Novels2Search

Ep. 758 The Voyage Begins Part 16

Brightfire says "You brought the undead to our island?! Are you insane?!"

"Of course I'm not insane! What's wrong with getting two of our enemies to fight each other so that we can leave safely?"

Silverstream says "But if the undead win, they will take over the entire island!"

"Eventually, maybe. What does that matter? The elves will be long gone before that happens."

Stillwater says "That is true. You two are still thinking of this island as our home, but that isn't true anymore."

Silverstream says "You can't really blame us for that. We have lived our entire lives on this island after all."

Brightfire says "Not our home anymore? So we should just forget about it and not care what happens to it?"

"You think leaving it to the humans is better than the undead having it?"

Brightfire says "What do you mean?"

"The undead will only kill the living things on the island. The humans will kill everything, cut down all the trees, mine every mountain, and pollute the waters."

Silverstream says "You are saying that humans are worse than the undead? I thought you had humans that are on your side?"

"I do, but that doesn't change the facts. The humans may not destroy things as quickly, but in the long run they are worse. Not all humans are bad, it is just that as a group they are very destructive if they are not restricted."

Stillwater says "Since the undead are already loose on the island, does this argument have a point?"

Silverstream says "I guess not."

Stillwater says "So, getting back to the original point, are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, unless more time will benefit your people."

Stillwater says "No. I think more time would just make things worse. With nothing to do people will start to second guess things."

"Alright, then we leave today!"

Silverstream says "Do we even have a plan or destination?"

"Yeah. I already thought about it. We will sail south to the bottom of the continent."

Brightfire says "I thought we were going around the north side? Isn't that the opposite direction?"

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Yes, but I have my reasons."

Silverstream says "Can you tell us the plan already?"

"The trip south will give our people the chance to get used to the ship. It will also give the sailors and soldiers time to practice. Once we reach the southern end of the continent we will turn and come back north."

Brightfire says "That sounds like a waste of time!"

Stillwater says "Wait, he wasn't finished!"

"On our way north we will stop at every single port and check for elven slaves. If there are any, then we will rescue them!"

Brightfire says "Oh! Now I get it!"

Silverstream says "You remembered your promise!"

"I always do my best to keep my promises."

Stillwater says "If you don't mind I am going to spread news of your plan."

"Sure, go ahead."

The three of them quickly finish their food and then run off in different directions. Nala and Albion also finish eating and run off to play, but I don't get up. In fact, I really have nothing I need to do so I decide to have some more breakfast.

As I eat I am watching the elves, those that have heard the news are moving around faster. The possibility of saving more elves seems to have worked to motivate everyone. It looks like we should finally be able to set sail in a couple of hours at most.

The voyage is about to begin, but even I have no idea what is going to happen next. I just hope I am at least able to save a few more elves so the rest don't lose faith in me. I am not at all worried about them turning against me, I just don't want to disappoint them.

After I finish eating I sit up and let out a piercing whistle that echoes around the entire camp. Most of the elves turn to give me pained looks before going about their business. Shortly Nala and Albion come into sight in response to my whistle, they are even racing.

Nala can match Albion's speed, but only over a short distance, Albion wins due to that. I pet the two of them for a few minutes and then do my best to explain that we are moving onto the ship. They seem okay with the idea until I offer to fly them over to the ship.

Nala is fine with the idea of flying over but Albion doesn't like the idea at all. So I arrange for one of the rowboats to take Albion over with them and then I fly over with Nala. Carrying Nala isn't easy, but she stays still and doesn't struggle so I manage it.

As soon as I set her down on the deck she takes off to start exploring the ship. I wait on deck for the rowboat carrying Albion and then help get him on board. He doesn't seem to have enjoyed the ride over but once he is onboard he goes chasing after Nala.

While they are playing I watch the elves as they bring some last things onboard. Now they are even bringing people over, it shouldn't be too much longer before we are ready. Since I am technically going to be the captain, I spend some time checking that everything is ready.

Once Nala and Albion have explored the entire ship I show them to our cabin. After showing them where to sleep I head down to finish setting up the galley. Now that everything else is done I can add the extra enchantments for food storage.

The elves have already moved quite a bit of food in, but that doesn't interfere with enchanting it. After that I work on the kitchen and make some items to allow the chefs to cook safely. Open flame on a wooden ship is a really bad idea, so I am making enchanted stoves.

By the time I am done with setting up the kitchen most of the elves are already onboard. When I get on deck there is only one row boat left on shore and it is waiting for Brightfire, Silverstream, and Stillwater. They are the last ones to board it and come over to the ship.

Once they are aboard I order the anchor to be pulled up and the sails to be raised. As soon as the sails are raised they are filled with wind and the ship slowly starts moving. I head up to the top deck to take the wheel myself and steer the ship south.

As the ship moves out of the bay and onto the ocean the elves start cheering. I also feel excited to finally have the ship underway after all the effort it took to build it. Half of me is still worried that something is going to go wrong and the ship will sink.