Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
The morning came and went without incident. A small bowl of rice and a piece of fish served as his breakfast, mostly at Rast's insistence. He didn't have the heart to argue with her, especially after the previous night. As he ate, she mentioned a man named Quay, the oldest living castaway on Gallows End. If anyone knew where they could find a ship, it would be him. Oddly enough the information had come from Alder, along with the request of a favor and a remark about the futility of their quest to kill Dead Kel. It was to be expected, he supposed. With Quay being located somewhere on the western coast of the Island, an area Ymir had yet to explore, he decided to switch out his equipment. From a crate he thankfully had salvaged from the wreck of the Calamity he took out Scourgebane, and enchanted greatsword he had come across during his time with the House of Valor, and Solstice, chakrams enhanced with fire magic. He'd need every advantage he could get. Before setting off, Rast pulled him aside.
"Now don't take any unnecessary risks out there. This place is dangerous, and I get the feeling that something's going on here that we aren't privy to. Just… Just be careful. And make sure you come back." He hand lingered on his shoulder a moment longer than it should have. He nodded and gave her the most reassuring smile he could before setting off. 'First thing's first,' he thought, 'Have get this pendant to Alder's wife.'
After a short and unpleasant visit to Souldeep Fasting, Ymir travelled north along the coast. After a few miles, he had his first encounter with the apex predator of Gallows End: the Root Golem. It was a hulking mass of boulders bound together with roots and vines, easily twice as tall as him. Now, he'd fought trolls as big as the golem, if not bigger, but the key difference was that the golem was infinitely faster. When he saw it burrow into the ground he had only a split second to blink away. Sometimes it was good to be the Archsage. Blinking out of rage or a broad sweep of the golem's arm, he threw a fistful of lightning at the beast, staggering it. Now was his chance. Getting up close and personal with the beast, he let loose a flurry of swings from Scourgebane, hacking away root and chipping away stone. Then came the impact. Faster than he would have thought, the creature recovered from its shock and decked him with its large stone "hand." Flying backwards, he managed to roll when he hit the ground, springing to his feet before hurling another barrage of lightning at the root golem. It was tough, but he had killed far more dangerous beasts than this. This would turn just like the others. A few well-placed strikes and it fell in a heap. For Quay's sake, he had better have some answers.
Quay did in fact have answers. The only way to get those answers, however, was to steal Dead Kel's ship. Now, while his original reason for seeking the old man out was to find a ship, stealing the personal ship of a crazed pirate was a bit more troublesome than one would think. First, there was navigating the maze of docks that led to Dark Harbor, Kel's hideout. Patrolling the docks was an army of Faer Gorta, and some other nasty beasts that roamed the island. Individually they weren't a problem, but the sheer number in which they came made the task a chore. Things had eased up once he actually got inside the harbor. All he had to do then was smash the gears holding the harbor wall in place. They broke easily enough, and it looked like all he had to do was mop up the Faer Gorta and sail the ship around to Cape Solace. What he hadn't counted on was Bloodgrin.
He'd heard from the villagers that when Dead Kel was resurrected, he brought his lieutenants back with him, the Hanged Men. The towering monster of a man standing before him was obviously Bloodgrin. Over his shoulder was a hammer that looked as if it had been carved from the backbone of some monstrous creature. He smirked at the Fateless One. "So, you're the one who dares to challenge Dead Kel. You have spirit little one, and I look forward to smashing it out of you." He swung down with his hammer, Ymir bringing up his sword to block. The blow almost drove him to his knees, his whole body screaming from the effort of holding back the attack. That root golem had done more damage than he'd thought. "Focus little one!" the giant bellowed before kicking the Fateless One in the stomach, sending him careening across the room and into the cave wall. "I don't see why Kel is so worried about you," he gloated, "You really aren't so tough. Once you're dead we'll massacre that entire village. Maybe I'll keep that pretty Ljosalfar whore of yours alive for a while. She looks like a bit of fun!"
That did it. Digging deep, Ymir pulled out his trump card: Reckoning. With a feral roar he tapped into the energies of Fate, the sudden surge of energy knocking Bloodgrin from his feet, despite him being across the room. With a newfound burst of speed he crossed the floor, his sword sinking deep into the monster's torso. He followed with a hard horizontal slash, removing his left hand. Bloodgrin doubled over, clutching his bloody stump. Dropping Scourgebane, Ymir felt a haft materialize in his hand. He spared it a look, and smiled; A hammer, made of Fate energy. How appropriate. Using all of his strength he wound up and brought the hammer down, crushing Bloodgrin's skull. Worthless dog. Breathing deep, he absorbed the fate of Dead Kel's lieutenant, and for good measure, he took his hammer. He never could turn down a free weapon.
"I must confess. My suggestion to steal the boat was made in jest. I never expected… this." Of course Quay would show up. The battle was over and the danger was gone. Ymir growled, blood dripping from his lips. He was in no mood for joking, only answers. The old man raised his hands in a pacifying gesture. "Easy now son, I'll tell you everything I know." He went on to explain that there was a spy amongst the people of Cape Solace, one hell-bent on disrupting the Offering, their ceremony of choosing Akara's new Scion. A spy with a power over fate similar to his own. This little expedition was becoming more and more dangerous every second.
He asked Quay to sail the ship back to the village. Normally he would have just done it himself. Ymir was, after all, a proud Varani warrior, a master of the sea. But he was injured. His ribs felt broken, he had numerous cuts and bruises, and his armor was dented and cracked. He needed to get back to the village and rest. The spy could wait a day.
It was dark by the time they returned to Cape Solace. He'd been gone two days. There were cries of fear as the Requiem pulled up to the dock. In their defense, it was Dead Kel's ship. Rast, Mitharu bless her, was waiting for him. The second he set foot off the boat she was mothering him, looking over his cuts, gingerly brushing her fingers over his black eye and the large bruise blossoming over his ribs. She shooed away the villagers, insisting that he be given room. The moment they were alone, she threw herself at him, sniffling as she did last night. "I told you to be careful you big dolt! If getting us a ship meant you turning out like this, I'd have forbid you from going! Honestly, making me worry so much… Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"
He looked down at her and smiled weakly. "I promised my captain a ship. And I promised a beautiful woman that I'd come back. I managed to do both, and it only cost some pieces of armor and a few cracked ribs. It was worth it." She looked at him oddly for a moment before muttering and easing him down onto his bedroll. When asked if he needed anything, his only reply was "The fourth vial from the right in the small metal box from my crate." It was a Master-level healing potion that he had picked up from his time in Alabastra. After draining the vial he felt his bones begin to knit and his cuts seal up, ensuring that he'd be ready to deal with the spy the next day. Rast rolled out her blanket beside him, explaining after his protest that she was going to keep an eye on him. She further explained that though they had the means to return to Rathir, she could tell that he wanted to finish this, to make sure Dead Kel would stay dead for good. At his questioning look, she elaborated. "If you stay, I stay. We stand together, you and I. We started this journey as companions, but the fires of adversity have made us something more- Friends. And I don't let my friends down." He smiled tiredly at her, offering some of his blanket which she gladly accepted.
Tomorrow he would root out a spy, and hopefully, slay that masked fool Dead Kel. But for now, he would rest, and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman.
A/N: Reviews would be nice, even anonymous.