Numisley gathered the remnants of the Severed Swords on the tables of the Ship O’ Ale on the table, standing before them with Cultrost beside him.
“Tonight, our journey has ended. No fool dares to cause trouble in Baunt, the territory of the Diamond Shore. To celebrate the end of their journey, I declare that drinks are on me!”
The table cheered. Graten shared a drink with his closest men, as Palden sipped his mug quietly.
“Tomorrow, we leave for Yhril. If you wish to join me in my quest for riches, I promise you all that I will give you wealth and power in time.”
The remaining [Mercenaries] drank and ate in a feast paid by Numisley. He thought that the three gold that he spent was worth it for fostering their loyalty. Graten the rest who are sober enough to consider the offer thought about it, and they knew how Graten gained new and better Feats from the Gildin brothers’ book.
Despite the trouble that followed them, he was sure that not even Thousand Roads can chase them in the Diamond Shore because they can’t risk a war, although Numisley still wondered who exactly is chasing them down. He knew that person knew about the book, but he wasn’t sure how much. For now, he aims to someday put a knife in that person’s throat for killing their father.
Graten and Palden were summoned to Numisley's room. Both older men stood in front of Numisley, sitting on the bed, while Cultrost leaned on the wall.
"Palden, do you wish to work with us? Sail with us to another continent, never to return?" Numisley asked their father’s longest-serving employee, who still served with them even throughout this.
“I joined your father’s company because they’re small. Not much in the big picture. That means that I can live the rest of my days peacefully earning money. Now, I feel like I’m obligated to protect the two of ya’, and besides, it is your father’s last wish, and I’ll see it through.”
“Thank you. Graten Haovel, do you still wish to renew our contract?” Numisley turned to the blond [Sword Captain]. His eyes gleamed silver, staring at his employer, who gave him a taste of power.
“If you dispense your knowledge to me, and the rest of my squad, I will renew my contract. Money too, of course.”
“Your salary.”
Cultrost gave Graten a pouch of gold coins at Numisley’s command to distribute to the rest of the Severed Swords.
“I’ll promise I’ll give you what you wish as long as you guard me well. Let Arimith, Tarast, Kortson, Josaif, Gedge, and Weriens choose if they wish to sail with me.”
“I never knew you knew each of their names.”
Numisley blankly stared at Graten, but he understood Graten’s impression of him. He was the one who ordered them around, who didn’t give them a second look unless he needed to.
“I keep a list. Besides, it’s been long overdue. I would like to extend my condolences to Umbert, Beqaye, Redien, Iquewar, Qimea, Malia, Henda, Basseil, and Redien, who died in Fishalttop. Those men and women who died at the Overthere Hills too; even if I don’t know their names. If you let me.”
“Of course…Thank you.”
Palden and Graten left the room, retiring back to their rooms. Numisley slumped down on his bed, wiping his eyes.
“Numisley?”
Cultrost held his brother’s shoulder, seeing the tears in his eyes.
“Sorry, it’s just…I’m glad that this is all over. We can now go to Yhril and build anew. I heard it's safer in the Human Continent, but…”
“The Humans?”
“Yeah…I’m worried about speciesism. Worried about you. Yhrilians don’t even consider Orcans and Demihumans as Humans, I heard.”
“I heard that the coastal kingdoms are used to non-Humans trading with them. Torregorn, right?”
"Yeah. It's within the Golden Triangle-well, the very edge of it. Good enough to be profitable, I think. You always wanted to be a [Writer]... a [Poet] right? This can be your chance."
"That was long ago. Besides, you need me saving your ass."
Cultrost deflected Numisley's teasing. Numisley forlornly stared at the moon that made the dim ocean shimmer. At the port where all the ships moored.
"Being responsible for a lot of lives is too much to bear."
“I know. I had killed a person for the first time. That Deathseeker.”
Now that they're not constantly in trouble, Numisley now thought about beings responsible for the deaths of the [Mercenaries] he paid to protect them. He thought about the first person he murdered with his hands. His brother felt the same way, the corpse of the Deathseeker still etched in his mind.
How it weighed so much.
Raudaeiz and his five men strode within the dim streets of the Sabeiorn Port, one of Baunt’s seven ports. However, many people still ambled to bars and brothels in a city that can afford nightlife. They saw the [Mercenaries] of the Diamond Shore patrolling the streets as they minded their business, passing by them.
They split up. Umberzo now wore his “Umarh” disguise. The two less-stealthy [Thugs] positioned where they can flank any person from the ships.
Raudaeiz and two of the most suitable for the job headed towards the harbor, where the Kraken's Snack is.
The harbor was patrolled by hired [Mercenaries] and [Marines] employed by Diamond Shore; squads of them walking the wharf. They had evaded their line of sight by hiding behind barrels and boxes, hiding beneath the decks, and blending into their environment. Their [Trickster] conjured illusions to hide behind, with only the minimum magic required not set off any magic-detection wards.
As they were a few steps toward the Kraken’s Snack, they quickly leaped towards the broadside, holding on with their Gloves of Sticking. Climbing up was arduous, as they wanted to avoid detection. Fortunately that the ship didn’t have alarm wards, but they saw a few [Sailors] on the ship drowsily standing guard. As one of them closed their eyes, and the [Sailor] beside him turned away, they silently hopped on deck. The [Trickster] copied the sleeping [Sailor]’s face and apply the spell to himself, but it's no guarantee that it will fool anyone up close.
Their [Charlatan], disguised as a Lemurian [Trader], blocked the [Sailors]’s way to the gangplank of the Kraken’s Snack. He offered to play a gambling game with them, with a blinding pouch of silver coins in his other hand. The drunken [Sailors], susceptible, took the [Charlatan]’s offer.
The [Thieves] infiltrated the ship’s quarters, and soon they found the captain’s quarters. They unlocked the door and peek around, seeing the Dwarven [Captain] fast asleep. With [Keen Eyes] Raudaeiz's [Thief], Baire pointed out that the sheet of paper on the table beside the dimming candle is the manifest.
Their steps were silent, the effect overlaid with the [Trickster]'s magic and Raudaeiz's group-Feat. They snatched the manifest, silently leaving. As they were sneaking out of the ship, they felt the itch of fear from below the decks. They didn’t want to find out what that is so they swiftly left. Umberzo saw them sneaking out at the corner of his eye and he continued his ruse, following the [Sailors] on the Kraken's Snack.
Raudaeiz soon returned to the [Forger]. The Dullahan was surprised that they stole the manifest. He quickly got to work on copying the manifest and adding their names to the list. The original manifest was replaced with an altered one, unbeknownst to the [Captain]. The [Sailors] said farewell to “Umarh”.
He knocked on Numisley’s and Cultrost’s door in the early morning.
Graten talked with the remaining Severed Swords at the same time. They had bought anti-hangover potions for the debriefing.
“I have decided to go with the Gildin Brothers. By now, you know what we are guarding. Books of secrets that only [Kings] and [Queens] possess. Secrets that can topple empires. I gained a new Role. New Feats. From the ambush in the Gaunt Peaks. And even back then in the Overthere Hills, where I gained my Sword Art. I’m now a [Sword Captain of Loss]. My latest Feats are [Squad: Moonlight Arnaments], and [Grieving Frenzy].”
“What do they do?” Josaif asked.
“I do not know what [Grieving Frenzy] does, but I assume it’s a powerful Rare Feat. So, you are free to leave if you do not want to leave Liberan. If you do not want to leave for another continent; leaving your families and friends behind, then you are free to go. Numisley and Cultrost will provide your travel fares, even.”
The remaining Severed Swords looked at each other significantly.
“I speak on behalf of all of us that remain. We will follow you to the ends of the Six Lands. If you decide to sail to Hellmr to fight Things and whatever comes from the world’s edge, then we will follow. Am I right, boys?”
Tarast spoke. The six remaining Severed Swords collectively nodded, smiling.
“Captain. You saved us. You gave us another chance where we were too broken to fight. We are severed swords.” Kortson answered.
“I do not have a family to return to.” Weriens, the Dullahan in the group spoke up. “But you all became my family.”
“You sappy, tin-headed bastard!” Kortson playfully punched the Dullahan’s pauldrons. “Besides, if you leave us, who’s going to cook for us? Gedge and his burnt food?”
“Oi!” Gedge barked. “Besides, who’s going to manage the group’s supplies, huh?”
“Well, that Palden person. Pretty cool Orcan.” Arimith spoke, arms crossed.
“So, you will all come with me?” Graten asked. “Then, we will become stronger together. I’ll ask them to give you all something to make you stronger, but I think Numisley already plans to do so. I’ll talk to him about the renewal of the contract. Then, we sail.”
Stolen story; please report.
On their last day on the Libertalian continent, Numisley and Cultrost explored the city of Baunt. With some of their money, they bought a basic dictionary of Yhrilian languages and sampled some local city cuisine, going from food stall to food stall eating grilled fish and squid, jambalaya, crawfish, and even sampling sashimi, crab cakes, and oysters prepared by an [Chef] of a booth who learned techniques from the continent of Fallen Qinh.
They watched a dancing Dullahan [Violinist] with ornate armor and a white-red porcelain mask. She let her head float alongside her body as she played the violin. The water of the fountain she sat on glimmered, as her music made sunlight shine on her.
They tossed a gold coin on her violin case, as it was being filled by the admiring crowd that loved the performance.
After that were preparations for their departure. They sold the wagons because the ship can’t hold them, and they didn’t register their goods in the Merchant’s Guild because they had switched the Kraken Snack’s manifest into a forged one.
The [Captain] of the Kraken’s Snack looked over the recent set of passengers carrying crates, sacks, and weapons. According to the manifest, Gildin Trading and their [Mercenaries], the Severed Swords will board the ship, along with a few others. Numisley essentially bought the ride towards Yhril for only thirty gold from forging the manifest and replacing the real one instead of registering on the proper offices of the Diamond Shore and paying seventy gold.
“Do I know you?” One of the [Sailors] who met Raudaeiz’s man in disguise pointed. Raudaeiz tried to hide his expression behind a look of indifference as he assisted Palden in lifting two sacks of grain.
“No,” Umberzo answered.
“Ah, well, carry on man. Must be too fuckin’ drunk to recognize faces.”
The two brothers talked to the Dwarven [Captain]. His bald hair shone under the sunlight, and the tentacle tattoos on both of his arms seemed to come to life whenever his arms move.
“Numisley Gildin, Cultrost Gildin. Thank you for letting us onboard.”
“Pleased to have you on board. Captain Tolani Salyitaag of Lymweai.”
“Lymweai?” Cultrost can’t help but ask. “Where’s that?”
“The land of Aemu. The continent nearest to the World’s Edge. It’s a small kingdom. Can’t blame you since land-folk don’t know a lot of places, and the kingdom is just a couple of ports on the End Strait. We’re known for exporting soaps, exotic plants, and oils, not saying other places don’t have those though. Our ports also bring wine, fruit, koalas, and turtles from neighboring Vintuara and Na’utegi too.”
“That’s…far.” Cultrost voiced.
“The journey to the continent takes trials for a regular ship. If…let’s say an enchanted ship, with a [Ship Captain] with decent movement Feats, the journey would still take a trial at least."
Numisley gave it some thought. Crossing the Six Lands will take years on average.
"So, how long until we get to Torregorn?" Numisley asked.
"A trial or so. If it's any other ship sailing towards Havansetoft within the Northern Hook Path. However, I’m one of the only [Ship Captains] capable of navigating through the Obscure Ocean. "
Numisley and Cultrost's eyes widened as Captain Tolani showed off his gold-painted badge that verifies them as a [Ship Captain] that can reliably sail through the infamous ocean. A trusted person that the Diamond Shore Conglomerate can call upon and use their privileges. They heard the tales of the foggy, perilous ocean that separated Libertalia from Yhril which ships avoided. Its wandering icebergs the size of hills that sunk ships, phantom wild magic storms, and powerful monsters that hid beneath the waves and the foggy air are what [Sailors] fear.
“I see-”
Their heads turned cautiously towards the presence on the gangplank. A presence that engulfed them with a feeling of wariness that made Numisley’s skin crawl. His Aura was a faint presence in the air, like faint steam. By now, after Numisley and Cultrost's experiences at the manor, the Deathseekers, and [Bounty Hunters]; they knew that the person wearing a spherical brass helmet was dangerous, more than anyone they encountered before.
Water sloshed within the glass and metal faceplate of the thick brass helmet as he walked up the gangplank, harpoon in his other hand, and the other slung netted backpack behind him. He wore a fitted suit made of some kind of enchanted canvas, beneath his bandoliers of flintlock pistols and wands. The metal vials of potions and alchemical bombs glinted on his tool belt.
“Cap’n, I’m not late right?”
The mysterious person spoke as if he was gurgling underwater, yet an enchantment on his helmet made the words clear. Cultrost glanced on the glass face plate and saw something white and blobby within the water-filled helmet.
“No. The other passengers haven’t arrived yet.” Captain Tolani answered.
“Ah, good. I’ll be under. In my room. Holler if anyone needs a ship to sink or a Fangwhale to kill.”
The mysterious person walked below decks, returning to his quarters.
“Who’s that?” Numisley asked.
“Hant’ley Leigh. Famed [Privateer]. The Scourge of the Dragon’s Crossing.” Tolani succinctly explained.
“The Scourge?” Cultrost gasped.
“Sorry, but I don’t engage in merc’ gossip like you do.” Numisley shrugged.
“Heard of the battle in Orbonezi Island?”
“Father told us that it raised the prices on seafood, mangos, and goods from El-Mira during the battle with the city-state's trade with the League of Floros.”
“Yeah, yeah. But he’s Famed! The Diamond Shore employed him in that battle. It’s said that he destroyed Port O'Hailein and a couple of enchanted ships by himself! Killed Leviathans and soloed entire [Pirate] ships. He’s like, the one of the famous [Privateers] down south!”
Numisley raised his eyebrows. He thought about recruiting that person since his feats were impressive. However, he also knew that he will be too expensive to hire.
“Finished packing up.”
Palden walked up to them, interrupting their conversation.
“Excellent.” Numisley voiced. “We’ll go to our rooms.”
Numisley and the company went down below decks. As a passenger and cargo ship, enlarged with Feats, there’s more room than what people may imagine. Numisley and Cultrost were in their room, lit by a glowing gem that hung within a caged brazier of sorts.
“So, we’re finally leaving now.” Numisley laid down on the bed, deep in thought.
“Yeah.” Cultrost pondered on it. “I never thought that we would hop on a ship before this. Leaving this continent.”
“I wish father was here,” Numisley uttered. They both thought of the same thing.
“He would tell us stories about this place.”
“He would tell us how the city’s economy works. He would tell us about its important people, and probably make deals with them. Probably introduce us to people that he somehow knows.”
“And see the sights, eat some food, watch some plays and performances, and laugh at witty [Bards] in the streets.”
They fell silent. The ship raised its anchors as its expected guests arrived, except for a group that the [Forger] deliberately crossed out and replaced so that Numisley’s group can board the ship.
Marquis Dusitoz Gaviolos stared at the ship that sliced towering waves in half, leaving the ports of Baunt behind.
“Decrees damn it! Damn this continent. Damn [Bandits]! Damn the double-crossing [Mercenaries]! Damn the [Merchants]! Damn delays!”
He vented out his frustrations in the air, shouting at the salty breeze and the seagulls that flew towards the port, threatening those below with a shower of droppings. For two weeks, they traveled from city-state to city-state, running out of gold as the former Duke did not know how to handle money by himself in prolonged travel. He wasted his money buying the best rooms in the inn, the best fare and wine, and women to keep him company. Until he realized that his Purse of Holding’s hoard was growing thin.
He and his entourage of [Knights] fought off acts of banditry until they hired some [Mercenaries] to supplement his security. However, the [Duke] hired the unscrupulous sorts that would double-cross their clients if they haven’t paid them properly, which cost him the life of half of his [Knights].
However, he was saved by agents of the Stationmistress with who he made a deal back then. Through a speaking stone, she informed him of her plan: he will be her agent, her collaborator in the continent of Yhril. For him, she paid for the wagon from Sidés to Baunt.
A blue hill emerged from the foggy horizon of the faraway Obscure Ocean. It sailed towards the port.
Dustitoz saw shapes flying around and from that mysterious object. The people of Baunt started running away, as stunned tourists were dumbfounded.
“Citizens, [Merchants], [Sailors] and tourists. A Leviathan-grade alarm is now in effect. A Wandering Iceberg has bypassed our defenses. Gold to Platinum-grade monsters spotted.”
The announcement echoed through the city, from reinforced wooden poles created to cast the magic required to transmit Governor Acreley Balenford’s voice throughout the city.
“As the Port Governor of Baunt, I order you to evacuate towards the Dobraun, Dimalm, Eifleiley, and Captfort Districts. Once evacuated, or unable to evacuate, remain indoors. Assigned Diamond Shore [Mercenaries] will secure coastal districts. Combat-capable personnel, foreign or local will be required to assist in the defense. The city’s Adventurer’s Guild will distribute ten gold for each monster killed. Defenders are encouraged to scavenge monster parts and sell them to the Adventurer’s Guild. Combat-capable ships are required to assist in the defense…”
“...[Admirals] will now assign targets to combat-capable ships.”
Captain Tolani read the Scroll of Messages, enchanted to receive messages from Diamond Shore’s authorities. They were already at sea, and closer to the hill-sized Wandering Iceberg. It was a nest of Frost Elementals, Ice Gargoyles, and other monsters that lived in frigid climates; even having an ecosystem of its own in its decades of existence. The sheer mana within the ice had attracted creatures below the waves, which added to its danger.
"Sea Serpents? Fangwhales? Gorger Pelicans? We don’t have the magic power for this shit.”
The Kraken’s Snack was ordered to assist in culling down monsters at sea and air. Cultrost climbed above decks, just in time. However, the ship is not combat-capable, despite its defensive spells. The enchantments and bound spells are only prepared to ward off monsters and [Pirates] and navigate through the Obscure Ocean.
“You!” The [Ship Captain] turned to Cultrost. Cultrost jumped, startled by the Captain’s sudden shout.
“Tell the combat-capable guests below to fucking hurry before salt-licking monsters gang up on us!”
Before Cultrost can move, the Scourge of the Dragon’s Crossing heaved himself above decks.
“Got a [Message] from Wave Admiral Kelpstron himself. Sail a bit closer to the iceberg. Deactivate some of the repelling wards. I’ll kill as many as I can to reach the quota so you don’t have to use the spells. The remains will be retrieved by Scrounger Ships.”
The [Ship Captain], unable to protest, gave the order for his [Sailors] to steer closer, just a few hundred meters towards the iceberg. Cultrost promptly called Graten and the rest above decks, except Numisley and a few other guests. At this moment, Numisley knew that he would be useless here. He heard the fighting above decks, and the explosions he realized just how dangerous sea travel is.
Giant slugs were already melting enchantments on the ship. Too quick for even Hant’ley to react. The ship’s conjured wooden spikes impaled the slugs. A few monstrous seagulls were attacking the deck, already eating chunks off the defending sailors. They fought with crossbows and wands, as well as swords and axes. Cultrost swung, breaking the bones of one of the carnivorous seagulls. Hant’ley drew his flintlock pistols, shooting the slugs with a flurry of bullets.
Already, they swarmed below the waves. A Sea Serpent rose from below, with a sea creature on its maw, staring at the Famed [Privateer] hungrily. Hant’ley removed his brass helmet, his horrendous visage making the monsters around him flee in terror. The ship’s defenders didn’t dare look at him, even Cultrost.
“[Battlefield: Naval Minefield], [Disable Friendly Fire-”
The water around the ship exploded, blasting every creature beneath the waves to bits. Geysers upon geysers of water and blood rocked the ship violently. The ship is unharmed despite the magnitude of the alchemical bombs that appeared under the waves with Hant’ley’s Feat. Water and blood rained upon the [Sailors] and the Severed Swords. Numisley and the guests below decks had fallen off their beds with the explosions.
“Quota complete. Captain, you are cleared for sailing.” Hant’ley can sense how many sea monsters he killed.
They saw the iceberg bombarded with Spells from the ships of the Diamond Shore. Baunt’s coastal towers cast rays of burning light, melting icy chunks as creatures from sea and air felled from conjured rain and lightning. Soon, a glowing pillar came down from the heavens, and the iceberg ceased existing, engulfed within an infernal sphere. The shockwave almost made the ship plunge sideways to the waves, and Numisley lost his lunch in his quarters.
The Kraken’s Snack sailed to the Obscure Ocean, entering the wall of perilous fog.