The sea occupied all of Holden’s senses when he reached the docks. It was exhilarating for him, as it promised freedom from the domain of any nation or their laws. There was a whole world out there, and now he set out to see it. A collection of ships were bustling with people; workers moving cargo, travelers coming and go, and crews preparing for their next voyage. It was near the end of the docks that Holden saw the Goliath. Dwarfing every other vessel in the port, it spared no expense in quality, with iron bands wrapped around the hull for additional reinforcement.
“What do you think?” Honler called from the deck. He waved to Holden, before motioning to the boarding ramp. “Come on up, the crew is ready and waiting.”
“What practical purpose does a boat this big serve?” Holden walked up the ramp, and onto the deck. As he looked over the other boats, the appeared small from his point of view.
“Aside from attaining invincibility on the battlefield and in the storms?” Honler grinned, and offered his hand. “I trust that I mustn’t reintroduce myself; do I, Holden?”
“I remember you, Sergeant,” Holden said, shaking Honler’s hand. “Do you do this kind of work often?”
Honler shook his head. “I’m usually only past our borders when it is the matter of an invasion. SPeaking of which, let me explain how this will work. Should we get killed, or find evidence of the elves taking refuge, the Sea Tigers Expeditionary Force will swarm the coast, and dig in until On’hino’s main forces arrive. That means we’re merely blowing the whistle, not being heroes. Understand?”
Holden nodded. “We’ll let the others do their jobs.”
“Good. Now, take one last look at Peronal,” Honler said. He gestured to the people hurrying about their own matters. “Given that we do not submit to lassitude, the whole place will be lined up with those celebrating us as heroes.” He chuckled and nudged Holden. “The real hard work will be reporting to debriefing before the lasses drag us off!”
Holden could not help but grin. “Is it that difficult?”
“Oh, no. It’s far more difficult. But, enough of that talk; the mission comes first.” Honler led Holden to the captain’s quarters, and knocked on the door. When an elderly yet muscular man opened the door, Honler was quick to salute. “Captain Thusk, sir!”
“If you pull pull this formal routine one more time Honler, I’ll tie you to the bottom of the ship.” Thusk shifted his weathered, brown eyes to Holden. “This is the scout?” When Holden nodded, Thusk gave a dismissive wave to Honler. “I’ll require privacy to orient this whelp.”
Holden stepped into the captain’s quarters, and looked around as Thusk shut and locked the door. Lining the walls on either side were shelves, each nearly filled to the brim with charts, documents and other information. Across the room was a window, which let in daylight to illuminate the darkness, as well as give an open view of the sea.
“What’s your name, and why shouldn’t I assume you’re dead when you step off my ship?” Thusk walked over to his desk in the center of the room, and sat down.
“Holden, sir, and don’t--”
“Wrong. When you step off my ship, you’re dead to me. Means I won’t be coming to the rescue, should you wind up in trouble on land. Understand?” As Holden nodded, Thusk unrolled a map and beckoned Holden closer. “This is Rnyrt, home of savages, the Goddess of Storms, and Aradian sympathizers.” He placed his finger on the coastline. “The elves would land here, according to previous reports. Thusk then dragged his finger from the coast into the mainland of Rynrt. “They are likely resting in the capital, here, which makes this mission difficult.”
“How so?”
“While Rnyrt herself ignores the pleads of one or two of the tribes, all three tribes could pray for a storm to wipe out our fleet before the Expeditionary Forces reach land.”
“So how will we take the elves? Me and Honler can’t take them all on.”
“Damned right you can’t. At least you have some wit about you.” THusk moved his finger back to the coastline. “You’re going to scout and clear a landing for the resk of the Sea Tigers. Rnyrtians have never been great fighters, so you ought to clear out any patrols and such with ease. Think you can handle the welcome party for us?”
Holden nodded. “I’ll see it done, captain.” He could not refuse, even as he felt his stomach sink with the thought of killing even more.”
“Good. Now that the briefing is over with, tell me about yourself. Who recommended a sapling like you for a man’s job to Yerryn?”
“Well, Saul taught--” Holden jumped as Thusk slammed his hand on the table.
“Don’t lie, boy. Saul would have ripped your eyes out and fed them to the crows for speaking on his behalf.”
“I’m not lying! You can ask Yerryn herself.”
“That I will, but that will have to will until our mission is complete. The more time wasted in the docks, the smaller the chance we have of catching those knife-eared flower eaters.” Shouting from the deck was followed by the ship’s wood giving way to a long, low groan. It unnerved Holden, who went for the door, but Thusk remained calm. “Relax. Goliath always whines when it comes to setting sail. Never thought a boat could be lazy, did you?”
“I didn’t think of a lot of things, until just recently.” As the ship started to move, Holden took a seat across from the captain. There was a period of silence before Thusk’s eyes widened.
“You’re an Alnhart, aren’t you?”
“Well, yes--”
“Why didn’t I recognize that sooner? Damn my old age, going for the cheap spots. I won’t go weak in the arms, so it takes my vision from me!” Thusk bursted into a fit of laughter, most of which came out as wheezes. “I can see why Saul had enough confidence in you, then. You look just like your father, back in his youth.”
“How well did you know him?” Holden asked.
“Since him and I were but mites.” A more cordial Thusk looked over his shoulder, at the shrinking view of Perona. “Probably never mentioned me, eh? Figures, seeing as he left everything else behind him.”
“I’ve gathered that he was a skilled fighter.”
“Beyond skilled? If not for him, I would’ve been slain a dozen times over. How has he been? And Saul?”
“My father was not quite content about me coming to serve, much less so with my mother. Saul has been busy, to say the least.”
“You don’t have to tell me of what Saul is consumed with. He’s a good man, but trouble has always followed him.” Thusk rolled up the map of Rnyrt, and cleared his throat. “Well, if you’re just like your father, I doubt that this mission will pose too great of a danger. If you head out, find my First Mate. He’s a Siyerrodan fellow, you can’t miss him. If he’s not engrossed with managing the crew, he’ll direct you down to the sleeping quarters. Honler’s likely to already be curled up down there, or wretching whatever he scarfed down this morning. A goddess will kiss me before he can stomach the sea.” Giving Holden a dismissive wave, Thusk closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair. “Don’t forget to pick up some new attire. Your clothes will just get torn to shreds out there.”
“I won’t; thank you, Captain.” Getting up from his seat, Holden left Thusk to his own business, and opened the door. Stepping onto the deck, the wind lashed at his face, causing him to recoil in surprise, and shut his eyes. He had never felt anything quite like it in the mainland. Opening his eyes once again, Holden looked around the top deck, only to find that it was almost entirely vacant, spare a few of the crew moving supplies around, or maintaining the ship’s integrity. All around the boat was an endless expanse of blue, colliding with the grey skies on the horizon. Holden approached the rails, and looked on at the emptiness of the ocean.
“First time?”
Holden looked over to find of the crew; a Siyerrodan, as given away by his dark skin and shining, amber eyes. “Indeed,” replied Holden, “I’ve never been out to sea before.”
“Well, pray you never grow tired of it, else this career will only grant you misery.” The crewman grinned, and offered his hand. “Hrodgaier, First Mate of the Goliath. I see you’ve met our esteemed captain already.”
“Holden. He is definitely one of a kind.” Holden shook Hrodgaier’s hand, before returning to looking out at the sea.
“Don’t worry about him. He means well, but the things he has suffered have left him damaged. But, as long as he leaves the ship in my hands, you have nothing to worry about.” Hrodgaier clasps Holden’s shoulder, before looking out to sea. “You’re not one of those Okeluiso braggarts, are you? I can’t stand them; whiny and pretentious, the whole lot.”
Holden chuckled, and shoook his head. “I came from a small farm, near the village of Seban.”
Hrodgaier’s eyes widened. “Seban? My family lives there!”
“Really?”
“Aye. It’s been forever since I last visited.” Hrodgaier lookd down at the water lapping against the side of the ship. “The Frost is nearly here, so I hope that they can manage the harvest.”
“I’m sure they will survive,” Holden said. “My family is one that has made it through the worst of it.”
“Right. Well, Holden, I should probably see to it that you’re prepared for Rnyrt.” Hrodgaier motioned for Holden to follow him, as he walked across the deck.
“Where is the entire crew?” asked Holden.
“Since the weather’s calm, and the Goliath is cooperating with us, most of the crew is probably relaxing until they are needed.” Hrodgaier stepped down an open hatch that led into the lower decks. As Holden followed, he paused for a moment to let his eyes adjust. The sound of the ocean was replaced by a chorus of snores, chatter and laughter. The crew was strewn about, with some lounging against supply sacks, others leaning against the wall or laying on the floor.
Hrodgaier pushed deeper, until he reached another hatch. He knelt down, and lifted the lock. Fishing in his pockets, he pulled out a key, and unlocked the hatch. Lifting it up, he dropped down into the pitch darkness of the ship. “Watch your step,” he called out, “it quite easy to break something here.”
Holden knelt down by the hatch, and carefully lowered himself down. The moment his boots hit the floor, the room was suddenly flooded with a gentle, blue glow. The light came from a small stone in Hrodgaier’s hand.
“These are a rare find, nowadays, since Tarlmisac is a barren wasteland.” He offered it to Holden. “Ever seen a moonstone?”
“I’ve heard of them, that only the richest of men come to own one.” Holden took the stone with care, and ran his finger over the smooth surface. It felt cool to the touch, as if he was dipping his fingers into a bowl of water. “How did you procure this?”
“Just my luck,” Hrodgaier said with a shrug. “We hit a pirate’s haven after it attacked one of our trade vessels. Captain Thusk gave it to me from the pirates’ stash, when we searched for survivors.” He opened a box, examining the contents before setting it in front of Holden. “Here you are; a scout’s uniform, made for the ruggedness of the wild, yet retaining the elegance of On’hino.” Hrodgaier smirked, before taking the moonstone back. “Get changed when you can. The Frost already hit Rnyrt, so the climate shouldn’t bother you as much as it would otherwise.”
“Thank you for the clothing, Hrodgaier. I just hope I can keep it intact when we reach Rnyrt.”
“Don’t worry about that. After all, you’ll have more pressing concerns, like staying alive, eh?” With a grin, Hrodgaier moved past Holden to look up the hatch. “We ought to repair the stairs here, this is tiresome.” He pushed a large crate underneath the hatch, and pulled himself back up. As Holden started to climb up, Hrodgaier reached and took the box of apparel from Holden, to give him freedom of both hands.
After Holden lifted himself out of the storage, he took his box from Hrodgaier once more. “What happened to the stairs?” he asked, as Hrodgaier shut and locked the hatch.
“Last time we set out at sea, a crew member of a particularly excessive weight was sent down here to bring up some rations for the outpost we stopped by.” Hrodgaier gestured to a giant of a man, who snored in tandem with the waves hitting the ship. “Took the stairs down with ‘im. They were due for replacement, anyways.”
“I see.” Holden wrapped an arm around the box, as his eyes wandered from the man to the rest of the crew. Though he had not noticed it before, they all seemed ready to fight at any given moment. They were clad in layers of studded leather, and their weapons were within an arm’s reach. “Are we expecting trouble at sea?”
“We shouldn’t, but given the recent pirate attacks and the aggressions by these Aradians, it doesn’t hurt to be ready to dip your blade in blood at any given moment.” As Hrodgaier made his way to the other end of the ship, he stopped midway at a hammock, and shook the crewman resting in it. “You were supposed to be on the top deck for departure,” he said to the crew member, “but you were nowhere to be found.”
“Sorry, Hrodgaier,” the crewman said with a lack of sincerity, “you know how I sleep like a rock…”
“And you’ll sink like one, to the bottom of the Abyss, should you sleep through your duties again. You’re taking over as sentry for tonight.” Leaving the crewman to his newfound discontent, Hrodgaier reached the hatch leading to the top deck, but moved past it. He approached a door barring off the rest of the deck, and motions for Holden to open it. “Your quarters with Honler. Should you need anything, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“I will, Hrodgaier.” Holden reached out to shake Hrodgaier’s hand again. “Thanks for getting me situated, and for the equipment.”
Hrodgaier shook Holden’s hand with a grin. “You learn to make friends with whoever you can; any of them could be the difference between life and death.” He turned around, and left through the hatch to the top deck.
Holden opened the door to find Honler curled up in a hammock, his back to the door. “Are you alright?”
“Do you want me to say yes, or tell the truth?” With a groan, Honler shifted slightly. “Don’t be deceived. I love doing what I do, but the seas have never been kind to me, or my senses.”
“You’re a part of the naval military, yet you’re easily sea-sick?” Holden smirked, and set his box down next to the only other hammock in the room. “Luck does not like you, it seems.”
“I don’t usually grow too ill, just when I’m moving around the ship.” Honler turned to face Holden whilst remaining in his hammock. He was pale, and looked far worse than one would be from seasickness alone. “How was the meeting with Captain Thusk? He’s known for tearing recruits apart.”
“Is he?” Holden climbed into his hammock. “He merely briefed me on our assignment.”
“Strange,” Honler muttered, “but no matter. What did he say of the mission?”
“He told me how Rnyrtians can pray for a storm to swallow our ship,” Holden said.
“Well, that can’t be true, can it?”
“We live in a world, where men can conjure a firestorm from the tips of their fingers. I think a goddess answering her people’s pleas is well within reasonable means. Holden shut his eyes, and relaxed back in his hammock.
“Anything else?”
“We’re to clear out a landing for the expeditionary forces, so that the Rnyrtians won’t mar the chances of our success.”
“Well, you may want to write that down. The voyage is going to be a long, few days.” Honler reached down into his belongings -- which were set right under his hammock -- and tosses a small book to Holden.
Shuffling through the pages, Holden paused when he found them devoid of any markings; utterly blank. Sticking out the spine of the book was a needle-like piece of charcoal. As he began writing down the parameters of their mission, a thought crossed his mind. “Honler, why don’t we simply invade Rnyrt, and capture the elves?”
“Politics, Holden. If a nation as powerful as ours invaded Rnyrt, and the elves weren’t there, the rest of Erelith would form an alliance, overpower and subjugate our homeland. Such a disaster is contingent on whether our annexing is justified or not, else it will be the prelude to a long, blood and fruitless war.”
Holden closed the book, and set it on the box of apparel. “If we weren’t so powerful, then we could have simply invaded, then?”
“Well, most likely. You have heard of the minor provinces around Tarlmisac, yet? If you pay attention, you’ll see how they invade each other constantly, or try and claim Tarlmisac for themselves.” Honler paused, before breaking into a brief coughing spasm. When it passed, he cleared his throat. “Damned seasickness. It’s worse than death, at times. But, as I was saying; the major nations of Erelith care little for their antics, unless it is on their soil.”
“So, we’re on a balancing rope for the fate of our nation, because we are so powerful?”
“If your neighbor can take your land within the blink of an eye, I would think to have him stripped of such powers as one of your desires; if not claiming such power for yourself.”
“I see.” Holden curled up in the hammock, as things grew quiet. For the first time in a while, he was left alone with his thoughts. Up until now, his constant flow of tasks has kept him preoccupied, but -- much like when he was in the forest -- he was now left with plenty of time for his mind to wander. It would not have bothered him so much, if it was not for the thoughts in his mind being predominantly those of the battle he tasted, and the blood he was expected to shed. Sitting up, Holden reached for the book Honler gave him, and opened it. He would find a way to draw his mind from those gruesome thoughts, one way or another.
Dear mother and father,
I hope this letter finds you safe and sound, as I will be when my service is complete. Firstly, I apologize for not writing home sooner. Training with Saul was rigorous, to say the least, as he wanted me to be a meritable marksman. I know that the Frost is nearly upon you at this time of the year, so know that you both are in my prayers. Right now, I’m aboard a ship, off to deal with a dispute far from our shores. Please, do not fear for my safety. Saul had some connections with my officer, who is ensuring my safety during this mission.
Holden casted a glance at Honler, who was fast asleep in his hammock. Hopefully, Holden would not end up in a situation that put his life in Honler’s hands. He shook his head, and continued writing.
While I wist that I could elaborate more on what happened, I fear that doing so will violate the agreement assuring my clandestinity. Father, I now know what darkness stains the heart of every man in battle. While the sun rises, I cannot feel the warmth nor see the gentle glow of its incandescence. With my innocence withered, and my virgin hands tainted with blood, I only now understand what you meant; ‘Nobody leaves the battlefield unmarked.’ While I am whole in body, my heart may never reclaim what Death stole from it.
As he looked at the letter, Holden thought of the battle that he survived only the night before. He thought of how his arrows struck the elves, and sent them to their demise. As remote as it was, he could not forget their faces, and how twisted in agony they were. Taking a deep breath, Holden dismissed the thought. He would have to learn to accept that killing was inevitable in his line of work. He returned to the letter.
As I write this, I am pondering on whether or not my taking of a life was a blessing, guised as a tragedy. I am a soldier. It was better to have myself exposed to battle as early as I was, else I may hesitate at the worst of times.
I will write again, when time permits. I wish the best for you both, and pray in turn for my wellbeing.
Hino’s Blessings,
Holden.
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