the cannons for the same reasons as Arven.\"\n\nLorna still shows she's a bit uncomfortable with Kaera, \"S-s-splendid.\" She stares at Merrick, \"That just leaves you. What is your decision?\"\n\n\"Uhhhhh,\" is all he says as he gazes blankly at her.\u0026nbsp;_She's looking at me. What should I tell her that doesn't sound stupid?_\n\nLorna snaps her fingers. \"Hello?\" No response from Merrick. \"Hey, dipshit!\"\n\n\"Merrick!\" Arven, Kaera, and Sylfinas yell at the same time.\n\n\"I'll be in food prep!\" Merrick finally lets out.\n\n\"Took you long enough. Know a thing or two about cooking?\"\n\n\"I used to work at the back of a tavern. I watched people cook food as I washed dishes and soaked up their teachings if they were willing. I believe I can hold my own in the kitchen.\"\n\n\"You're sure? Old Fridrin is very anal about how he does his cooking, and he'll go berserk in a fucking heartbeat if you fuck up in any way. The last person that worked for him made the mistake of misplacing forks and ended up costing his life.\"\n\n\"You serious?\"\n\n\"Nah, I'm just kidding. He's a gentle soul and wouldn't harm a fly. The worst he can do is yell at you, and that rarely happens. Now all of you go to your assigned stations.\" Lorna looks at Sylfinas, \"Have fun up there.\" She and Bolts proceed to guide the rest to their station so they can perform their duties.\n\nSylfinas groans loudly as he comprehends the situation he is currently in, sizing up the pole he must ascend.\u0026nbsp;_Why did I actually assign this torment to myself? Why did I even think it wouldn't involve heights? Is it too late to request another role because I'm afraid of heights, or is Lorna going to force me to stick with my choice or worse?_\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So, you're the one that I have to train?\" an unknown voice asked.\n\nSylfinas snaps out of it and turns around at a woman with light brown skin wearing a bandana on her head. Height wise, she stands three inches shorter than him.\n\n\"You must be Irin,\" Sylfinas commented as he extends his for a shake.\n\nThe woman doesn't accept the handshake. \"Indeed I am, and don't forget about it.\"\n\nSylfinas retracts his hand. \"I'm Sylfinas.\"\n\n\"I didn't ask for your name.\"\n\n\"Sorry.\"\n\n\"Follow my lead.\" Irin scales up to the crow's nest with Sylfinas behind her. His legs freeze as he accidentally stares down at the deck during the middle of his ascent. He compels his legs to move again and clambers before Irin has a chance to ask why he stopped. Sylfinas breathes heavily and sprawls in the crow's nest after he makes it to the top.\n\nIrin stares at him. \"You're tired already?\"\n\n\"Exercise and I don't incorporate well.\"\n\n\"You froze back there for a few brief seconds. I thought I was going to have to force you.\"\n\n\"Is now a bad time to mention that I have a fear of heights?\"\n\n\"You picked the worst job for you in that case.\"\n\n\"I should've taken cleaning instead.\"\n\n\"You'll get used to it eventually.\"\n\n\"Doubt it.\"\n\n\"I'm afraid of heights just like you, but look at me now.\"\n\n\"I doubt that.\"\n\n\"It's true. I just focused on the one thing I find positive.\"\n\n\"And what is that?\"\n\n\"Separation from down there. I have five older brothers and no sisters. Growing up was a chore with them. I'm the only woman in the crew, and a majority of the men are just like my brothers, so I became a lookout to get away from them. I have the sharpest of eyes, besides Captain Lorna, so that was my ticket for peace.\"\n\n\"I don't believe I have one positive thing about this job that I can focus on.\"\n\n\"Maybe it'll come to you soon. Right now, the nearest thing to focus on is not making Lorna furious, or else she'll make you work with Laz, and it won't be pretty.\"\n\nSylfinas finally stands up. \"So I just stand around and look for anything worth bringing attention to.\"\n\n\"That sums it up. We enjoy the seclusion while keeping an eye out for land, storms, ships, and other unique points of interest and pass the news down to Captain Lorna. You're going to need to know certain words, and I'm going to teach you right now.\"\n\nAfter descending to the Howling Gale's mid-level, Lorna and Bolts guide Arven and Kaera to their location, with Merrick trailing them. The area they reach contains six cannons, with one of them in a mangled state and tossed aside. There is a stockpile of wooden boxes in the corner that's closest to the party, with one without a top and cannonballs rolling around unhindered. Right next to the boxes sits an alcove filled with barrels.\u0026nbsp;\n\nLorna is on alert after noticing the room is vacant.\u0026nbsp;_What the hell are they up to this time?_\u0026nbsp;She saunters over to a rug on the floor and removes it, exposing a trapdoor underneath. Two gnome males stop what they are doing and raise their hands to shield their eyes from the sudden surge of light of the sun.\n\n\"What the hell? Close the damn door! We're busy!\" one of them said.\n\n\"Busy doing what?\"\n\n\"Ahh! Captain! How did you know where Evorul and I are?\"\n\n\"You two are fucking predictable, that's how. You always hide in the exact same spot when you're up to something. Speaking of which, what are you concocting this time?\"\n\n\"We are inventing a telescope for that two-handed cannon of yours on your back.\"\n\n\"A telescope... for my rifle?\"\n\n\"Yes. It magnifies objects just like a regular telescope but emplaced on your rifle to make more accurate shots on distant targets.\"\n\n\"I can do just fine with the sights I currently have. Why would I need a telescope for my gun?\"\n\n\"To utilize its full potential. You're dead-on at 150 yards with it using just your eyes, but if you miss, the projectile doesn't magically vanish. It keeps going until it eventually collides with an object, a person, or a creature. With our invention, theoretically, you will be able to double your range of acquiring targets and hitting them.\"\n\n\"Sounds interesting. Is it ready?\"\n\n\"Alas, Dagobert broke it.\"\n\nThe other gnome speaks up, \"It's your fault, and you know it, brother. You were the one that broke the glass.\"\n\n\"Put your petty argument aside right now before I shoot both of you out of a fucking cannon,\" Lorna said to nip their argument in the bud, \"You have trainees.\"\n\n\"Who are they?\" Evorul asked.\n\n\"These two,\" she answered as she pointed at Arven and Kaera.\n\nHe gives Dagobert a mischievous look before saying, \"We'll get them in top shape in no time.\"\n\n\"I'll be back to see how things are progressing.\" She turns to Arven and Kaera. \"When they inevitably ask for you to do something called \"Scatterbox,\" refuse immediately and don't cave in.\"\n\n\"We'll make sure,\" Arven said.\n\n\"You're no fun, Captain. We were going to do an infinitesimal amount this time.\" Dagobert complained.\n\n\"Last time you said that you cost us a fucking shop and caused a bunch of other shit.\"\n\n\"That dick of a shop owner had it coming, and he lived in the end. No injuries were reported.\"\n\n\"No \"Scatterbox,\" period.\" Lorna repeats the warning to Arven and Kaera before grabbing Merrick's hand and lug him over to the kitchen. They smell the onions' aroma, making their eyes water in the process, way before entering the kitchen. A man with a bald head wearing a filthy, disheveled apron is in the process of placing a pan with a chunk of meat into the oven.\n\n\"Trying to make the whole crew shed tears, Fridrin?\"\n\nHe closes the oven door with his foot. \"Not my goal, Captain. These onions from the Someren region of Adoran are way more pungent than I initially anticipated. Damn near got me crying too.\"\n\n\"That's not some bitch ass onion, then if it can do that.\"\n\n\"What can I do for you?\"\n\n\"This is Merrick, and he is going to be your apprentice while he's on this ship.\"\n\n\"As long as he doesn't mess up my system and actually knows his culinary, I can work with him.\"\n\n\"He claimed he used to work at a tavern.\"\n\n\"Then he should know a thing or two. I'll take him off your hands. Don't you fucking dare grab any of the wine bottles when you go. I need them for cooking purposes.\"\n\n\"Fine. I'll stick to my stash, which is comparable to drinking piss. Next time I come across that traveling merchant again, he's going to know what lead tastes like.\" Lorna and Bolts leave Merrick in Fridrin's hands. A closet door opens up, and Fridrin throws Merrick an apron and a hat.\n\n\"Put these on and get me a big pot with two handles and fill most of the way with water. Then get me some russet potatoes.\"\n\nMerrick fills the pot and proceeds to search for potatoes. \"Where are the potatoes?\"\n\nFridrin points over to an orderly pile of boxes, \"Over there. It's marked under \"Potatoes,\" and you want the first box in that group.\"\n\n\"Got it.\"\n\nFridrin guides Merrick over, \"I set up this system to make it more accessible to the items I need. Items that I use often are closer to me, and the older they are, the closer to the front they. The rule of thumb for my system is the faster it spoils, the more accessible it becomes. Preserved meats and plants are fine, but fresh is best when you can get it, and I have fresh right now.\"\n\nMerrick obtains the potatoes. \"You said to peel these?\"\n\n\"They will be but not at this time. Roast still has a long way to go before it's done, and I like everything to be nice and hot when it's dinner time.\"\n\n\"Excuse me for saying this, but when I worked at a tavern in Belburn, they didn't peel potatoes before boiling and mashing them.\"\n\n\"I heard about some places doing that. Never tried it myself, but what's one trial going to do.\"\n\nMerrick notices herbs hanging above the washing area. \"You already used some herbs for the roast, or are you about to use them?\"\n\n\"Never even considered them. Thought they were for decorations or medicine. People in the community I grew up in never considered herbs for cooking.\"\n\n\"You're missing out then. Some herbs and beef go well together. We can put them in the sauce or gravy.\"\n\n\"Judging by your enthusiasm, I say give it a go.\"\n\nFridrin and Merrick spend the rest of the day preparing the meal for tonight's dinner. Arven, Kaera, and Sylfinas remain at their posts until the dinner bell rings, signaling a change in shifts. After the swap, everybody in the day crew is now in the dining hall. Lorna sits at the long table's head with everyone else fighting to get the seat they want. Merrick is the last person to find a seat after serving the final person, and he is in luck that he's with his companions. Everyone extols at the flavorful food that they dogpile each other when going back for seconds or thirds. Sylfinas secretly hides some of his meal for Myla.\n\nOne crewmember belches loudly before saying, \"That's the best dinner you've ever made, Fridrin.\" Others echo his sentiment.\n\nFridrin downplays his role. \"Thanks, but you should direct your praise towards this man here,\" he said as he points at Merrick, \"He gave me ideas I never considered. He deserves credit.\" The crew directs some of their compliments at Merrick while he just smiles and shrinks in his seat. He finds it bizarre that he's receiving compliments.\n\nSylfinas notices that Merrick is uncomfortable with all the people looking at him and comes up with a distraction. \"Anyone up for singing sailor tunes?\"\n\n\"Not a bad idea, Half-Elf,\" one of the crewmembers answered. Merrick thanks Sylfinas by body language as the first song commences. Most lyrics are about life on the high seas and away from loved ones, but two pique Sylfinas's interests. One piece is about a siren that lives around Wysver Island called Arrimara and how she leads sailors to their watery grave. The other is Arlgeon Thorne, also known as The Undead Pirate. Legend has it that he's undead from a pact with a demon called Krig-Argath, and any ship that encounters a random patch of fog disappears immediately. After the song about Arlgeon ends, everyone retires to their quarters, leaving a mess behind.\n\nBelieving that Sylfinas is back after hearing movement in the bedroom, Myla comes out of the spot he ensconced her earlier in the day. Feeling famished, she gormandizes the beef and potatoes from Sylfinas's leftovers.\n\n\"Take a breath once in a while, Myla.\"\n\n\"I must eat. Haven't had anything to eat all day. Not enough chances to sneak out and grab a snack.\" She spews some particles of food from her talk. The doorknob turns, and everyone is silent in trepidation as Lorna and Bolts appear.\n\n\"I just want everyone to know to be on alert tomorrow. We're heading into…\" Lorna interrupts her train of thought at the sight of Myla. \"Who the fuck is she?\"\n\nSylfinas tries to defuse the heightened tension. \"Lorna, this is Myla. Myla, this is Lorna.\"\n\n\"Where did she come from, and how long has she been on my ship? Is she part of your group?\"\n\n\"She comes from Port Direrun, and she's been on your ship ever since we departed.\" Sylfinas raises his voice in annoyance to his next words, \"She was supposed to go with my dad and the other Fenri back home, but she snuck on instead.\" Myla's ears frown in contrition.\n\nLorna rubs her head in agitation. \"This is fucking perfect.\"\n\n\"Don't throw me overboard, please!\"\n\n\"I have half a mind to do just that.\"\n\nKaera intervenes, \"Please reconsider. She has nowhere to go.\"\n\nSylfinas adds more, \"She has no one to take care of her, no family whatsoever. She considers us, or at least me, her closest thing to family.\"\n\n\"Clink-clank.\"\n\nLorna relents a little bit from their protest. \"I'm not sending her to Arlgeon's locker, but I'm not running a daycare either. I'm dumping her at the closest inhabited place I come across, which just so happens to be Nowell. You're taking care of her while on my ship, and this leads me to what I was about to say before, be vigilant tomorrow and hide anything Adoranian you have. We're entering waters where Phehans love to patrol. They aren't supposed to, but they do it anyway. I intend to avoid them as much as possible, but there's a chance that they'll board us. Let me do the talking if that's the case. I've gotten out of numerous sticky situations by smooth-talking my way out of it.\"\n\n\"Clink-clank.\"\n\n\"Ok, a few times it went south, but my point stands. Another thing that just popped up is the girl. Hide her somewhere. I don't know how much shit she's seen before me, but what innocence she has left, I want it preserved. The most important thing is hiding her from the Phehans. They won't be as friendly to children as I am, and I'm not a fan of kids. That's all for tonight. Get some sleep. You're going to need it tomorrow.\"\n\nFeel free to vote, favorite, comment, and spread the word.","series":{"name":"Age of Cataclysm Series","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1679096-age-of-cataclysm-book-1-chapter-32.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1685051-age-of-cataclysm-book-1-chapter-34.json"}}