Free Web NovelChapter 100: Captain
The biting winter wind swept through the narrow, busy streets of Klento’s harbor, carrying with it the murmur of the choppy waves and the echo of the sailors’ excited voices.
"Look, Drake’s tavern has a new craft beer, they say it’s the best in town!"
"Hey, there’s a magical artifacts fair going on at the wizard’s market up the street. It’s going to be amazing!"
"A shipment of exotic spices has just arrived from the deserts of the East. A must for those who like exotic cuisine!"
"Look, the fresh fish sale! Crimson carp and Kolikos already cleaned! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
The ships churned over the choppy waters with their sails down, while the sailors ran back and forth, loading supplies and preparing to set sail. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
The sea wasn’t frozen yet, but it soon would be, and after a few weeks this port would surely be emptier than usual, which was why there was such a rush.
Victor Shieldman stood out a little among the port’s sturdy and dirty workers, but not that much, there were many other hunters with shinier and flashier armor than his. When he finally found a ship that looked promising, Victor soon realized that it wouldn’t be easy to convince the ship’s captain.
Nevertheless, Victor approached the ship and was greeted by a sea of suspicious looks from the sailors who were loading him down with boxes.
The captain, an elderly man with a stern countenance and scrutinizing eyes, was standing near the bow, intently observing the loading process.
"Go faster with that, Jonathan! You even look like a lady! Are you a lady, Jonathan?"
Victor stopped a man with a box under each arm and asked:
"Is that your captain?" He pointed with his eyes at the grumpy-looking man.
The man said nothing, just nodded and carried on working.
Victor climbed onto the deck by the same gangplank that the sailors used to load the supplies and said:
"It’s a beautiful, sturdy galleon, with red sails made of linen, that you have here. The overall structure is cedar, but there’s yew at the base of this ship, isn’t there?"
The captain turned slowly to face Victor, his penetrating gaze surveying him from top to bottom. "And who are you?"
"Excuse me, Captain. Let me introduce myself: I’m Victor, a hunter passing through Klento. I’d like to know if there’s any chance of me getting a passage to Naeross on your ship."
The old captain crossed his arms. "And what would a man like you want to do in Naeross? It doesn’t seem like the kind of place for a hunter. I don’t know if you know, that island is full of brothels for pirates who can’t dock in Klento."
"I have a friend there, an old comrade from times gone by. He’s sent me an urgent letter saying he’s in trouble, and I’m determined to get there as soon as possible. A passenger ship doesn’t leave port so soon, but a merchant like yours leaves and returns the same day, right?"
The captain frowned, looking at Victor’s scabbard sticking out from under his black cloak. "And how do I know you’re not a cheat or a partner of pirates looking for trouble?" freēwēbnovel.com
Victor smiled diplomatically. "I can assure you, sir, that I have no ill intentions. You can even keep my sword while I’m on board. Besides, my friend in Naeross is a man of means. I may not have much money on me now, but he will certainly reward generously whoever helps me get there."
The captain scratched his gray beard thoughtfully. "And why didn’t your friend send money in advance to guarantee your passage?"
"As I said, he’s in trouble, sir," Victor replied, his tone enigmatic. "But I can assure you that your generosity will be rewarded when we reach Naeross."
The captain remained silent for a moment, pondering Victor’s words. He was a greedy man, so the temptation for money spoke louder. Finally, he nodded slowly.
"Argh! Very well, hunter. You can come with us, but that sword of yours will be confiscated until we get there."
With the deal settled, Victor handed his sword over to the captain without hesitation, knowing that it was a small price to pay for a quick passage to Naeross.
The captain, even with his usually rigid expression, couldn’t help but be impressed by the beauty and quality of the blade of Victor’s weapon. It was a sturdy sword, with a wide, shiny blade, indicating that its owner was not just a skilled swordsman whose physical strength was considerable. Even so, the ship’s captain faltered for just a moment and surprisingly managed to hold the sword in one arm, demonstrating his robust strength. He was no ordinary ship captain.
"A quality sword, indeed," muttered the captain.
With a gesture of his wrinkled, authoritative hand, the captain called for a sailor to take Victor’s sword and put it away.
The sailor almost lost his balance when he received it, barely managing to hold it up for a few seconds before letting it touch the ground.
"Shit, that’s heavy!" exclaimed the sailor, holding the sword with both hands to keep it steady.
"That sword weighs more than a sack of rice, Jonathan! Use more force, that’s it! Now go on and get out of my sight!"
Victor watched the scene with a slight smile, showing that he didn’t mind giving up his weapon during the journey.
"We’ll set sail as soon as everyone is on board and the supplies are stowed." The captain said to Victor.
"No problem."
Victor settled down on deck, watching the frantic preparations for departure. After a few minutes, they were finally able to leave. The ropes holding the ship to the harbor were untied, the anchor was pulled in and the sails raised, and with a strong wind they set sail from the harbor.
Victor approached the bow with a slight smile. It seemed ages since he had last traveled by sea.
The ocean breeze caressed his face, bringing with it the salty scent of the waves hitting the ship’s hull, and Victor said:
"It’s a pity this is a momentary peace." He then opened his fist and began to gradually release a handful of sound shell powder, a type of material that is extremely powerful for attracting sea creatures. He hoped that by making a mark with it in the sea, he would guarantee an encounter with the Devourer of Ships.
