As dawn broke, the first light of the day pierced the dark horizon, illuminating the calm, open waters where the StormFisker floated. Aufhocker stirred from his sleep, the rhythmic lapping of the water against the hull having provided a soothing backdrop for his rest.
After a quick breakfast of leftover bat wings and a sip of water from his flask, he dismantled the trap crossbow and rolled up the makeshift shelter. Having done so many times before, it became a simple matter preparing the StormFisker for the day's journey. He hoisted the anchor and raised the sail, the familiar creaks and groans of the boat reassuring him of its readiness.
The open water ahead gave way to the churning, frothy expanse known as the Schuimruggen. These waters, characterized by their turbulent whirlpools, foam-covered layers, and unpredictable currents, were as dangerous as they were mesmerizing. Only Darkland smugglers dared to navigate these waters, and few emerged unscathed. But Aufhocker had made this journey before and was no stranger to its perils.
"Time for an elegant waltz, that only a good sailor can," he muttered to himself, a determined glint in his eye.
The Schuimruggen's chaotic currents could easily capsize a vessel. What’s worse, due to the foam present on the sea, you can't see the currents themselves. Instead, you must use a lengthened feeling stick in front of the boat to determine the coming currents and steer in or away in time. Such a process makes sailing a complicated matter.
Aufhocker took the helm, his hands steady on the wheel as he guided the boat around the swirling waters below the foam.
As he navigated through the treacherous waters, Aufhocker's keen eyes scanned the horizon and the sea around him. The whirlpools, though dangerous, were not the only threats in these parts. Great sea serpents and other monstrous creatures stalked these foam-topped waters, ideal for ambush predators.
Suddenly, the water ahead began to churn more violently, a massive whirlpool forming in the path of the StormFisker. Aufhocker's grip tightened on the helm, whilst pulling a rope connected to a pulley system to adjust the sails to steer clear of the deadly vortex. The boat tilted precariously as it skirted the edge of the whirlpool, the crates stowed below deck smashing to the side of the boat, almost making its captain lose balance, whilst the force of the current tried to pull it closer to the center. But with a last bit of vigor, the StormFisker broke out of the whirlpool's last ring and resettled its flat bottom confidently on the water. A small sigh of relief came out of Aufhocker, just as a small groan from the boat's main mast also could be heard, stirring a feeling of unity in Aufhocker.
The Schuimruggen, however, went on, a seemingly endless expanse of turbulent foam and hidden currents. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a harsh light over the chaotic sea. Aufhocker's vigilance never wavered as he deftly maneuvered the StormFisker through the unpredictable waters. Hours passed, the intensity of the journey taking its toll on Aufhocker's body, his muscles aching, and his eyes strained from constant watchfulness. Yet he had to press on. You can't stop in these waters; you must continue on to the end in one fell swoop.
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Just as Aufhocker began to believe he was nearing the end of the Schuimruggen, he felt an unusual ripple flow through the water beneath the boat. In almost reflex-like fashion, he grabbed his boathook and held onto the helm tightly. It was calm, unnervingly calm; both he and his predator were aware of each other's presence and aware that they were aware of one another. But the predator had the position of the attacker and would decide when and where to strike.
The stillness was abruptly shattered as the StormFisker lurched violently to the side, nearly capsizing from the force of the impact. Aufhocker was thrown against the railing, struggling to maintain his balance as the boat rocked wildly. He glanced over the edge to see a massive, serpentine shape disappearing back into the foam-topped water.
"Ofnir's uncouthly cousin, are you," Aufhocker said whilst getting back up, "try that again, I dare you!" he roared back in frustration, gripping his boathook tighter. The serpent circled back, preparing for another attack. Aufhocker, in calculated rage, uncorked a vial of his own venom and drenched the sharp blade-like tip of the boathook. The creature surged forward, aiming to ram the boat once more. As it neared, Aufhocker steadied himself, waiting for the precise moment. When the serpent was almost upon him, he plunged the venom-drenched boathook into its side with all his might. The creature let out scream-like hisses, thrashing violently as the poison took effect, gnawing into the skin and boiling as it fused with its blood. It wasn't the most potent venom, especially on such a large beast, but it would hurt like hell. Blinded by pain and vengefulness, it circled underneath the boat and launched itself onto the deck, its massive form half still hanging in the water, coiling and uncoiling as it flailed in agony.
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Looking Aufhocker in the eye for a moment with great hatred, it then struck forward in lightning fashion. Aufhocker, despite the chaos, remained focused. He dodged the serpent's snapping jaws, though barely, giving it a backhand slash across the nose. But it was too weak, leaving little more than a scratch. As it pulled back its head, it lunged out its tail from the water towards Aufhocker. A rather desperate attack, Aufhocker seeing it coming, put down his hook onto the deck like a spearman bracing for cavalry. The hook sliced deep into its tail, the animal shocked from the pain swirling it back into the water, but the boathook followed down with it, ripped from Aufhocker's hands.
The serpent, still in pain and Aufhocker now disarmed, quickly reached for a paddle next to him. Though not much of a weapon, it could defend him a bit. As the serpent seemed to refocus itself a bit, Aufhocker threw a smoke bomb out from his bag towards it. The acrid smoke spewed forth, confusing the serpent and concealing its line of sight. The maddened creature now snapped its jaws around in the smoke, frothing with rage.
Aufhocker's heart pounded as he watched the serpent's wild movements. He gripped the paddle tightly, ready for its next strike.
In a blur of motion, the serpent lunged forward, its jaws closing around the paddle. Aufhocker felt the jolt as the serpent's fangs sank into the wood paddle, splintering it and getting its jaws stuck as the wood pierced its flesh. Taking advantage of the brief moment of restraint, he swiftly uncorked another vial of his venom and hurled it into the creature's gaping maw.
The venom flowed out into the serpent's wounded mouth and seeped down into its guts. The beast thrashed even more violently, its screams echoing across the turbulent waters. Aufhocker took a step back, watching the serpent's convulsions with a mix of aversion and caution.
The serpent, now utterly disoriented and in excruciating pain, got stuck in the ropes around the mast and bows. Its attempts to free the splintered wood from its mouth only made it more entangled, the remains of the paddle wedging deeper into its jaws. Aufhocker saw his chance. He grabbed onto one of the ropes from the deck and swiftly looped it around the creature's neck and the mast, using the serpent's own thrashing to tighten the noose. As its struggles only tightened the binds, it eventually got stuck enough that it could no longer lash out. The serpent's body lay half in the water, half on the deck, its movements slowing as the venom took its toll.
Aufhocker grabbed a sharpened wood splinter from the deck, walking towards it with some caution. "This is it, snake, no more tricks now, just the end," he said as he walked to its wounded side. Plunging the splinter in violently, the animal hissed in agony but could not even writhe anymore. Blood poured out of it in a stream. Aufhocker pulled it out and plunged it down again, and again, and again. The whole scene was cruel and almost like torture, but eventually, it let out its death sigh.
Breathing heavily and sitting down, Aufhocker looked out over the Schuimruggen. The sun was beginning its descent, softly glimmering across the blood-soaked deck. He knew this delivery wasn't over, but he had survived another day in these treacherous waters. Fishing up the serpent's tail to retake his boathook from it, and cutting out a fang from the serpent as a trophy together with a decent portion of meat. He, with much regret, had to let this corpse go back into the waters too; there was no carrying such an enormous thing forth. With a weary yet victorious smile, he took place at the helm, guiding the StormFisker through the remaining currents and toward the safety of open water.
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Having reached the end of the Schuimruggen, where the foam dissipated and the current slowed down, Aufhocker found himself in a dense fog. The water darkened deeply, becoming colder and saltier. He had reached the western sea. Aufhocker settled down the boat and began his repairs on the bow, which had been damaged by the attack, and resetting the ropes of the mast.
By the time he was finished, it was dusk. It was time to prepare the ship for the night and make himself a meal; the deck would have to be cleaned another day.
Aufhocker moved to the small stowage below deck, the scent of the serpent's meat still fresh in his nostrils. He set about preparing a simple yet satisfying meal from his hard-earned catch. Carefully, he sliced the serpent's flesh into thin strips, the small kitchen knife gliding through the tender meat with ease.
He arranged the strips of meat on a clean wooden plank, adding a sprinkle of sea salt he kept stored in a small pouch. Reaching into a storage crate, he retrieved a few preserved seaweed sheets and spread them out beside the meat. He wrapped the serpent meat in the seaweed, rolling it tightly to create a makeshift sushi-like dish.
Aufhocker sat down at a small floor table, the gentle rocking of the boat a familiar comfort. He took a moment to appreciate his meal, the effort it took to secure it making it all the more rewarding. The first bite was a burst of flavor, the serpent's meat tender and rich with fat interwoven with the muscle, the seaweed adding a pleasant structure and salty tang to it all.
With the last piece of serpent sushi consumed, Aufhocker leaned back against a crate, feeling a sense of contentment. The day's trials were over, and he felt like the worst had been had. For now, he could rest. He tidied up the place, securing everything for the night, and laid down in his woolen bedroll, falling asleep with ease.