Chapter 37

Garman’s ploy to keep Wil in his room to rest was effective. The sickly young man was nearly too embarrassed to leave his cabin, only when forced to travel to the mess or bathroom did he show his face to anyone.

Inevitably, the story of what Wil experienced made its rounds amongst the crew, islanders, and his friends. Although some people like Garman focusing on his encounter with Desire, most were appalled by his battles with the massive, infected dragon turtle, and the Fat Man, who’s necromancy had ravaged Wil’s body.

The few times that Wil ventured out, rather than the endless slew of laughter and jokes about turning down Desire’s offers, more people sympathized with his battles, impressed that he came out on top both times, despite his injuries.

Aside from rest, recovery, and shoveling as much food as possible into his stomach to regain his lost weight, Wil spent a lot of his time studying his spell book and stabilizing his new Rank. His encounter with the ‘Gold Coin’ had unlocked something in his core, that final block that had been holding him back from progressing.

It was with almost no effort that, while traveling with the Owl to return to the Drake, he had advanced to Rank 6, granting him an even greater pool of mana to draw on for his spells. He was still limited to Tier 3 spells, but he could cast them with more efficiency and strength than ever before.

Wil wasn’t alone in his cabin as the Night dragged on, and he lay in bed recovering. All his friends visited him, and he finally found out how they knew everything that he had experienced in the ‘Inner Realm’.

Apparently, while he was asleep, the Azure Lord had come into the bay, sharing its memories with Sophia, before informing the priestess to speak with Wil when he awoke. The Dragon Turtle knew the young mage would have questions, but the mythological creature was unable to remain in Miquelon until the other awoke, leaving the task to Sophia.

The priestess, when looking for him, had ran into his companions and related his adventure to them to alleviate their concerns, leading to Wil’s current predicament. He wasn’t entirely sure how much Sophia knew, or what she told them, but it was enough that they could piece together most of the critical events.

Lying on his cot, he though about some of the more…memorable visits he had over the last few days.

Mara had peeked into his room early on, a grin on her face as she could barely wait to tease him about his encounter with her nude ‘doppelganger’.

“Really Wil, you weren’t tempted… not even a little?” The warrior asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him teasingly, twisting her body slightly as if showing off her ‘assets’.

“No! Not even a bit!” Wil had yelled, his response punctuated by a thrown pillow. Laughing as she dodged it, her teasing kept up until Martin rescued him, giving an excuse that it was time for his healing. Grateful for the intervention, Wil hadn’t complained at all while the cleric examined his injuries.

Worse, Bell and Garman insisted on spending time with him, the pair grilling him about every embarrassing detail, while they drank more ‘grog’ than any human should be able to consume and remain alive.

Resigned to his fate, he grudgingly answered their questions, while his eyes watered from the alcoholic fumes that were wafting from their mugs.

“So, Lad. You turned down women and riches and power, and in return, you got a coin?” Bell said, shaking his head at the deal and he drained his mug of poison.

“That’s a shit deal, Junior. Should have tried negotiating, it’s too bad you’re an idiot. I would have asked for half a harem of women, just a few treasure chests of gold, and maybe a couple sips of that potion, and she could leave without my boot up her arse. See, women like a man who takes charge. She sees you, all weak and crying, and thinks ‘here’s an easy mark.’” Garman said, poking him in the chest with his finger.

“Not me and Garman, Lad. Wouldn’t find us being taken advantage of. Would have gotten that coin, and thousands of others to join it, if we were there. Garman’s right, you just need more confidence. Don’t worry about it too much, we’ll set you straight.”

“Too bloody right! We’ll take you under our wings, little baby birdie!” Garman agreed, draining his mug, and trying to stand on his feet. Unsteady, the former auxiliary commander took one step before falling backwards back on the bed.

Bell, laughing at the man’s plight, refilled his friend’s mug, as the conversation continued to head deep into the gutter, moving into extreme detail on what they would have done if they were there.

Groaning, Wil covered his face with his arm as he lay on the bed, wishing he had just died instead.

To his relief, Quentin hadn’t been avoiding him. Clearing the air, he explained exactly what happened, although he left out precisely how tempted he had been. Understanding, they put it behind them as she explained what had happened while he was gone.

The Drake was nearly repaired, the materials for the new mast was in the harbor, and just needed to be attached. Before the attack by the Sahuagin, they were planning on getting the ship fixed and sailing out to retrieve Wil, but now that he had returned on his own, they had modified their plans.

Their ship had come out unscathed during the attack, but the other merchant vessels weren't as lucky. Dozens were dead or injured, and the remaining ships would be unable to make it to Lund without their assistance.

It was agreed that the Drake would wait until sunrise before escorting the other ships to Lund, making a small fleet that Edvard would command. The extra few days until the suns rose would allow the final repairs to be completed and would see the dead laid to rest.

The night passed swiftly, the sounds of battle having been replaced with the continued noise of repair work. The village had suffered greatly during the last few days, with many of their homes destroyed. On top of that, the islanders were a close-knit community, and the loss of even the handful of defenders that had perished was a blow to them.

Wil had made it to the deck of the Drake on the day Sophia would be holding a ceremony for the dead. Leaning on the railing, he could barely make out the prayers and songs that gave tribute to the fallen from where he stood, as their wrapped bodies were placed in a small, wooden boat and pushed out into the bay.

With a simple gesture, Sophia used her mana to light the boat on fire, consigning the dead to the Sea God’s eternal care. Watching as the burning boat drifted out to sea, Wil said his own prayer for the fallen.

“May the light of the Twin’s shine on you for all eternity.” He whispered.

Earlier in the day, he had a brief conversation with the Priestess before the Drake set sail, only a short moment where she thanked him for his assistance, conveying the Azure Lord’s gratitude. Wil had waved the appreciation away, him and the Dragon Turtle were square, their transaction complete and his reward collected.

“I expect we’ll see clear skies all the way to Lund?” Wil had pressed the priestess for an answer. After all, this was the entire reason he had agreed to help in the first place.

“Sailor’s delight, Wil. I predict calm seas and fair winds on your travels.” Sophia responded, smiling at the mage.

Their brief interaction had been enough for Wil. Its not that he had anything against the woman, but his dealings with the gods had been decidedly…one sided. He felt like a lost little lamb, being led by a carrot from one misadventure to the next, always with the threat of the stick to drive him forward when the rewards weren’t enough.

He had no doubt that Lund would find him once again caught in the middle of whatever conflict the gods saw fit to toss him into.

Finally, the blue sun of Secundus rose to the east, a brilliant light that lit the Azure Sea in its namesake color. The Drake was fully repaired, if a little worse for wear. The new masts were installed, upright and strong. The ship’s white sails were already unfurled to catch the warm, ocean breeze.

On the beach, the islanders, including the mayor and his brother, were waving cheerfully as the Drake set sail, leading a small group of merchant vessels to their next destination.

With the promise of clear skies and fair winds, Wil watched the island of Miquelon faded in the distance, the wind blowing through his black hair. Already, the grey had faded, and he had gained back some of his lost weight. In the remaining months to Lund, he suspected that he would be stronger than ever.

Staring out over the sea, Wil caught a glimpse of a large creature breach the surface, miles away. He knew what I was once he saw the spikey shell and finned head peek out of the water.

Raising a hand high in the air in greeting, Wil bid farewell to the Dragon Turtle, as the Drake left for its next adventure.