Last Ship Out of Kunark (An Everquest Next novella)

by thompson.radcliff

The people of the Combine Empire are returning to Antonica after a centuries long exile to Kunark. The Shissar Empire does not plan to let them go quietly, it seems. A boy wakes upon a ship the morning after a night of fire and death forces a group to flee. The previous night's horror is just the first challenge he will have to overcome.

10. Chapter 10

10

Debt Repaid

Vagano stepped up onto the sterncastle deck and his heart sank. There at the stern railing was the dwarf. His hands were set on his hips. His face was grim. He looked down to the deck before him. All Vagano could see were barrels where the fish had been salted and stowed. The sobbing of the boy though, he could hear.

Walking closer, with a growing sense of dread, he saw feet and legs sticking out from the barrels. Rounding the barrels and coming into view of the entire scene, he took in the sight of a sobbing Tomon with his head lain on the shoulder of the fisherman. He looked asleep with his head resting on a coil of rope. Except that a hole in his shirt over the heart was visible. Below it was a massive bloodstain that spilled out onto the deck. Vagano held his hands out, silently asking.

Durgin didn't move, saying only, "Blasted dark elf."

Tomon opened his eyes, looking through blurry tears to the Captain with his hands out. He inhaled, trying to speak, but it was a few moments before his mouth could make the sounds. Finally he managed, recalling the words of the dark elf that called himself Vastin, words he spoke after pulling the knife from Winsul and turning to see Tomon standing there with mouth open in shock. "He said Anashti takes lives, not give them." Tomon buried his face in the shoulder of Winsul's body, overcome with grief once more.

Durgin nodded. "He said he pulled the fisherman from Anashti's grasp in the water so that he could live to serve. And that once the deed was done, he could never have left the ship without reclaiming the life he took from Anashti." Durgin clenched his hands into fists. "I raised my hammer, but he held up a knife, threatened to kill the boy unless I stood aside and let him leave. So I did. Bloodthirsty bastard."

Vagano whirled to look up the wharf toward Qeynos, hoping to catch a glimpse of the retreating murderer. Master-at-Arms Vargas put a restraining hand on his shoulder. "We'll never find him, Cap'n. He's gone."