Interlude 03: No Respite

Vigo Sorgenson stood upon the bow of the Respite, looking across the water and to the wet vegetation beyond. The Respite was a small ship, and thus perfect for use in navigating the narrow rivers of the Wetlands. The ship was currently anchored in the deeper waters, its sails furled and waiting.

Vigo cut an imposing figure. He was a giant of a man, and at six foot six inches he towered over most races. He was also built powerfully, as almost every part of him was muscle. It was amazing that at the age of 58 he still had the vigor and gusto of his youth. If one were to ask him how he kept in such good a shape, he would have told them that it was his faith that kept him strong. Vigo not only owned the Respite, but he was also once a cleric of Rekorim. Vigo, in his youth, served the God of Justice with passion and conviction. And even as he grew old, his passion and conviction did not waver an inch. He even still wore the clerics’ signature black greatcoat and wide-brimmed hat, despite the heat of the Wetlands. After so many years of wearing them out in the field, he felt naked without them.

“Captain,” said one of the ship’s crewmen. “Shidsey and his men are back.”

Vigo nodded then moved portside to see Shidsey’s boat rowing up beside them. The boat was small but fast and could easily traverse the more shallow areas of the Wetlands’ river systems. Once the boat was alongside the Respite, the crew tossed them a rope ladder. The men in the boat climbed onto the ship, all the while hauling their prize.

“Captain,” greeted Shidsey as he stepped aboard. He, along with his men, were bare-chested; unlike their captain, the men did not have the endurance to wear full gear in the heat and humidity of the Wetlands.

“Two,” Vigo said as he spotted the two lizardmen his men had dragged aboard. They were both young, bound tightly at the hands and feet, with their jaws carefully muzzled. “And juveniles. Good work.”

Shidsey smiled. “Thanks. It’s a shame about the parents, though. We had to kill them, they went nutters when we tried to get at the kids.”

“As will all beasts,” Vigo said. “Put these with the others.”

“Aye, aye.”

The crew members began to drag the two juvenile lizardmen across the deck and towards the aft of the ship. There, several large cages were located, each filled with lizardmen.

“That makes thirteen catches so far,” Shidsey said.

“Yes,” Vigo agreed. “Just a few more and we can make our way back to Caldera.”

“Sounds good. Will you be perfomin’ a sermon before the voyage back?”

“I think so.” The captain nodded. It was a habit of his to preach the good word of Rekorim during each voyage home. Most of the crew thought it brought good luck. “Perhaps I’ll talk about Jeremiah’s ride towards Adeiffel and his speech to the moneygrubbers of Afoon.”

“Lookin’ forwards to it, sir.” Shidsey said.

Vigo glanced towards the cages and saw something strange. Inside the cage, along with three lizardmen, was a man in finely tailored clothing. He immediately recognized him as Dr. Longfoot, a man he’d taken in as a passenger back in Caldera.

“What is that fool up to now?” he muttered before stomping off towards the cages. Shidsey glanced at the doctor’s antics and merely laughed.

Vigo marched up to the cages, his dark, forbidding figure causing the lizardmen inside to shy away from him. Longfoot was in one of the cages, sitting on one side while the three frightened lizardmen stared at him. He was writing something in his ever-present notebook as well as muttering whispers under his breath. The man had always been eccentric, but Vigo never thought him to be insane.

“Longfoot!” he shouted. “What the hell are you doing in there?”

The doctor, a skinny unassuming man in his early forties, looked up from his notes. “Ah, Captain. How are you doing this fine morning?”

“Never mind about me, you fool! What are you doing in that cage?” He pointed at the lizardmen in the cage with him. “Those beasts could rip you apart in an instant!”

The doctor nodded. “Oh, yes. Yes, I know. But at the moment, they are not.”

Vigo sighed, taking off his hat and rubbing at his bald head. After a few moments, he finally calmed down. “Just why exactly are you in that cage?”

“It’s all part of my research, of course.” Longfoot pointed at the lizardment. “These creatures are absolutely fascinating. Fascinating! Did you know that they can hold their breaths for more than twenty minutes while underwater? Also, due to their ecology in this horrid, filthy swamp, these creatures are immune to all known diseases. And what’s more! They are resistant to most poisons and chemicals!”

“Yes, yes, you’ve told me this all before. Countless times.”

“Have I?” The doctor frowned. “Well, it’s all very fascinating, regardless.”

“Why. Are. You. In. That. Cage?” Vigo asked once more.

“Oh. Well, when I was observing them outside of the cage, the lizardmen were all snarling and snapping at me. They seemed quite eager to tear me to shreds.”

“And?” Vigo was getting impatient again.

“And so, I decided to go inside the cage,” Longfoot said simply.

“That’s it?! Man alive, what kind of fool are you?”

“Don’t you get it, captain?” Longfoot said excitedly. “They didn’t kill me when I opened the door and gone inside! They obviously knew that if they did, the men around here would take much offense to that and punish them severely. That just proves they are intelligent beings!”

Vigo snorted. “Even a dog learns not to bite when whipped for long enough.”

“Exactly! These beasts haven’t been put through the rigorous slave training in Caldera and yet, they were able to think logically through observation alone!”

“Fine, fine, they’re smart beasts,” Vigo said. “Are you done in there now?”

Longfoot thought for a moment. “Why, yes. I suppose I am. Say, would you mind if I dissect one of these specimens?”

“Mind? Of course I mind! That’s merchandise! Do you know how much they sell for in Caldera?”

The doctor rolled his eyes. “Of course, I shall pay you for the carcass.”

“Will that get you out of the cage?”

Longfoot nodded.

“Then fine!” Vigo shook his head and walked away.

The doctor chuckled, then turned to the lizardmen in the cage with him. “Well then, my lovely specimens. Which one of you will be the lucky one to forward the progress of science?”