When we got down to the oars I noticed Tae in the same situation as me. He was just looking forward, trying not to think about his arms that hurt like hell. Not only I'm real hired guard but the god that blessed me is the biggest liar in all worlds! While I and Tae were working our asses off, Skyge was just sleeping on Astvar’s knees and he didn’t even notice that we weren’t by his side! I want bonus money for that work!

I didn’t know how long we were doing this but we stopped again. Before we noticed the commotion we were still paddling until someone shouted “Monster!” Right in front of the ship, there was a big monster. It was a green sea serpent. I was ready to throw my ax at him in the hope of a Lucky Throw but Astvar stopped me and pointed at the front of the ship.

The priest was on his knees praying. While he was doing that the fire appeared around him and two chains on fire were circling him. When he stood up the chains broke and fire moved, creating a wave of fire. It was about to hit me so I raised my guard but it wasn’t hot. It was warm… The sea serpent was still alive but it wasn’t moving at all. The priest whispered something and then the monster sank into the depths of the sea.

[ Astvar ]

“Normally warriors would attack the monster but the priests from Pure Sun are pacifists as their god so they only scare the monsters away.”

[ Eric ]

“Cool… but still the monster might attack another ship…” Yeah of course a pacifist priest would carry a long sharp knife with him. It’s just a decoration…

[ Astvar ]

“Nothing we can do… This is Pure Sun territory so we can’t kill the monster.”

[ Eric ]

“What a bullshit.”

[ Astvar ]

“Until they declare those monsters a threat they won’t attack them. Some priests still think that this is what they pay for their sins.”

[ Eric ]

“Weird but ok...”

[ Astvar ]

“By the way… where were you when I was explaining all of this?”

[ Eric ]

“Ah you know… guarding the lower part of the ship…”

[ Astvar ]

“Oh… Then good work.”

[ Eric ]

“You need to learn when someone is sarcastic…”

I left Astvar and went to talk with a priest. He was just looking at the sea but when I got closer, it looked like he wasn’t looking at the sea but the sea was taking his sight out of him. He didn’t even notice me standing right by him.

[ Eric ]

“Looking for more monsters?” I asked to which the priest responded with shock.

[ Agor ]

“No… Just watching the sea. It’s always a nice view of the sea. No matter the time or weather. It always has this…”

[ Eric ]

“Good vibe?”

[ Agor ]

“Yes! Wait. What does the vibe mean?”

[ Eric ]

“Well, umm…”

[ Agor ]

“You’re not from around here are you?”

[ Eric ]

“Kind of.”

[ Agor ]

“From the sea I can feel this good ‘vibe’ but from you… It’s like… something bad is standing right by your side…” Ouch, that was kind of offensive and unnecessary…

The last days of travel were quiet and calm. Especially when I didn’t have to paddle anymore. It was like a blessing from Loki but much better when Astvar told that guard that I’m his personal guard for the trip. As for the Tae… He wasn’t so lucky on the last day.

The fifth day was without any stops. It was a straight way to Sehus. I was slowly getting sick of the sea. The only thing I could hear was waves, the ship was rocked all the time. I was surprised that no one was seasick. At least I didn't see anyone like that. They probably went through worse things. The only thing that I’m missing now is a shower… At the village, I could wash myself in the bath but here… there is like no personal space.

I could see the Sehus already. It wasn’t a big island or at least didn’t seem that way. It was a big city with a huge church with two towers on the highest point in the city. The first tower’s roof was orange and the second’s dark blue. Weird architecture but it is a different culture in this world… The island was in the shape of a crescent and the port was located in the hole? Or however, you could call that… It was definitely a big living city. There were eight docks and there were two ships on each of them and this is only a civilian port. A few kilometers away there was something like a military district with ten docks. It’s definitely a strong clan or at least stronger than our village. I wonder if there is a stronger clan and if there is one, how stronger it is…

We were welcomed by the Jarl of this city. It’s the capital of Pure Sun. Usually, kings govern the capital but here it is different but the king does live in the Sehus. The Jarl was young, around twenty I would say. He was tall and had a scar on his left eye. He had long black hair to his shoulders with shaved sides. By him stood four men with golden masks. They wore the same clothes as priests but they had some armor on them and weapons. They are probably something like holy knights? One of them had a strong presence and he didn’t even hide it. Probably to scare anyone who dares to attack the Jarl.

[ Berfor ]

“Welcome to Sehus. I Berfor son of Leck, welcome you to the land of Pure Sun.”

Astvar slowly approached him and gave him his hand. Isn’t it rude? I thought that he was a Jarl that knew what to do. Most of the time he sounded official but this? Berfor had a serious face and looked at his hand. After a moment of tension, Berfor shacked Astvar hand and hugged him.

[ Berfor ]

“Long time no see.”

[ Astvar ]

“Likewise!”

[ Berfor ]

“How long was it? When did we see each other?”

[ Astvar ]

“Two years ago… or maybe three? It definitely was on Torima island.”

[ Berfor ]

“Ah yes… Good old times.”

So they are old pals… That’s good…

[ Berfor ]

“Are those your guards?”

[ Astvar ]

“Those people are my warriors but the two of them.” Astvar pointed at me and Tae. “They are my guards.”

[ Berfor ]

“No offense but I need to ask. Why? They don’t look strong.”

[ Astvar ]

“They both are blessed by the gods.”

[ Berfor ]

“Really?! You have blessed people in your village?” Said shocked Berfor.

[ Astvar ]

“This is Tae. He’s blessed by Frejr and he is able to heal wounds.” Tae bowed his head to Berfor. “And this is Eric. Savior of my son and the village.”

[ Berfor ]

“And… his god?”