Dragon's Legacy

Chapter 3: Taking the Plunge

         The bright light from the portholes was refreshing to Rael; time held almost no meaning in the deepest part of the ship, and any light was appreciated. But this was different from the light of a summer day, blinding and hot, or the subtle glare of sunlight on a cloudy day. The light that shone through the portholes was more invigorating, yet comfortable. As if a gentle breeze had become a healthy glow. It illuminated below deck in an all-encompassing permeance, the barrels, the chairs, the tables, and the groggy fellow staring blearily into his stew. He barely had any time to realize what was happening when Rael rushed over to him and slammed his face into his meal. While he was struggling, another escapee tied his arms behind his back with a set of enchanted chains. Rael quickly looked around the mess in the room, finding barrels of water, crates of preserved fruits—a few bites of which they quickly stuffed into their mouth— and finally, some rope. Rael gagged the sailor as he came up from his stew to take a breath and let out a sigh of relief as the man struggled flutily against his bonds. The other former captives spread about the room, gathering ropes, knives, and lots of food.

"That closed door at the stern is probably the quarters." Thierrson whispered.

"Looks dark through the cracks." Someone noted. "No portholes?"

Thierrson shook his head. "Nope. Sleeping through daylight is common, especially for ships of at least this size."

"We just have to lock it somehow." Rael took the bowl of stew and chugged it to wash down the fruit.

"That won't work." Thierrson said. "They'll just break down the door."

Rael wiped their mouth, approaching the door to place their hands on the seams, an idea forming in their mind. "Synthesis."

The wood melted into itself, creating a continuous wall of wood with two hinges embedded within.

"Now we just have to take care of those above deck." Rael noted.

Above deck was much the same as below. Only a few sailors milled about, tying lines or looking off into the distance. All at once, the escapees ran out to tackle the sailors. While the sailors and former prisoners were relatively equal in number, the escapees were buffed, desperate, and had the element of surprise.

Rael had looked to the bow of the ship but rushed towards the stern, where somebody was navigating the ship. Whoever he was, he needed to go down, as he had the best view of the entire ship. As his crewmates were being subdued, and a few of the more belligerent ones thrown overboard in loud screams, he panicked and let go of the wheel to summon a Tome of leather parchment.

Rael was only a few meters away when he began casting.

"Sho—"

Rael jumped forwards and drove their fist into his stomach. As he chocked on his own bile, Rael shoulder-checked him into the floor, where Rael grappled him with the Tome-dagger to his throat.

"Create Water." Water splashed over them both.

"You try to use that 'Shock' spell again, and we'll both get hurt, got it?" Rael glared. "And since you know how to drive this airship, it's in our best interests to keep you alive, alright?"

The dagger dug a bit deeper into the quivering sailors throat, a few pinpricks of blood appearing as he slowly nodded. He was led to the others and tied to the mast with the enchanted chains alongside the others. Most were gagged, including an angry Caldon with a slowly swelling black eye. The former prisoners let out a collective sigh of relief, a few sitting down, others crying in relief. A few of them gathered on the stern, by the wheel to discuss.