When I opened my eyes, I noticed that I was in my bed with a sweet-smelling aroma floating about the air. My eyes fluttered and my muscles ached. Even moving my head made me feel like my body was being torn right from left. Though blurry, I could make out the stone on my table. Like a small light within a dark tunnel, its glimmer was reflected within my eyes.
Upon closer inspection, it was a very beautiful rock. It was black like a fine onyx gem. When I held it, it was soft to the touch. It was shaped like a small egg and gleamed beneath the candlelight in my room.
Speaking of my quarters, I also noticed that it was dark. Only the light of the candle on my study desk illuminated my room. I felt weak and I felt thirsty. I noticed the familiar pitcher of water on the floor next to my chair at the table. I slowly reached out my hand and urged for the water within it to obey my will.
All I could do was watch in silent shock as the water within it remained perfectly still. As I stared at the pitcher, that familiar feeling of dread washed over me like ice.
I had lost my powers once again.
I couldn't even feel the creatures swimming beneath the crashing tides. Just like before my death, the seas had forsaken me once again.
Although I felt the opposite, I found myself rather calm. Despite the pain, I chuckled. Aye, a pirate captain forsaken by his crew, forsaken by the sea, and forsaken by the very fate which drove him forward. There was humor to be found in the odd tragedy. That said, I figured it was possible that my abilities would return. They had returned before...I think.
When I died, I had not had my powers when I drowned. Yet, I woke up in my body of 19 years with those same abilities that I had not held yet in the previous time. So if I had them now, as opposed to that time, then it should stand to reason that they would return. However, Liara had stated that I had been dead for a number of years before my rebirth. What if...it took that long for my powers to come back?
I closed my eyes and turned my head back up to face the ceiling. Aye, I was definitely going to fuck over one of the Fates for this. This was now the second time I had experienced this odd separation between myself and my abilities. That said, perhaps this was the first time I was properly digesting this information. The power which I used to claim my throne...was gone.
I heard the turn of my doorknob. I turned my head to see who would come in. I suppose that since I had just been sleeping earlier it wouldn't be much of a surprise if someone knocked and I didn't answer. I'd forgo the knock on the door needing my permission just this once.
The door slowly opened and I noticed Aesteal's pretty little head poke through.
"Sir!" she exclaimed. Though her enthusiasm was welcome, the volume of her voice was not. Her aura sought mine out wildly and wrapped around it like a warm blanket. Luckily for me, she recognized this and resumed with moderate noise.
"Spirits praise that you have awoken. I'll go get the others. Everyone's worried about you," she said. She was gone before I could say anything. I think all I could have said would have come out raspy anyway. My throat felt like I had the entire Ugoarin Desert piled within it.
After some time, I wondered if I should have stayed asleep because now the others began to pile into my room. I shall tell ye, never had I thought I'd see so much worry upon me own mother's wonderful face. I wondered when was the last time in my old life had she shown me such worry.
"You sure gave us quite the scare, Eric Drakclaw. Imagine my surprise when I'm pulled from my studies by Maeloson informing me that you've passed out. Why dear Ellen checked on you almost every hour," Ilzahold said.
"Don't make me toss an urn of shark piss on you, Liara. I hear it's good for making witches melt," Ellen fired back as she folded her arms and somewhat pouted in a cute way.
I turned to Maeloson. "How...did...ya...get...in...tower?" I asked. I had a good idea, but I'd rather hear it for myself.
"Elves are perfectly capable of wielding the blessings of the spirits as well. There are those of us that merely choose not to. That is, if you're talking about how I activated the magic array on the wall beside the trapped stairs," he replied.
I stared at Maeloson for a moment. I wondered what elf would have a desire to forgo magic. They breathe the shit like fish breathe water.
With my mother's aid, I slowly leaned up and Aesteal served me a cup of water. I probably drank the whole damn pitcher before I felt well enough to speak.
"What happened?" I asked.
All eyes turned to Aesteal and Maeloson. The former, and sexiest, elf went first. "You passed out after you touched that stone on the table that Maeloson threw to you. We...panicked at first. Swiftly, Maeloson ran to grab for Liara. He must have told Ellen and Ira what happened because they barged in not long after. We...somehow got Nz'ia to put you in the bed while I explained to them what happened," Aesteal said.
Maeloson then spoke. "Liara checked on you, but other than a sudden fever, she found nothing wrong with you. She did what was within her capabilities, but she's not a doctor," Maeloson replied. I shot down a chuckle. Ya'd think a witch who lived for so many years would far surpass a doctor, but what can I say?
"Ellen and I decided to let you rest. Only she and I were allowed to check up on you, at least with surveillance of Liara. She brewed a mixture from you which dispelled your fever. We haven't told the crew about what happened. No one knows what shall happen if they learn you became bedridden," my mother answered next.
Once I got myself together, I figured now would be a good time to answer the questions floating throughout the silent air. No doubt Ellen summed them all up well when she spoke. "So...what the fuck happened to you?" she asked, her blonde hair glimmering with a radiant sheen thanks to the glowing candle.
Aye, the way life took its turns was as unpredictable as the very days which lead men to their own destinies. I had not thought that I would need to divulge my biggest weakness so quickly. However, it was true that I needed Liara's knowledge and, currently, that knowledge was locked within the confines of my mind to me.
"Well, I'll make it blunt for all of us. For the time being, I ain't the Son of Poseidon," I told them.
I let that shock settle into everyone for a moment. I could understand their concerns. We had incited the wrath of Kavtha, the water golem deity of C'ula, and we were on a deadly island filled with treasures and unknown mythical beasts. Aside from Liara, I was the other person who gave everyone the confidence to be here. For now, aside from some magic and elemental scrolls, I was just a teen brat in his pirate captain's outfit.
"You're without your powers?" My mother asked.
"Aye. And the reason would be that," I said as I pointed at the table behind them. All eyes laid upon the black and white stone that had taken away my abilities. Maeloson reached out for it and picked it up.
"It's the stone Maeloson and I found when that creature took two of our members. What's wrong with it?" Aesteal asked.
I was going to explain, but Liara clearly beat me to it. "Well, it appears to be a moonstone. A well-refined moonstone at that. Though they are small, minuscule even, I sense the divine aura of certain gods and devils within it. One who values their life does not mix these repelling forces casually," the witch said.
"And this took away the Captain's powers?" Maeloson asked.
I nodded. "Aye. Which was why I asked Liara about moonstones back in C'ula. Since there's no point in attempting to hide it, then I'll let you all know. Currently, to the best of my knowledge, those stones are the only thing fatal to me," I said.
There was silence within the room for some time.
"Will your powers come back?"
I was a little stunned when I heard Ellen's voice. I looked at her for a moment. She stared at me with that single uncovered eye that continued to draw me in. Never in my life would I have thought that Ellen Sothshore, arguably the one on this ship who despised me the most, would ask that.
I leaned back. "Couldn't tell ya. How long have I been asleep?" I asked.
"Ten hours," my mother spoke.
I sucked my teeth while a bit of worry filled me. Ten hours had passed since I touched that stone and still my powers had not returned. I leaned my head against my window. "All I can tell ya is that it apparently takes more than ten hours if they do," I answered.
The ship creaked from the gentle waves for a time. I then turned to my mother. "Mom, bring me a notepad," I said. She looked at me before she moved per my request. I was given a notepad and freshly inked quill.
"Liara, I ask that you take the stone and study it. Do so in your own time if you desire apart from what you study on Delverhold. I wanna know how long it'll take if my abilities come back. Aside from night, mom will ask me every four or five hours if my abilities have returned. If not, then write it down on this notepad. Tomorrow, we're gonna investigate the fucker who attacked your group," I ordered.
"Is it safe for you to do so?" Maeloson asked.
I was going to assume that was out of concern more than anything else. "If ya think I'm a helpless wharf rat just waiting for death merely because I can't control the waters beneath our ship, then you're wrong. I'll be fine," I told him.
Maeloson shrugged his shoulders and tossed Liara the stone. She looked it over for a little while. "Dear captain, do you recall when we spoke in C'ula about moonstones?" Liara asked.
I nodded slowly. "Aye, you regaled me with stories of their possible origin. Has the eye of the great witch already found something?" I inquired. She smiled.
"Well, I shall lay one of those stories to rest. They, at least, don't form from the Celestial Realm. No, for this one contains the essence of...one whose lips shall not pass my tongue. That is unless our dear captain fears not...The Uhngaul, The Slain Remnants," Liara finished.
A boom of thunder rushed across the sky once Ilzahold finished those words. Ellen and my mother had no idea what Liara was referring to, but I could see the unspeakable horror on Aesteal and Maeloson's face. I doubt I was much different. Beyond this world, even I believe that there are some things...even gods and demons fear. Something that makes Zeus quake upon his throne. Something that stays Artemis' hunters. Something that not even Hades would dare keep imprisoned within his own realm of hell, sin, and death. Something...that not even Helios nor Selene nor Ares would dare shine or go to war with. Something...so evil that the very concepts of wrong and right seem like a playfully game.
I closed my eyes. "No. Just study it as ya wish. If it involves those forces then handle it at your own discretion. I'd rather nothing happen to you, Liara," I said.
Ilzahold clenched the stone and giggled. "Quite. Fear not, dear captain, for I am not so easily disposed of. I shall rest on the ship and return to the tower in the morning. Hold no hesitation in waking me if something else occurs. I pray thee a fair night," she responded.
Liara walked up the stairs and closed the door behind her. We watched her go and Maeloson informed me that he would start some planning for the return tomorrow. This left my mother, Ellen, Aesteal, and I alone.
"Need anything else before the night grows long?" my mother asked.
I think my tiredness had warped my thoughts a bit because I chuckled out, "Three sexy, naked ladies would serve just fine," I replied.
There were no spoken words. I assumed the three with me would just take note of my deliriousness and tiredness before leaving me alone. I admit I wasn't ready to hear the shuffling of clothes. I also wasn't ready to turn my gaze to the center of my room and see my mother, Ellen, and Aesteal wordlessly stripping themselves of their overgarments.
My eyes focused on the way Aesteal grabbed her shirt and pulled it over her head revealing her pretty and delicious breasts. Her skin was as clear as always and her curves hung well from her continued elven training. Her face was wide with a nervous blush that my unfocused mind found positively...enlightening.
I then turned to my mother. The effects of her medication were clearly in their last stages. A fine tone of muscle lined her feminine figure. She unbuttoned the rest of her shirt and I was greeted to her breasts as well. My mother's breasts were much more supple. There was a noticeable drop to them, but I found that to be enticing and expected of a mature lass. Finally, my mother was the beautiful creature she must have always desired to be.
When I made it to Ellen, I noticed her clothes were already off. I admired her as well. The body of a tough woman with a temper hotter than any pistol barrel. I wondered how many fights she had been in to train such a body in deadly proficiency. Draegnar had toughed up this lass into a rose filled to the brim with poisonous thorns. One that only expert handlers were blessed to touch, handle, and enjoy.
All three ladies stood before me though I had to admit it was a pleasing contrast of their personalities. Aesteal with her demure posture, my mother with her hands on her hips, and Ellen with her folded arms. All of them such wonderful women aboard my ship. Poisonous vipers they were to an average man.
"You all look like I'm about to devour you. Though I'd like to, I fear I'm more staggered than one of Ellen's drunken, fat patrons of her tavern. Lay with me, you three. Should you not respect the wishes of the sickly?" I asked.
"Oh, I'll give you my respect alright,"
I heard Ellen mumble beneath her breath, but I didn't argue her words. I was too worn out to do so anyway. Instead, Aesteal blew out the candle thus allowing the darkness to run throughout my quarters. My mother took her place at my left arm while Ellen took my right. Aesteal then wormed her way into my middle.
"Staggered you might be, Sir, but you're still rubbing against my thigh," Aesteal remarks as she nestled her head into my neck.
"You definitely fucked an incubus, Ira. Only way you could spawn a bastard with this much lust," Ellen responded as she turned over.
"Is that why you left my son's quarters like you tried to leg wrestle a Giape?" My mother fired back. Ellen snorted, but she didn't reply. Somehow, I could just feel my mother's smug smile before everything became silent. It wasn't long before I heard the sounds of the three sleeping.
I stayed awake for a little longer. I brushed through my mother and Ellen's hair just like I had done a few nights before. I felt Aesteal's breast rub on my chest and, though my powers were lost, I felt that familiar feeling of peace that I had not known for many years. It lulled me back to sleep like the sweet sound of a flute.
The next morning came upon us and I dressed myself alone in my room. I still heard not the call of the sea and could only sigh. Well, I had already come to terms with the fact that my primary source of attack and defense was gone. Well, that was one of the reasons why I had purchased pistols from the Draegnar gun shop anyway.
I loaded them into their holsters and strapped my cutlass down. I desired to say that the creaks of my ship calmed me, but they only tormented me with knowing that I had been forsaken once again. Perhaps the only difference between then and now was that I wasn't being eaten alive by blood sharks.
I stepped out of my quarters and into the hot sun. The sounds of men and women moving shit to and from the ship caught my ears. I noticed Ellen barking some orders about what should go where. She caught my gaze.
"You look like shit," she replied to me.
"Shame. I had a pretty good sleep," I told her. Her eye rolled at me before she went back to her business.
"Well, good for you, Sir. Aesteal and Maeloson are waiting for ya at the shore. The knight bitch and I will guard the ship. I'll keep watch on Astell," She answered.
A small yawn left my lips as I gave myself a brief stretch. "Good. I'm also gonna take Nz'ia with me. If it's combat the Xhaluter wants, then I have reason to bet that he'll be getting it. Also, if anything that ain't Liara or the rest of us comes out of those trees...,"
"Yeah yeah, shoot first and ask questions never. I know the drill," she said.
Arrr, I think someone was getting too comfortable as of late.
SMACK!
Ellen groaned as the crack of my hand against her ass rang through the ship. Naturally, this stopped some of the workers as they looked on in surprise. Sothshore glared at me, but I glared back.
"You've been getting a little sassy as of late, Ellen. Should I show ya that I can be just as formidable without my powers as I am with them?" I asked her.
Now granted, if Ellen truly decided to try my hand then she would have no better time than now. She was already aware that I was powerless. Well, powerless in the way that she and I knew. As of right now, there was no difference between her and me.
She glared harder at me but then turned away. "No, Sir. I'm sorry for my disrespect, Sir," she replied.
I approved her apology. "Good. Now, I was gonna say if anything pops up then contain it as best ya can. If you can't, then blow it the fuck up as you said. If there's anything else like what attacked Maeloson and Aesteal then I ain't taking any chances. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir,"
Once I felt assured of that, I made my way to the island. When I thought back on Ellen's refusal to challenge me, I figured it wasn't hard to see why. As much as Sothshore and I had...bonded over the course of this voyage, ya sure as hell couldn't call us friends. Aye, we had a better understanding of each other, but one shouldn't expect us to act like close mates. Naturally, I had gotten into the good mood of Ellen with all of the treasure we had uncovered, but she wouldn't be one of the powerful authorities within the underworld of business if that was all it took to sway her.
If I was honest, I was rather surprised that she didn't contest me, but I imagined it was because she simply didn't know when my abilities would return. For all she knew, they could have returned and I had not told her. Clearly, she'd rather not test her luck if she didn't have to. Ellen was nothing if not a smart lass. One doesn't become a major power in Draegnar by being a fucking idiot.
Well, that one of the many reasons I adore that sexy bitch. More than anyone else, she kept me as sharp as my blade.
I landed on the shoreline with relative ease and quickly spotted my mother. "How goes the treasure hunting?" I asked.
My mother moved her lips to the side. "Seems the beach is becoming dry. It's taking longer and larger digging efforts. We've been here for over a week now. This sandy well had just about run its course. It won't be long before we'll have to move inland. I...I want to accompany you on your search. You did task me to keep you informed of your...problem. Would that be alright?" she asked.
I looked at her for a long while and then I pushed my head forward and kissed her. She responded in kind with enthusiastic lips that returned my kiss with equal fervor. Mmm, I think I felt a piece of tongue slip in there.
"Aye. Just keep your wits about you, mother. Technically, this could be your first test of combat since your recovery. Best you keep all those legendary talents ya used to regal me with at their best," I warned.
My mother rolled her eyes at me and waved her hand. "I understand, Eric. I'm not a child," she replied rather childlike. My gaze softened and I kissed her again.
"Seas, that I know. I ain't gonna coddle ya, mom. However, I am still your bastard son. I'd rather you not enter Davy Jones' Locker nor the Realm of Hades any time soon,"
My mother slapped my arm. "Aye, that silver tongue of yours is gonna get ya in trouble one day. I'll be careful," she said.
I acknowledged her words and instructed her to take one of the grey pills that I had given to Maeloson, Aesteal, and their warriors. She was then tasked with joining the others while I gathered Nz'ia. He seemed enthused over the prospect of combat in his own way. I wondered how much of a leash I would need to keep him under. Xhaluters enjoy combat so much that some have called them the Harbingers of Ares.
Once he was gathered, I found Maeloson and Aesteal working with some of the other men and women from Hilvir that they trained. It was apparent to me that some of them were a little unnerved by what they had seen yesterday. That said, I saw most of them with grit and resolve in their eyes. They probably figured that if they had survived what we sailed to before then they could survive this as well. I'd applaud them if it didn't make me look like an utter fool.
When Aesteal locked eyes with me, she prepared her new bow on her back. "How would you like us to proceed, Sir?" she asked. Her voice must have broken the concentration of everyone else because those who were gathered looked up to me. Maeloson also journeyed over.
"They might not be living or from any of the races, but something was here. Something upset the growth of the vegetation. They weren't footprints nor animal tracks. It was made by something slithering away, something large at that," he also spoke.
I stared at the disturbed bushes and grass. Indeed, something had been observing my crew for some time. Whether it was stalking them or merely curious, it had not obviously attacked anyone, but that made me wonder if it would. It was possible that it was the Reaver of Roots, but if that fucker's on this island then I could only guess what other shit was here. I couldn't even sense any of the water flowing through the bodies of those around me which meant I had no way of tracking anything else in the forest. Well, aside from tracking magic, but that would require something unique to the individual.
"Take us to that tree that you said you found. We'll start there. If anyone starts exhibiting those signs that you reported earlier then we'll detain them. Liara and I will look them over. If it be who I think it is, then I'll explain while we walk," I said.
"Yes, sir," Both replied.
Nz'ia and my mother agreed as well and we finally began to embark through the trees just as we had done yesterday. Maeloson and Aesteal guided us through the dense wilderness of the first Delverhoid island. Just like I had said before, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. The heat was unbearable. The only solace was the shade in the trees, but even those didn't offer very much. It felt like Helios would burn us alive as we continued walking.
I decided to shed off my captain's coat and store it away in a scroll meant for those purposes.
"Cazugalima rashavan egdaio fgpulo!" Nz'ia suddenly said lowly as he tightened his grip upon his weapon. Unfortunately, I wasn't attached to him so I wasn't exactly sure what he said, but judging by the intense glare on his face, it couldn't have been good.
Maeloson signaled for some warriors to take to the trees. I was rather impressed that they performed this action so easily. It wasn't like we had too many places to climb on the ship aside from the posts. Nevertheless, they all climbed like they were born right out of the lands of Un.
We pressed onward. "Have your abilities returned yet?" my mother asked softly.
"No," I answered just as quietly. I then heard my mother writing down on the notepad she no doubt held behind me.
While we walked, I took some time to collect some grass, flowers, and clear water from a stream which we had passed. I also collected some sparkling stones and other materials that I would enjoy crafting within the realm of alchemy. I had to admit that with the knowledge, the art of the alchemist way was becoming a rather pleasant pastime for myself.
Unfortunately, I couldn't collect all that I wanted to. I'd rather not delay the group more than necessary and I still understood the severity of the situation. Though I most likely already knew what had befallen the two that were taken, I still required investigation to ascertain the differences between this island and the one from my previous life.
"Captain!" someone called out to me from behind.
I pushed my inner thoughts away and turned my head to see who had spoken. "You said you'd explain your thoughts about the creature we encountered as we walked?" a woman said to me. Her eyes were aglow with the aura of curiosity and I soon found the others around me to share her spirit.
We continued walking through the crushing leaves, intense heat, and humid air. The sweat from my brow dropped down to my lips and tongue. I stared into the immense overgrowth. Each step we tread was a step that continued to worry me despite the fortune that had fallen into my pouch.
"Legend claims that the reason the alchemist sought Delverhold was due to practices of which he pursued. Day and night, his thirst for knowledge fueled the deepest desires that ran through his mind. Sleepless nights became normal to him, arcane energies flowed around him and sustained him. Theories none had ever conceived, rituals none dared convey, thoughts none wished to entire the mind, all came into him during his search. Yet, he was not satisfied...," I said as others listened.
"Some say he toiled until his fingers broke. Others tell that he stripped his soul from his body to work endlessly. Few claimed...he slit his own throat simply because he could not handle the strain. However, what select few claim...was that in his madness, he took a small tree sapling. He could not go mad. He had too much to accomplish, too much to seek, too much...to attain. So he figured if he were mad, then he would channel it somewhere else. Using unknown arcane texts, he channeled his madness to that tree sapling. No one knows why. Perhaps he assumed a sapling would cause no harm, perhaps it was another test of the limits of magic, or perhaps a demon from Haen had taken possession of him and used him to craft itself its own body. Either way, it worked," I paused a moment and stepped over a large tree branch.
"The alchemist successfully channeled his madness into the tree sapling. Every time his work drew him insane, he channeled that madness into the sapling thus allowing him a clear mind. Days turned to months. Months turned to years. Whether the alchemist knew it or not, the sapling...became aware of itself. Its only clear purpose was...more. Driven by the alchemist's desire for more knowledge, the sapling desired more. From its small pot, it broke and settled itself into a patch of the island's earth, soaking in the mystical nutrients which flow through the island's veins. The sapling gave itself a name, Th'am, the Maddening Reaver of Roots. It desires only to spread and consume more just like its creator had with his maddening quest," I finished.
Someone else spoke. "Forgive me, Captain, but we're fighting against...a tree?" they asked with a not so small dose of skepticism. I sure as hell didn't blame them. One lit smoke ash ought to take care of such a thing.
"Aye, not just any tree. So driven mad was Th'am, and so enriched was it by the island's magic from the alchemist's experiments, that it could connect its consciousness to those not strong enough to repel its advance. It tried on the alchemist, but it failed and the alchemist cursed it that it could only spread its roots a certain range of the island. Probably why the fucking thing hasn't taken the place over. If Th'am connects its mind with your own should you fail to remove it, then you shall be driven insane by the same curse which the alchemist placed into it. Every debased thought that you've got shall be open to ya and the Maddened Reaver of Roots shall take you. I shall not tell you more for the fate once spoken of disturbs even me,"
No one said anything else during that time. Of course, Th'am was capable of being destroyed just like any other beast on this island, but it was easier said than done. I oddly figured that Liara would be a grand match for it, but I found myself to be relying on the Witch a bit too much for my own liking. Plus, there was some dread within me that hoped it would not discover Ilzahold. Something told me...only frightening events would follow if the Witch of Delverhold piqued the interest of Th'am.
"How do we combat it?"
I chuckled. Who else but Maeloson would ask that question. As expected of elves who were trained to battle against the harshness of nature and all she had. On the many weeks that I had observed him, I found none to harbor more of the elven spirit than him. He's a tenacious one if I shall admit openly.
"Well, as one of you had the idea before. It is still a fucking tree demon. Fire and fire magic will no doubt hurt the fucker. I'd assume the light magic from Lady Knight's family would help. A shame she doesn't hold the highest proficiency. However, it's lived on this island for longer than Liara's been alive. It should be aware of its own weaknesses. Which is why you lot better put all that training Aesteal and Maeloson gave ya to good use," I responded.
"Aye, captain!" They chorused.
After about two or three hours of walking, someone signaled to Maeloson and Aesteal of the large tree. They guided me towards it. While we walked, I noticed the magic in the air had grown thinner. I also noticed the roots on some trees that didn't quite look normal. Like leeches, they wrapped around the trunks of the overgrown vegetation. If one could see the flow of magic as well as I could, then they would have seen white, mystical essence following down the tree and into the ground. Like a neverending stream, it swam beneath roots, broken sticks, small rocks, and any other pathway. It all seemed to converge to where my elves were leading me.
It wasn't long now before we stood just beyond a large open field of grass. In the center of the field was a massive tree which easily dwarfed all the others. Its leaves were a myriad of bright colors. All manner of fruit hung from its branches. They all looked delicious. If a man had been marooned on the island, there was no way he could not have forsaken the sight before him that I saw.
Scaled apples, risen mangos, pearled pears, and so many other fruits that were pleasing to the eye draped from beneath its branches. If one didn't know any better, then they would think that they had just found the greatest paradise within this tree, but I could see the magic which sustained it. I could see the waves of distorted magic flowing within its trunk.
Beyond that large tree, I could also see the door that my elves had spoken of. Aye, that was indeed where we needed to go.
"Th'am. To think I would face you once again!" I thought as Maeloson, Nz'ia, Aesteal, and my mother turned to me.
"What now?" my mother asked softly.
"Though its roots have grown far, it shouldn't perceive too much outside of that field. That's most likely where the alchemist cursed it. It hunts by releasing sending out its voice. Anyone or thing with a weak mind will be caught by it and lured to here. If no one's been affected then that most likely means two things. One, everyone here's got a sturdy head on their shoulders, which ain't true. Two, this wasn't around the time it hunts," I said, repeating the same to Nz'ia.
Maeloson stared out into the open field. "So why didn't it attack us when we stepped out there yesterday? Shouldn't it have struck us during then?" he asked.
I shrugged. "You expect men to understand the mind of an insane plant? We're the first people on this island in seas know how long. Fucking thing doesn't know what to think of us. All it probably knows from yesterday is that we're food just like anything else on this island. It's probably only used to attracting one or two victims at a time," I said.
The others agreed and I broke a stick from a branch. "Maeloson, take some of the warriors and head to the left side of the forest. Aesteal shall venture to the right. Mother, you and Nz'ia shall stay here in the middle. I'll go out to meet the Maddened Reaver,"
Aye, it does the heart of a salty soul good to see the worry upon the faces of two beautiful lasses. I could clearly see that my mother and Aesteal didn't seem confident in my decision. To be fair, neither did Maeloson. I don't think Nz'ia cared one way or the other, but it became quite clear where everyone stood on what I had just said.
"Well, you three can't go," I said as I pointed to Maeloson, Aesteal, and Nz'ia.
"Aesteal, you and Maeloson have already been seen by it before. It will be on guard if either of you two shows up. It's gonna be even more on guard since it knows how much mana the two of you possess as members of an elven race. It's also gonna be wary of Nz'ia because he's got the fourth largest mana pool on this ship behind Liara and you two," I stated.
Aesteal and Maeloson seemed like they wished to argue, but no words escaped their lips. "And me?" came the voice of my mother.
"I ain't risking you if I don't have to. Besides, this shall be a good lesson for ya in the affairs of magical creatures. I am your son also. You four shall wait, understood?" I questioned.
"Yes, sir," the three answered me.
"Kun," Nz'ia answered as well.
Once that was settled, I divided the men and women with us into three groups. Aesteal took her group and traveled to the right while Maeloson took his group and traveled to the left. I also spoke some words to Nz'ia. He understood enough and waited with the rest of the gathered men and my mother. The last thing I noted before I ventured into the open field was the worry upon my mother's face.
As soon as my boots stepped from the forest and into the open grass, I felt a sudden wave of unease wash over me. I felt an overwhelming sense of bloodlust, unwoven anger, and overwhelming mana. It actually made a bead of sweat fall down the side of my face. Aye, I wondered if my mother would have even survived underneath this pressure before being driven insane.
I stared at the tree. Its beauty was absolutely radiant. Like an oasis in a sandy valley, it could capture the eyes and the desires of those who had found it. Each fruit glistened with water that looked as clear as crystal. Hell, if I had not stayed focused, I too might have been drawn into its embrace.
Each step seemed harder than the last one. Each blink of my eyes was a test to not lose myself. Th'am clearly deserved its title.
The pressure aside, I kept my pace until I stood just a few feet from the wide tree in the center of the field. If the trees we had passed before were good quality wood, then this one was excellent. The wood looked firm and well-maintained. There didn't seem to be a single imperfection upon its body. The leaves glimmered in colors of green, red, yellow, and any other which might fancy the imagination.
When I drew my head down, had I not already known what to expect, I would have gladly let my soul be taken from my body for the horror that laid in front of me was not something which most men dare look upon. Whether I be lucky or unlucky enough to feast my gaze upon it once again was up to ye.
During the time that I had been admiring the tree, Th'am had formed before me. A body composed of thorny vines, each wrapping around the other, formed some mimicry of the human body. Unnaturally long, green limbs fell down to the ground. Equally long thorns and creepers resembling thumbs and fingers protruded from those long arms and hands.
In contrast, Th'am's body was around my height. It stared at me at eye level, though I knew that was only because it wanted to. Had it desired, it could grow as big as this tree which was its home. Its black, soulless sockets gazed into my eyes. Its open mouth, a wide void of pure agony, stretched open as if waiting to try and devour me should I give it the opportunity.
From what I could also make out, Th'am had woven the frame of its body to be rather...feminine. Curves appeared on its hips that wouldn't normally be there for a male figure. What I assumed to be its interpretation of breasts protruded from its chest. When Maeloson and Aesteal had told me they encountered it, it had the form of a man. Clearly, Th'am had adapted itself not only from the alchemist that stayed here but also from those it had captured.
Th'am continued to stare at me without pause. The vines and roots which shaped its face wriggled and slithered through the open orifices of its face. I could feel the concern in Aesteal's aura. It was almost telling me that there was something coming behind me to try and hold me down before Th'am did to me what it had done to its other victims.
Aye, the veins and grass of the open field were converging upon me. If I did not do something soon, I might have the fluids sucked from my bones and left as a dying husk of the captain I am. That would be the end of the life of Eric Drakclaw. That would be the end of the captain who had been leaped through time to satisfy his need for revenge. He would wind up...as plant food. Aye, it's so funny that the joy can't even escape my lips.
"Th'am," I spoke. The roots and vines behind me stopped. That unholy gaze continued to stare at me. My lips curved upwards.
"Aye, I know ye. Ya don't know it, but we've met before. Ye got in my way the last time I was here. Ya also cost me quite a few men, many of whom survived with me during my early days as a captain. Now, I've learned you took two people of my ship. Seems you and I are destined to be enemies no matter how far back we rewind time. You know, originally, this island wasn't yer home. I was supposed to meet you much later, but ya can blame the Fates for your misfortune. You fell last time. Ye'll fall again even faster this time!" I said as I grabbed one of my flintlocks and pushed its barrel into Th'am's mouth.
Before the viny creature could even shriek at me, I spoke.
"Fiera," I called out. I then pulled the trigger of my gun. A blast of fire exploded from the chamber and into Th'am's mouth. It screamed and raged as hundreds of grassy roots fired into the air. They came upon me with such speed that about twelve of them slammed into my stomach. Before I could even fully take in the pain, I was flung across the field. In my eyes, I could see Th'am's burning body as it writhed and screeched.
The Reaver of Roots bashed its head into the ground almost as if it were trying to put itself out from the flames I had set upon it. "Don't relax yet, Th'am. You shall fear the name of Eric Drakclaw once again," I said as I grabbed for my other flintlock.
"Gųōņṛ: Ƒularin," I shouted. I then fired both guns. Magic arrays releasing the symbol of fire appeared before the barrels of my pistols. As the bullets flew through the arrays, they were shattered and two stone-sized fireballs blazed through the air for Th'am. So wrought with sudden pain was it that it didn't have the time to avoid the other flames I had put upon it.
The ground shook beneath my feet while I watched Th'am arch its decrepit, feminine-looking body in a rather unsightly angle. It then stared at me as I watched the fire slowly began to flow into its body. Aye, that was one of the ways the Maddened Reaver of Roots had at dealing with pyromancy or fire in general. It had somehow adapted its body to feed off the energy or magic in spells. That had been what made it such a pain in the ass to kill last time.
I smirked. No, Th'am. It be not so easy as ye had it last time.
Ya see, Th'am never had something besides the alchemist to challenge it. To Th'am, it was the apex predator, the alpha of the island, and the beast which roamed the lands. All of its methods had worked without mistake, so...why would it think it would ever think it needed to rethink its methods? No one had put up a true fight against it. Ya see, Th'am actually had a rather convenient weakness.
I stared at the ground as earth and stone ruptured beneath my feet. I jumped out of the way of thousands of roots that would have impaled me had I stayed where I was. They rushed for me and I just barely managed to turn my head to the side as one slashed my cheek. I sucked my teeth. Aye, this young body definitely wasn't used to combat just yet. I'd need to remind myself to go through more training with Alteria, or even with Nz'ia.
"Sæń," I uttered. As soon as my feet touched the grass, I felt the wind in my hair as I dashed across the open fields. The spell I had used vastly improved my agility for a short period of time.
The vines chased me across the open plains crashing and uprooting all life that they could touch while they tried to get to me. Th'am roared its ugly maw at me in a series of demonic howls. I then held out my pistols.
"Rÿğůná," I then said next. This time, a magic array for the symbol lightning appeared in one pistol while I prepared the other.
"Aguṽem," I chanted. As ya might expect, a magic array for the symbol of water appeared in my other flintlock. Soon the sounds of ruptured gunshots flung through the air as each array was shattered. A storm of lightning and a rampage of water exploded from my guns. Each spell collided with the other and crashed into Th'am. I surmise that Maeloson, Aesteal, my mother, and the others had covered their eyes from the blinding light because I had and I was closer. All I heard was the screams of the Reaver of Roots.
Aye, one weakness to Th'am was that it couldn't absorb the magical energy or essence from different spells at the same time. If Th'am was hit by a fire spell, then it could quickly adapt itself to absorb the magic within the fire spell. However, if it were hit with a water or wind spell next, it couldn't absorb that magic so readily. Since it had only fought the alchemist, even that must have been brief, it must not have focused on such methods like trying to combat different things at the same time.
However, as expected of a creature that had been driven insane by an alchemist's madness, it was much more tenacious than the one from my time. I say that because even with its skin getting ruptured by several different types of magic, it still found the time to strike me a few times.
I rolled across the open grass and my back slammed against a tree on the edge of the barrier. The wind blasted out of my lungs as I slumped my head down. I chuckled.
"Aye, ya might be a tougher son of a bitch than when I met you the last time. Maeloson, Aesteal, mother, I hope you three are watching. You better be giving those gruns of yours lessons on combat like this. I'm risking my ass for those lessons here," I thought to myself.
I slowly stood up and jumped to the side from a tirade of swirling vines filled with poisonous thorns. I chuckled.
"Faen," I called out next. A spiraling fireball released itself from my hands and trailed through the open skies. It then sprouted like a beautiful flower into five shots. Th'am screeched at me before it moved to avoid those blasts with surprising speed. It tried to slither its body towards me, but I jumped away and narrowly avoided the strikes that held the strength to tear my upper body from its lower counterpart.
I held out the flintlock in my left hand. "Aeira," I chanted.
A powerful gust of wind followed the gunshot from my pistol and bashed into the Maddened Reaver. It howled like some dying demon while its roots lunged for me. I grabbed my cutlass and attempted to cut them, but I noticed the strength of magic flowing within them. No normal blade would cut through them so easily.
"Sæń," I said as I used my speed to dodge the coming strikes that would have taken my head off.
As Th'am tore up the fields, turned and trembled earth, and howled unholy, incoherent curses at me, I ran circles around it. I fired wind, water, lightning, fire, earth, and any other spell that I knew of in Liara's mind that I held access to, but I noticed that my speed was getting slower.
One of Th'am's roots wrapped around my leg and dragged me through the ground. Aye, it hurt like hell, but it be not so bad when ya know reinforcement magic. Unfortunately, my mana was not enough to keep up with the wells of Ilzahold's immense knowledge. What little reserves I had were thoroughly drained.
As Th'am held me in the air, almost as if to maddeningly gloat about its victory, it glared at me. It stretched its mouth wide as I stared into its bottomless sockets. I frowned for a moment before I smiled.
"Aye, Th'am before ya revel in yer victory, let me tell ya something about the Son of Poseidon," I said. Would you have expected this thing to comprehend me? Probably not. I didn't either. I think it was so drugged up on adrenaline and its own madness that it couldn't even hear my thoughts.
As the blood rushed into my head, I held up my thumb. "I don't play fair!" I exclaimed.
What came next could only be described as a war cry. Nz'ia charged out of the trees with spear in hand. His eyes were like those of a veteran warrior. His aura was like that of a mighty bear that laid its vicious teeth on its target.
Th'am roared, or perhaps wailed was a better term, at my Xhaluter. Vines sprang up from the broken ground towards Nz'ia, but I watched the ruthless efficiency in his movements as he swung his speak like a wheel of sharp blades. He sliced through the vines like they were not but cheap paper. There was actual beauty in watching him act, savage though it was.
Nz'ia thrust his spear into Th'am's body. On the surface, this might not have been so impressive against a plant, but he followed with a sharp turn of his superior body. Beneath the hot sun, his skin gleamed like the finest bronze coin while his large, furry tail kept his balance. His strength was great when he cut off Th'am's arm which held me in the air. As I fell down, I patted the warrior's back.
"Sæń," I said. With the last bit of my mana, I increased Nz'ia's speed. As I dropped to the ground, I picked myself up and ran to the edge of the forest which I had exited from. From there, I watched Nz'ia dance a warrior's dance. His steps were aggressive and so was his spear. Th'am's maw howled at him, but the Xhaluter merely responded by stabbing his spear through its mouth and ripping it through the side. Of course, all of these movements and attacks might be good against the average enemy, but against something like Th'am all Nz'ia was doing was pissing the Reaver of Roots off.
Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?
I grinned and pointed out into the battlefield. "Give it hell!" I ordered.
From the trees, like rain, a hail of arrows flew outwards into the field. I could see the coating of magic within some of the arrows. Aye, some had the power of the wind, others had the great passion of fire, and the few held the shock of lightning. I even heard gunshots from behind me, no doubt courtesy of my mother. I could also see Maeloson, Aesteal, and their warriors all handling bows like they had been doing it all their lives. Finally, I could see that saving these men and women of Hilvir had not been a mistake. Though they were not on the level of those naturally gifted with the art of archery like the elves, they were still formidable. The training had indeed paid off.
As one might expect, Nz'ia weaved through each arrow like they weren't even there in the first place. Th'am could only cry and rage in futile resistance as it tried to bring up vines and roots for resistance, but there was a reason why I had decided to make myself known first. The scattered stones and clumps of earth made it quite hard for Th'am's feeble roots to break through to the surface. Additionally, that type of rough terrain was perfect for someone as nimble and gifted for harsh conditions like Nz'ia. Even if Th'am's roots could break through to the surface, my Xhaluter could easily cut them down since they would be weak from pushing so many tough stones.
Nz'ia spun his spear and sliced through the vines. Without those to fortify itself, Th'am could only scream and cry in maddened anger as arrows and gunshots filled with varying elements of magic were fired upon into its body. Ya might think I ought to feel bad for Th'am, but I don't. Though the plant was a bit tragic in how it had come into its being, it was just another that had fallen before me.
After about ten minutes, I slowed the assault. I then allowed everyone to come out of the trees. Nz'ia stood over the wheezing plant. It groaned at us from where it laid beaten.
"Well, we've subdued it, but how do we kill it?" Maeloson asked.
"It's a plant with a curse. A curse stronger than anyone here might know. Of course, it grew into a tree. I bet this large tree is Th'am's true body and the beast before us was merely its way of protecting itself," I said.
"So we just gotta burn it?" my mother asked.
"No, it'll just absorb the magic from any fire spell or energy from any natural fire. You'd just make it stronger before it dies out. No, something like Th'am has to be starved out," I said.
The others looked at me strangely, but I didn't fault them for not knowing what I meant. Instead, I pointed at a spot near the base of the tree. "Instead of staring at me, ya might want to start digging there. Luck's with us, your two warriors might still be alive," I said.
I delighted in the brightened expressions of my two elves' faces. "What? But you said...," Maeloson began, but I quickly cut him off.
"I told ya that luck was with us. If they're still alive then it's only because Th'am must have already had something else to supply it with energy. It probably hunted the day before and used whatever it caught. They were probably its backup," I explained.
Aesteal quickly faced someone. "Head back to the ship! Bring shovels and any digging material that you can handle!" she ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am!" about five or six of them called out before they ran off. In the meantime, we kept Th'am under control until some additional men arrived with the digging material.
From there, I made sure that Th'am didn't influence too many people with its maddening ways. Though we had restrained it, I knew it could still launch its mental attacks against those of weaker will. I had to be on guard for that. Nevermind the fact that it got quite rowdy a few times when we started digging.
It wasn't long before two human-sized sacs of woven fluid were found beneath the dirt. Maeloson cut them open and inside one was the male on Maeloson's team who had been taken. In the other was the woman from Aesteal's team. Robes were thrown over them both since there must have been some type of acidic properties in the fluid that melted their clothes. Both looked rather...wrinkly, but I think that was because their mana had been sucked on since yesterday. Nothing a few days of rest wouldn't fix.
The two were collected from the tree. It was a pity to let all of that delicious-looking fruit burn away, but I would take no chances. I ordered everyone to take out their elemental scrolls. What followed after was a series of explosions that toppled the great tree. Meanwhile, Th'am screamed and faded away into the tall grass. Aye, that didn't kill it, but it would take months or even years for it to recover what it had just now. That would be more than enough time for us to collect what we needed and get off the island. Besides, Th'am wouldn't get back to what it had before. As far as it was concerned, this was the last time it would lay eyes upon another living soul. It would die...far away from touching Liara.
As we all stared at the burning tree, my gaze hardened. Everything that I knew would be tested now for the island was not as it once was. I would need to figure out why, and the first step began with the door carved into the mountainside.
Slowly, Th'am gave a dying wail as its roots unraveled and receded back into the cursed ground. It mattered not how long we dug for. If Th'am didn't want to be found, then ya wouldn't find it. It would bury itself down and recuperate its losses.
"Captain! Some of the fruit survived!" someone called out.
I turned around and noticed everyone picking up the fruit from the trees that had fallen. I was skeptical of this fruit and a part of me thought to destroy that as well. However, I didn't sense anything ominous within it. Additionally, that feeling of dread that I had wasn't showing up. Though I would give it all a glance over just to be sure. I would also have Liara examine it when she had the time.
Once the battlefield was cleared, I walked over to my prize. Aye, ever since I had first laid eyes upon it, it felt like the very veins of mana within my body were being stimulated. The door was crafted with beautiful, sturdy wood. No doubt the alchemist had formed it from the surrounding trees and infused it with his own mana. Inside the door were little grooves for rune slots. Each was filled like it hadn't been touched for over a thousand years or more.
Even now, they still pulsed with vibrant magic energy. No doubt they fed off the natural energy of the island. That had to be what kept them going even when the alchemist had passed away.
I drew close to the door, but I did not touch it. No, I remember when we had passed through that door and what had followed. The fucker was truly diligent in protecting the things buried beneath these islands. I can't say I blamed him either. The type of shit which laid here was not something that common men ought to get their hands on.
I stepped away from the door. The others took notice. "We're not going inside?" my mother asked.
I shook my head. "Not yet. Besides, there's more here to collect and explore. Plus, we have the rest of the tower to go through. If more of these structures appear throughout the isles, then we'll pillage those as well. Ellen's about to become a procurer of magical goods. Many still think these isles a myth. Dare ya imagine what they'll think when we bring back what we have?" I asked.
"No more broken pots or single bedrooms?" My mother asked with jest in her voice.
I smiled. "Aye, no more broken pots, but you'll still warm my bed all the same. Unless ya don't like sleeping with me anymore?" I questioned.
She slapped my hand. "I'll be sure to let yer horny ass know when I don't, Eric. Not that I'd say no anyway," she replied before she began commanding others to carry back what we had discovered. We then left the battlefield behind though I noticed Nz'ia stayed behind. He seemed to be performing some kind of ritual. I knew not what to make of it so I just left him alone.
We made our way back to the ship and I dismissed everyone. I relieved Maeloson and Aesteal of their duties. Ellen gave me a quick rundown of what happened while I was gone. As I had suspected, there wasn't much treasure left to be found. There were so many dug up piles of sand and dirt-covered men that I wondered if the entire beach had been stripped clean of gold and fine magic material.
Of course, some fuckers desired for me to appraise their items and discover their worth. Now, ya might think me a cunt for this, but I did require a bit of...a fee for these appraisals. With that, I was called quite a few unpleasant names which made me laugh, but I sure as hell don't do shit for free. I've yet to meet any pirate who does.
So I spent some time honoring the deals between my crewmates and myself. Once I felt I had enough rest and time to myself, I dined on some more cooked fish and warm bread. I also took some time to look over the fruit that had been gathered. I found no faults with it, but I would still desire Liara's opinion of it.
"Have your abilities returned?" my mother asked.
"No," I sighed tiredly while she continued to write down notes during my downtime. Aye, there was the constant reminder of my disconnection to the sea and tides. I spent some time jotting down some notes in my journal of what I had uncovered against what I had already known. Though most of the things had stayed the same, I noticed very minor differences between then and now, but those minor differences seem to expound upon each other in ways that threw me off.
I closed my journal and stepped out of my quarters once again. The sandy shores were barren except for Alteria and Nz'ia. The two continued to fight and test each other like they had nothing better to do. Absently, I wondered what made the Balamar knight train so hard. The House of Balamar, though a noble family, ain't the most tenacious house I've ever fought against. Yet, her will burns like a bright flame amidst a wide jungle.
Needless to say, but she perplexes me.
When I came back to shore, I entered the forest once again. Don't judge me too harshly when I say I spent some more time grabbing alchemic ingredients. I would have to take as much as could since I would not be coming here a second time. What was produced here was not something that had been seen in the world for many years. Even if I hadn't gained Liara's wisdom in the alchemist way, I still would have gathered these ingredients. The Alchemist Guild and other institutions of magic would not turn their eyes to these materials.
I did this for perhaps an hour or so. The sun had begun to set over the horizon and my storage spaces were filled to the brim with exotic materials that many would pay top coin for. I even hunted and skinned some animals unlucky enough to cross my path. Aye, the antlers of a Landeera, especially ones as cultivated as the ones I had seen were phenomenal.
Once I was satisfied with all that I had taken, I made my way back to the tower that the alchemist had built. I stepped inside and walked through the long corridor until I came up to the familiar steps which housed the burning Black Flames of Gh'ar.
Instead of taking that obvious deathtrap. I pushed my mana into the array on the wall and found myself back in the corridor with the cheap armored statues. I then made my way through the familiar dark hallways until I came up to the door which I had opened into the study room of the building. I could feel the powerful waves of magic behind the door and chuckled to myself. Clearly, the Witch was enjoying her time on the island.
I opened the door slowly. I sought to not disturb Liara if she was in the midst of some strange incantation. When I peered inside, my thought was proven correct. I saw Goron and Diane standing off to the side near the open window while Liara stood in the middle of the room. Hundreds of books levitated in the air by some powerful spell. Their pages turned from right to left as Ilzahold read their contents in some arcane way. Judging by the spirits floating in the air around her, I assume they're transferring the knowledge within those texts to her head. What she planned to do with that knowledge, I didn't know, but that was her business I suppose.
I noticed Diane beckoning me over to where she and Goron stood. As quietly as I could, I walked over to them without breaking Liara's concentration.
"How long has she been like that?" I asked softly.
"Five or six hours," Goron suddenly said. The big lug doesn't usually talk very much. That is unless it's to Diane or Liara.
Diane chose this time to speak, "Lady Liara's been communing with all manner of spirits in order to perceive the written texts in these tomes. Some have been revealed to her, most have not. Yet, that doesn't deter her. It has been quite a long time since I've seen Lady Liara enjoy the ventures into the unknown. That realm isn't usually so lost to her until now," Diane replied.
That wasn't a surprise to me. It must have been quite enjoyable for Liara, She Who Knows The Realm of Eternals, to discover more than even she knew. Hell, if we were not on a bit of a time constraint, I wonder if Liara would simply spend the rest of her unnaturally long life here.
"I see," I said.
I watched Liara for a little while longer before I decided that my time was spent elsewhere. I waved my goodbyes to Diane and Goron.
I opened a door and left the study room. The door I passed had led another corridor. This one was lined with windows showing the orange sky just outside their glass, iron bar-laden frames. I journeyed through the rest of the tower, taking careful steps to not trigger anything that I couldn't deal with. I noticed a few other rooms lined with cracked bookshelves and fallen books. I looked through them, but I garnered not much from within their bent spines. The text was beyond my understanding. However, I could make out more than one set of unusual diagrams each more warped and twisted than the last.
Argh, the thing about alchemist shit be the time it took to sort the gold nuggets from the bronze cruds. I stored those away as well. I didn't know shit about what I held, but I bet someone would love it anyway.
I walked out of that room and continued down another set of hallways. My steps echoed like some thuds of thunder upon the floor as the walkways got notably darker. It actually got so dark that I had to cast an illumination spell. An orb of light rested in my hand.
"Why are ya following me?" I asked as I turned around and pointed the orb back where I came. I noticed Diane a few feet behind me. I knew she had been following ever since I left the main study room where Liara resided.
"Making sure you don't somehow bring the tower down while Lady Liara focuses on her tasks," she replied to me. That said, I did notice that she seemed unwilling to meet my gaze.
"Aye, well...the first thing ya ought to do in making sure that doesn't happen is not stepping on that tile in front of ya. Step on that and we might be turned into soulless vessels for the spirits that wander here," I warned.
Diane quickly looked down at the piece of the floor she was just about to step on. She then glared at me as I turned back to the darkness. "I'd question how a guard of the Witch of Draegnar could fall for such a thing, but even Delverhold has some peculiar ways of utilizing magic. Guess I can't fault ya. Well, do yer best to protect me by not damning our souls," I said as I continued on.
Diane quickly caught up with me and stayed quite close to the orb of light I had emitted. Naturally, I'm sure she did this with reluctance. I had no idea why she decided to venture with me, but I wasn't gonna turn her away.
The two of us walked in silence for a time. The orb that I created cast its light in little corners or rooms filled with nothing but broken bottles, shabby tables, and anything else an abandoned tower might hold. I saw a few rats scurry off, but nothing else that would deem any worry.
"Tell me, where did you come to learn of the Isles of Delverhold?" Diane suddenly asked.
"Worried about our prior bet?" I returned her question with my own.
Diane stiffened. I smiled as I watched her grit her teeth. "Shut the fuck up and answer the question!" She exclaimed.
I frowned. "You be walking a thin line, Diane. Adjust yer tone," I warned again.
Burnwood equally frowned at me. Her mind must have been racing through some thoughts that she didn't like because she looked at the ground. "I would like to know how you came across the knowledge of Delverhold, Sir!" she snarled out. Within the darkness, I could make out her pale skin and her vicious gaze. Aye, the stare of a strong woman. I adored that gaze.
Once I was satisfied with the reply, I faced forward and continued walking. "Don't expect a grand story, Burnwood. The sources I claim that this knowledge came from weren't by human mouth. It came upon me in a dream," I said.
Burnwood looked at me with no small amounts of skepticism. "A dream?" she repeated. I absently heard the sound of her black coat swaying from left to right. We continued on our pathway.
"Aye, while I dreamt of gold and treasure, I suppose the gods granted me a vision of Delverhold and nearly all its mysteries. As for how I knew Liara would desire it, that be a different matter," I speak secretly. Diane snorted.
"And what matter is that?" she questioned.
"Enter my chambers later and find out,"
Truly, a man knows of a woman's love for him when she desires to place the barrel of her gun right between his eyes. I could feel all of the love from Diane's aura.
"I don't know why you act like you didn't enjoy it. You moaned a better song than the sirens beneath the waves. Has not our journey here lessened our angst toward each other?" I returned to her.
Burnwood folded her arms. "If ya weren't such a horny bastard then it might. Yet you continue to piss me off more than Sothshore. A feat I thought all but impossible. Though I'm beginning to wonder if the phrase lives to be defied by you," she answered.
I would take that for a compliment. It didn't quite sound like it though. I then patted Diane's shoulder. "Then I shall grant ya the words I gave to Liara. Stick around, and I'll impress ya even more,"
The gunwoman's lips thinned. "What are you even looking for?" she asked.
"Adventure, dearest Burnwood. Now, be a good slut and keep up!" I said as I kicked up my feet and ran off.
"Don't make me shoot you, sir!" she yelled after me.
"Greater men and women than you have tried!"
After some time, Diane and I stopped at a door with an old lock and chain on it. Curiously, we stared at each other before we turned back to it. Diane took out one of her pistols and pointed it towards the lock. She then pulled the trigger.
A deafening bang rang through the open corridor while the chain fell to the ground. "Ya know, I could have just kicked it down," I mentioned. I figured it was a waste of a fine bullet.
"I really needed to shoot something, Sir!" Burnwood answered. I couldn't hold my laughter when she said that to me. I continue to be reminded of what made me desire the guard of Liara so much during my past life.
"You be a fine lass when yer angry," I said as I grabbed the handles of the door. I thought I heard a huff from behind me, but that laid at the back of my mind as I pulled the door open. We then stepped inside.
I quickly noticed that the room was dark. It was darker than the corridor we had just been traversing. I stepped inside and Diane followed me. Once we were through, I lifted up the orb of light I had created. It floated to the center of the room and illuminated what it could. We noticed that we were surrounded by more bookshelves, but instead of books, all I could was empty jars and scattered notes. Some of those had fallen to the floor. Our steps kicked them softly to the side. Their rolling glass frames echoed like the sound of haunted steps.
We also noticed that there was a magic circle on the ground. Its body was drawn and written in dried animal's blood, and there seemed to be small yet steep groves leading from the circle to the bookshelves. In the four cardinal directions on the circle, there laid four candle stands. Well, four knocked over candle stands, but ya get the idea.
"A summoning room. A very powerful one at that," Diane said.
I kicked one of the jars away. "Aye, or it could be another circle for teleporting to another part of the tower," I suggested.
Diane's boots knocked against the stone floor. "You mean like the one we used to avoid the staircase? Well, if it's like that then why doesn't it look like the one on the wall before your alchemist's flaming stair trap? Look at the inscriptions, they're inverted," Diane pointed.
I quickly saw what she meant. It truly didn't look like any circle that I had seen. Granted, that could be because it was likely locked in Liara's memories for me. It could also have been because Liara herself had never seen one, but I found that to be unlikely.
I stepped over the circle and moved further into the room. It wasn't a very big room. It was probably about the size of a study room. I grabbed one of the fallen sheets of paper and looked at it. As I expected, I couldn't understand the language. However, there were a few words that stood out to me. They were written words like 'experiment', 'procedure', and...'rune keys.'
I struggled to keep the smile on my face from exposing itself too much. "Tell me, Diane, have ye ever heard of rune keys?" I asked.
Burnwood shrugged. "Yeah, Lady Liara has crafted quite few of them herself for the more...deeper pockets of the Grols that pay for them. Their use depends on the person holding them. If they are crafted with enough magical power, they can contain low-level demons and deities. Of course, they're odd in the fact that their level of efficiency is dependent on the person performing the capture. Should ya not have the aptitude, the only thing you're catching is your way to the Ten Circles," she explained.
"Aye, as expected of the guard of the Witch of Draegnar. Turns out, from what I can read on this shitty paper, the alchemist upon these isles tried to create new rune keys," I responded back to her. Her answer was a snort.
"Then he's even more insane than you are. Rune keys aren't something you can just forge like a sword or shield. Even Lady Liara doesn't enjoy crafting them for her clients. They require very specific circumstances. What would creating new rune keys do?" Diane asked.
I shrugged. I truly had no idea. I wasn't aware of these during my first trip here. I pretty much just blasted through any obstacle that got in my way. Not the wisest course of action, but what could I say? The weeks of digging on a sandy shore with no treasure to speak of had left me pretty irate. If I could smack me past self over the head then I'd probably do it.
"Oh? And what specific circumstances do they need?" I asked.
"Lunar Gaelric Leaves, which are only known to bloom once every 200 years, for one thing. They also need the rich droplets stored in them preserved until a certain time of the year. The time when the Ancient Realm and the Nol realm merge together. That's not...," Diane widened her eyes as her thought was cut off.
"Aye, now yer getting it. He was probably experimenting with not only creating rune keys but also attempt to create his own lunar gaelric leaves and their variations. These islands were his study ground. It's no surprise the weather here changes with each passing day," I replied as I looked around the room.
"Rune keys which can be formed from the variations of gaelric leaves, who the hell thinks of shit like this?! This...This would..." Diane stumbled over her words while I looked around the room.
"Imagine, Diane, if ya could create your own rune keys without needed to wait for those special circumstances of yours. He really was an ambitious bastard. Makes me wonder who he planned all this research for," I said as I looked at the empty vials and picked up one of the glass beakers.
Diane stepped over the magic circle and touched one of the bookshelves. "So the great pirate captain, Eric Drakclaw, doesn't know the ends of the earth? Shall I be colored with surprise?" she asked.
"That be two," I replied with a smile as I continued to observe the room.
Burnwood sucked her teeth and sighed. "Alright then, can you fathom a guess as to what our legendary alchemist was doing by trying to construct variations of rune keys?" she asked a bit more respectfully.
I looked over some more papers, but none of them seemed to hold the information that I sought. Granted, it was also probably because I couldn't understand the ancient language. So old was it that I wondered if only some ancient deity would know of its code. Though I was sure Liara could come into contact with a deity like that, I would rather not under the conditions that plague me now.
"Whatever it was, I bet ya he wasn't thinking of taking the energy of minor spirits," I claimed.
We explored the room a little further, but I saw nothing else of interest. However, as we were preparing to walk out of the room, I recalled the light orb that I made. Due to the density of the darkness, the rays from the orb moved the shadows in directions as if to hug the ornaments and decorations in the room even together than normal.
It was because of those hugging shadows that I oddly noticed a deeper, darker, corner than the rest of the room behind one of the bookshelves. Perhaps, it was nothing. Perhaps, I was searching merely searching for water in a barren desert, but I walked over to that bookshelf. It remained there like...like it shouldn't have been there, yet it was. Something told me to turn away from it. There would be nothing of value there. My own desire for fame and riches made me believe what wasn't there.
However, I didn't look away. The way the bookcase stood so firm unlike the others was too suspicious to me. It was like my conscience was being shifted to ignore it, but my intrigue held my nerve. The bookshelf was simply too perfect. Not a single bit of dust or spider web laid upon it. It was without fault. It was like a lone perfect being in a world of sinners and bastards.
"Wait," I spoke.
Diane turned back.
"Help me move this," I said.
Burnwood grumbled, but she quickly moved to one side and I to the other. We pulled the bookcase out of the corner. It groaned and scratched itself on the floor. The books on the shelves fell to the dusty floor and we both coughed as the dust filled our mouths.
Once we pushed the bookshelf away, I was greeted with the sight of the wall. Stone laid upon stone just like the rest of the wall. Nothing was out of place. "Happy now?" Diane asked me, but I didn't answer her. Instead, I continued to look at the wall in bewilderment.
I took out my cutlass and dragged the steel blade over the exposed face of the wall. The glimmer of metal shot into my eyes a few times, but my ears picked up on the gliding noise. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary still. I stared at the floor. Again, all my mind told me was that I was being crazy. I should have just left and been satisfied with looking like a drog for one day, but still I persisted.
After about five minutes, I knocked on the wall. Solid as a wall ought to be. "Diane, shot this wall," I told her.
Burnwood looked at me like I was insane. Aye, I be used to the look by now. Besides, she didn't know it but the longer she questioned these actions the worse it would be for her later.
Finally, Diane shrugged her shoulders and pulled out one of her pistols again. She then placed the barrel of the gun to the wall. Then, she fired. The noise rung like a thousand exploding firebombs as the bullet made contact with the wall. As I noticed, nothing changed.
I frowned.
I walked up to the wall. I then touched it.
"Alright, you're starting to freak me out. What's the problem?" Diane asked.
"It was probably the noise, but...did you hear your bullet drop to the ground?" I asked.
Diane rolled her eyes and she looked around for the bullet. However, as she touched the floor and I moved the light orb around for her to see, she spotted nothing of the bullet she had just fired at the wall. "What the fuck?" she spoke.
I continued to look at the wall until I felt the flow of magic behind me. "Iwne Xiz," Diane said again. The muscular woman cast some minor spell that she most likely learned from Liara. I recognized it as simple magic tracing spell. Something that even brats use when they play little games.
Soon, it wasn't long before she was staring at the wall like I was. The only source of light was the orb I had left in the air. "What did you find?" I asked.
"Nothing, and that's the problem," she said. She touched the wall as well.
"It's cold," she replied which made me stare at her curiously.
"Aye, still hot for me," I told her.
Diane looked around the room and held up her other hand. "All of my bullets are enchanted with Lady Liara's magic. They work well in dealing with fuckers that don't typically die in one bullet. That said, each of them leaves a trail of concentrated magic when fired. Good for reuse. Yet, I don't see the trail of magic from the bullet I fired at the wall. Hell, I don't even see it on the floor. It just...disappeared," She explained.
I nodded. "Aye, once I touched the wall I got it. There are about a hundred magic circles wrapped around each other like tight ropes on a ship pole. We'll need Liara for this," I stated.
Once again, this was true. I held the knowledge to crack something like this, but I held not the mana to do so. Hell, the intricacy of this shit would have drained me of mana by the time I reached the third circle. It seemed I would have to acquire methods which increased my mana. Naturally, being on this island had done wonders for me, but not even that was enough on its own.
"Come. We've explored enough. Besides, I feel Liara's finished communing with some of the spirits. Who knows how much knowledge she's procured from this structure," I returned.
Now, I could see that was something Diane could be pleased about. She holstered her guns in her coat and walked out the door. This time, there was nothing that deterred me from leaving. I closed the door and we proceeded back the way we came.
We walked in silence for a time before a mischievous smile made its way onto my face. "Aye, now with being left for later, the only thing left is to decide what to do with you," I thought aloud knowing that she heard me.
"What to do with me?" she questioned.
I smiled when she looked at me. Though she was probably loathed to admit it, I could see that slight nervousness and thrill in her eyes. I could see the way she balled up her fist and the way her toned arms gleamed beneath my glowing orb.
"Aye, you've been sassing me rather profusely since we've been on this island. Clearly, ya think I've been neglecting you. Well, lay your fears to rest, Diane," I said as I stopped walking. Diane stopped as well and folded her arms. My eyes took in her form beneath the glow of my orb and I finally smirked.
"Take off your shirt," I ordered.
"What?!" Diane asked.
"Do ya need me to repeat myself? You're in enough trouble," I told her.
Burnwood's eyes burned into mine. The shame and humiliation across her face turned me on, yet the burning fire exploded in her eyes. "Fine!" Diane said as she took off her coat.
"That's one strike. Would you like another?" I asked.
Oh, I be sure that I saw some form of a lustful smile beneath the glow of my light orb. No, surely not. Dear Diane wouldn't be a masochist.
"Yes, Sir," she answered. My eyes brightened.
"Very well, two strikes. Would you like a third?" I asked again.
Diane froze and cleared her throat. "No, sir. You don't need to repeat yourself, sir," she answered.
"Good slut," I answered and allowed her to continue.
Burnwood then took off her shirt, allowing me the honor of taking in those wonderfully full, round globes. The way they dropped when she released them from the shirt mesmerized my eyes in the dying light. The shape of her puffy, pointed tips made my mouth water and my cock stir. The firm abs lining her skin made me shiver. In every way, she was a mighty woman. Deadly, trained, and so perfectly sexy that I desired to forgo this play and take her here in the midst of danger of these traps.
I walked up to her. "Is that what you are, Diane? A good slut?" I asked.
"I'm not a slut, sir!" she fired back.
I grinned. "Aye, but ye are. Do ya see my cock eager to plunge deep inside you as far as I can make it go? The sight of ya makes many wonder how many bed legs were broken during the nights with you. Besides, no virtuous woman would moan like a hot, needy siren while her ass gets paddled, or was the orgasm I gave ye a figment of my imagination?" I asked.
Diane turned her eyes away from me, but I'm sure she knew I took notice of her staring at my cock in my pants. Yes, I was fully hard for her. Our bet on Draegnar laid fresh in my mind even to this point. I knew it laid within her mind as well. There was a deep, hungry, insatiable look that her eyes tried to not give me but, like a helpless addict for underworld drugs, for all her strength, expertise, and grit, she couldn't resist me for I was one of the few men who could defy her. I had already shown myself to hold great promise in holding Liara's intrigue, that alone must have made me seem more than Burnwood was capable of dealing with, and...she unconsciously fed off that feeling of powerlessness.
Perhaps, that was why Diane had so few sexual encounters. There just weren't too many men, at least on Draegnar I assume, to hold her intrigue. She sure as hell couldn't have been expecting it from a wharf rat like myself. Maybe that was why I desired her so much in my past life. I sought to be that thing that I wasn't the last time we met and that she desired, a man that could keep up with her.
I walked past her which tore my crotch from her gaze and shook her from her stupor. "Shall we go? It's only gonna get darker once the sun leaves over the horizon," I claimed.
"Yes, sir," Diane said neutrally.
So, I and my topless associate walked out of the winding corridors that we had ventured into. It probably took about another half hour or so, but we came out to the study area where we left Liara. As I suspected, she sat at a long table with a pile of books and hundreds of vials filled with magical essence surrounding her person.
The study room was filled with lightened candles. When I looked outside, I noticed that it was completely dark.
"Must have been longer than I thought," I said to myself in the confines of my own thoughts.
"Three or four hours, Dear Captain,"
I then heard the sweet, welcoming sounds of Liara's voice in my head. I chuckled to myself.
"Are not a man's thoughts his own, Liara?" I asked.
"Not when you cast them so tenderly to me, boy. Do not underestimate what has transpired between us. I told you there was more to bedding the Witch of Draegnar than simple pleasure,"
"As I continue to explore," I returned. I was met with another round of joyous laughter inside my head.
Diane and I came forward and this time the Witch eyed the both of us. The knowing smile on her face never faded. "I see you have been enjoying frivolous times with my guard again. What trouble have you brought upon the captain for this punishment, Diane?" Ilzahold asked.
Like a fresh rose, Burnwood's cheeks burned but, lucky for her, it was kind of hard to tell due to how much low light there was. "Let's just say I'm surprised she and Ellen weren't birthed from the same mold," I returned.
"I see. Well, Captain, I pray thee allow me time with my guard. I have some things I wish to discuss with her. Have no worries, I shall send her to you when our business has concluded. Have no worries, I find her current attire welcoming from the seemingly infinite words and phrases of the tomes I've read," her lips chorused sweetly to me.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Who shall I be to say no? Very well, Liara, but I'll allow it if you come with her,"
Aye, there it was. There was that smile that seemed to know something which I did not. In those eyes, I could see my own lust rising within myself. Actually, I wondered if it was hers that I saw and mine was just reciprocating those desires.
"I look forward to it, dear Captain," Ilzahold said.
With that, I nodded and bid her goodbye. I then exited the tower structure and appeared back in the familiar forest. The dark sky hung in the air, but the moon had not revealed its glow yet. Once I stepped outside, I realized just how hot it still was and quickly made my way back to my ship. I had plenty of things to think about and plenty of things to look forward to.
When I arrived at the beach, I shook my head at the various campfires roasting all sorts of meat. My mouth thinned, but I saw nothing wrong with the food so I just left everyone to their own things. I got on a boat and rowed myself back to the ship. Once I was on board, my mother was there to greet me.
She didn't even have to ask me the question. I already knew the answer. "No," I told her.
She wrote that down as well. Once she did that, I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into my room. I then sat in my chair with her at my lap. "At least warn me when you're gonna yank me, Eric! That hurts," my mother told me.
I smiled. "Yer a tough lass, mother," I said before I placed a kiss to her lips. She responded by caressing my cheek with one of her hands.
"Well, it's been over a day since you're powers have left. What do you plan to do?" she asked.
I sighed and leaned my head back. "What I must, mother. Can't turn back now. We'll see this trip through with or without the seas at my side. Besides, ya already told me that I will protect you all. Can't turn ya into a liar so easily," I remarked.
"Idiot, I'm already a liar. I'm a damn pirate for seas' sake," she said.
I kissed her again. "A damn fine sexy one at that," I retorted.
My mother rolled her eyes at me but stayed in my embrace while I got some work done. It was nothing major. I simply fed my bladed eel, cleaned up my desk, and started the preparations for using Kavtha's Urn. I would have to gather some men to take it out of my quarters. I also wrote in my journal while my mother kept her arms leeched to my neck. Though I wasn't complaining. Her soft, sea-stricken body delighted me in many ways.
My mother gently stroked my chest while I fingered through her hair. I don't know why I do this, but it soothes me from the day I've had. "Don't tell me the only reason you brought me here was to warm your thighs," she suddenly spoke while I worked.
"Are ya complaining?"
She then did something that I've never known her to do. She snuggled her head into my neck. "I suppose not. Though that doesn't make you any less of a bastard," she said with a sharp yawn. I kissed the top of her head while she closed her eyes.
"Mmmm, your father liked to kiss that spot too," she murmured. I brushed her hair.
"Well, then that's one thing I'll gladly take from him," I said softly. My mother didn't respond. Instead, I heard the sounds of her light sleeping. It seemed that today was much more tiring for her than I had thought. It wasn't even that late into the night.
As I stared at my mother, I thought back to the time that she had passed away. I thought of her words of leaving her to her death. How blind I must have been shook me a little. I had not seen that underlying pain beneath the harshness of her voice. Now, she laid in my arms like some piece of glass that would break if I were not careful.
Indeed, I love and respect my mother. No man worth his salt forgets to give respect to those who sacrificed for him. I picked up my mother and guided her to her room. Those who were still awake remained silent when they saw me. It was probably a good decision on their part. Had they woken up my mother, I might have been tempted to make them sleep in different ways.
Once I placed her on her bed, I brushed a piece of her auburn hair from her face. By my hand, a face that was wrought with illness and the kiss of death, had returned to life. Well, not exactly by my hand, rather by Liara's items, but I believe the point still held weight.
I pulled the sheets over my mother and gently closed the door. I cast a protection spell upon it. For right now, I desired not to awaken her.
I then returned to my quarters and sat in my chair. The ship became quiet for a time and I decided to spend some more time shifting through Liara's memories that had been made available to me. I gleaned through countless tomes and their understanding filled my mind until I heard a knock at my door.
"Enter," I said as I slowly opened my eyes.
When I opened them, I noticed Liara and Diane standing in front of the door. The latter just as deliciously topless as I had left her. Liara walked down the steps and further into my room. "You requested my presence?" Ilzahold asked.
I nodded. "Aye, thanks for listening to this humble request of mine," I said to her.
"Well, I must show favor to the man who has guided this vessel thus far. A young man to hold such knowledge and intrigue of mine is truly astounding. I had a talk with Diane and now I see how depraved a young man you are. I had always told my guard her lips would grant her trouble one day. Now it seems that has indeed come to pass. Has it not, Diane?" Liara asked.
Burnwood held her head down. "Yes, Lady Liara," she replied meekly, a trait I found unusual for her character. I then smiled as I took Liara's hand and pulled her to my bed. Ilzahold allowed herself to be pulled and her legs draped over my bed while her fingers tickled the skin on my cheek and hairs on my head.
I turned my attention from Diane for a moment and then gazed into the eyes of the Immortal Witch. "Well, as much as I enjoy this, I did truly have a desire for your presence, Liara. Now, should you not decide whether business or pleasure comes first?" I asked.
Regardless of my admonition, Liara didn't stop twirling my hair. In fact, she continued like she hadn't heard me at all. "Mmm, very well. Business first indeed. Though, I must say that we ought to make haste. I sense great lust flowing down my guard's body. 'Twould be improper to keep her waiting," she suggested, her lips close to my ear. A shiver ran through me when she did so.
My gaze fell on Diane. She was staring at both of us with apt attention. Her nipples were so stiff and pointed that I bet they could cut through a steel blade if they were up to the test. Her muscular frame made my mouth water. It was rather hard for me to believe that I had been privileged to have my cock buried deep in that tight snatch of hers.
"Aye, but waiting stirs up the anticipation even more," I returned.
Liara clawed at my chest. "Very true, boy. Now, what have you need to inform me?" Liara asked.
"Diane and I ventured further into the structure. Numerous traps laid ahead but we navigated over them. We came into an abandoned room. Turns out our dear alchemist was attempting to create his own variations of Rune Keys," I said.
Liara's hands stopped their movement on my body for a moment. Her lips thinned before she continued. "Is that so? A mighty ambition, one that carries a certain curse tied to its practice. Not something to be done lightly. The tomes I researched had not spoken of Rune Keys, but their dates suggested this was during an age known as the Advierum, a time when the practices of magic were quite less well-known and individuals were more likely to test the limits of the boundaries of the planes. It seems that he was the most ambitious," she said while I toyed with her black hair.
"Aye, and we found over a hundred magic arrays written into a wall within the room. I'd like your help in disarming them tomorrow when we return. I would also appreciate you looking over some fruit I found from an encounter with one of this island's creatures. I'll discuss that as well with you tomorrow, but I've been rather forthcoming with you thus far. I see no need otherwise. About this creature, we have already killed it, but it gave me a chill. Under no circumstances could I let it come into contact with you. Something within me made me fear if it did," I explained.
"Mmmm, a premonition perhaps," she said.
I shrugged. If that was what she desired to call it then I would allow her to do so.
Her finger touched my chest.
"Very well, I shall enjoy this tale of yours upon the rise of the sun next morn. I also look forward to what more you shall interest me with. I shall not hold your worries against you. We are upon Delverhold. Even I dare not expect what may come for us. After all, a certain boy did seem to note that my powers pale in comparison to the very Isles of Delverhold. However, this is indeed what I desired for many years. I shall not squander it like some wayward noble. I must admit, your concern is quite touching. I wonder how many years it has been since I've had someone worry about the safety of one such as I," she responded.
Once she said that I stood up. "Well, I sure didn't sail ya all the way here just to have a premonition stand in my way. Now then, have you any news for me?" I asked.
"It can wait till tomorrow for I cannot," she purred. I returned the smile she gave me and walked towards Diane. I passed her and placed a brief spell to still the noise of the room. Normally, I wouldn't do this since I rather enjoyed the ship's knowledge of my actions, but I wished not to awaken my mother this night. It felt like one of the few times I had seen her so genuinely peaceful.
Once the spell was in place, I walked back to my bed. I didn't even get an opportunity to full seat myself before Liara took my lips into her own. My entire body became flooded with her lust and her taste. The smack of her lips against mine reminded me of the day when I had bedded her. Perhaps, I ought to say when she bedded me since I felt like I had nearly fucked my entire soul into her pussy.
Our eyes closed, we allowed Diane to merely watch as the woman she was supposed to be guarding had fun with the young captain of the ship. Our lust quickly washed over the room and I held no doubts that Diane, being so close to us, would feel the pleasure surging through her formed body.
We broke our kiss for only a moment. Liara turned back to her guard. "Observe well, Diane. Observe how the captain and I unshackle the tethers of the magical plane. Speak not a word, and restrain your hands. It's because of those that you've gotten yourself in this predicament,"
Diane merely nodded, but I could see the shiver and pure lust in her body. Her chest was clearly pumping the blood into her heart.
Unfortunately, I couldn't focus on Diane for too long. Liara took my lips again and our tongues danced between each other with a gentle, yet firm embrace that made us long for the other. Her aura and mine became one once again. Her hands roamed my chest while she unbuttoned my shirt. My tongue slipped past hers and moved into her mouth. Her hot breath was intoxicating and her touch was electrifying.
"Mmmmmmnnnn...Ooooooooommn!" we moaned together. She took off my shirt and rubbed her slender body against mine. I could feel her lower body rubbing against my stiff erection. I'm sure she could feel it as well. One of my hands made a mess of her hair as I grabbed her and forced our lips so close together that our tongues couldn't even be seen. We only took separate pauses for air before we drunk the wine of our own embrace.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaa," Liara panted her hot songs into my waiting mouth. I helped her by moving my shoulders so she could slide off my shirt. She threw that to the floor. This left her to admire my chest. Not that I had too much muscle there just yet, but I wasn't a chubby lad if I shall say so myself.
Next, it was my turn to disrobe her. We kissed each other like longtime lovers while I pulled her shirt over her head. I was a bit surprised when I discovered her breasts falling down so wonderfully...without an undergarment to hold them.
"Yes, Eric Drakclaw, I can feel your desire for my breasts! Enjoy them for they are yours this night and the many nights thereafter. Find your pleasure in my flesh. Reveal your desires to our standing participant!" Liara exclaimed.
Not one to make the Witch of Draegnar a liar, I pulled Liara and myself up so that I was holding her while her pelvis connected with mine against our pants. "As ya wish," I stated. I then grabbed Liara's breasts and kneaded them like fine breaded yeasts. Aye, my fingers could sink into her flesh so wonderfully. I couldn't even resist with the way her nips were jutting out to me. I took one into my mouth and she threw her head back.
"Ooooooh! Ooooh yes! 'Tis a fine movement, Eric Drakclaw!" she exclaimed while I swirled my tongue over her swollen tip. Fluids rushed into my mouth invigorating me just like last time. I toyed with the other nipple between my fingers. Liara cradled my head in her hands and pushed my mouth further against her breasts. Her hair swaying back and forth was a marvel for the eyes as I felt the precum seep from my cock due to her slow humps.
I then switched to the other nipple. The rich fluids from within her spurred me on. I pinched and pulled, twisted and turned, her bouncing flesh. My teeth playfully teased her and I was awarded the voices which she allows no other to hear.
"MMMmmMmMMPH! Fuck yes!" she groaned as her voice became saturated with need and bound by the mighty chains of ecstasy. She then pulled me away from her breasts. We kissed once again and our lust flew out of our room and throughout the entire ship.
We parted once again. Liara turned her head. "Diane, come," she ordered.
Without a word, Burnwood walked down the steps and further into my abode. Her legs were absolutely wrought with unease. Each step was like a tremble. I could see the way her hips hugged her regions. She was hopelessly turned on. Her eyes were clouded by the spirits of sexual yearning. I bet if either I or Liara told her to drop her pants then we'd see a great fountain dripping down like a waterfall.
Before Diane could join us on the bed, Liara held up her hand for her to stop. She quickly did so in surprise. "Are you aroused, Diane?" Liara asked.
Burnwood nodded.
"You may speak," she added.
"Y-Y-Yes, Lady Liara," she said.
I saw Liara smile. "Indeed you are. I can see within you all the things you wish him to do to you. I had not thought you so adventurous. Dear captain, what have you done to my guard to make her so wanton?" Liara asked.
"Her desires were not by my hand, Liara. Perhaps, she's always had them," I replied.
Diane clenched her fists, but I watched the way she bit the corner of her lip. She eyed us like a great hawk unable to tear herself away.
"Indeed. Perhaps she has. Then Diane, you may watch as our dear captain does to me what you desired! I told you to watch what you say and who you say it to." Ilzahold stated.
Diane nodded. "Yes, Lady Liara," the guard replied.
"Very good. Now, Eric, let us continue. I would seek not another interruption," Liara said.
I dared not say otherwise. Instead, I grabbed my pants and pulled them down. My cock sprang forth with the clear drops of arousal edging out of its tip. Liara eyed it and then eyed Diane.
"Mmmm, feast your eyes upon this, Diane. A fine piece of the male anatomy if I am to blow up our captain's ego. Do you want to suck this cock, Diane? Do you want to feel it fuck your throat in and out until the captain releases his lust into your stomach? Dare you desire to drink the fruits of his arousal?" Liara asked.
"Y-Yes, Lady Liara. I wish to suck his cock," Burnwood offered honestly. I was rather surprised at this amount of honesty. I had expected Diane to fight rather vehemently against the notion. However, I think Ilzahold being here made her much more aware of her own weakness, her own desire, and her own strength.
"Good, you wish to suck this cock? This thing which pulses full of life's vitality in the palm of my hand? Such a lovely jade you are," The Witch of Draegnar goaded playfully.
"I...I...," Diane panted and her eyes stared at me. She gazed between me, Liara, and my cock. Her tongue swiped across her lips, trying to wetten them. She dared not move from her spot though she strongly wished to do so. She might have wished to report against Liara calling her what she did, but the words were lodged down beneath her inner desires as a woman.
"Quite. Now, kneel there and I shall live out your desires for you! I'll partake of this cock you wish to suck so eagerly. For this night, this shall not be your cock, my guard. This shall be mine," Liara mentioned. Then, before the eyes of her lust-filled guard, Liara placed my cock in her mouth and sucked me down until her nose reached my pelvis.
Oh, sea godsssss! I threw my head back. This was different from the time she had sucked my cock before. Last time it felt like thousands of cocks were running over me, but now...ooooh fuck...now it felt like I was engulfed in a fiery inferno of wet flesh that struck my rod over and over again at the precise points to pleasure me. When she withdrew her head, it felt like my soul, my thoughts, and even my very spirit were being withdrawn with her. She then shoved my cock back into her mouth into the end of her throat. It was positively unfathomable.
I moaned while Liara offered me her blowjob. Her lips were magnificent against my skin and her tongue lathered and bathed my crown with luscious strikes. I barely opened one of my eyes to see Diane staring in captured desire of her master so eagerly swallowing my cock like it was the finest piece of meat to be tasted. Slathered in her spit, the sounds of her welcoming my cock into her wet hole filled my room.
I could see Diane's lust burning nearly as bright as our own. In fact, it seemed to be feeding off ours. Our senses seemed utterly locked within all three of us. I could feel Diane's frustration and desire for sexual relief, but I could also feel the firmament of her lust. She enjoyed the sight of what she could not have. She was thrilled by her own submissiveness. Her master was partaking of what she could not, gloating it about in her face, enticing her with its impossible reach, for all her strength and her might, she could not attain what she wanted. That driving thought made her so excited I could feel.
Perhaps that was one of the reasons why Liara had allowed Diane to be her guard. It thrilled Burnwood to be close to what she could not have. She desired the power and glory just out of her reach. So close, and yet so far was it to her and that thrilled her to the very core of her bones. She was an aggressively submissive woman. So eager to kneel when the strong thing of her eye was taken out of her reach. Something which she could only stare at, but not touch.
Aye, the men who had come to Diane before could not give her what she desired. She was too strong for them. She had broken them down and that left her unsatisfied. No, she was not like Ellen, my mother, or Aesteal. She already knew where she stood and what was expected of her.
Liara knew that long before I did. However, now that I knew, I couldn't be idle. My mind turned back to the pleasure I was feeling and suddenly I grabbed my beloved Witch's head. She stared at me already knowing my thoughts. "I'm gonna fuck yer throat, Liara. Right in front of your guard," I said. All I received for my statement was a wink of the luscious witch's eye.
I withdrew my cock and then shoved it back in. "OooooouuuumMMM!" Liara moaned as I pulled back my hips and fired them back in again. My cock felt the cool brush of the air and warm, slick mouth of Liara before I began a rapid fucking of her mouth. Ilzahold placed her hands on my hips to brace herself, but I did not relent. The fires of ecstasy within me were burning as bright as Clathian wood.
As I shoved my cock in and out of Liara's mouth, I moaned like a roaring beast. Her tongue circled around my shaft eagerly. My body felt like it had been pulled from my control, helpless to defy her exotic form as I released upon her my basest instincts. Yet, she took all that I had to give.
Unfortunately for her, I desired this to last so I seized control of my lust. She must have been surprised because she looked at me curiously. I slowed my hips down and eased my grip of her head. Instead, it became a slow, deliberate pace that we both enjoyed very much. The flames had cooled and replaced themselves with tiny bolts of lightning that fired through the nerves of my brain. Within my eyes, I could see tiny orbs of magic exploding one after the other.
Liara complied with my desires and released my cock from her mouth. We stared at each other, Diane withdrawn from our minds. I bent down and kissed Liara. She returned my affections with great fervor. As with all the other times, each touch of my lips to hers released a burst of extrasensory feelings that energized my body. Her hand also jerked my soaked cock. The squishing sounds ruptured through my quarters.
My, Eric Drakclaw, I do believe my guard enjoys our performance. Do you not, Diane?" Liara asked.
When I looked at Burnwood, I saw her utterly trembling. The feeling of her aura against mine had let me know that she had just felt a powerful orgasm without even being touched. I could tell from the way her thighs rubbed together and the dazed look in her eyes.
Liara leaned over and grazed Diane's cheek with her hand. I wondered how hot her guard's breath must have felt on her arm. "My, Diane, you soak the captain's floor with your love juice! Are you that aroused, my dearest? Watching the dear captain relieve his cock in my mouth? Do you wish it to be your own lips?" Liara asked.
Diane sighed. I had no doubts that Liara's aura was replaying all the twisted feelings we both felt into Burnwood's body. I knew because I could see Diane's lust rising up and down like a blazing inferno. "OOOOoOoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHGGH!" Liara's guard suddenly groaned as another orgasm ripped through her. She sprayed my floor down with her dripping fragrance and gasped sporadically.
"What now, Diane? What depraved thoughts lay in your mind that I can fulfill?" Liara asked.
That was when I moved in. "Aye, you're asking the wrong thing, Liara. Ya know what she wants! It be the same thing that you want!" I said. Before Liara could even speak on what I was implying, I grabbed her ass and pushed my cock into her cunt.
"MmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMOPH!" Liara suddenly moaned as my cock flew through the abundance of warmth that was her pussy.
"My dear, Diane. Is that what you wish for? To be fucked as the sweat falls down from your scalp and to the bed? To have the captain's cock climb through your hot entrance! Tell me, Diane. Tell me, my guard! NnnnnnnnnnnnnggghhhhH! OOooooooogh!" Liara said before I began to thrust my hips forward pushing my cock as far as it could go.
Thankfully, unlike last time, I didn't blow my load instantly, but Liara's pussy was no less spectacular than before. "Yes, Lady Liara. I want to be fucked. I want to fucked like you're getting fucked! I want that wharf rat captain's cock inside me too!" Burnwood proclaimed as Liara laughed. We fucked in front of Diane, who sat helplessly, but obediently to the show before her.
Ilzahold clawed at my bed sheets as I thrust my cock further. Her walls clung to me so well and I felt something oddly wet, yet slimy caressing my cock within her. It took me a moment but I groaned and realized that it was her tongue. Liara had woven some sort of magic spell that made me feel both her pussy and her tongue at the same time as I drove in and out of her.
"OoooOOOOOONnNNnAGHHHHHH! Yes, Diane! Watch the captain release his desires upon me! OoooOoOo HSHIALIN!" Liara called out. I pulled Liara to me and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck. Now I felt her tongue on my tongue and her pussy on my tongue while the cock felt the same. Our bodies thrashed together in wonderful sexual ecstasy before Diane.
"Diane, come here. Suck your lady's tits!" I ordered.
Diane looked at me and then looked at Liara as if unsure of what to do. Luckily, Liara fixed that for her. "Dare you hesitate, Diane? The captain gave thee an order," she replied.
"Y-Yes, Lady Liara. Thank you, sir!" Burnwood said. She leaned up and Liara placed her tits in front of her guard. Diane caught one of Ilzahold's teets and sucked on it wonderfully.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! OOOOOH YES! NNNGHHHHHHHHGGH GOOOOOOOOODS!" Liara wailed as Burnwood and I pleasured her to the best of our abilities. Liara clenched her walls around my cock while her mouth trailed up the undersides of my shaft. The feeling was utterly otherworldly. My ears picked up on Diane's pants as her tongue swirled around Liara's nipple.
I quickly switched our positions and pinned Liara to my bed. I then logged my cock back inside her cunt as the bed rocked from our continued motions. Diane then took her place and continued to provide pleasure to Ilzahold's nipples. The sounds of wet juices from Liara's pussy cloaked my cock with a glorious sheen.
So slippery, yet so tight, I fucked and fucke d and fucked. Sometimes I thought my hips would long give out, but I continued regardless. I desired to pleasure this woman in front of me. "YESSSSSSSS! YES, Eric Drakclaw! Thrust upon me more! MMMMMmMmmmmNG! Harder!" she demanded. She locked her hips around my waist while one of her hands cradled Diane's head. Her first orgasm rushed through her body and over my cock, but I didn't stop. I already knew what would come next.
As I thought, the arousal that had been released into the air seeped back into her body and pretty soon she was ready for another round without me having to even break my pace. The feeling was heavenly and yet strangely sinful at the same time.
I pulled Diane by her hair off Liara's breasts and aggressively kissed her. She kissed me back, but didn't fight the way my tongue conquered hers. Her hands rubbed over my chest and I very much enjoyed the feeling. Her hot breath raced through my tongue and her lips teased mine endlessly, but I kept control of her. Whenever she tried to get out of hand, I reined her in and she surrendered.
While this went on, I made sure to always move my hips to what Liara desired. Once Diane and I parted, I smirked. "Tell ya what Diane. Since you claim yer not a slut, then get on Liara's face. She's gonna drink the wine from that cunt of yours while she and I fuck each other. If ya don't cum for the entire time then I'll give ya something pleasant. If ya don't, then I get my own pleasure. Got it?" I asked.
"Yes, sir!" Diane remarked. She then eagerly grabbed her pants and slid them off her body. She then tore off her undergarments and climbed onto the bed as well.
"MmmmmmmmnNNNNNPH! You're such a perverted captain! To make the Witch of Draegnar pleasure her own guard! Such a...aaaaahahaaaaa...wonderful tether of the realms to break!" Liara claimed as Burnwood placed her cunt over Liara's lips. Ilzahold wasted no time and I heard Diane's wonderful voice.
"OOOOOOOOAAAOAOOOOAHHHHHHHHHH! LADY LIARAAAAA!" Diane cried as I felt the pleasurable senasations of Liara shoving her tongue deep inside her guard's soaked, sloppy cavern. So intense were these feelings that I roared with a blast full of cum from my cock and into Liara's body.
"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNPH! YES ERIC DRAKCLAW! Your desires sate me so well! Continue to test the limits of the realms with my body! Clearly, my mana has grown accustomed to yours!" I heard from Liara within the confines of my mind.
Aye, the same was true for me as well. I could feel the stores of my mana breaking their boundaries one after the other. What I had now could not be compared to what I had earlier this morning when I had fought against Th'am. It was as if this union was meant to tell me that there was a certain compatibility Liara and I had between our bodies. I sure as hell wasn't gonna complain. Instead, I honored her words and lifted up her legs.
"UUuUUUUUUOOOOOOH YES! SO EAGER, DEAR CAPTAIN!" Liara moaned into Diane's quivering snatch. I turned Diane's head and claimed her lips again while she rode her master's face. This time, Liara and I groaned as I filled her with cum again. Her cunt clenched me and drowned my dick with the residue of her orgasm before we picked up again.
"YES! OOOOOOOOOOOH LADY LIARA! F-FUUUUUUUUUCK! Your tongue feels soooooo gooood!" Diane wailed into my lips. Aye, she kept shivering left and right. I could feel her aura mixing with ours. Seas, I could actually feel the same pleasure Diane was feeling from the way Liara skillfully stuck her tongue into the furthest reaches of her body. Somehow, Liara had cast another spell that lengthened her tongue to reach further than any human tongue could. She must have been hitting the right spot because Diane was trembling against me. Her hot breath tickled the hairs above my lips and she suckled my bottom lip eagerly. Rather hard to believe this was the woman who gave me so much sass earlier.
A wet smack separated us and I chuckled. "Aye, you should see your guard's face, Liara. Not even the sluts in Draegnar match hers," I said. Yes, her unkempt hair, her frazzled look, and the utter desire for pleasure rained upon her face. It was as if the great sands of Aphrodite had covered her gaze.
"NnNnnnnnnnnngh! A mighty fine sight! Worry...aaaaaaahaaaaa...not, I can feel it. She aches for release yet her desire for her reward spurs her forward. My, 'tis a wonder if she should dare part from you once this voyage...oooooooooooooooooh...ends," she claimed.
"Perish the t-t-t-thought! NNnNnNNHGH!" I cursed when my cock hardened again. The lust overwhelmed my body and I fired another load into Liara's haven. Her legs hung onto my ass with surprising strength. I couldn't get myself out even if I truly desired to.
The cries in my room between Diane, Liara, and I culminated themselves in a grand feeling of lust that would make even Hera and Athena blush if they looked down upon us. I don't know how many loads I filled Liara with. I had lost count in the pleasure and the allure of the sea-shattering sex. Hell, I lost count of how many orgasms Liara had. I liked to think I had given her quite a few as well. Fuck, did Diane even cum? I couldn't tell. She could have said that she didn't and I would have believed her.
When Liara and I had first fucked, the lust seemed unending. Now, with Diane, it seemed to be utterly overwhelming. I could smell, feel, taste, and see it raging around my room and coursing through my ship. Though no one could hear inside my cabin, I could hear outside the many cries of pleasure from men and women. I absently wondered if those on the island could feel it as well.
"F-F-FUUUUUUUCK!" I groaned as I came inside Liara for seas knows what number of time now.
"SALARAHAAAAAAAAAAAN JAAAAALLLLLL!" Liara groaned in some ancient speech as I grabbed her hips and plowed into her from behind while Diane laid on the bed with her legs spread.
"MMMMMMMMMMMmaaaaaaa...Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggghhhhhhh! OOoHHhhhhhhhhh Lady Liara! Oooooooooooh F-FUUUUUCK! OH FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!" Diane cried. Liara and I watched as Burnwood's body spasmed like a seadoll as she splashed her own juice in Ilzahold's face.
I sucked my teeth, but kept my smile. For shame, Diane. For shame, you dirty wench.
"I think that be a confirmation, Liara. Your guard is a submissive slut," I said.
"Indeed she is, Eric Drakclaw," Liara said before she crawled forward and kissed Burnwood on her lips. Diane panted and tried to muster a weak reply, but it wasn't much considering how long we had all been going. That said, Liara made sure to give Diane a proper taste of her own flowing river.
Once that was done, she turned back to me. "Now that we have confirmed my guard. Shall we continue?" she asked as she pushed me to the other side of the bed. She then slammed her pussy down on my cock and started bouncing her hips up and down. Her hair swung wildly over me in a glorious dance. Just like last time, her eyes glowed with a magic essence and I could see that mine did the same. Once again, the Witch of Draegnar and the Son of Poseidon were of one mind and pleasure.
My beautiful witch companion bent down and kissed me as the culmination of our lewdness reached its peak. She kept slamming down onto me. Her pelvis met mine and the walls of her cunt massaged the veins of my cock. So wet and filled with cum was she that each time she pulled up, pools of both flooded out of her and onto my bed. We stared into each other and soon our eyes closed.
"OoooOoooOH YES! MMmMmmmMMMNNNN! FDUELIAN XAGHIVASHIA! UGHALRAIOL!" I know not what Liara said, but what I do know was that I grabbed her hips and drove mine upwards. The smack, smack, smack of my balls to her ass excited us both and finally, with sweat over our bodies and lust powering the very tethers of our souls, my hips locked. I fired upwards.
"GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!" I moaned and Liara moaned with me as we both came once again. My balls ached and my cock fired rope after rope of cum against her walls, my sperm just waiting to seek out her egg to be fertilized if she allowed it to do so.
We fell to the bed and she fell on my chest. "Keep this up and I might not wish to part from ye either," Liara said honestly.
I didn't speak for a moment. The room became quiet, but the lust was still there. I closed my eyes.
"Then don't," I said. Liara did not speak. Instead, she looked at me and I looked at her. Though I was tired, I took her hands into mine.
"Don't part from me then, Liara Ilzahold. Join my crew, Witch of Draegnar. Sail under the flag of Eric Drakclaw, The Son of Poseidon,"
I thought the words in my head, but...they did not come out. Something told me it was not yet time to make such a statement. Instead, I grabbed her and Diane. I pulled them both into my embrace and moved to blow out the candle, but I felt a soft breeze come from nowhere. It blew out the flame of the candles and I took note of the magic in the air.
I turned my head and the Witch of Draegnar winked at me. I shook my head and climbed into the bed. I also took note of how dry the sheets were now. "Pray tell what depraved things shall you do to my guard tomorrow morning?" LIara asked.
I slipped between them both. If Diane was awake, then I didn't take notice of it despite the shiver I felt when Ilzahold asked me her question. "Something which I think you'll enjoy, Witch. However, be ready. Once we're done with the tower, we'll move forward to the door across the island. There shall be more for ya to uncover," I answered.
"I do indeed look forward to such ventures, dear captain, though there is one question I would like answered," Ilzahold said.
I chuckled. For some reason, I figured knew where this was going. "Is that right?" I returned. She smiled.
"Indeed. Tell me, if I am to be left with nothing, then what am I left with?" she asked as she closed her eyes.
I don't know how long I stared at Liara. Hell, I think my eyes turned between her and the ceiling quite a few times. I found it rather funny. The Liara of my time hadn't told me the answer, but it seemed very clear to me now. On the surface, it didn't seem like some kind of question than anyone would have difficulty answering, but this was Liara Ilzahold, the woman who had unraveled the many mysteries of the fabric of the Realms, and done battle with gods and demons. How could anyone have a good answer for her?
I leaned over. I then whispered. "I ain't no scholar, Liara. Ya know more than I ever shall. If I'm left with nothing, then I'll become Nothing and take Everything," I replied.
I did not wait for her reply. Unlike last time, I did not think of an answer that would satisfy her. Instead, I gave an answer which I was satisfied with. Hell if I know if it was correct or not. The Liara of my time teased me that I already knew the answer, but I sure as fuck didn't. I merely knew my bastard self and my claim as a pirate. Before that, I don't think anything else held too much relevance.
I leaned over and kissed Liara on the cheek before I turned over and allowed the sleep to take me. However, as I felt the sands of sleep take me away, I thought I heard a voice in the far reaches of my mind. My eyes turned towards my window. A glimmering light fluttered out there once again.
As I closed my eyes, I heard the voice of an elderly man.
"The Age of the Realms...has ended. Nashira Flutoeraen Favir Ghabculi Osphenaem. From the Gates of Haganthar, the world...falls to ashes and fire. Seek...thine own damnation. Jianmaen!"