James woke up about five hours later. With the stars overhead, the first thing he saw was a carpet of lights pricking the sky with pinpoints of light and he stood up by the light of the moon. Looking over he saw that Jessica had fallen asleep leaning against the tiller which made him chuckle. Before he did anything else though, he took a piece of rope from the boat and tied it around his waist. Tying off the rope, he lowered himself into the freezing water, causing him to gasp as the shock of the cold abruptly woke him up and removed all traces of sleep. Rubbing off the grime and blood as much as he could, James soon climbed back into the boat fearing he would freeze. Going through his inventory, he pulled out a rich noble robe and uncaring about it's worth quickly ruined it by using it as a towel to dry off. Then he went to Jessica and gently nudged her awake.
"Hey, Jessica."
"Wha?"
She woke up and yawned, revealing her perfect teeth.
"I'm sorry to wake you. Let me take over."
She shuffled over and let James sit down beside her on the wooden seat at the back of the boat. Pushing the boat away from the shore where it had run aground, James helped the small vessel resume its course along the wide river. Once they were underway again, he looked over at the mer woman as she pulled the cape around her shoulders to keep warm in the chilly night air.
"How are you doing? I hope you don't mind my asking that..."
"I'm fine."
"Hmm. I am slightly surprised I admit that you are still here. As a mermaid, you could just escape into the water and swim away."
"Why? You may be an uncultured fool, but you do at least respect me."
"Ha! Oh you!"
James chuckled as he observed the scenery laid out before them as the fishing boat gently floated onwards.
"But seriously...I am glad that you are safe. If you want to be dropped off somewhere, or if you want me to help you level up, then please just let me know."
Jessica looked over at James with an amused questioning look. Then her face lost all expression as she took his hand.
"Shut up and kiss me."
James looked over at her in shock. Then he saw her look and knew she wasn't joking. Slowly, he picked her up again and placed her on his lap. Then he gently took his right hand and brushed her hair out of her face that was kicked up by a light breeze. A moment later he kissed her, and as their lips met it was like a thousand words and emotions were expressed. But James did not press the kiss, quickly pulling back to look at her.
"Have I ever told you that you are a beautiful young woman?"
"No, you haven't."
"Well, you are. But I hope that....well."
"What?"
James chuckled and folded his hands around her waist, nestling her head under his chin as she leaned into his chest.
"Do you remember when we first met? How you were wearing that shirt that said 'Bitch'?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, it's true. You are a bitch. But I hope that you will be MY bitch. That you will stay and annoy me with talk of what colour goes best with what and the importance of a good skincare routine and why mayonnaise is never a good thing to eat. I may shake my head, but it's amusing for me to listen to you go on and on about that stuff."
She lightly punched him and he laughed.
"You're beautiful Jessica. And I hope that whatever you decide to do, whether to stay by my side or leave to level up or have other adventures in the oceans depths, that I can be at least a small part of it and support you in it, even if I don't always agree with your opinions on fashion or other."
"You're sweet babe."
"Only for you, sugar."
He chuckled again as he gently rocked her back and forth, pausing only to kiss her brow as they sailed on. Then a thought struck him and he checked his status.
Name: James Horvak
Race: Human
Age: 32
Profession: Leech
Level: 14
HP: 140/140
MP: 100/100
Strength: 13
Agility: 18
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 6
Luck: 12
Points Remaining: 10
Abilities:
Drain (Level 7)
Daggers (Level 4)
Haggle (Level 3)
Trade (Level 3)
Medic (Level 1)
Halberd (Level 1)
Active Quests: Free the Maiden [COMPLETE]
James selected the finished quest and considered what he wanted as a reward. He had not gone through the items, but he knew that what he had scavenged off the dead in Sagaste was worth at least a fair bit of money. And there was little point in getting a sloop when they already had a boat, albeit only a simply fishing vessel. And if it allowed him to keep himself and Jessica safe...
With these thoughts in mind, he selected the fortress. And suddenly in his mind's eye he knew that there was a fortress or something waiting for him, as he felt a gentle nudge almost like a compulsion towards the east. It wasn't exactly images, but more like impressions that passed through his mind, leaving him thoughtful and pensive as he looked at the beautiful mermaid in his arms. Her breathing quickly became regular and rhythmic as she fell asleep again, and James contented himself by keeping watch and steering the boat along the river. When the suns began to rise again, James happened to glance over his shoulder and what he saw made him nudge Jessica awake.
"Jessica! Wake up!"
"What's wrong?" she asked, bleary eyed from her nap.
"THAT is what's wrong!"
He pointed over his shoulder and looking behind them Jessica saw a warship with several long oars paddling through the waters. It was still a few hundred meters away, but they both could already make out figures on the deck.
"How much do you want to bet they are here for us?"
"No bet. Now tell me what we'll do, babe."
Hiding a smile, feeling a thrill of joy at her undivided trust in him, James looked at her.
"How long can you kiss?"
Onboard the Vengeance, Captain Garbi looked at the tiny fishing boat through his small telescope. Seeing a mermaid on the boat, he knew they had found their target. As he watched the man beside it looked back and even from a distance he could see the look of alarm on his face.
"Prepare the nets! Run up along their port side!"
I will have my revenge for what you did to my cousin!
Yes, in a world of privilege where the weight of one's birth often led to rank and benefit, Captain Garbi's full name was Garbi Gravitus. And he was the cousin of the former baron.
Back on the fishing vessel, James yet again picked up Jessica, only this time rather than resting in his arms her hands were firmly wrapped around his neck. Turning back to the warship, James smirked and wondered if he should thank them for giving him reason to ask her to embrace him. Without a free hand to flip them off, James simply hopped up and over the side, crashing into the water with a splash.
Falling quickly to the bottom of the river, James soon began to gasp for air. Looking at Jessica, she laughed a musical note and kissed him, blowing air into his lungs. To him, she looked mesmerizing with halo of long hair. Unable to say anything back, he motioned with his hand and she nodded, swimming up over him. Gripping him tightly by his arms, she began to swim up the river. Behind them the Vengeance began to let down nets, leaving a wall behind them as Jessica sped through the water. James had difficulty seeing in the dark water but for Jessica it was no problem. This was what her merbody was built for, and she soon lost herself in the joy of finally moving freely without James' help.
Suddenly another net came down, blocking off their passage forward. Releasing a cloud of airbubbles as he tried to speak, James quickly motioned Jessica over and collected another breath before reaching for the net. He thought to simply lift the net up and swim under it, but they both quickly discovered that the net was weighted down by heavy iron balls. Thinking next to simply cut the netting, James also learned that it was made of braided metal, with strands too thick to cut through. Looking over at Jessica James felt himself begin to panic. She must have seen this, because she leaned over and kissed him, this time a slow kiss that belied the passion in her heart.
"Whatever happens babe...I know you'll take care of me."
James could only nod and touch the hair of the beautiful merwoman before the net began to close, tightening as the two nets were drawn together. This left them with no chance of getting to shore and going around the nets, removing their last method of escape. In mere minutes, James could only wrap Jessica in his arms to shield her from the metal netting that compressed tightly, cutting off circulation. And then, like fish drawn from the depths, the nets were drawn up onto the main deck of the Vengeance.
James and Jessica sat dripping wet on the worn wooden deck of the ship. All around them were human sailors who gave similar responses to their presence as the people of Sagaste, either gawking or sneering at them. Then they heard a clop clop clop of boots stepping over the planks, and James could only hold Jessica as they awaited their fate.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Captain Garbi stepped towards the prisoners and smiled cruelly as he stood above them by the helm, or the wheel that steered the ship. Seeing the human male protectively shield the merwoman disgusted him. To him, all who were not human were their lessers, and should be reminded as such. Even the smelliest, lowest crewman on his ship was higher in his eyes than the foul creature he saw. He turned to his first mate.
"Have the human flogged. And make the fish woman see it."
"Aye, Cap'n."
The mate barked orders, and in seconds hands were grabbing James.
"James! No!"
Jessica made to protest but was met by a burly sailor who quickly held a knife to her throat. Fearing that using his drain skill would cause her to be cut by it, James didn't use his primary skill and didn't struggle as he was brought over to the ship's mast. Then they tied his hands around to the pole. James knew what was happening and tried to just take it stoically, but it still hurt when the whip cracked and a line of red drew a welt across his back. But he still made no noise of complaint after the first groan, bearing with the pain as the whipping continued. Up high on the helm, Garbi was furious when he didn't see the human beg for mercy and the mermaid just watch the whipping with tears in her eyes as they slowly streamed down her cheeks. So seeing this, a thought occurred to him and he decided to be even crueller.
"Enough!"
The whipping stopped. James, now with dozens of stripes on his back and his shirt in tatters, said nothing.
"Turn him around! Bind him to the mast!"
While the sailors did as their captain had commanded them, Garbi went below the ship's deck. He returned in moments carrying a ladies teardrop shaped sapphire necklace studded with diamonds. Seeing it, James had a bad feeling. One that was made infinitely worse when he went to Jessica and drawing a jeweled knife, sliced his hand and drew a circle around her with his own blood.
With the circle drawn, the captain turned and looked at James, who was now standing facing them with his hands bound behind him around the mast.
"Since you love the fishes so much...then love them forever. This...is summoning magic. One passed down through the Gravitus household. It summons into an object, where they are neither living, nor dead, living as a djinn forever. In a thousand years, your precious mermaid will still suffer, forced to exist inside this gem!"
"Don't! Please, stop! Don't do this!" James yelled at the man, finally breaking down and pleading with the man. The captain only smiled. All around him blue circles engraved with a strange script suddenly appeared in the same blue colour as James saw his status and inventory screens. Fighting against his bonds, not thinking to use his inventory and summon a knife to his hand in his desperation to just get to Jessica. Across the deck Jessica just looked at James with tear-streaked eyes. Why did he always seem to make her cry, or make her cry by what she experienced being with him?
"Babe...I love you."
As the magic activated, Jessica screamed and her body curled as it felt like she was being stretched and ripped apart. In the next instant she seemed to disappear into motes of light that gently floated into the gem the Garbi held. The captain laughed.
"You see? This is what happens when you go against your betters! Let this teach you to dare to go against a noble household! But I am feeling generous, so here! Take the wench! Or what's left of her! Ha ha ha ha ha!"
James watched him walk over and throw the necklace at his feet. Then he raised his booted foot and stomped on it, grinding it with his heel.
"A fitting end to a worthless waste, I say."
"You're in range." James whispered.
"What?"
"Drain."
James sliced through his bonds with the knife that he had finally summoned. With his hands hidden behind the mast, it was not hard. The most terrifying thing about his skill though was not that it drained a person's health, but that the effects were not visible to the eye unless one knew what they were dealing with. But this time James did not stop at his health. Instead he willed his skill to absorb and devour everything, from the captain's life to his body, to the crewman and even the ship itself. Everything except the necklace.
The results were immediate. Unlike before, a black cloud exploded out from him, eating through the ropes that still bound his wrists and engulfing Garbi. A crack sounded, and in seconds the mast came down, crushing several crewman underneath it. As the effects of his drain began to eat up the ship's deck James hurriedly ceased to use the skill, scooping up the necklace before it could fall through the hole in the deck. Cradling the necklace like it was a newborn child, he turned and looked at the remaining crewmen, many of whom were now crying in pain and fear.
"So if I can drain the ship...can I drain your skills?" James asked himself in a faint voice, heard to no one but him. Then he was like a savage animal, snarling with rage as he moved across the deck. Seeing him approach, several of the crew drew their weapons, but to James he didn't care. Raising his hand, he savoured the pain of the cutless slicing his hand as if it somehow numbed the pain of losing Jessica. Applying his skill, James attempted to drain the man's skills as well as his life. Whether it worked or not, the man quickly toppled over and James paid him no heed. Regaining his sense for a moment, James reached out and grabbed another sailor.
"How do I reverse this?"
"I-I don't know! The Gravitus family knows!"
"Ah."
James ignored the rest of the crew's shrill cries for mercy. All that mattered to him was Jessica, and now he was more than ready to go all John Wick on them. Some tried to jump overboard, but James didn't let them and soon the entire crew was dead.
For several moments after the last whimpers of the dying men had faded, James just stood there. His hands felt empty without Jessica's comfortable weight in his arms, and it was like he was incomplete without the exasperating but beautiful mermaid woman.
"Jessica..."
James went over to the body of Garbi and tried to drain him again, wondering if somehow he could apply his skill to steal his knowledge. But whether his skill didn't work or because he was dead, he didn't see any visual effects like the black cloud that had devoured the ship. As he pulled up his skill sheet though, he did see a change he did not expect.
Name: James Horvak
Race: Human
Age: 32
Profession: Devourer
Level: 17
HP: 23/150
MP: 100/100
Strength: 14
Agility: 18
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 12
Luck: 14
Abilities:
Drain (Level 10)
Daggers (Level 4)
Haggle (Level 3)
Trade (Level 3)
Medic (Level 1)
Halberd (Level 1)
Seamanship (Level 3)
Climbing (Level 2)
Available Points: 50
Active Quests: Reverse the Curse
James saw that his profession had changed. Probably because of his use and application of his skill, but to him none of it mattered. He did pull up the quest though, and reading it he felt a glimmer of hope as he stood on the deck of the broken ship, the only survivor of his massacre.
Quest: Reverse the Curse
Your beloved has been turned into a djinn. Find a way to reverse the curse.
Reward: Vial of Race Strengthening/Tome of Basic Enchanting/Marriage Certificate
James quickly went through the ship. Like his cousin, Garbi had been vain and stupid, bringing with him a great deal of wealth that he had either stolen or brought onboard himself. Much of it was money, but there were also rolls of fabric, sugar and salt, wins and everything needed to live as luxuriously as possible onboard. He also took all tools, ropes, and spare wood. He didn't know what would happen, but he did know that he would never be unprepared for what happened again.
Through all of this he clutched the necklace tightly. And when he was done looting, he stood on the ship while nibbling on some rough sailors biscuits that were almost as hard as rocks to soothe his hungry stomach. After eating, he looked at the necklace one more time before he fastened it around his neck. True, it was a lady's necklace and it would undoubtedly draw attention. But wearing it also made him feel as if Jessica was still right there with him. Fingering the necklace for a few moments, he turned and looked in the direction they had sailed from. He had no idea where to start looking for a way to bring Jessica back, but he did know that the Gravitus house would know. If the method of trapping people in objects had been passed down for years, then perhaps there was also a way they knew to reverse it. So after setting fire to the ship as he had no desire to stay on it, James jumped into the water and swam to shore, ignoring his wounds. Only once he was on shore did he start dressing his injuries and the whip marks on his back. He thought about grabbing their fishing boat, but it was slow and he didn't want any lingering attachment to the vessel to get in the way of his mission to bring Jessica back. The necklace would have to do. Turning, he set off, convinced that he would find some way to bring his mermaid woman back to his waiting arms.