Berig was relieved to hear that they might be safe for the first time since leaving Mountainside. It felt good to stroll along the road without so many worries.
His life had been nothing but worry, ever since the day the Imperial Guards burned his village. Worry about finding food. Worry about the monster in Bradenton. Worry about evading the authorities. And now worry about everything on this adventure.
As it turned out, there was little to worry about over the following weeks. The road remained warded as they entered the Kingdom of Seaside. They stopped briefly at towns along the way, where the inns were clean and there was little danger.
At last, they arrived at Seaside, the capital of the kingdom. The city sat along the eastern edge of the continent, where waves crashed rhythmically against the shore. Seaside was larger than any city Berig had ever seen in the Empire.
They stayed along the main road through town. Along the main road, most of the people were dressed in clean clothing. Some were workers or merchants. Others looked more like nobles, with finely tailored clothes in a variety of colors. Berig wasn't sure how nobility worked outside the Empire.
If he considered everything he didn't know about the outside world, he'd drown under the weight of it all. Better to take life one step at a time.
"We need to find a ship to take us to Luminia," Aric said. "If only I had any idea how to do that."
"I'd suggest heading toward the ocean," Klint said.
Lara rolled her eyes. "Well, that's a bit obvious, isn't it?"
"You still thinking of staying behind?" Berig asked Klint.
Klint looked uncomfortable. "Look. I appreciate everything we've experienced together. But this ain't my quest anymore. I got you this far. Time to figure things out for myself."
They stood in a market in the center of town, where people walked on past, paying them no attention.
"Maybe we'll even see each other again," Klint said. He walked away, heading deeper into the market. It wasn't much of a goodbye, but it was about what Berig had expected from Klint, a man who had no time for sentimentality. Berig felt a knot in his chest as he watched Klint go. The former smuggler would be missed.
"It's better this way," Aric said. "He wouldn't have been happy coming with us."
"I'm going to miss him," Danica said. "He might think he's a terrible person, but I've always seen the good heart beneath that rough exterior. I'm worried that he'll fall back into old patterns. I don't want him to lose everything he's gained with us."
"Nothing we can do about it," Aric said. "We've got a boat to find. I'm not getting any stronger."
The party stood there awhile, trying to absorb Klint's departure. They'd been expecting it, but it was still hard to take. With heavy hearts, they made their way toward the city's eastern side, where they found a large area of docks. Hundreds of dockworkers hustled back and forth, carrying cargo, shouting orders. Enormous wooden boats were tethered at the docks. Berig couldn't believe his eyes. How could something that large float upon the rough sea?
They spent the next few hours making inquiries with anyone they could find. Few captains were going to Luminia, and those who were didn't have room for passengers. Just when they considered giving up, they found Darius, a dark-skinned and bearded captain who said he'd have room for them as long as they paid and helped out with duties aboard the ship.
"That's very nice of you," Aric said as they stood on the deck of the ship. It was larger than any ship Berig had ever seen in the Empire, but it was one of the smaller ships in the harbor.
Darius shrugged. "Well, we're a bit shorthanded. A few of my crewmen got sick on the last voyage. They're still recovering, and I don't have time to wait for them. This next shipment needs to get to Luminia as soon as possible."
Shouts came from the back of the ship, where a young, dark-skinned man struggled to haul a barrel across the deck.
Darius narrowed his eyes. "Filip, what are you doing?"
The young man set the barrel down, almost falling over. "The first mate told me I had to get all these barrels up on deck."
"Filip, he was having a joke at your expense."
Filip wiped sweat from his forehead. "How was I supposed to know that?"
Darius shook his head. "Just leave the barrel there for now. Someone stronger will take care of it later." He turned back to Berig, Aric, Lara, and Danica. "That's my brother. He's been begging me for a chance to sail across the sea. Don't know why I gave in. He doesn't know the first thing about sailing. A lot like you folks, I guess."
Filip strode across the deck toward them. "Oh, who are you? I've never seen you before. Are you adventurers? You look like adventurers."
"He's obsessed with adventure," Darius said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he gets himself killed doing something foolish."
"Hey, I heard that," Filip said. He was almost skipping as he made his way toward them. Berig wasn't sure he'd ever seen anyone so excitable.
Darius's expression was weary, as though he'd experienced too much of his brother's antics. "Just head down to the mess hall. You're at least a passable cook."
"Aye, captain!" Filip said. He saluted his brother, then stepped through a nearby door.
Once he was gone, Aric said, "Isn't he a bit old to be so naïve?"
"He's always been this way," Darius said. "Doubt he'll ever change."
"When are we leaving?" Lara asked, after a few seconds of silence.
"First thing tomorrow morning. You folks look tired, so go ahead and rest up. We'll figure out the rest in the morning."
They went to the cramped mess hall, where they introduced themselves to some of the sailors. Most seemed decent men, but they didn't speak much with the party. Filip, on the other hand, was eager to spend every second with them.
"So are you adventurers?" he asked. He was behind a wooden bar, where he was supposed to be helping the cook, but the cook didn't appear to need help.
"We've had our share of adventures," Aric said, "but I wouldn't say we're adventurers. We need to get to Luminia because I have an illness that can only be healed there. If not for that, we'd still be in the Empire."
"The Empire?" Filip said. "Are you talking about the place inside the ring of mountains? I've always wanted to go there." His eyes widened. "Have you seen the Clanlands, too? I've always wanted to know what that place is like."
Berig tried not to spit out his mouthful of ale.
"I don't know why you'd want to see either place," Aric said. "The Clanlands are dangerous. We spent most of our time there fearing for our lives."
"Then you must be really great adventurers," Filip said.
"No, we just got lucky." Aric put down his fork. "We all could have died." His expression became serious. "Filip, I get the impression that you've led a safe life here in Seaside. This seems like a safe and comfortable place to live. Certainly safer than anywhere I've been in recent months. The point is, you don't know what adventure is really like. If you ever get a real taste of adventure, I'm not sure you'll find it to your liking."
Filip looked serious for a moment, but then the expression disappeared. "No, I think I'd like it. I need a little danger in my life."
Berig did spit out his ale this time, earning a dirty look from the cook, who was busy on the other side of the bar. "No one ever needs a little danger in their life. You're insane."
"My brother says the same thing."
The cook pulled Filip away to help prepare something, much to Berig's relief. He liked Filip's spirit, but it was exhausting being around him. No one should be that eager.
The party finished their dinner, then made their way to the crew quarters Darius had provided. Berig and Aric shared one cramped room. It wasn't much, but it was nice to have a place to sleep. Berig woke the next morning feeling well-rested.
Darius assigned them some of the lowliest duties on the ship. If it didn't require any skill, they were left to do it. None of them would be much help in operating the ship. Instead, they'd clean up aroun
d the ship, help the cook, and do whatever odd jobs Darius could find for them.
They left the port shortly after sunrise. The crew had told them of seasickness, but to Berig's relief, none of them suffered from it. Still, the swaying of the ship upon the waves felt odd. He was used to the ground remaining still beneath him.
Standing at the ship's railing, he watched the coast fade into the distance. The endless sea stretched ahead of them. Berig felt sick when he considered how large the ocean was.
The first few days on the sea passed without incident. Darius warned them that sea monsters did occasionally target ships, but most of those sea monsters dwelled farther to the north and south. It had been years since one had sunk a ship going from Seaside to Luminia.
That wasn't reassuring. Berig kept glancing at the water whenever he was on deck, expecting to see some hideous serpent or tentacled monster.
The crew remained distant from the four of them, but the party did spend some time with Darius. The captain was also willing to lend a hand with any ship's duties, and Berig respected that. Darius was the kind of person born to be a leader.
In other words, he was nothing like Berig.
With each passing day, Berig grew more bored. Darius eventually allowed them to help a bit in operating the ship. They got a few chances at the wheel, which wasn't all that exciting. Steering the ship through calm seas required little skill.
Berig learned how to operate the sails and how to climb the rigging. After a couple of weeks, they each spent time operating as lookouts. To Berig's surprise, he enjoyed standing in the crow's next, gazing out upon the vast sea.
According to Darius, this was a duty they needed to take seriously. The trade route between Seaside and Luminia wasn't far from pirate territory. These pirates were affiliated with the New Earth Empire, which lay to the south of Luminia.
Day after day, Berig saw nothing but the rolling waves. The farther they went on their journey, the more he wanted to set foot on land again.
Aric's illness was growing worse. At first, he'd helped with some of the work, but now he spent most of his time in bed, barely able to move. Some nights, he moaned in his sleep. He never let them know he was in pain, but it was clear in the lines on his face.
Berig didn't spend much time in their room, as he couldn't stand to see Aric suffering. Now Berig truly worried that Aric would die before they reached Luminia.
It was late evening. Berig found Darius standing at the bow of the ship. "How much longer is it to Luminia?" Berig asked. "I don't think Aric's got much left in him."
"About three days."
"I'm not sure he has that much time," Berig said.
"I'm sorry, but I can't make the ship move any faster, not in these waters. There are a lot of rocks around here, so we've gotta be careful. I wish there was a way. I really do."
"Thank you for everything you've done," Berig said.
"It's been no problem. I've enjoyed your company."
Berig could tell that Darius didn't feel like saying anything else, so it was time to head down to the mess hall. Though Berig didn't relish the thought of seeing Filip again, he knew he'd find Lara and Danica there. They'd both taken to helping the cook, and they didn't seem bothered by Filip's excitable nature.
Berig took his usual place at the bar. Danica and Lara were sitting there as well, taking a break from their duties with the cook. Filip remained on the other side of the bar, handing out drinks and plates of food.
"Berig, you look troubled," Danica said.
"It's Aric. I don't think he's gonna make it."
"Of course he'll make it," Danica said, but her voice lacked the cheer he was used to. "We have to keep our thoughts positive. Look at everything we've survived to make it this far. God must have a plan for us, a plan for Aric."
Berig looked down at the ale Filip had poured for him. "I wish I could believe that."
"Aric's strong," Danica said. "He won't give up when we're this close."
Berig glanced at Lara, hoping to change the subject. "You've been quiet lately."
"I think I'm starting to miss home. I wanted to leave, but now that I'm gone, I've realized I may never return. I may never see my father again."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Berig wished he could find better words to comfort her. He remembered how he'd felt upon leaving Bradenton. Now Liam and Captain Young seemed as if they belonged to a different life. If Berig returned, would they recognize the man he'd become?
Sometimes, he no longer recognized himself.
"I don't regret my decision," Lara said. "I still think I did the right thing. You're special, Berig, and I know I have to stick by your side."
Was that all she saw in him? Someone special? Someone important? He wanted her to love him as he'd grown to love her, but he had the feeling she was too focused on whatever great things he might do rather than seeing him as the person he was. A person who needed love.
Berig excused himself from the mess hall, then made his way back to the room he shared with Aric. Aric was sitting up in bed, reading a book Darius had given to him. To Berig's surprise, Darius had a small library aboard the ship. That seemed odd when Berig considered that the ship had to be light enough to float.
Berig took a seat on his bed. "How're you feeling?"
"How much farther is it to Luminia?"
"Darius said it would be three days."
"I can make it that long."
"You sure?" Berig asked.
"I'm not as weak as you think. The journey just took a lot out of me, and I think I'll stand a better chance of making it to Luminia if I rest right now." He winced as a sudden spasm of pain gripped him. "Don't worry about me. I know my own body well enough."
Berig wished he could believe that. "You sure you aren't trying to make me feel better?"
"I'm sure, Berig. You'll have—"
Aric never got a chance to finish his sentence. A violent explosion rocked the ship. The wooden wall of their cabin exploded, sending giant splinters flying at them. The force of the explosion threw Berig backward across the room. He slammed his head against a wall and knew nothing more.
Chapter 54: The Pirates
Berig woke to a pounding head, to booms echoing through the air, to screams and shouts and hurried footsteps. He tried to stand but felt too dizzy. Once the spinning stopped, he staggered to his feet. The cabin lay in ruin. There was no sign of Aric.
Another explosion. Splinters of wood rained down upon Berig as he stumbled through the chaos, panic flaring in his chest. What the hell was going on?
There was a gaping hole in the wall of the cabin. Berig glanced through that hole, but he didn't spot Aric in the sea below. It was too dark to see anything clearly.
Dust choked the air. A fire burned nearby, filling the air with the smell of burning wood. Berig peered through the smoke, hoping to spot Aric, and again there was no sign of him. Berig had no idea how long he'd been unconscious. Maybe Aric had escaped the cabin and left Berig there because he thought Berig was dead.
Another explosion shook the ship, the force of it knocking Berig off his feet. Screams and shouts came from above. Fires crackled all around.
Berig lurched his way out of the room as smaller explosions rumbled through the ship. He'd been drunk a lot of times, but he'd never felt this unsteady. The ship was swaying, and though Berig didn't know much about ships, he knew enough to be terrified.
Out in the small corridor, some of the beams holding up the ship had fallen diagonally across the space. Berig ducked below one, climbed over another. Shouts came from the distance, but Berig feared he'd never see anyone again. The smoke grew thicker. He coughed. This reminded him of the burning prison in Crayden.
The sheer terror of that day came back to him, sweeping through him like the fire through the ship, like that ring of fire through the city all those months ago. For a moment, he felt paralyzed. He couldn't move, couldn't think. Maybe he should lie here and wait for the end.
No. He h
ad to fight, had to cling to whatever hope he had left.
As he raced through the corridor, dodging the debris that obstructed his path, the ship swayed more and more. Another massive explosion hit the ship, and Berig slammed against the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him.
He lay beneath the smoke, listening to the crackling of the fire until his breathing returned to normal. Then he staggered to his feet, coughing, and found the door leading to the mess hall. Peering through it, he saw a scene of sheer devastation.
The chairs and tables were overturned or broken. Smoke hung so thickly that Berig had to pull his shirt over his mouth. There was a massive hole in the side of the ship, allowing moonlight to enter the mess hall.
A few sailors lay in crumpled heaps. Berig scanned the bodies but didn't see his friends among them. That was only a small relief.
He left the mess hall and returned to the corridor, where he dodged scattered fires and large boards that littered his path. Eventually, he reached the ladder that led up to the deck. He climbed the ladder and emerged in the warm night air.
Where he found a scene of utter chaos.
People were running back and forth. Some were sailors. Others Berig didn't recognize. These must have been the pirates that had boarded the ship. Berig hung back behind a stack of crates, hoping no one would run across him.
He checked for his dagger, but he wasn't wearing it. There hadn't been any danger aboard the ship, so he'd left it in his cabin. He didn't want to go back down there. The thought of braving all that smoke again was too much to bear.
A dead sailor lay nearby, and a sword sat upon the ground beside him. Berig picked up the sword, praying he wouldn't have to use it. Screams came from all around. People shouted in fear and anger.
He scanned the darkness, looking for his friends, but he didn't see them. What if they were already dead? What if the pirates had taken them prisoner?
Berig had no idea what he'd do without them. He couldn't lose everyone he cared about. Not again. He had to find them, had to summon whatever bravery he possessed. After a deep breath, he moved to his right, remaining hidden behind the crates.
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