“Ladies and Gentleman, we would like to play you something new, a song we have been working on for months. We would love for Theseldora to be the first to hear it.”
The room erupted in cheers, and Sally signaled for silence. “We must warn you, this is a song for romance. A song of love. A song that requires a partner. We call it Whispers, and we hope you like it.” She raised the delicate instrument to her chin and drew the bow across the strings, a single crystal clear note.
Skree and Fenna looked at each other, and he tried to step away, but she grabbed his wrist.
“Are you trying to break a girl's heart?” She said, pouting as she pulled him close. He felt the flush in his cheeks return with a furious burning as she threw her arms around his neck. He was close to six feet tall and Fenna was only a few inches shorter than him. Her green eyes met his, a shock of desire flooded him.
“I would never think of doing such a thing, Captain.” he said, placing his hands on her sides like a nervous high school freshman at his first dance.
She rolled her eyes. “If youdance with a woman, at least show her the courtesy of holding her like one.” She said playfully, pulling his hand around her back and pushing into him. Despite his nervousness, they settled into a comfortable swaying as Sally played one of the most beautiful violin songs he had ever heard. Around them, other couples paired up and danced with the music.
He felt the heaving of her chest, smelled the subtle perfume she wore, breathing it in deeply. Becky began to strum the lute, a melody that was both happy and melancholy at the same time. The song subtly changed in tempo, and they stepped more quickly, matching the rhythm with ease. Like the pied piper of legend, Sally and Becky played so masterfully the entire group of couples moved in unison, all part of some magical ballet conducted by the Sisters with ease.
All his worries and fears faded away, letting the music carry them both with the flow like leaves on the wind. Their eyes remained locked as the song carried on, faces mere inches from each other. He yearned to kiss her, to crush her body against his but he did not. He was happy just to have this moment, a dance with a fascinating woman to one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Just when he thought this moment could not get any more romantic, Sally sang the first of the lyrics, and he nearly wept at the sound of her voice.
It was strong and carried the emotional weight of a sledgehammer, her powerful voice washing over the room like a thunderstorm. In a masterful juxtaposition, Becky sang a counter harmony, loud and resonating, the perfect balance to her sister's voice.
When the sisters sang and played, the world faded away. Fenna and Skree danced, forgetting everything around them. For that single dance, she was all that existed in his mind. Before he realized it, the last note of the violin faded, leaving every person in the room in a shocked silence. Never had they heard something so wonderful in all their lives.
Awkwardly, Skree separated himself from his partner. “Thank you for the dance, Captain. You are wonderful.” he said, straightening his harness. For the first time he could remember, she seemed off balance, so engrossed in the dance and song that when it ended, Skree saw her without the bravado for the first time.
“Thank you, Skree. That was fun. Have a good night.” She said. He watched her walk away, returning to the large table where she guzzled a mug of ale in a single pull, slamming the empty container back down to a thunderouscheer from the crew. As if the beer had broken her moment of emotional weakness, she roared, “To the Sisters of the Sea!” and the tavern exploded into motion once again, and the sisters played another round of upbeat music.
Someone handed Skree another mug of ale and the party carried on.
Chapter 17
The next morning he woke with a blistering headache and a very sore face. He felt his cheeks and eyes, then gingerly touched his nose, wincing at the stinging pain. Had he been in a fight? He reached for his magic but hot needles shot into his mind, and he couldn't remember the words to his healing spell. Looks like he would have to do it the old-fashioned way. After washing his face and drinking a full pitcher of water, he was feeling much restored though his magic was still clumsy. Now his face felt better but Minor Restoration did nothing for hangovers.
Coming down the stairs, it surprised Skree to see all the kobolds gathered on the floor in a circle eating, just as they had done on the ship. Jury and Mills sat at a table, chatting amicably and eating breakfast. When they saw him on the stairs, they greeted him far too loudly.
"Good morning Skree!" Mills shouted, getting the attention of all the younglings who shouted "Good morning Skree!" in their high pitched, nails on a chalkboard, hot fire directly into-his-brain voices. He winced, waving at them before plopping down at the table. He snatched a few pieces of bacon and stuffed them into his mouth.
“Oh god, I love bacon. Real bacon.” He said happily, stuffing it all into his mouth at once. He recklessly chewed the mouthful of fried meat and nearly choked, prompting Jury to pound him on the back.
“Take it easy lad.” Jury said.
Skree said thanks in between his choking gasps.
“You're going to meet the Admiral today?” Mills asked.
He picked up his mug and drained it. “I am, anything you can tell me?”
“The Admiral is good people.” Jury said. “Built Theseldora from the ground up, got us through some tough times. He knows what it means to be responsible for people. You can trust he won’t screw you over, but I doubt he will let one of his precious islands go for a bent copper less than it's worth.”
“Can’t believe you’re buyingan island. Just how much money do you got in that little pouch of yours?” Mills asked, eyeballing the Nearly Bottomless Bag hanging from his waist.
He shrugged. “Hopefully enough to buy an island. Any advice?”
Mills and Jury exchanged glances. Mills leaned back with his hands behind his head. “Not really, never bought land before, let alone an entire island.”
“Just make sure it fits your needs, no more, no less.” Jury explained.
“Honestly, I don’t know if I am ready to build a settlement or become a landowner. I don’t know what I’m doing.” He rubbed his face with both hands and sighed.
Jury placed a hand on his shoulder, meeting his eyes with an understanding gaze. “Skree, you rescued those kobolds, got them halfway across the world to safety.” He smiled warmly. “You may not think you know what you’re doing, but Priestess and the younglings trust you. You may be inexperienced but you seem to be fine so far.”
Mills leaned forward and slapped the table excitedly. “Hey, I almost forgot! The Golden Rose sailed into port this morning. We have a nice payday coming soon once the captain auctions it off.”
Skree raised an eyebrow. “How much does a ship like the Rose sell for?”
“That’s a tough question. The Rose is a gilded lily, a real fancy piece of work.” Jury explained. “Lots of fancy scroll work, gold and silver trim, you name it. Took a lot of damage during the battle so it might need some serious repairs. Only so much they could have done out at sea.”
Mills drummed the tabletop with his fingers as he thought about it. “My guess? Maybe five hundred gold.”
Jury whistled, leaning back in his chair. “That would be very nice. With the damages though…” he trailed off. “I am guessing more like three fifty.”
“Well either way, it will be a good payday for us!” Mills said, slapping Skree on the shoulder. “A little something extra to get you that island.” Millsshoved a few pieces of bacon into his mouth and stood.
“About time for you to meet the Admiral. Shall we go?”
Chapter 18
Skree, Priestess, Mills, and Jury made their way through the streets of Theseldora, getting a few stares from curious residents, but other than the wandering eyes and muttered whispers of fascination the trip was uneventful. Skree appreciated how picture perfect Theseldora was. It was everything he imagined of an island town, from the tightly packed buildi
ngs, to the wildly diverse people lining the streets. The cool breeze carried the odor of fish from the docks, and the familiar smells of baking breads. Beside him, Priestess gawked wide-eyed at the diverse people and alien buildings in sheer fascination.
Roughly cobbled streets or well manicured gravel pathways spread through the dense urban area like the veins of a living creature. The crowds flowed around and through one another with relative ease as the people of Theseldora went about their day, delivering goods and materials to their final destination. Theseldora was a bustling place with hundreds of residents calling it their home and a growing tension gnawed at the back of his mind. He was on his way to buy an island so he could start his very own fledgling Theseldora.
Seeing all the people, drove home that his life would get much more interesting and quickly. He never wanted to be a leader, always happy to sit at his desk, do his work and head home. Where he could just play games until he had to do it all over again the next day. Leadership had never been one of his strong suits and having to face that he was about to become a mayor was giving him heartburn.
Who was he to build a city in the wilderness? Why would anyone follow him there? He was no one, just some guy who knows literally nothing about this world. How could he ever build something even remotely as grand as Theseldora? And what about his fight with Abrenacht, the dark god who devours destiny, and destroys entire races? The monster said it would find him, and it had found him once already. What if the servants of Abrenacht came to his new village and slaughtered everyone to get to him? A gentle tug at his shirt pulled him out of that dark train of thought.
“Lord Skree, what is on your mind?” Priestess asked.
“All these people, they depend on the Admiral for protection, for safety, and soon, I will have to do the same. I have to protect the younglings and I don't know if I can. I'm honestly terrified.” He said with a nervous smile.
Priestess slid her hands behind her back, flowing green robes a beautiful contrast against her bright red scales. “You do not do this alone, we do it together. Sawbones believed in you, and I believe in you. Together we will build something to make our King proud.” Her calm, reassuring tone filled him with happiness. He knew Priestess was a young woman, not even as old as him, but she was always confident. So assured she is walking the right path. When soldiers entered her warren and attacked her people, she didn’t hesitate to fight back, to kill.
She would protect herself and the younglings, no matter the cost. Whatever it took to make their new home successful, she would do. He owed it to her and Sawbones to be stronger, to face this new challenge with courage. He nodded. “Thank you Priestess. I couldn’t do this without you.”
She grinned. “I know. Why do you think King Sawbones wanted me to go with you?”
He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Yeah, yeah.”
“Here we are, the Freewind Manor.” Mills said, waving his hand at the large building. “Home of the Admiral, and Captain Fenna.”
Skree looked to Priestess. “You ready?”
She nodded, and they made their way up the cobblestone path to the large manor house. Mills and Jury waved to them as they approached the house. Skree grabbed the knocker and banged it three times, waiting patiently. The large double doors swung open, revealing a dark-skinned man in fine tailored clothing. A thick gray beard adorned his face, trimmed and short. He motioned for them to enter, leading them to a small waiting room, finely decorated with rugs and paintings. The servant showed them to a pair of chairs next to a small table, wine and fruits resting atop it.
“The Admiral’s recent meeting hasgone slightlypast schedule. Please partake of his hospitality until he is available.”
Skree nodded to the man. “Thank you very much. May I ask your name, sir?”
The man gave him a warm smile. “Alamendra'alhember Melandris'melitai Charai.”
Skree choked on his wine at the pronouncement of the man's name. Alamendra gave him a coy smile. “It is a mouthful for people not of the Forus Archipelago. You may call me Al.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Al.” Priestess said, bowing to him. Al returned the gesture, bowing deeply with a flourish.
“The pleasure is all mine, Lady Priestess. Fenna has spoken highly of you.” Al said.
“Oh, really?” she asked, wondering just what Fenna would say about her.
"I believe her exact words were - scary little lady, but delightful company." Alsaid with a disarming smile.
Seeing her frown, he continued, "That is high praise from someone like Fenna, I assure you."
“You can be a little scary sometimes.” Skree said playfully. The glare she gave him was murderous. “See? One minute you are all smiles and the next…” he shuddered. “I'm glad you are on my side. Trust me, scary is a good thing.”
She huffed but relaxed, bright red scales seeming to change to lighter hues. He didn’t know if it was just his perception of her, but he could swear her scales changed color to suit her mood. Dark angry red when she was mad or upset, and at other times bright like a sun-ripened cherry. Al bowed his head briefly before disappearing from the room. Priestess and Skree took in the splendor of the Admirals’ manor house. Fine dark wood gave him a feeling of warmth and welcome as the chandelier's light's danced across the swirling patterns. The carpet beneath his feet was thick and made of finely spun wool, patterned exotically, though perfectly matched to the space.
“Apparently, the Admiral has done extremely well for himself.” Skree said. Priestess was also taking in every detail, brows furrowed in concern. She appeared on edge. “Something wrong?”
Priestess shook her head slowly. “This place feels… off. I find it extremely welcoming and comfortable, though normally I detest human dwellings.”
He frowned. “It’s a nice waiting room.” he said, glancing around. He liked homes like this one. “I like it. Feels cozy.”
She sat up suddenly, startling the far too relaxed Skree. “Concentrate, something is off here.”
He looked around again, trying to focus. This place was disorienting, but he wondered if it was a trick of the light. “I felt nothing, what are you talking about?”
“Close your eyes.” She said. He did as instructed, snapping his eyes shut. He took a few deep breaths and focused. Still, he felt nothing out of the ordinary.
“Priestess.” He began buta hiss from Priestess cut him off. “Open your mind. Don’t look for it, just let it find you. It’s there, just beyond what you can see.”
Several minutes passed and still he felt nothing out of order, nothing he could sense at least. “I'm sorry Priestess, whatever it is you want me to feel, I can't.” He sighed.
“Reach for your mana, feel it in your chest, consider how it hums.” She said like a mantra, slowly and with a rhythm that helped him refocus his mind. He turned his senses inward, searching for the mana in his body. There, at the edge of his awareness was a pulse, like a second heartbeat through his body. He let his senses follow the pulses back to the source and found the reservoir of energy beating within his chest. He dove into his mana, letting it fill his body with power. He strained his senses and felt… a hum. No, more subtle than that, like an energy he could feel, wrapping him in thin vibrating tendrils. They filled the room, from wall to wall, thousands of gently swaying strings of power.
Congratulations, You have learned the skill Detect Enchantment. By focusing your mind on the surrounding energies, you can now detect the filaments swirling around you. This skill reveals areas enchanted with mind-altering spells and effects. Higher skill ranks will increase the detection range.
“Priestess I learned a new skill!” he said excitedly, looking around the room. Once he lost focus on the mana, the sensation faded immediately.
“What skill?” she asked, genuinely confused.
“Detect Enchantment.” He said.
She shook her head. “That shouldn’t be possible.”
He shrugged, then read the prompt again. In his excitement
he hadn’t even read the full description.
Alpha Tester Perk Activated - This is a Kobold Racial Skill.
“A Kobold Racial Skill.” He said as he read the words.
Priestess looked at him suspiciously. “Mother Priestess used to talk about magic detection, and that it made us special. That we could feel magic and learn to read it, to know it by being near it. You should not be able to learn it.”
He had no idea how to explain this one. He could lie and say he didn’t know, but he would feel guilty doing so. Most of all, he didn’t know why he should keep it from her. She was his partner and friend, the only person he could trust explicitly.
“I have a perk that allows me to learn any skill, even racially restricted skills.” He explained, watching her reaction carefully. She seemed to consider it for a moment before relaxing.
“That is very fortunate. What is good for you, is good for us.” She hopped down from the chair. “Can you use the skill again and tell me what is happening in this room?” she asked.
He nodded and reached for his mana, the magic tendrils appearing in his senses again. He observed them carefully, watching the strands as they drifted through a non-existent breeze. Like a sudden inspiration, information flooded his mind.
Magic Detected - Spell name: Good Vibrations - This spell enchants a small room no larger than fifteen by fifteen feet with a gentle aura of relaxation and comfort. This is an Architect enchantment spell. This spell is harmless and has no lasting effects, other than a sense of wellbeing.
“Can you tell what the spell is?” she asked.
“It’s a harmless enchantment spell, to make us more comfortable.” He explained. “It’s called Good Vibrations.”
Her eyes widened and went distant for a second, then she nodded at him. “That is what I detectedas well.”
“Identify what?” Fenna asked. They whirled to see the pirate captain leaning casually on the entryway. She reached into her pocket and withdrew an apple and a small paring knife, cutting a piece of the fruit.
Raiya- Early Game Page 13