[Edward]
Before we leave this morning Thrak has asked Raleigh and I to attend a meeting in his office, thankfully the dwarvish mead left me with almost no hangover symptoms. As we grow closer to midday and our approaching departure I grow more and more excited to set off on the next part of our adventure. I do notice however that the closer we get to leaving the more somber Raleigh becomes. He must like Caladhburn a lot. Soon we will set off to Thraks office.
…
A dwarf water clock drips slowly as we wait to be shown into Thraks office, finally the door opens and two dwarven warriors exit and lift their chins to us in a typical dwarf show of friendship or greeting. “Come In.”
Quickly Raleigh and I seat ourselves and wait to hear what he has to say. “ I know you two don't have much time so I will be brief. The two dwarves that just left my office are scouts, they man the sea outpost on the opposite side of the rivermouth. They tell me your ship was spotted sailing past Marney. Let that sink in.”
“But sailing around Marney is impossible!” I exclaim, doubting the truth in his words. “The riptides and whirlpools would drown even the best sailor and if you managed to survive that, the sirens would send you diving to your own demise.”
“Hahaha” laughs Thrak with a glint in his eye. “So we thought. But it seems that it is possible if you are a good enough sailor and if you know the waters well enough, you can make it through. Even then it would take an extra few days and would subject you to many dangers least of all the merpeople.”
“So we must go through Marney.”
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“I am afraid that is the only choice you have if you wish to get your ship back. But there are some things you need to know about the cursed island…
…
Other than that dire information, I have a couple pieces of good news thankfully.”
“Go on.”
“We know that the only people that have better navigation skills in the inner sea than us are the bārū. This knowledge means you now know exactly where to head to once you come out the other side of Marney. The second piece of good news is that if you survive Marney, you will only be half a day behind the Silvester.”
“Woah, only half a day?” askes Raleigh.
"Yes and on top of that, the people of Caladhburn have decided to gift you a ship. Usually such a gift is paid for not given, but through a combination of goodluck, and the guild of historians funding, we are able to give this gift to you two. Our ship is fast and as it is only freshly commissioned, it hasn't even been given a name. Three cannons on each side and one on the bow."
“That should be more than enough.” I laugh. "Single mast?"
“Hopefully and yes, single mast of course.” Thrak says with a small sigh. “One last thing friends, take this”… I look down at my hand as he gently wraps my fingers around a small letter with a heavy metal seal on it. “If you ever need help from any dwarves, give them this, it’s a signed warrant for your protection.”
"I don't know how we will ever repay you Thrak."
“Bring Garfil back one day, and take good care of him. " Says Thrak, standing up from his chair.
I can't say no to that.
“It would be my pleasure. We might not have been able to stay for long but we are ever thankful of your hospitality and stunned by your generosity. We are deeply indebted to you. Though we have not known you for long I hope you will forever remember us as friends like we will remember you.” I say while Raleigh and I also stand.
"Gu bràth an-còmhnaidh, Goodbye boys, may you have the speed of the ancient.”
…