Chapter 4
A Pilgrimage Begins
As the morning sun rises on the town of crescent ridge, the smell of smoke still lingering in the air while the last few fires are extinguished. Uriah sits on a stool in the courtyard of the barracks, his hands clenched tight in front of his face. The sound of Robert's voice ringing through his mind
."One day you will be late to something that really matters if you keep it up" the voice repeats as his thoughts grow darker.
While still sitting he feels a comforting pair of arms surround him in a embrace.``Are you alright son?"His fathers voice cuts through the torrent of emotions that plague his thoughts.
"I wasn't fast enough Pa!"He says as his tone fills with regret.``They got Ma... And Robert is-''His voice quivers slightly as he looks away from his father.
"I know Uriah, I know but you can't blame yourself for all of that."His father says with a sigh.
"But if I had only gotten that device to Robert faster or if I had-
"Then you could have died as well, Uriah!"His father interrupts. "Robert knew the risk of going out to fight those pirates and he fought with honor."He turns Uriah`s head to look him in the eyes.``Your mother saved the rest of the women from being taken, if she had ran away after freeing herself then many more would be suffering... even your friend Lucy. Don't discredit your mothers sacrifice."
"But Pa, Ma is gone, what are we going to do?"He looks to his father solemnly.
"I am going to go after her."He says as he looks out to the ocean. "Their ship went south, towards the red claw reef. I should be able to catch up to them in my old skiff".
"Then I'm coming with you!"Uriah stands to his feet wiping his face with his sleeve.
"No you have your own quest to follow son."Robert looks towards the mountains to the east of the town."On the eastern side of the island is the ruins of a once great city. In those ruins is a wise man by the name of Sanexio Lodas and I need you to find him. He may be our only hope to stop those pirates."
"But Pa they will out number you a hundred to one, not to mention the lightning breathing dragon!"Uriah exclaimed.
"That is why you must go to the ruined city Uriah. Our only hope is to get the old man's help."
"How is this old man even going to help ? Even Robert couldn't handle those pirates for long."Uriah looks away towards the ocean.
"This wise man knows the ways of the old magic Uriah. If we have any chance of taking down a dragon we need the power he possesses. Otherwise your mother is doomed. Now stop arguing with me and get your things packed you leave at noon."
"But father I-"
"You came of age last night, your pilgrimage begins now!"He says with his tone rising before he calms himself."Uriah we both are worried about your mother and I know you want to help but I need you to do this. It is the only way."
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"He won't be going alone!"A soft voice rings out from behind them as Lucy and Stephen approach ."We are coming with him.''Lucy says with a smirk. "Lo-Vellah saved my life and I won't be left behind in a mission to return the favor."
"And master Gracen went missing when he went to the eastern side of the island. I can't pass up a chance to find out what happened to him."Stephen says."Besides Lucy said she would hitch me to one of those ridiculous horses if I didn't come."
"Oh stop with the cowardly routine"Lucy interjects."The second he overheard your father mention to mine about you leaving, he said and I quote 'I will not let you go on an adventure without me.' I am just holding him to his word."
Uriah smiles at his two companions.``But what about your father Lucy? He would never allow you to go without an escort."
"And who said she would be without an escort?"Her father says as he approaches."I believe you and Stephen will fit that description fair enough. Well you will at least."He says to Uriah as he gives a disappointed glance to Stephen."I expect the two of you to look after my little girl, or pirates will be the least of your worries. I am getting you a wagon and a trio of horses prepared. As Reamus said, you all leave at noon so you best be getting ready, the three of you."He says as he walks away while ordering men around the barracks to their stations.
"Well Uriah it looks like you have a crew of your own.''His father smiles at the three of them. Go get ready I'll meet you all at the edge of the village to see you off.``He walks away to prepare for his own journey.
The three of them prepare their belongings for the journey ahead while Uriah and Lucy`s fathers ready the cart and horses for their travels.
Stephen grabs a collection of tomes and scrolls as well as a large leather satchel filled to the brim with the tools of his studies.
Lucy gathers her bow and a large bundle of arrows, as well as filling pouches along her belt with bottles of herbs and powders, before securing a small dagger to her side.
Uriah secures the necklace his mother gave him around his neck before latching his belt around his waist and securing a scabbard to his side. He proceeds into his fathers shop and hones the edge of his sword on the sharpening stone before placing it in its sheath. He loads up an old traveling pack full of gear and throws it over his shoulder. As he steps to the threshold of the shop he looks back for a moment before turning around to face his friends as they approach."Let's go find this Old man and get my mother back!"He says to them as they head toward the stables on the outskirts of town.
Upon reaching the stables and the eastern gate of the town they find Reamus and Lucy's father waiting with a wagon hitched to a pair of horses while a single horse stands alongside it.
"You will find these horses to be more than suitable for your journey"Reamus says to them.
"I'll say!"Lucy chimes in."Father, these are your prize mares!"she says aesthetically as she pets their mains."I promise to make sure we take good care of them."
"See that you do my dear."Her father gives her a hug.``Now Uriah keep my girl safe and fear not about your mother, the storms will be rolling in soon and not a single ship will be able to leave the shallows of the island for near to a season. She won't get far."
"I most certainly will sir."He smiles before turning to his father.``Be careful Pa."He says with a pause."I promise I`ll find this wise man and get back to you as soon as I can." He says as his father pulls him into a hug.
"Be sure that you keep your wits about you son" His father responds.“Ah before you leave!I have one more gift for you.”He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bright glowing green gem that appears to be half of a larger whole piece .”This is a seeking stone . It is the mate to this one.”He pulls out a necklace from around his neck with the other half of the gem attached to it.” These stones will glow brighter the closer they are to each other. When it comes time to find me and your mother, simply look at the stone. When it begins to glow brighter it is in the direction you must go to find me. “He places the stone in Uriah's hand as he and his companions climb aboard their horses and the wagon.
“Where is our first stop?”Lucy chimes in as she helps Stephen aboard the wagon.
While Stephen sits down he pulls out a map from his bag. The first settlement on our journey is Slumberton .
Lucy`s father looks up to them.”Slumberton is a lumber community. They are friendly folk for the most part but the town is prone to have traveling thieves and smugglers from some of the other port towns. Be mindful of who you trust out there kids, Pirates are not the only things of danger to be weary of in the wider world. “
“Thanks dad, we will keep that in mind. I`ll keep the boys out of trouble.”She says with a smirk.
“I would be more concerned about who is going to keep you out of trouble.”Uriah says .” Now let's get a move on. The day is wearing thin and we have a lot of ground to cover. Stephen what is our heading?”
Stephen looks back to his map. “We follow the road due east. It's more than a day's travel, so we will have to make camp for the night at some point.”
“Then due east it is.”He looks to his father”See you soon Pa!”He says as he gives his horse a gentle jolt to take off and they head out of the town gate.