The Witcher and the Sea

Chapter One: An Skellig

The harbor was a beautiful place at sunset.

All the ships were docked for the day, nearly trapped as sheets of cracked ice floated among the calm waters in this little nook where the island curved. The sun, finally peeking through the overcast skies of the day as it met the horizon cast its fiery glow. Remnants of snow pushed against walls and left in melting puddles along the stone streets all glistened under the last minutes of the sun.

It was a time of day where families would walk outside, taking one last evening stroll before the markets closed and a quiet night fell upon the brazen little port town of Uriella Harbor. But even as the gentle caws of the birds that sat upon wooden posts and the quiet tide hitting the shore soothed the townspeople, it was Moira and the rowdy soldiers of the village she called friends who disturbed it all.

The shrill sound of metal clanging against metal was a nuisance to the ship owners and cargo movers.

Moira was swinging a sword about half of her body weight against her best friend Rotty and his brother Arnie, both of whom outmatched her and kept her on her toes as they bounced around the pier.

It was very obvious that the merchants they weaved in and out of were at their wits end with them, but Moira still tightly clutched her sword with both hands, careful not to slice one of them or be sliced. They were gentle with their jabs, knowing when to stop before someone was actually hurt, but regardless it broke a sweat that instantly froze open her forehead as she heaved in the cold air.

Arnie was around her height, however, he outmatched her in overall strength so as she was nearly backed up off the pier, she threw a wooden crate down to separate them and ran.

Moira bolted up one of the wooden loading ramps that bridged the markets to the docks, attempting to escape until Rotty leaped over from the one parallel to her, causing her to nearly slip to a stop as he had startled her. She was certainly not ready and her aching arms held strong.

"Come on, give me a break!" Moira groaned loudly.

Moira immediately ran back, having just enough of a window to bypass Arnie only to realize she was close to the edge. With ease though, she leaped onto the other side after climbing through a smaller boat that bobbed in the water. Unfortunately now, her weary legs had nowhere to run but backwards as she was cornered by Arnie and Rotty on opposite ends of the pier.

Reluctantly, you dropped down to put your hands on your knees as you caught your breath, a painstaking coldness filling your lungs.

"Sword getting too much for ya, Moira?" Rotty asked, letting his guard down as the gentle giant stood their cockily with a hand on his hips.

She turned her head, dark hair dangling down, catching him raise a brow at her, waiting for her to give in.

But little did he realize, he was standing awfully close to the edge of the dock.

"Never." Moira grinned, bolting at his legs to shove him overboard.

The resounding splash signified the end of their sweaty and playful duel, curious sailors and other ship workers finally turning their heads away with a bemused side that could be heard from miles away. The sun was nearly gone and it would be time to go home soon, a bittersweet feeling that always came at the end of the day with them.

Moira turned around to find Arnie's jaw on the floor, almost jumping back as she passed him.

"For fucks sake, Moira! I couldn't even knock him down like that!" Arnie laughed, following behind.

While Arnie was undoubtedly stronger than her, his sopping wet brother who climbed back onto the pier behind them was a monster compared to him. Speaking of, despite being blue in the lips from the freezing waters, she was certain she saw red on Rotty's face as he stormed up the pier.