he ourney o erendi

"Taymer's Pride - 3rd pier along. Next!" shouted the leather skinned sailor as Trimus and Grabthroat presented their tickets. Taymer's Pride was a small two masted galley, tidy, clean and well cared for. Her captain Brabant Taymer, who was greeting his passengers as they boarded, a man in his mid forties with thick black hair and matching beard was much the same. "Pleased to have you on board sirs, hope you have a pleasant trip. If you would like to stow your kit in your cabin we sail on the morning tide.

The sails cracked in the stiff breeze and the waves were capped with flecks of foam but Tamer's Pride rode the swell comfortably. Not too comfortably however as a mail clad figure stood at the starboard rail. He had been retching there even before the ship had left harbour. A figure in clerical robes stood beside him trying to comfort him but to no avail. "Darkhawk had a little too much o drink last night", explained the cleric. "We intend to seek adventure and riches in Ierendi. My name is Ako." He extended his hand to Grabthroat and Trimus who shook it warmly. "I'm Trimus D'Alberon and this is Grabthroat Shinkicker. We also seek our fortunes in Ierendi. I intend to gain passage to Honour Island so I can study with the mages there." At this a tall well dressed figure looked towards the quartet. "You haven't a hope. If the wizards had anything approaching a sense of humour they wouldn't stop laughing for a week." "And who might you be" blustered Trimus. "My name is Rintrah" the man replied drawing closer his cloak billowing in the breeze to reveal a long sword with a ornate ruby set pommel. "A traveller if you like or a seeker after information. Let me give you a warning young man - don't seek your fortune on Honour Island." With this he returned to looking southwards over the sea towards Ierendi.

Taymer's Pride made good progress during the day so spirits were high as Trimus, Ako, Grabthroat and a healthier looking Darkhawk sat in the mess finishing a hearty meal. "Sea air sure gives me an appetite" sighed Darkhawk pushing back his plate. "What about the four of us sticking together when we reach Ierendi - we could use a fighter like you Grabthroat and a mage is always useful." asked Ako quietly pushing his food around his plate. "Sounds fun to me" said Grabthroat heartily "What abut it Trimus?" "Yes. Why not indeed" said Trimus rising to his feet and saluting the others with his mug of ale "The four champions! Onward to adventure." "Is he always this pompous?" whispered Darkhawk into the ear of the dwarf. "Excuse me - did I hear you say you were looking for adventure?" A tall, well dressed, fair haired man had approached the table and spoken quietly but his eyes betrayed the urgency of his need. "Yes I suppose we are" replied Ako. "My name is Aril D'Tai. I seek my twin brother Fedrin and his two companions who came to Ierendi last season and have not returned. "So? They were having a good time and decided to stay a little longer." muttered Grabthroat into his ale. "Unlikely - Fedrin was due to marry two weeks ago and there is no way he would give up the chance of marrying Juanita for a few extra weeks on some run down holiday resort." "So you want help in finding him. Do you have any clues?" mused Trimus. "No none at all." sighed Aril pulling up a stool, sitting down and holding his head in his hands.

The following day dawned with a thick carpet of mist covering the sea the boat seeming to be cut off a few feet below the rails. The almost dead calm water was still too much for Ako who spent most of the morning staring morosely over the port rail. However he was the first to see the leaping, glistening shapes that shone in the afternoon sun that had driven away the mist. Scant moments later the lookout on the stern castle shouted "Leap fish ahoy! All hands on deck! All hands on deck!" With this seven large silver-green fish landed on the deck close to where Trimus, Ako, Grabthroat and Darkhawk were standing. Surprised into inactivity Trimus could only watch as the large wet creature flapped up propelled by is heavily muscled tail hitting him squarely in the chest. The razor sharp edges of the fish's fins cutting easily through Trimus' linen shirt and the impact knocked him off of his feet. Winded and shocked he could only watch as his friends now joined by the rest of the crew hacked and smashed the leap fish from the deck leaving only blood and slime on the sun bleached deck. "You were lucky, young Trimus", said the captain as he helped the pale mage to his feet, "If you had been hit from behind you could have been knocked over board. Go and get yourself cleaned up."

"Not a good start to my career as a fighting mage" muttered Trimus as he stirred his broth aimlessly that evening. "Never mind Trimus" said Grabthroat banging him a little too firmly on the shoulder, "Things can only get better". "But I didn't even think to use my spell. What would my master think of me?" "Where's Ako, Darkhawk? It's unlike him to miss a meal." asked the Dwarf trying to change the subject. "He's still trying to get the stench of fish guts out of his robes - so far he seems to be a follower of La the Slimy!" joked the burly fighter between mouthfuls of soup and course bread. The ensuing laughter brightened the mode of the gathering and eventually even Trimus managed a smile over the main course - grilled jump fish!

The presence of sea birds trailing in the wake of Taymer's Pride the following morning announced that their journey was nearly over and soon the first guano spattered islets of the Kingdom Of Ierendi hove into view. Ierendi itself was still a day's sailing away and the sea itself seamed restless and angry. "What do you intend to do when you get to Ierendi Aril?" asked Trimus facing over the stern watching the sea gulls wheel and dive into the ships wake. "Ask around, try to find out where he went, who he saw find out if he is still alive - Ierendi can be a tough place for adventure seekers." "Yes - wait a minute - did you see that" Trimus was urgently pointing to a area of the sea of the port quarter with fear in his eyes. "See what?" questioned Aril. "A tail, a large fish or ... no I must be seeing things. I'm still a little jumpy from yesterday. Lets go below it's a little cold this morning." But as Trimus and Aril turned to go the air was ripped apart by a shattering howl and a wave tore across the deck. As the spray cleared the huge green head of a sea dragon loomed over the stern rail. Reacting by instinct Trimus created shapes and forms in the air with his hands and willed a magic missile towards the creatures head. almost instantly the missile hit the creature below its lime green crest causing it to howl and drop back from the ship a little. Drained by this burst of mental energy Trimus slumped to the deck soaked by spray and chilled to the bone. Already the rest of the crew along with Grabthroat, Darkhawk and Ako had joined battle with the beast, the dwarf's crossbow bolts making little impression and Ako's throwing hammer was lost after it bounced of the bony ridge above the dragon's left eye. Without warning the beast pulled back its head and spat out a clot of green slime which hit two crewman as they climbed the rigging for a better shot. The fell choking to their deaths as the poison took effect.

"Stand well back NOW!" shouted Rintrah bracing himself in the centre of the bucking deck his commanding voice and presence compelling obedience from all and attracting the attention of the beast. Seconds later a huge globe of fire blossomed on the head of the dragon followed by a shock wave and a deafening roar. With a pained shriek the dragon sank below the waves in a mass of steam and bubbles. The only evidence of its passing the charred and shattered rail and the still twitching bodies of the crewman hit by its venom.

That nights meal was a sombre affair taking place after the burial of the two crewmen. "Well young mage, an impressive strike. It caused the beast to hesitate giving me a chance to prepare a fireball spell. Your friends were brave as well" said Rintrah warmly. "Keep practising and exercise well Trimus you need to build up your strength. And take care all of you - you are still very weak."

© 1997 alanderekjones@msn.com and robertvance@msn.com

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