Chapter II: Brother Hamish

“Greetings, friends! I am Brother Hamish, and I am sharing in your journey this day!” Selene was taken aback as the massive, giant of a half-orc bellowed as he came aboard.

His size reminded Selene of stories she heard of giants who stood so tall, clouds would hide their heads from sight. He towered above everyone on the ship, even the captain seemed small by comparison. He wore simple brown robes. The robes did nothing to hide the layers upon layers of rippling muscle all over his body. He was built like granite. His skin held the greenish hue common to half orc kind, with a slight underbite revealing pointed teeth past his lips. His hair was black, but gray at the temples. It was kept short and neat, with a beard, well trimmed, and speckled in white. His smile never seemed to leave his face.

Then his eyes met hers.

“You must be other passenger the captain speaks! Is good meeting you, little one. I am Brother Hamish, but no need for formality.” His stride seemed to stretch halfway across the deck as he came closer with hand outstretched.

“Hi...Hamish? I’m Selene. Selene Bryseis.” Awkwardly, she reached for his hand and took it. His hand gripped hers with a surprising gentility.

His eyes, a deep auburn, seemed alight with excitement as he greeted her warmly, “Selene? You have beautiful name. I hope we can become the good friends during time aboard vessel.”

Her cheeks suddenly felt hot as she looked away. His sincerity was a little overwhelming. Beautiful? I mean, yeah. I know, that’s why I chose it, but...but…I never expected anyone else to say it like that...

Hamish, oblivious, released her hand and turned to head below deck, “But for now, I must find place to put my things. Goodbye, Selene. I will see you at dinner?”

She stared blankly for a moment, then nodded. He gave a toothy grin in response.

The ship left dock that afternoon without any further excitement.

That evening meal was particularly boisterous. Hamish seemed to light up the deck and his infectious laugh could be heard late into the night. After supper, Selene decided to move to the upper deck. The waters were calm, the sky was clear, and stars shone brightly in the night sky. Selene was delighted the first night she discovered that nights on the sea were so vibrant. There were more stars than she ever saw back home. The night sky practically glistened as the crescent moon rose to meet it.

She found herself a comfortable spot leaning against the railing closest to the lower deck. Using her arms as a cushion, she gazed at the expanse above. Selene was quickly lost in thought. She thought about the future, the destination, and how far she still had to go. Two months was already long, but the captain said it could take around six months to reach Syndramire.

Why does it have to be so long? She wondered, readjusting herself to get a better view of the night. I know I’ve waited longer, but another four months of this feels like torture.

She mulled over the problem for a time, but finally decided there was no point dwelling on it. This was the fastest way to Syndramire. That was that.

Her position grew uncomfortable, so she moved to lay atop the railing. Her foot brushed the deck closest to the wheel and her tail casually swayed on the other side. Comfortable once more, her mind continued to drift. As she thought up a new flashy entrance to try out later, a voice came from the main deck.

“Selene, my friend! Mind if I join you?”

She jumped, tail quickly wrapped around the railing to stop her fall until she found her balance again. It was the new guy. Once certain she would not fall off, she responded nonchalant. “Sure, find a spot. Not sure you’ll find a good one unless you like the floor.”

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He laughed, “Not to worry, I have spent many sleeps on floor. Quite comfortable, once you get used to it.”

Hamish made himself comfortable beside her. He gave a whistle as he gazed upwards, “Wow. So beautiful.”

Since the start of this journey, this was the first time anyone went out of their way to spend time with her. It took her a moment to decide whether this was a good thing or not.

Finally, she decided to respond, “Yeah, it is. Don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars before. Like...like there’s shining jewelry adorning the night sky, you know?”

Hamish chuckled, “Such flowery language. I like it! Like poetry from back home!”

“Thanks….” Selene hesitated before adding, “...and...where’s home?”

“Far, far away. On small island to the west, called Adovask.”

Selene recognized the name, vaguely. She had heard stories that giants lived there. I knew it. She thought aloud.

“Oh? What do you know?”

Selene’s cheeks burned crimson. “Uhhhhhh…” instead of answering she shifted the conversation, “….Adovask, that’s pretty far away, huh? How long’ve you been travelling?”

“How long? Hmmmm….” Hamish was silent for a time, until he answered, “Several years, probably. Cannot remember exact number.”

“Wow, that’s a long time to get somewhere.”

Hamish gave another hearty laugh, “No. No. You misunderstand. I have no destination. I wander, going where I may like leaf on breeze.”

Selene’s eyes widened. She rolled over to her side, careful not to fall this time, and stared down at him, “You left your home with no plan at all?”

He laughed again, “Of course not! Plan is to find the places and the people that need my help. My journey is a spiritual one, Selene. My order believes all have good to give world. As final test, I must go and do good as only I can. Make it...brighter, you know?”

She gave it some thought, then rolled over to continue star gazing, “Not really.”

He laughed heartily, “That is okay. I was not so understanding either when I was your age.”

“Oh really? So you weren’t always...a...?” Selene struggled to find the right word.

“Monk?” He answered, chuckling again, “No, I was not. Long time ago. Perhaps I tell you some time.”

“...why not now?”

Hamish sat in silence in a moment, trying to find the right words, “Talking about the past has its place. And it should be shared, but I think you are not ready to share yours, no?”

Her whole body tensed at the thought, “No. No, I’m not.”

Hamish nodded, “Then let us not worry. Once we both feel it is good time, we can exchange, yes?”

For some reason, his words comforted her. She relaxed enough to respond jokingly, “Sure, but since I asked first, you’ll start. Got it?”

Hamish gave another hearty laugh. “Haha! Yes, I got it.”

Silence fell for a time after the laughter subsided.

“So enough of past.” Hamish concluded as he changed the subject, “Where do you go? What path do you walk?”

“I’m going to Syndramire.” Selene responded casually.

Now it was Hamish’s turn to be surprised. He sat up, his eyes meeting hers, “Syndramire? You go to that place? Is very dangerous, you know?”

“Yeah. I do.” Her fist clenched, as she stared above, “But I have to. There’s something...someone I need to find.”

“...you go alone?”

Selene shrugged, “...I guess?”

“...you are very brave.”

Conversation ended there, as both parties fell to silence. They continued to stare into the night sky, lost in thought for several hours before finally turning in.

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Hamish’s presence changed little, as far as day to day was concerned. His company was rarely intrusive and he seemed to genuinely appreciate her company. She concluded he was an odd one, but she liked him all the same.

Most days, Hamish spent the majority of his time in meditation, moving only as needed to stay out of the crew’s way. Whenever there was a lull or she got tired from practicing the stunts she came to dub as “heroic moves,” Selene always seemed to find her way back to him.

Out of curiosity, she tried to join him in his meditations a number of times. Oftentimes she would end up falling asleep beside him, much to her chagrin upon awakening. Several times, she awoke below deck, safely tucked inside a vacant cot. She felt embarrassed each time, but he never seemed to mind.

“Meditation is complicated,” He would say, “It helps clear mind and show what you need. In your case, meditation show you need sleep, my friend.”

Evening would come, and he would join the crew in laughter and drink. He especially seemed to enjoy the stories Selene and others shared. If the night was clear, he would join Selene in stargazing, like they did the first night. Hamish never seemed willing to broach the subject of Syndramire again.

Time continued to pass slowly.