Chapter 30
Seafas was whistling a mournful shanty and watching the sun slowly lower itself into the western sea as he drew in the last of his empty fishing nets. He had brought in next to nothing this evening, but as his Pa used to say, “A bad day of fishin’ is still better than a good day of farmin’.” There wasn’t a day went by when he did not miss seeing his dear father in the boat with him. Only months ago, his father had died at the ripe old age of 91, sitting in this very fishing boat as he had done nearly every day of his long, productive life. Simon had been fishing his whole life over these waters just as his father before him had done, so it was only fitting that he should be buried at sea. So it was with a strange mix of emotions, that Seafas had let the body of his father slip over the edge of the boat and sink into the sea that had given him and his family what he thought to be the best way of life for many years. The only other person that would have loved to be there for this quiet funeral was Seafas’ mother, but she had died years before. Both Seafas and his father had never quite been the same men after losing the support of such a godly woman in their lives. Seafas still did pray once in a while to the Eternal One, but nothing like his mother used to do. Seafas even had a vague remembrance of her hosting the strange Cleric of Ya in their home when he was very little. The thought of that man’s white glowing eyes still sent a chill down his spine.
As the weary fisherman pulled into the small dock in front of his ancestral home, he was more than a little surprised to see a group of travelers waiting near his front door. He was even more shocked to see that one of them was the very same Cleric that he was just thinking about. He tied up his boat and moved in closer to greet the odd party. Along with the Cleric there was an iron-clad knight and a young boy who must be his squire. There was a fairly attractive huntress who must be close to his age, all clad in brown leather and armed to the teeth. His eyes however, settled on the young woman who was decked out in a white dress. The brilliant gown was trimmed in gold and her hair was a fiery red hue that glistened in the last bit of sunshine that was just now sinking into the sea. It made him wonder why a princess would be coming to visit this humble little home at the end of the day. His question was soon to be answered as the Cleric stepped closer with his hand outstretched to make formal introductions.
“Good evening friend,” the Cleric spoke in a kind voice. “I hope we have not caught you at a bad time.”
“All is well blessed Cleric,” Seafas answered, remembering the formal greeting that his mother would use. “What can I do fer ye?”
“I am Gaost, the Cleric of Ya as you seem to remember. You were very young when I was here last.”
“Aye,” was the fisherman’s simple response.
“How fares your family?”
“My dear mother passed years ago,” Seafas answered, hanging his head in remembrance, “and my Father, bless his soul, died while fishing just half a year ago.”
“I am saddened to hear of your loss friend,” Goast said with a genuine concern in his voice. “Your folks were devout followers of Ya and good people both.”
“’Tis true,” the humble man answered simply again.
“Before I tell you of our reason for being here, you no doubt would like to know who I have with me,” the holy man said as he gestured with his hand to his companions. “First, meet the last living Knight of the thorn, Logan.”
Logan nodded and shook that man’s hand, but not before removing his metal gauntlet first.
“The young boy with his is his squire, Jerhard of Jeru.” Jer also shook Seafas’ hand eagerly, having never met a fisherman before.
“This is the huntress, Jirah. She is a faithful provider and protector both.”
Jirah nodded in greeting as they shook hands.
“Lastly, I am pleased to introduce you to Rose; High Priestess of Ya, and the promised healer.”
There was a nervous moment as the humble bachelor figured out how he should greet woman of such great importance. He saw however, from looking in her eyes, that she was not very accustomed to being treated so highly.
Rose was blushing as she moved in to ease the obvious tension that the man was feeling. She bent in close to whisper in his ear as they shook hands, “You can call me just Rose please.”
The young priestess’ soft voice immediately calmed his slightly nervous demeanour, and he answered back to the whole group, “I be Seafas, the son of Simon and a humble fisherman.”
“We are glad to meet you good man,” The knight Logan spoke. “A humble man is great in the eyes of Ya, so we greet you as equals.”
“I will get right to the point of our visit Seafas,” Gaost spoke. “We need to charter a boat.”
“I have but a simple fishing boat,” he answered, shaking his head. “It will not be good enough to get ye very far. Where do ye wish to go eh?”
“We go to the Isle of Shadow,” Gaost said, as if it was a common event.
A long descending whistle came from the fisherman’s lips before he responded, “I thought that be a story of legend. I have been fishing these waters all of my life and have never seen it, neither had my father as far as I know.”
“I assure you that there is such an island friend,” Gaost answered back. “Is there someone in Goram who you think could take us there?”
Seafas thought for a moment before answering. ”If there is anyone it would be Ol’ Pete. Most think that he is a crazy old man, but my father always respected him greatly. He knows these waters better than anyone I know.”
“Thank you my son. That information may be all we need then.”
“I’m sure ye know this already, but I’m going to tell y’ anyway,” Seafas warned. “Goram has gotten a lot rougher than it ever was when I was young. It’s not a good place to be if you are a pretty young woman, if ye get my meaning.”
“Yes, that why I was hoping to have some of us stay here for a bit while Jer and I sneak into the city,” Gaost responded.
“I am not used to hosting young ladies in my home,” Seafas said, “but I will do what I can to provide fer your needs.”
“I think I’m going to like this guy, Gaost,” Jirah said with a crooked grin. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been called a ‘young lady’.”
“Very well then,” the Cleric said, cutting the humorous moment short. “Jer and I will depart right away to seek out this Pete fellow. Do you know where he lives?”
“No idea,” Seafas responded, shaking off his slight embarrassment from drawing the attention of Jirah. “Ask around at the docks and I’m sure ye will find him in good time.”
With that, Gaost rounded up Jer, who was already exploring the coastline adjacent to the house. He warned the rest of the group to be ready for departure because they would be coming back with a boat as soon as possible.
“I do not want to spend very much time here after being in the city,” Gaost said with a serious face. “I am sure that Belial will have spies watching for our arrival. I hope to avoid them, but once they see us, there is no telling what will happen.”
“Ya be with you brother,” Logan answered. “We will be ready to go.”
After a short time of prayer, Gaost and Jer made their way to the port city that lay just north of the cozy little house of Seafas. As for Rose, there was a nervous energy building inside her that would not go away. The time was coming very close to where she would meet with her destiny, and she could not help but wonder is she would even be alive at this time tomorrow.
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The Staff of Ramah Page 38