Chapter 17: Come Aboard, Mates!

Ren

The group reaches Isger early in the morning. The town was quiet. Something Ren was thankful for.

Aluuna had managed to stabilize Kosh, but he is still unconscious. The group staggers to the door of a monastery—the Lord's Overview. The building is made of pearly, white stone, and its door shimmers as the group draws closer. The town overflows with thieves and ruffians. Ren would not have pictured such a beautiful building existing in a place like this. As soon as they enter the doors, priests dressed in glimmering yellow robes approach them and offer assistance. Ren never did feel comfortable in places like this. He dealt with death, and this place is life. He wishes he could achieve the peace they all have here. Ren sits roughly in one of the nearby pews as they carry off Kosh to another chamber. The monastery isn't very luxurious inside, just a few worn pews. Candles float effortlessly in the air.

"We have prepared a room for you," One of the ladies says. "It's not much, but it'll be warm, and you'll have full bellies," the woman eyes Ren with bright eyes, blushes, and walks to show them the way.

Harrin snickers. "I think you have a fan." He replies. His face looks tired, and they all look like they need a long bath.

"Anywhere we can take a bath?" Kith asks, his arm firmly around Eris's shoulder.

The lady looks back at Kith, and her eyes got big as she looks between Eris and Kith.

"I know, right?" Ren says jokingly.

Eris jabs a finger in Ren's side playfully. Kith glares at him and slowly reaches for his weapon, and the group laughs softly. Ren puts his hands up in mock surrender.

The hall is dark, with only a few candles overhead. "We only have these two rooms." Ren takes the one to her right. Inside has a small fire pit in the corner and four beds. They are dressed in all white with oak for the bedframe. He takes off his shoes and climbs into the bed. Sleep would have to come first.

Kosh

"Mother, can we go into town today?"

"Why?" His mother asks with a slight smile. She still went about busily in her garden. Tending the garden was his favorite thing to do with his mother. Well, his second.

"Just cause," He shrugs. Kosh knew that his mother knew why he wants to go into town. She makes the best Chocolate Applejack Cake, and they just ran out of the ingredients.

"Go get washed up, and we will go."

Kosh rushes to fulfill his mother's wish. "Kloy, we are going into town." He says, going into his sister's room. She is looking up at him as she struggles to a standing position in her bassinet. She is only a few months old. He is so proud to be a big brother; with their father gone, he was responsible for taking care of them, protecting them.

A piercing scream from somewhere farther in town startles Kloy causing her to cry. The ground begins to shake, rumbling beneath his feet. Kosh grabs his sister and runs to his mother's room. A shrill sounds through the air, getting louder and louder. A moment before reaching his mother's room, the door is blown into him, and Kosh is flung back against the wall, his sister still cradled in his arms.

"Wake up…" His mother's voice sounds. "You need to get up now, Kosh. Kosh. KOSH!"

Kosh jerks himself up in the bed. His bones popping and cracking. His eyes are blurry, trying to adjust to the brightness of where he is. Kosh groans and lies back down in the bed slowly. A womanly figure approaches the bed. He instinctively grabs at her hand when she reaches out to touch him. Movement catches his attention in the corner. Kith, who was sitting in a chair, stands and walks over to him. "Relax, it's Aluuna. She has been with you for the last few days, helping you heal."

Hearing Kith's voice relaxes him slightly. It had been a while since he dreamt of his mother and sister—a long time since he thought about that day.

"How long was I asleep?" Kosh asks, tentatively standing up. Aluuna let him try on his own much to Kosh's relief.

"Two days." Aluuna answers.

"We need to get going." Kosh manages to put on his outer garments without much assistance. He looks around for his blades and assumes one of the others held on to them, still feeling naked without them.

"I would have liked for you to get more rest, but you're right; we have to make haste to Augustana," Aluuna states as she walks to the door. "I'll take my leave and make sure everyone is ready." She hesitates at the door. "I'm glad you're okay, Kosh."

He is too. It was the first time in a while he didn't think he was going to make it. His body continues to protest as if it didn't catch on that he indeed is still alive.

Kith looks at him a moment. Silently speaking to Kosh that he is also grateful. They didn't need the words. Kosh eyes him closely, then follows after Aluuna.

They all meet at the entrance of the church. Eris hands him his blades. "I had them sharpened." She hesitates for a moment, "by a woman of questionable character."

"I liked her," Kith says plainly.

Eris cut him a look and smiles sweetly, "Of course you did, darling."

Ren rolls his eyes. "Jealous, Eris?"

Eris's eyes light with fire. "I think we better get going," she says, never breaking eye contact with Kith."

It took a few days to travel to the seaport town of Augustana. For the most part, the city is built on a giant hill that slopes down towards the Inner Sea's crystal, blue waters. Even from a few miles outside the city gates, the group can see the vast riggings of the many ships that dot the coastal waters.

"Those are the biggest ships I have ever seen," Eris says, looking out in awe.

The city gates are made of cultured stone in the color of sand. Palm trees and tropical bushes are planted in clusters all around the gates. The city is bustling, customers crowding the various vendors that line the entry road. The air smells of salt and cooked fish. A few men set about cleaning the messes left behind by horses, donkeys, and camels. From this distance, they could see a large castle. It has a round top with many window-lined around it—the central part of the building, covered by other stores and townhomes of the village.

"Let's make our way towards the water and find the portman," Harrin says as he points to the water peaking in between two of the building to his right.

The closer they get to the water, the saltier and fishier it smells. The ground is littered with trash as the sweepers haven't reached this far yet.

"Grapes, oranges?" a halfling asks, holding a basket up in Kosh's face.

"No, thank you," Kosh says. "But do you know where we can find the port master?"

"Course," she chirps. "Over there." Kosh follows the line of her finger. "Man with the blue shirt and white hat. "

"My thanks, friend."

She nods and goes about selling her wares to the next person that crosses her path.

The group approaches the port master. "Hello," Harrin starts.

"You the group sent by Anastacia?" the portman asks.

He is a rotund human with shoulder-length dark brown hair. His blue shirt is slightly wet, and his pants are worn and dirty.

"That's us," Flig responds. Okami moves forward to smell the halfling's feet, then moves back to sit at Flig's side.

"Anastacia sent word a few days ago to have a vessel ready to go." As he continues to speak, a ship slowly pulls into the port next to them. It has three large masts and several people aboard working the sails. They ranged from dwarf to elf, woman to male. "Well, here it is!" he held out his arms to indicate the large ship behind him. "Your queen said I could expect your payment."

"Yes, of course," Flig says, retrieving the gold from his pack.

A plank extends out from the ship to the ground in front of them. A burly dwarf descends the board. "Name's Borgit, captain of this fine vessel. Get comfortable and eat. Gonna be a long while till we reach Sothis."

In one week, they would be closer to Osirian, one step closer... to finding the second tome. Kosh takes a deep breath as the ship lurches forward toward their next adventure.