This particular story is meant to be read from the perspective that you, the reader, are Dagorn Balefrost.
“Apologies if this comes across harsh, but are you sure you want to do this? I’m not opposed to magic, you know this love, but this all seems rather...invasive.”
Pace has been pacing back and forth in your cabin saying things like this for the past half hour, while Angel has been preparing himself for what you asked. Despite her worries, you know she only wants to make sure you’re safe. Especially since she’s already lost you once before. But you know what you want, and are determined to see this through. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?
“All right, I think we’re ready. Sorry, I’m still a little new to this. Unfortunately Captain, I do have to ask you to wait outside the cabin now. I don’t want to accidentally delve into your memories instead; that might make Dagorn a little confused,” Angel remarks, smiling slyly over at you.
“I’m perfectly comfortable with people NOT rummaging through my head, thank you very much. But,” Pace says, placing her hand on your shoulder, “I do hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for. And if you want to talk about it afterwards, I’m here for you.”
With a last kiss on your cheek, Pace bids the two of you goodnight, and heads back on deck. Angel gestures for you to sit opposite him on a floor cushion he’s prepared. A few dribbling candles surround you, illuminating the now darkened cabin of the Dawn. To Angel’s credit, they’re a nice touch. They remind you of home.
The flickering of their flame and the creaking of the Dawn are the only sounds present now. At least, they would be, if the silence wasn’t interrupted by an abrasive, metallic voice echoing through the ship.
“Captain Meatbag, are you still on the ship? You’ve become uncharacteristically quiet.”
You told him not to call you that.
“Just thought I would let you know that the temperature has risen 0.5 degrees outside, meaning we are closer to our destination than we previously were. You did say you wanted to be informed when we were drawing close to Draconia. I relay this information assuming you have not been flung overboard. In the event that you are no longer with us, know that your sacrifice is not in vain. There are several small fishy meatbags that you will nourish. That is all.”
Well, that’s not going to get old.
“He’s here with me, Dawn. You can stop talking now.” Angel calls out to the darkness.
“I could. I choose not to.”
___
“Well, are you ready Dagorn? If I’m honest, I’m not quite sure what you’ll feel or experience during this. All I know is that whatever you see, I’ll see too. So, try not to think of anything embarrassing.”
Taking a deep breath in, Angel leans forwards grasping a familiar yellow gem and holds it to your forehead. A cool sensation begins to permeate out starting from that point, moving across your face, before enveloping your torso. You close your eyes.
“Think of what you want to see. Think of your parents. If you have no memory of them, think as far back as you can remember.”
As you struggle to have something, anything come to your mind, you sit in your cabin for minutes. As time goes on, a frustration begins to build in you. You have done so much to uncover other’s pasts, to help them with their stories; why can you not see the beginning of your own? The cool sensation on your body turns ice cold. You feel your body jostled, and open your eyes to frustratedly rebuke Angel for messing with you. In doing so, a spray of sea water hits your face.
You are small. Wrapped in some kind of warm cloth.
You are being carried.
There are shouts across a wet deck of a ship. Rain water above you is periodically interrupted by objects flying onto the ship at fast speeds.
Arrows.
The individual carrying you is jostled again, running past shifting crates and other people scrambling to right themselves, brandish weapons or find a place to hide. You recognize these types of people. You’ve encountered their kind before on your sailing travels. They’re refugees. And their ship is being boarded.
As the sound of clashing steel and cries of pain begin to emanate from the bow of the ship, the individual carrying you reaches the stairs to the cargo hold. There is a figure standing there; the rain and darkness obscuring his features. But even then, you can make out strands of ashen hair, and a gleaming silver blade at the ready.
“Take him below deck. Go! I’m right behind you.”
And as quickly as he appeared, the figure is gone, as you are carried into the darkness of the lower decks. At this point, the sounds above deck have reached a chaotic cacophony, sounds you are all too familiar with. You know what kind of people are raiding this ship. The kind of people you dedicated your life to hunting. Only this time, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
But then you notice something else. A different feeling, below you. Somewhat wet and warm. There is an arrow sticking out of your carrier’s torso. They are bleeding.
Deep into the cargo hold, in a corner behind some crates is where you are finally deposited. Seems there is a comfy basket waiting for you. As you are placed into its warm confines, you finally glimpse the figure who has taken you all this way. Silver hair. Beautiful blue eyes. As you hear yourself start to cry, she gives a sad smile and holds you close to her chest, rocking you gently.
One last time.
“Shhh, it's alright. It’s alright. I promise, you will be ok.”
You can feel her tightening her grip on you, holding you as close as she can, as if by doing so she will extend the time she has with you. You hear her voice break as she finally places you back in the basket.
“I have to go, little one.”
As you start to cry again, reaching out for her, she kneels down and gently brushes her hand through your short hair. With tears trickling down her face, she begins to softly sing to you.
“Now go to sleep in Chasms deep with Silver all around you.
Though Rock and Dread may be your bed so sleep my Baby Dear.
Now comes the Storm but you'll be warm. The Wind will rock your Basket.
The Crystal's fine will glow, Sublime so sleep my Baby Dear.
And with a song it won't be long, you'll sleep my Baby Dear.”
And as she finishes, her hand keeps stroking your head, calming you. She rests her own head on the wood next to you, and you watch her breath shorten, then stop. She’s lost too much blood.
You feel the need to scream, to do something, anything. Then the door to the cargo hold bursts open.
You hear the raiders begin to rummage through their ill gotten gains. Separate from the rest, one of the pirates stumbles upon your corner, sees the woman, and sees you. And for a brief moment, you do not see a bandit or monster looking back at you. You see a man, with a face so contorted with guilt that he drops his bloodied blade.
“What’s going on back there? Any survivors? Dredger?” A voice calls from darkness.
“Wh- n-no, no. Just a rat is all. Give me a minute.”
The pirate looks down at you, then back at the lifeless women. His breathing becomes ragged.
You begin to cry again.
The bandit panics, kneels down, scrambles into his pocket, and fishes out a little straw man. A children’s toy. He begins to speak in a soft, humorous voice.
“H-hey little guy, it's me, your pal Strawy. Please don’t cry. It’s alright, it’s alright.”
As you happily accept your newfound straw friend, Dredger gently lifts the basket and carries it to the opposite wall, where a porthole resides. After opening it, he drops a handful of gold coins into your basket.
“We’re near the shore, the tide should carry you in. I...uh...I…”
Gently placing the basket into the water, the pirate lets you go. As you begin to drift away, you leave the chaos of the now somewhat burning ship behind. Arkos’ large moon Lien-Da illuminates the now calm, waters as you drift towards shore, lost in the moonlight.
Your eyes open, as you are where you began; sitting opposite Angel in your cabin. But on a ship on the high seas filled with friends, you have never felt more alone.
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