On a positive note, their journey was rather bland. And Nic meant that in a good way. They had passed the catacombs about after a day and were following older ways what had once been a cave system. Much of it had been used to build the catacombs in the first place, as it seemed, some walls were built in between stony trenches and most of the floor was easy to walk on.

Alistair’s friends were all more oriented in the darker nature of magic or on the verge of dark anyway, so they were not fans of the current council for the most part. One was an Atermagus, a dark mage in a loose sense, though Nic didn’t really get to ask much. Suffice to say he was powerful in his own right. Another two were mages oriented in different elements, though the most interesting to Nic was the Pugnamagus. A specific kind of battlemage, who was regularly wielding two magical short swords.

When they had finally settled down for a bit of a rest there had been a small hubbub, so to speak. He had just called on the Flame Sprite to ignite a fire, when just in that moment a wall had decided to tumble down nearby. A horde of about three dozen zombies had been coming out of the whole and before anybody could even scream the Sprite had set them aflame. Yes, that small thing.

To be fair, it had started growing rapidly and about a head taller than himself after Kwez had given it a strong push towards the undead things and then started changing its form. First not quite sure what to become a flame had been walking around haphazardly, before it got a distinctive birdlike form, but it didn’t quite agree with said form. So, it wasn’t even walking, much less flying, but more stumbling around like a drunken sailor beating its wings regardless. Which set most of the undead creatures aflame that were just slightly touched by the thing and other that had gotten the full flap of burning fire to the face were burned to ashes in moments. Sadly, the thing was a bit unaccustomed to the new body and set about half the campsite on fire as well which lost them about half their provisions, or the burning dead did as they kept running around like headless chickens for a while. The mage that tried to put out the fire with water did a good job, nothing was left burning, but spoiled some other part of the food in the process, meaning they had very little left.

The zombies were gone but the bird was seemingly of no hurry to disappear. No, it stayed and now seemed just like a bright red colored thing with a few streaks of orange thrown in for good measure. It even looked elegant, still couldn’t fly and was for whatever reason following around Ivan like a lost puppy. As it was hopping around while doing so it looked rather like a miss-proportioned dove with the shaking head and its long tail-feathers still were very much able to set things or people on fire. As long as it was quiet all was well, because as nice as the thing might look its thrilling, if it could be called that, did sound anything but nice. It could be likened to a mix of a rooster’s dying crow and an eagle with a harsh cold but about a good bit shriller than that.

Meaning it was a sound that rather tended to make your ears bleed than anything else. In any case Nic and Ivan both shared the opinion of never ever speaking of this again.

The rest of the journey went without another hitch, thankfully. Even with the lost provisions, there was a reason they had a Terramagus with them. Sure, they could call upon stone bullets, vines or similar things to dispatch enemies, but it was nearly impossible to starve when one of them was with you. Let them have some patch with enough earth and time and you’d soon have something edible to harvest. Given enough time bread was possible as well, though the food wasn’t as tasty or nutritional as regularly grown or made one, but it did fill bellies in a pinch. Though even that could be changed differing on if you used just mana or added a few things. There were stories about mages living from mana alone, though those were a bit of an exaggeration, but if that were stories based on Terramages? Nic thought there might be more to those stories after all.

Anyway, after another two rather boring days they were finally back on the surface and had parted ways. Nic and Ivan had gotten a gift from the elemental mages in form of some embroidery on their clothing, making it resistant to fire. Plus, a set of cloaks with such already on it. That was rather useful as the blasted bird had taken to sit on Ivan’s shoulder and the first time had nearly set him on fire. His hair had gotten a bit singed, and his vest was turned to cinders, so the gift was a very practical one.

When finally reaching Piskisport Nic was once again cursing his blasted map. Sure, fishing was done here but a village was much smaller. This was a harbor city and an important one at that. The city had luck with its terrain as there was a natural bay that had been ideal for construction of a large port, from where goods were shipped all over the continent and the sea on the other side. It was a junction for all kind of people, merchants of many nations and goods and the royal navy had a base here as well.

The true power of the Piskisport were the fisher’s guild and the merchant’s guild though. Normally a city had some kind of feudal lord or similar but that was not exactly the case here. Piskisport could be likened to a free city in a sense but had certain agreements with the kingdom regarding the navy it seemed.

All in all not something that interested Nic much, what was more of a problem, or a hassle was trying to actually get a place on one of the ships. Most that took travelers along were already full and waiting another month was not a possibility. Plus, if Alistair was right then they would be followed soon if enough if that wasn’t already the case.

Anyway, his luck was a pile of steaming dung it seemed as he hadn’t been able to purchase a map around here. They were either sold out or had just shortly ago been ruined by strange circumstances, but there was nothing he could do about that for the moment and time being. He seemed to be cursed in some way because he couldn’t explain that in any logical sense as it kept happening.

At least the bird was trained well enough by now and could control his flames. It had even got the hang of flying, which seemed somehow more impressive to Nic, but he attributed it to some instinct birds just had. If he imagined Kwez teaching that ended in an instant headache and so he avoided picturing that scenario. Though whatever transport accommodation they would be able to secure the bird would have to stay in a special cage for the journey that was fireproof and would not be allowed to venture out of it for the duration of the travel, lest it set the ship on fire, that much he had already found out.

There were some other modes of transportation though they were not an option for them. Besides the sea there was an airship station that took passengers along once a month but as that was maintained with the help of residents of All-Mag’Ick, well. No reason to tempt fate more than they had. He had taken to being really careful around the city but soon noticed that the few mages that were there kept largely to themselves and rarely left the station anyway. It just took him about four days of constant paranoia, so he did not like to be reminded of the laughing that had followed Ivan’s explanation that he did not need to be that overcautious. They had yet to see a single mage in the city proper, they didn’t even venture near the port if it could be helped.

In the end they signed on a merchant’s vessel that would be leaving in a day or two, as they were waiting for some wares that were yet to arrive. He wasn’t quite sure what those were but didn’t mind much, as they would be working while on the ship they did at least save some coin. He had already met the crew and well, as long as Kwez didn’t put his paw in his mouth they were going to be fine. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but at least they would be sailing to the biggest settlement on the continent Chijindum, to the capital city Kou’alSol, within the kingdom of the same name.

The city was said to be large and lively, spanning to both sides of the majestic river Kou, with the main religion being dedicated to some deity regarding the sun, Sol. The founder of the kingdom had been a very religious person, likening his fortune to his strong belief and made the religion a national thing. Though it was a monarchy the temples had great influence, but it was a culmination of different people and the pantheon was extensive. The people were said to have dark skin with even darker hair, the women were as fiery as the men were vivacious.

It was also an important stop for Ivan, as it was rumored to be the origin of what one knew today as assassins. Though many cultures had come together the city was said to be an amalgamation of different styles in architecture and was known for its white walled buildings and flat roofs, with distinct towers rising up high into the air.

Also, the library was legendary and regarded as unparalleled and it made Nics mouth water at the thought of all the knowledge, whispers of scripts as old and precious as the world. Nic was sure some parts were exaggerated to an extent but the possibility of finding anything regarding his craft was truly an exciting one. The city was a tolerant one, welcoming and seemed trying to add where it could.

If one followed the river you could travel in an easy and fast way into the heart of the vast continent, south to it wasn’t much of note, mostly a desert spanning the area. To the north you could travel easily, but ships were much preferable and in the northern part there wasn’t much to find, agriculture and the like, as far as he knew. Still, the time lost while travelling there was significant enough, for little to gain, so he wouldn’t be worrying that much about it.

There still was one thing that made him anxious about their upcoming travel and that was Nic’s fear in regards to the ocean. No, not drowning, he could swim well enough, but his fears spanned from ending up shipwrecked for various reasons which then send his imagination wild as that happening in the middle of the ocean... Well, the seabed wasn’t much inviting and even with being able to swim the notion of being too far away from any kind of coast was frightening in its own. And that was disregarding any possibility of sea monsters finding him a nice enough one-bite snack if not quite filling. If he wasn’t torn apart by other things leaving in the wet depths. Not even getting into the myths about mermaids, sirens or other ghastly beings.

Not that he voiced any of that, Ivan had been laughing enough about his paranoia as it was. Though, arguably, was it really paranoia as he knew someone was out to get him?

Still, he didn’t even want to hint at it, as he knew Ivan’s careless view of such things and he did not want to hear his friend uttering things like, “Ah, what should even happen? We’ll be sailing and it will be totally boring, you’ll see.”

That usually would end with about everything going as wrong as it could and even worse than he could imagine. If he didn’t know that Ivan had absolutely no talent in magic he was sure his friend was able to evoke the worst things to happen in any given circumstance. If it kept happening he probably would create a new proverb like, “May you receive Ivan’s luck!”

On second thought he wasn’t really sure if he didn’t hear something similar from time to time back at home.

In any case he had a very healthy respect of the sea. It didn’t help much that enough of his fears sadly weren’t just nightmares that you could ignore or put aside as too fantastical to ever happen. Alone what had happened in the last time was enough of an indicator that he had no reason to just shrug off his worries. Just like that thing with the zombies. Sure, there were none without a Necromancer to control them in All-Mag’Ick proper but whatever the city was build on top of sure as hell had enough bodies buried to create them regardless. And the ambient magical energy was part of the problem, really. Plus, well, with enough idiots doing whatnot in the course of their studies he did not really want to know what other things were roaming the city, now that he had seen it and really had the time to think about it.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Plus, normal folks regarded zombies in that great a number as myth, as they did sea monsters. And he had already seen otherwise time and again.

He wasn’t sure to which deity but prayed for a safe and boring journey regardless. It was much preferable to choose his excitement and the form of it and not get a higher risk of getting into trouble he didn’t even have a chance preparing for. Was that too much to ask?

There were things one might call tragic. Like a rockfall that killed the soon to married son of an old men who had no children otherwise. Or a fire that burned down the harvest and left the village starving.

Then there was irony. Like the seven-year-old that has more talent and knowledge about his parent’s craft but is ignored because of age. And is just listened to when the shop is lost by the parents already. Or a bull that is doing its last desperate movement after having it’s throat slit piercing the butcher with its horns.

With Ivan and Kwez it might be either or both, really. Or tragically ironic even, as they both were seasick and hanging over the rails revisiting their latest meal. Or whatever was still there to sick up to begin with. Though Nic wasn’t sure if Kwez’ constant complaining about having been cursed with as weak a stomach as the lackey was now entertaining enough to laugh about or whether he should shake his head because of it. Said lackey had upon that comment grabbed the small critter by its presumable fur and promptly turned over to vomit. Again. On said critter. Who didn’t waste much time in doing just the same and rubbing itself all over his friend. So, in the end both were forbidden from entering below deck. To the relief of all present it had thankfully rained heavily the two following days.

For now Nic was terribly amused but cursed Ivan under his breath often enough as he had to work for the two of them instead. If nothing else he knew how to swear like a sailor after this trip in any case.

Still, he got along better with the crew than he had anticipated. Well enough that he had to regularly deflect them inviting him to drink with using caring for Ivan as an excuse. Hopefully it would stay that way for a while longer, as he really was running out of pretenses as Ivan was getting better, if just slowly.

“Ya sure it’s ya first time at sea?”

Great, another one. He had gotten the hang of his work and the guy coming up to him was – yes, sure he had – carrying two mugs. He could already smell what was in them. “Yeah, never been before.”

The guy was the ships first mate and Nic got along great with him. If he just wasn’t so intent on him drinking, that is.

“Ya seem more’ike a seadog ta me, ta be’onest. Not like that landlubber over’ere,” he nodded in Ivan’s general direction, Nic could hear him heaving again. Another crew mate was already at his side, though if Nic had seen correctly it might have been the resident doctor. Or something similar, he wasn’t quite sure what qualified as such here. Though he was already sure he was better than that quack back at home, arguably that wasn’t really hard to be fair.

Vanna, “Call me Van, dan’it!”, Bambach, he looked about as stereotypical as one could imagine. Though more like a pirate, if Nic was honest. Sun-tanned and rugged, tall and strong, he had quite a presence about him. His hair was of an ashen brown, held together with a leather cord, wearing simple and practical clothing, on a sash he had fastened a scimitar and was carrying around some throwing knives as well. One of his ears was pierced, some bone of a creature or other dangling from it. The bandana he wore was adorned with other charms for good luck, one was a shark tooth, the others Nic had never seen. And was very much not inclined to ask.

“Now c’mon, let’s get a clap o’thunder, as long’s is quiet,” he jovially laughed and shoved the mug right into Nic’s empty hands. Oh joy.

“But, well, I mean –“ Nic stammered, trying to think of something but came up with decidedly nothing. Blast it all to hell and back.

Van took a long swig, eying him with a knowing look. Bastard. “Sure ya’re not gonna stay? Could make first mate in the fleet in no time a’all.”

Nic forced a smile, shaking his head. “As mentioned, no. I have something in mind already.”

Laughing the guy patted him on the back. “Pity that. If ya ever change ya mind lemme know.”

Dejectedly he decided to get it over with and emptied the mug in one go. Which was a bit daft, as he realized the alcohol was rather strong. Coughing he patted his chest, his mind getting woozy already.

“Knew ya’re a strong drinker!”

It was going to be a long night. And telling the idiot no didn’t help any, the mug just refilled faster with every decline he gave.

Suffice to say he was still quite groggy the next day as well and tried his best to avoid Van like the plague. The bastard just kept finding him regardless, even if he took to hiding up in the crow’s nest as they called it aboard. Heck, he had even slept there!

Another mate, Ragnar whatever was his name, was just as bad. Yeah, deft hands at showing him the ropes, so to speak, but he was seemingly perpetually drunk. At least he was always talking like he had just chugged down another one and handed him some rum at the most random times. Especially if he asked for water, blasted loon.

As it seemed he did better with the rum or whatever they drank here, so he at least didn’t end up with the mother of all hangovers, but it had been a while since he had been completely sober. And trying to get such seemed by now a bit impossible so he had given up. His tolerance sure had changed though he did try to dispose of the drinks whenever possible.

Ivan was by now better and could do a good enough job but as soon as it got stormy he was back to being sick. Well, Kwez was still more often than not hanging on the railing but at least didn’t do more than dry heave by now. Or a better job of keeping something down.

Nic was annoyed though. His mind felt perpetually hazy and he was contemplating to just jump off the ship at times and try his luck swimming. Though with deep blue water on all sides he wasn’t sure how fruitful his idea would be. Probably not at all or he would just end up on a deserted island.

By now the blasted bird had taken up to riding on his shoulder, as it did prove to not set fire to anything and was left outside of the cage a few times. Still, even more often it could be seen near Ivan, the warmth it radiated seemed to at least help settle his stomach somewhat.

Yawning he thought about going down but frowned. After the last mug he had again escaped up to the lookout, where a disgruntled crew member had tried – keyword being tried – to be understanding of his complaints but the deep belly-laughs were telling him a different story.

“Sober up a bit, no use of you tumbling down now.”

That gruff speech told him enough and he leaned back. The lookout on the mast was surprisingly spacious so he nodded off for a bit. He could still get down later.

Meanwhile, something was lurking in the depth of the eerily calm water, if it hadn’t been nighttime one could even make out a vague shape. An aerodynamic body sped through the deep wetness in an unexpected speed for something that enormous, long and nimble tentacles trailing after it. The animal alone was mostly harmless. Krakens of that size had long since learned that whales made for a more filling meal and that ships besides being crunchy were neither very filling nor especially tasty.

As mentioned, a kraken alone wasn’t much of a reason to worry.

But there were other gigantic creatures lurking in the sea, one of which was the leviathan. No, not the leviathan, the word was used for all kinds of dragons living in the sea. This one was of a rather common breed as well, Leviathanus Caeruleus, normally a rather peaceful creature as well. Except for mating seasons which regularly occurred about every dozen years when the males turned highly aggressive and territorial. Even combative and wanting to prove itself to potential partners. Perceived intruders were dispatched with prejudice in that season. Both animals were rather big and even a caravel with three masts seemed like a bit of a toy beside them.

One can only imagine how it fairs when those creatures meet as the kraken isn’t defenceless either.

As it was the leviathan noticed the kraken and attacked. The beasts were quite near the surface and their first tussle was enough to nearly make the ship keel over. Whirling tentacles, teeth and a lashing tail further diminished any chance of getting away unscathed, as on top there was no wind at all.

The sound of panicked screaming and splintering wood filled the air.

Nic let out a pained gasp at being roused by nearly being thrown out of the crow’s nest. Just the crew member grabbing him did prevent that from happening in the last moment. Disoriented he tried to grasp what was up. He picked up on screaming, though it did sound strangely muffled, he felt like his ears were stuffed with cotton.

The night was dark, just illuminated by pale moonlight a little bit. Blinking Nic soon made out a curious shape nearby, the boat swinging dangerously from one side to another. His mind was at first wondering why the water was so high beside him, but that notion flew out of the window very fast when he noticed tentacles and a huge scaly body that were quite tangled together. Finally identifying what he was seeing he paled, it was as if a horrifying nightmare straight from hell.

Another hit rocked the ship, and he had trouble holding on. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Ivan on deck, closely followed by Kwez and the bird. The blasted thing was giving off a bit of fiery light itself, that was about the only reason he even noticed him in the first place.

Before he could even utter a single sound there was a loud crash and he lost his footing, feeling a hard hit against his head. Dizzy he tried to get up, but his feet weren’t quite agreeable about that. Carefully he touched his head, feeling something wet. As he inspected his hand he cursed seeing it coming up bloody.

He still hadn’t gotten back up again as suddenly the mast started tipping. A panicked scream slipped out of his mouth, the water coming nearer fast. Everywhere he could see lights shining, something had caught on fire. He noticed people drifting in there, before being submerged himself.

As surprised as he was he gasped, the water was icy cold. Desperately trying to suppress his desire to cough after already inhaling a lungful he tried reaching the surface. It was pitch black around him and he had no way of telling up from down or the other way around. The strong currents from the fighting animals were less than unhelpful as well.

Suddenly something grabbed him at his arm, dragging him with. He tried fighting the grasp in his panic, flailing his limbs wildly, but the other thing seemed stronger. Nic was pulled further and further, then all of a sudden he noticed piercing pain in his arm.

‘It’s over now, I’m done for!’

He knew screaming now would have very bad consequences, but needs must. Plus, he was about at his limit with stopping himself from breathing. So, he opened his mouth.

Surprisingly it wasn’t cold water filling his mouth, but cold air as he was pushed to the surface though he was the last to complain about that. With a powerful tug he was pulled on a piece of what had been left of the ship floating nearby, now lying on it with his upper body. He promptly started coughing, lungs really weren’t made for holding or processing water.

“Start paddling, them beasts arn’t done’ye,” a gruff voice commanded him, leaving no room for arguing. Van had obviously dragged him up, that much he got.

His mind was foggy and he was strangely bereft of fear. Nic was moving his legs as fast as he could, the water was turbulent around him. Screams and strange crackling filled the air, though the sounds were strangely muffled to his ears.

A tentacle hit the driftwood he was on, he was oddly detached to the danger as he was sent flying. Metallic screeching filled his ears and another voice cursing. Still, the thought of possibly biting it was nowhere to be found. Somehow he kept thinking back to the village and mules. Especially that other mule that was known for being particularly stubborn on a good day, not to mention the bad ones. Funnily it was always peaceful and never disobeyed him.