Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,63

the gnomen Fleet—and in Gaigas’s bosom was I made seaworthy!” Remtall roared into the wind against a flash of lightning. He took a drop of his flask and turned to see Erguile running toward them from the bow.

“Are you alright?” Adacon asked as Erguile came within earshot. Erguile held his stomach with one hand, a sour look on his face, gasping for breath. He pointed to the bow where Flaer stood.

“I’m fine—but there’s a ship,” Erguile moaned before diving for the rail of the ship, throwing up again.

“What?” Adacon replied. Slowin left immediately for the bow. Remtall stayed put and in the light rain he withdrew his pipe from his pocket; he began to stuff it with tobacco. Adacon looked toward the commotion at the bow, searching for a sign of the ship. The grey distance offered no shapes.

“Captain?” Adacon said.

“Go have a look—bring me the verdict,” Remtall said calmly. Adacon ran from the helm toward the bow. Slowin and Flaer scoured the eastern horizon for a silhouette while the captain watched from afar, puffing on his pipe, trying to cover it from the increasing rain with his tunic.

“What is it?” Adacon asked as he reached them. Flaer seemed to be searching deeply in the grey, and Slowin too appeared in great concentration.

“Looked like a ship—it disappeared behind the fog,” Slowin said.

“You both saw it then? Definitely a ship?”

“Looked like it,” Slowin replied, and Flaer nodded yes.

“Tell Remtall; we’ll stay and watch,” Slowin said. Adacon acknowledged and returned swiftly to the helm with the news.

“It was a ship. They all saw it. It’s disappeared in the fog,” Adacon reported.

“It’s no ship,” Remtall uttered between puffs from his pipe.

“What do you mean?” Adacon asked, stricken with surprise. At that moment Erguile composed himself and trudged over to join them.

“I’ve known this presence before. Though it looks like a ship, rest assured she isn’t,” Remtall answered. Adacon shuddered.

“What’s going on, did anyone see it?” Erguile asked.

“Slowin and Flaer did, but it’s gone now. They’re keeping an eye out for it,” Adacon answered. “What is it Remtall?”

“It’s a phantom—a vision of a ship that sank more than three hundred years ago,” Remtall said.

“What?” Erguile recoiled.

“Don’t fret; she’ll be of no harm to us. There’s the Fang Shoals for fretting.”

“A phantom ship,” Adacon’s eyes widened as the wind picked up, rocking the ship violently. Remtall grabbed the rail while Adacon grabbed the side of a mast, but Erguile went tumbling onto the deck. Thunder came at its loudest, and a great whine reverberated from near the cabin.

“Weakhoof!” Erguile cried, rushing to his feet. In his sickness Erguile had forgotten about his horse. Weakhoof had braved enough of the storm quietly, but as it worsened the steed could remain fearless no more. An eruption of neighing sounded from the cabin, and as Erguile came to Weakhoof’s side he saw that the horse had nearly loosed its rein.

“Easy girl,” Erguile comforted. “We’ll be through this soon.” Adacon and Remtall watched Erguile quiet the horse; he seemed even through his fit to be courageous.

“How can you be sure we’re in no danger of attack?” Adacon asked Remtall as he steadied the wheel.

“Fool…Complex answers I do not give for simple questions. Have a draught,” Remtall responded. He offered Adacon his flask. Adacon took a sip and coughed, handing it back to Remtall.

“Much harsher than Krem’s wine,” Adacon complained.

“We will have much time to discuss phantoms and shoals when the Kalm has regained its namesake; until then, fetch yourself to help your friend. Weakhoof looks distressed,” Remtall commanded. Adacon nodded, leaving the captain alone at the wheel with his smoldering pipe.

The Blockade Runner jogged eastward into the storm, and the weather worsened. Adacon tended Weakhoof with Erguile, and Flaer remained on the bow searching the fog-ridden sea. Slowin had retreated to the stern, standing next to Remtall, discussing something. The swells increased and Erguile fell sick again. Several hours seemed to pass, and finally the rain slowed. The sky cleared, revealing an early cluster of moons. Tired from the storm, the crew retired after a quick dinner without conversation. Adacon had been eager to learn more of the phantom ship from Remtall, and he wanted to ask Slowin if he knew where Krem might be, but fatigue won out. Soon they were all asleep, even Slowin, save for Remtall who somehow kept awake and guided the ship onward under the still night sky.

Time passed quickly for the crew on their second day at sea. Both slaves apprenticed under Remtall,