There was a place in this drowned world where the fleet gathered. The Arkshelled Island paved a path for the fleet.

One of the spirits of the fleets found a place where there was a point. Anvil Cove was what they started to call it after seeing the shape of the cove. The fleet gathered around this entrance.

It was a giant cove naturally forming this C shape. Arkshelled Island faced this cove while the rest of the fleet surrounded it. The Grand-Galleons covered each direction while most of the guns of the Walking Island were facing the cove. Most of the fleet was hidden behind rock formations and tall structures that had been drowned.

A light fog covered the entrance of Anvil’s Cove. There was a man-made structure on the cove that allowed smaller ships to land. One of the statues on the cove was holding to this basin with traces of ash and charcoal on them. One of the rocks had this greasy and slimy substance that was still flowing.

Not far from this slimy substance was this structure with a guyed mast and a tower supported with what seems to be a hinged. This structure digs into the ground and from the sticky substance forming around the hole. Some of the crew who went to check found that some of it hardened probably after too much exposure from the winds.

Terin and Caldor the first exploration alongside a few men. The rest of the fleet secured the location while the Elven-kin sent their sprites to the vicinity of the area. Thirty-four ships gathered just in front of the cove while the Grand-Galleons sent smaller ships.

Gabrio was on the fifth exploration group alongside Robert and Mana. Robert wore his duster coat while keeping his rifle and bow slung on his shoulder and across. Gabrio wore his fur-line frock coat while keeping his pistols on his holsters. He carried his doctor’s bag and wore a bandolier across his torso. He had suffered enough to know that it was best to be prepared when going to places like this.

Mana did not carry as much as Gabrio other than what her Vitae -- her living tree was carrying. On the back of her Vitae, her treant, was a trunk containing materials and resources. They were making use of the living tree as a pack mule to which Mana had no qualms about.

The small ship carried the exploration group to the eastern edge of the cove. Gabrio planted his legs on the floor and stared at the guyed mast and tower that was creating a shade. There was an opening not far from their location. The center of the cove had most people. They were creating barriers that could be used as a makeshift fort while the rest of the fleet-kin was placing the cannons and other weapons to the front of that opening, wary of any creatures that might come and appear.

Gabrio’s group made camp around the eastern edge while the rest readied for trouble. They were here for medical support while the others were for exploration.

Gabrio’s tent was one of the first ones that were made. The rest followed after he had placed what he could do on his medical tent. Mana walked in while holding onto her rifle. She sat on the foldable stool that the group carried on. Gabrio spotted Robert climbing on this vantage point.

“Looks like we’ll be here for days or months.”

Gabrio opened a strongbox and counted what was inside. “Seems like it. We are lacking and if they are right then it is to our best interest to take whatever is inside this place.”

It was their best interest. Being chased around by a fleet that could rival the Grand Fleet despite its small size was something to be worried about. But it was not the Baron’s fleet that the Aon’s Reconnoiter Company feared. It was the monsters from the interstice that they feared. Sea creatures and unholy monsters that did not fear gunpowder and steel.

“This is a gamble,” Gabrio commented. He found a piece of paper containing crushed powder. He brought it on his nose and placed it away. Mana moved close to Gabrio and stared at the sugar-like substance.

“Narcotics?” asked Mana.

“It is,” Gabrio concocted a medicine with the ingredients. “We don’t know how many are going to be injured and I like to be ready all the time.”

Mana’s face grew strange at the sight of the drug. It was the same drug that brought energy to Gabrio’s body. The same drug that kept him going despite his injuries and curse. Gabrio saw the face Mana was making and looked away. He placed the concoction inside small bottles and neatly arranged them in the lockbox. He twisted the key and hid it under the crate he was sitting on.

“It’s going to take a while,” Gabrio said. He leaned his elbow on the table. He stared at the ships floating near the cove. The head of Arkshelled Island could be seen from their side of the cove.

“Are the Elven-kin acting as well? We could use the Artes to make this exploration faster.”

“We are. The Elder has decided to help the fleet to pave the path. We cannot be passive when we are chased by the Baron of the Interstice.”

“It’s too nice. Makes me worried.”

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“You should be. The Admiral, for a human, is wise beyond his years. He understands that if we do not work well. We will sink together as well. I can imagine that there are opposing opinions as well.”

“Probably. I don’t even want to imagine what is happening. How they thought of exploring this place. Or is this all planned from the start?”

“I will tell you that there are records that my people have. We cannot share them and I doubt those who do not have the ability to speak the words of power or read them either.”

Mana folded her arms and looked at the Elder Tree sticking out on the back of the Island. She gazed at the Tree as if enchanted before looking back to the entrance.

“What do you think that tower is?”

“Hmm, it looks like one of those things they use to dig oil in the center. At least I think it is. But theirs is more… robust.”

Mana spreads her left hand. “My sprites can feel a lot of metal in this place.”

“Is that why they are eager to harvest them? Melt the metal and turn them into salvageable materials.”

“Now, you know why we need do this.”

“Just don’t feel safe knowing that we are being hunted by the Baron of the Interstice. The Ebony Fleet isn’t an easy enemy… we learn that hard.”

Supernatural cannonballs and ways of sailing that does not lose out to the way the elven-kin push the sails of the Grand Fleet. Gabrio didn’t want to wake up and suddenly feel a barrage from them or see their black sails over the horizon.

That is if they even appear normally. Not just be there when they don’t know anything. Afraid that they’ll come and ruin everyone’s day.

“We’ll be ready for them,” Mana assured. “Last time we didn’t have the means. If we don’t learn from that mistake then we’d be fools. Gab, you do realize that this is a fleet that was founded so that it may reach the Thousand Islands and at the same time prepared, to face whatever hellish abomination that this fleet may encounter.”

Gabrio nodded. This fleet was made for this very reason. And one of the great strengths and weaknesses that this fleet has was it’s paranoia. Because of this paranoia that it was able to reach this far.

And it was because of this paranoia and rightful fear that they were searching this drowned part of the world to scavenge for supplies. They couldn’t ignore the fact that they were in the middle of this great body of ocean.

Mana’s hair blew. Gabrio stared behind her as the men carried materials. The camp slowly formed into a functional one as they watched. Gabrio spotted Robert climbing down nimbly, dropping from one edge to another before landing lightly on the stone.

The cove started to become populated with equipment and fully-armed men from ships. There were horses getting offloaded to the cove to pull the carts and wagons. From the look of, they were going to use the horse to pull the fallen parts of the area. It would have been faster to cut a hole using the strength of the blinder of light. Mana explained to Gabrio that the only reason why they weren’t doing that was because it would act like a lighthouse.

The stream of power that the son of light was getting from the sun was thin. So if Terin Gaspar uses his power then it would attract the attention of the Baron of the Interstice. It is the same as a lighthouse showing the way for the Baron and thus they were minimizing Terin’s use of his power as long as it was necessary.

However, this also works in the favor of the fleet. Mana said to Gabrio, “Since we know that they will be following the stream of power of the blinder of the light. This could also mean that we could use this as a means to ambush them. If we know that they are coming because they are following the stream… What stops us from ambushing them as well?”

It was a rational reasoning. Though Gabrio would prefer it personally if they don’t appear at all. Conflict breeds violence and violence leads to loss. There was always going to be someone hurt or killed. Still, Gabrio thought that he shouldn’t be surprised. Yet, he couldn’t allow himself to think that as a Doctor. To think that way would mean that he was refusing his call. Yes, Doctors like him should numb some part of themselves so they can function. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that he should abandon most of himself. Even his Teacher, despite all the years he had spent as a Surgeon did not abandon himself fully as a person.

By night time the camp was fully settled. Gabrio checked on the contents of his tent before joining Mana and Robert at the table. Robert had made a pot of coffee and poured some for Gabrio. The freshwater sea lapping the stones below them.

The thin fog engulfed the cove creating this atmosphere where only the lamps and sprites that produced light could be seen. Each person in a group has lamps they hang on their waist. It also helped that the Elder Tree was shining enough to act as a fourth source of light.

Gabrio warmed his palms on the tin mug before taking a sip of the hot liquid. “Guess we’ll start early in the morning… this exploration. So… Robert… Are you heading down there?”

Robert shook his head. “Afraid can’t do that, Doc. Would love to, but I’m sworn to guard you until then.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Doctor, the last time I saw you in action. You rushed to others with complete disregard of your life. You ain’t exactly someone that makes me think that it’ll be fine to leave alone. Besides, I know my duties.”

Gabrio opened his mouth and tried to explain himself, but shut it knowing he really did that. Mana took a long look at the two before her gaze landed on the new arrivals. The familiar group attracted the attention of the others.

Zyra, who was geared up, nodded at Gabrio and Mana before following the group. Gabrio found his gaze on their backs. “Guess they are going in first. Hmm, I was sure that they were here already.”

“They were here. But they needed to prepare more thoroughly,” Robert said. “They do still answer to Captain Malfor and the Lady of the Ship after all.”

Like a bystander watching the heroes go on to their quest.

That’s what Gabrio thought as they walked to the opening of the cove.