there. Perhaps—perhaps he will be there. For now, however, it is good night,” Slowin answered. The hulking silver mass lumbered away leaving Adacon rabid with more questions. Slowin lay down on his mat to sleep. Adacon surveyed that everyone had gone to bed except Remtall, who had drifted up to the stern. Saddened by Slowin’s desire to leave them as soon as he could, Adacon trudged to his own spot of cabin floor, wishing Krem were back.
* * *
Adacon awoke the next morning with greetings of furious wind and rain, accompanied by the loud whinnying of Weakhoof. It was barely midmorning, and already the sky was blackened with thunderclouds. Adacon slowly stood to his feet; he saw Erguile huddled under Weakhoof’s tarp and sprinted under to find shelter with them.
“Good morning Addy,” Erguile grunted, trying to keep Weakhoof calm. Rain pelted heavily upon the tarp in rhythmic waves. A cold chill whipped underneath the weather shield.
“Morning—this is unbelievable—what weather; I thought the Kalm got its name for being a calm ocean,” Adacon replied.
“So did I. It’s been like this for nearly ten minutes. I don’t know how you managed to stay asleep,” Erguile said.
“It was strange—I was in a dream talking to Krem, and he was telling me about my true quest: our true quest,” Adacon recalled. “He was telling me that from Erol Drunne we must again return to the West to meet our final destiny, and that before the end a great tragedy will come to pass.”
“Strange indeed, but I don’t heed silly dreams—nor should you pay it much mind. For all we know Krem is dead, just as the dark stranger told us,” Erguile coldly replied.
“Don’t say that! Even Slowin says he lied!” Adacon replied defensively. He sulked in quiet for several moments pondering Krem’s fate. “What of this storm? Have you talked with Remtall?”
“When I first woke I did. He thinks the storm will only worsen as the day goes on.”
“I’ll go and speak to him. Do you need help with Weakhoof?” Adacon asked before walking across the deck and into the rain again.
“He’ll be alright. He’s been very brave through all this. I don’t think she much approves of sailing though,” he chuckled. Erguile returned his attention to Weakhoof as Adacon struck out into the rain toward the cabin where Slowin, Flaer, and Remtall were standing.
“Good morning Adacon, and a fine one at that, eh?” Remtall greeted. The others turned to say hello.
“This weather is awful, and Erguile said we should expect it to last?” Adacon probed.
“As sure as I am a gnome we should expect more. And I think we will be delayed a day or two if these winds stay easterly,” answered the captain. Though the gnome had not slept in the past few days he seemed oddly rejuvenated, and Adacon marveled at his vigor. Flaer returned to the sea-chart he had been poring over, examining their course. Slowin asked how Erguile was dealing with the waves.
“Surprisingly well I’ll say, compared to the other day. What’s more surprising is how well Weakhoof is handling the weather,” Adacon answered.
“There is more to that steed than meets the eye,” Slowin replied. “Help yourself to some tea, and there’s something to eat over there.”
“Thanks.”
Remtall and Slowin joined Flaer in his study of the chart. Adacon surveyed the horizon in all directions, seeing nothing but thick grey clouds and occasional flashes of lightning. The rain had lightened since he first woke, but it seemed colder, and Adacon longed for a place that was warm and dry. The steady pour of drops increased again while Adacon fetched his cup of tea, and got a second for Erguile. Returning to Weakhoof’s tarp, Erguile thanked him heartily for the hot brew.
“Should do me well, I didn’t get much sleep last night,” said Erguile.
“Maybe you’ll get rest this afternoon if the weather breaks and the air warms.”
“Perhaps. I am weary though. Much like your dream with Krem I had a dream, but with a darker note—mind you I pay dreams no mind, but they linger when dark: the phantom ship had come back, and it sieged our vessel. And just as death came I envisioned Karabden rising from the sea, coming to swallow us all in its thousand-teethed mouth.” Erguile trembled as he relayed his nightmare.
“I’d tell you your own advice again—as you pay my dream no mind, do the same for yours. We truly are safe as long as Remtall keeps his wits.”
“That’s another thing—sometimes I doubt that little man’s