Ulgrin was beginning to get rather sick and tired of falling unconscious. It was sort of forming a theme at this point. A death-defying battle occurs and he gets hurt. Time was cyclical.
Waking up to the rocking of a hammock, Ulgrin grimaced in pain. His eye socket hurt awfully. It ached down to the bone and presented a zone of darkness. That was likely the bandage covering his head, but he had no doubt the eye itself was a write-off. A simple healing potion can’t regenerate a wound like that. The head of a javelin had split the squishy orb straight in half; horizontally at that.
One of my first priorities is going to be buying a better helmet. He mused to himself as he slowly got to his feet. Perhaps an enchanted piece? The world wobbled and rocked but he got his feet under himself. It seems that his allies had stripped him down to his smallclothes. The small cabin was dark but he found his pack and quickly donned something a little more comfortable.
Then his hands touched the small orb that was Lorekeeper’s vessel. “Lorey?”
[Good morning, Ulgrin.] She replied in an instant, forming an image in front of him and illuminating the room. [Or, I should say night, as the sun has long since set.] Her form appeared worried. [Are you doing well? Alyss informed everyone that you should be healthy and functional, if maimed.]
“As good as I can be.” He replied with a grunt, reaching up to massage his bandaged brow. He paused as he saw his shaking fingers. “The ship’s crew is safe. My friends are alright. I may be missing a piece of myself, but I’m still a Dawi when it comes down to it.”
Lorekeeper stared at him for a moment. [Very well. It has been half a day since the battle took place. The members of the Saltreavers quickly surrendered when their Captain was slain. I am to understand that ‘rules of the sea’ means they are sentenced to marooning at the next isle we come across.]
Ulgrin grit his teeth. “A bit savage, but they would be executed anyway. It makes sense to leave their fate up to the sea.”
[Additionally, the enemy ship titled ‘Hawksbane’ has been captured and is being towed along with our vessel. The… slaves have been freed from their chains and are being brought along to the next port.]
“That’s good. And a whole ship is ours? Well… Partially ours, I suppose.” Ulgrin rubbed his unfortunately poorly-kept beard. The saltwater had made a mess of it and he’d been too unconscious to give it adequate care. “I would hope we get a share of the profits given that we risked our lives for them.”
[I have not been made privy to any deals made.] Lorekeeper floated around him in an orbit. [Alyss placed me with your things an hour ago.] She furrowed her brow. [Apparently I was asking too many questions about your condition and she got annoyed.]
“Hah. Well… thanks for caring, Lorey.” Ulgrin replied, finishing donning his traveling clothes.
[You are entrusted into my care, Ulgrin. It is only right.]
Feeling a strange sense of kinship to the magical entity, Ulgrin made to leave, tucking her vessel into his waist-bag. Venturing into the halls of the Bunch, he found people snoring away. Both crewmates and what he assumed to be the ex-slaves. An already cramped ship now had people sleeping in the halls.
Taking care to step over them, Ulgrin was annoyed to find his depth perception to be significantly hampered. It was going to take a lot to get used to such a change. Especially when it came to casting spells. He’d rather not underthrow a fireball anytime soon.
Stepping out and into the salty air, the deck was rather calm. Just the night shift managing the sails and lazily awaiting the dawn. A voice called out to him from behind.
“Ah, you’re awake.” The tone of Captain Seaweaver was morose and withdrawn. “It is good you survived the battle. We lost too many as it is.” Ulgrin turned to see the merfolk leaning against the banister. “But I shouldn’t scorn you for it. You lot are the reason we made it.”
“Even still,” Ulgrin replied with a somewhat hoarse voice. “You have my apologies. We couldn’t follow the original plan.”
“Nothing to be done about it, friend.” He replied with a wave of a hand. “Rescuing those people was more important. Four of my men lost their lives in order to save three dozen. It is a heavy price, but one well worth it.” Seaweaver gestured for Ulgrin to join him up top.
Ascending the steps, Ulgrin stared out into the great blue for a moment before leaning against the railing beside the Captain. “The members of my party?”
“Asleep, for the most part. We had to convert quite a few bunks into a prison. Combine that with the injured getting priority beds and we’ve got people crammed into wherever we can put them. But your friends simply pulled out their bedrolls and fell asleep atop the crates below.”
“It can’t be much worse than sleeping on the ground.” Ulgrin said with a smile as he stared up at the stars.
“As for the Saltreaver’s ship, it is in inadequate condition. It might fall apart if the waves get too rough, so we’ve quarantined the vessel. But if we can bring it to port, then it will be a fine prize. A ship of that size is worth no small sum, even damaged.”
“How much?” Ulgrin asked and the Captain replied with quite a large sum of gold. Ships were damn expensive it seemed. “Gods above and below. With that kind of money those pirates could have each bought land and made an honest living.”
“If it was sold fairly and equally amongst the crew,” Seaweaver grumbled. “But greed fills the hearts of man evermore. Besides, the ship was stolen in the first place. No honest merchant would purchase a ship from a pirate. But since we’ve slain their Captain, by rights its ours.”
Ulgrin looked down below and spotted one of the ex-slaves. His tan neck was rubbed raw and red, scraped by iron. The young man simply stared up into the sky, dressed in rags, but free. Hollow cheeks and exposed ribs marked a person ravaged by hunger and hard labor. A strange expression filled the human’s face. Hope? Frustration? A mix of both?
“About the money…” Ulgrin spoke after a moment. “I want half of our group’s share to go to them. The people we freed. They’re going to need it to get home or start new lives.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Seaweaver glanced at him in surprise. “Rather kind of you. Most would simply free the slaves and leave them to their own devices. It is good to see that even in dark waters the moons still guide us.” The idiom was unknown to Ulgrin but he got the gist of it. “Very well. I will match your share.”
“You would?”
“I would. Our ship is still going to receive a kingly sum, even after repairs and the wergild I must pay towards the dead’s families.” Seaweaver waved a hand. “You are right in that they need to rebuild their lives.”
Ulgrin turned back to see the boy staring directly at him. Fairly young, just past manhood, with a scraggly blonde beard covering his lower chin. He stood up and approached on shaky legs, dark rings scarring his limbs.
“You’re the one that killed him, right? Saltgrit?”
“Aye, I did.” Ulgrin replied.
“Then take me with you. Teach me how to fight and kill more pirates.” The young human crossed his arms. “You can keep my share, if it means you’ll bring me along.”
Ulgrin paused, shocked. “Are… Are you sure, lad?”
“Yes. My family’s dead. They took my sister. Razed our village to the ground.” Pure and utter hatred could be seen in the boy’s yellow eyes. One that sent a spark of fear down Ulgrin’s battle-forged will. “I’ve got nowhere else to go. There’s no point in starting a new life. I want to fight.”
Seaweaver sighed. “That’s a path that won’t end well for you, boy. The hatred will consume you and turn you into something else. And if you die in the pursuit of that goal, a revenant. A specter whose sole purpose is to kill.”
“Why does it matter?” He replied, teeth clenched.
Ulgrin spoke up. “I’ll bring you with us, lad.” Seaweaver raised an eyebrow. “I’ll teach you what I know. But. You said they took your sister. Where?”
The young man’s eyes widened. “I… Don’t know. We were brought to a smuggling port a few months ago. Two weeks west of our village.” He furrowed his brow. “They split us up there. I got put on Saltgrit’s ship. Been there ever since.”
Climbing down the stairs, Ulgrin looked the boy deep in the eye. “Then… don’t fight for revenge. Fight for your sister. She may still be alive. I’ll teach you what I can, and even help if the opportunity presents itself. But you’re in no condition to do so as it stands. Not with you being all skin and bones.” Ulgrin placed a hand on his shoulder.
He sucked in a deep breath, flinching at the contact. “For my sister… You’re right. She might not be gone. Stupid.” The boy shuddered, covering his eyes. “Okay. Thank you. I’ll learn all I can.”
“Your names?” Ulgrin asked. “You and your sister.”
“Her name is Clover.” He sucked in a breath. The young man’s eyes shed no tears, for he had run out of them long ago. “My name is Alder.”
“You can call me Ulgrin. Or ‘Teacher’ if that suits you more. I don’t think that ‘sir’ would suit me very well,” he said with a slight smile. “But my first order is to get some rest.”
“But…”
“No buts. It’s late, my eyehole itches like a motherfucker, and you’re in no condition to train. I’ll start teaching you tomorrow, but only the basics.”
“Right. Thank you, Teacher.”
Ulgrin watched Alder retreat below decks, a fire in his eyes. Where before it had been the cold flame of retribution, now it was a warmer sort. The hearth of hope.
“I’m unsure if that was the best choice,” Seaweaver spoke as Ulgrin rejoined him.
“It may not be the best, but it’s the right one.” He replied with certainty. “My grandfather oft spoke of the things revenge does to a person. The friends he lost. He said it wasn’t a pretty thing.”
“It’s not. But I wish you the best of luck, Ulgrin. We’re three days from port, so I suggest getting some rest.” The Captain returned to the wheel. “It’s going to be a long vigil for me, I’m afraid.”
“Good night, Seaweaver.” Ulgrin said with a sigh.
He returned below decks and to his room, now alone. But he was never alone, right? “Do you think I did the right thing, Lorekeeper?” My hands are still shaking. Why are they shaking? “If I can’t find his sister…”
[I believe you will, Ulgrin. You will find her.] Lorekeeper’s avatar hovered in front of his face, blue eyes shimmering. [There is no doubt in my mind. But yes, I believe that was the correct action to take. As I learn more about humanoids, I see them through your eyes. Helping people seems to be the best thing to do.]
“I hope so. But I can’t help but feel like every second I spend on other people is a waste of time. There’s so little of it remaining. Sure, a day here and there is fine but… It adds up, Lorekeeper. And now, my eye?” He shuddered at the memory of sharp pain and rushing blood. “I don’t think we’ll be ready in time for whatever’s coming. It’s a heavy weight.”
[And you shoulder this burden well. Worry not, Ulgrin Hoofhome. You are never alone.] Her eyes drilled into his. [Not only will I be by your side, but so too will your friends and allies. It is not something you need to carry by yourself.]
“Thanks.” He swallowed heavily. “Then I suppose I’ll just take it one day at a time. Good night, Lorekeeper.”
[Goodnight, Ulgrin.]
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“Eye don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ulgrin said with a grin as Alyss crossed her arms. “There’s nothing to see here.”
“Haha, very funny.” Alyss groaned, poking him in the ribs. Ow. “Enough with the puns, tell me how you feel. I’m the only doctor you’ve got, and that’s saying something.”
She had just undone his bandages and exposed his wound to the world. The potions had done their job and accelerated the healing, leaving it a puckered mess of freshly healed scar tissue. Ulgrin stared at the hand-held mirror at his face. It was ugly, awful looking. Not only was his eye completely gone, but the javelin had carved a furrow horizontally into his skull on either side of the socket.
“It aches,” he muttered with a frown.
“Of course it’s going to ache. What else? That javelin hit your noggin pretty hard. While the concussion is gone, it’s still unclear if you’ve had any brain damage.”
“Would I even know if my brain was damaged?” He asked, only to be swatted on the head.
“Yes. Now, since you’re still your old dumb self, then you’re healthy enough.” She paused and grew less angry. “I’m afraid we won’t be able to heal the wound. It’s too much damage for what regeneratives I can make at the present time. Perhaps we’ll find an adequate reagent soon, but…”
“It’s alright. Thank you very much, Alyss.” Ulgrin replied genuinely. “You did the best with what you have. I should be thankful I didn’t bleed out on that deck.”
“Right, right.” She raised her voice. “Alright, you two can come in!”
The door quickly opened to reveal his other two comrades. Raelza was first to enter and got one good look at his face before making a faux-retching motion. Ulgrin grinned, for he knew she was making it in jest.
“Quite the wound, Saezz thinks.” His friend said, reptilian eyes staring intently. “Such a scar will make your ancestors proud and no doubt attract many mates.”
“Are you sure about that?” Raelza said. “It’s pretty ugly, gotta say. Eugh. Can I touch the socket hole?”
“No.” Alyss ordered. “I will not have you messing up my hard work.”
“Perhaps we should move on?” Saezz asked. “This was found amongst the spoils, and Saezz believes it a suitable gift.” He reached into a bag and pulled out… an eyepatch?
Ulgrin stared at the black string and leather covering. “You got this off a dead fellow? I don’t know but that feels kind of wrong…”
“He is one of the prisoners, actually.” Raelza replied. “Funny story, that. The man we took it from isn’t missing an eye. He said he wore it to look ‘cool’. Idiot.”
“I feel less icked out.” Ulgrin said with a sigh. He took the offered patch and quickly strung it around his head. After a moment of adjusting, “Well? How do I look?”
“Our fearsome leader grows ever more intimidating,” Alyss said, rolling her eyes.
“It’s a bit goofy.” Raelza commented. “Your hair is kind of bunched up behind the string and it doesn’t fit the greatest.” Alyss elbowed the drow. “Um. It looks fine. You’re just as dashing as before.”
“Saezz believes it to be an honorable image. A wounded warrior is to be respected and feared, for they survived killing blows where others did not.”
[I have no opinions on appearance, but you are a striking image.] Lorekeeper said flatly.
Ulgrin waved his hand. “Yes, yes. Enough gawking. I’ve got a new student to start training.” At that, his friends perked up. “I may or may not have accepted one of the ex-slaves as my… apprentice. He’s looking to get stronger and find his sister.”
Saezz rubbed his chin. “Interesting. Saezz would not be opposed to assisting.”
“You are a bit of a bleeding heart, boss.” Raelza said with a shrug. “But it’s your crew. If they can keep up, I don’t mind having another person around.”
“I’m not objecting either, but there is a pressing matter.” Alyss said. “Something we’ve been waiting to look at until you were ready.”
“And that is?” He asked, confused.
“The spoils of war.”
I return on this day of days! Happy holidays to those who celebrate. It's no longer April Fools, so I felt it best to post now. Yeah, I've been away for a while. There are periods where I've lacked the inspiration to do writing of any kind and it doesn't help that life events haven't been too kind either. But here I am, ready to continue posting just in time for the Writhathon. Will I keep up posting every day? Maybe. We'll see if I can keep steaming ahead.