Plaguebound

Chapter 20

Early morning. The ship had made its departure from the dock. With Willie at the helm, it was going to be smooth and steady sailing to the Crystal Cove. 150 miles, about a day's worth of travel. Vera yawned and rubbed her eyes, hanging over the side of the ship. Isaac polished his armor and sharpened his new blade. Willie whistled some sailor's tune to pass the time. Elizabeth kept her focus dead ahead. The wind whipped her hair around. The cool mist from the crashing waves sprinkled across everyone's faces. They all held on tight as the ocean tossed their boat to and fro. 

"I hope ye land lovers know what you're getting into!" Willie called out. "The sea is a cruel and unforgiving mistress." 

"How so?" Elizabeth shouted back, trying not to be drowned out by the waves. 

"I think I'm getting seasick, so that's a start." Vera whined. 

"It's not just your average fish that swim in these here waters! Many grand beasts and strange creatures lurk within her depths!"

"Nothing I'm sure we can't handle." Isaac assured. 

"Luckily, kraken attacks are rare in this sea, water is too shallow. Same goes for any megalodon." Elizabeth tried to follow along, but she must've looked perplexed. 

"Giant squid and shark." Vera explained. 

"I've heard of a couple of leviathan attacks around here, so be weary of that. An old buddy of mine spoke a lot about a white whale, Mocha or Moby or something, whatever he called it, but I'm pretty sure he was just crazy." The heroes of Ethros all looked at each other and then back at Willie, his ramblings now confusing everyone. "Oh! Speakin of crazy, don't trust anyone who believes in Cthulhu! I may have lost me mind to the sea, but those people are beyond help."

"Right..." Elizabeth said hesitantly.

"And then you got all your other beliefs and faiths talkin about sea monsters. Ye got your Jormungandrs and Calypsos and what not. I ain't never seen 'em, and I ain't never believed in 'em. But hey! Probably still safe to respect 'em right?"

"Sure?" Elizabeth looked at Vera and Isaac. She shrugged her shoulders, and they shrugged back. 

"And last, but certainly not least, ye got your mermaids! What wonderful vixens those creatures be! What I wouldn't give for a night with them." Willie prattled on and on about his fantasies and desires, making his loneliness ever so apparent. Vera put her finger in her mouth and pretended to gag. Isaac grinned and shook his head. Elizabeth tried her best not to giggle. "But never get them confused with sirens!" Willie shouted. The party jolted up, startled and now at full attention. "Those wicked she-beasts will drag ye, your crew, and your ship down to the very depths of Davy Jones' locker!" Elizabeth quickly took out her scroll. "They lure ye in with an enchanting melody, bringing promise of companionship, pleasure, and satisfaction!"

"Gross." Vera whispered, making Isaac chuckle. 

"They entice ye with their charms, making even the sanest and steeled will of men jump to their deaths! They let you swim out to 'em, and just when ye think ye can have it all, they drag you down and feast upon your flesh! They are not to be trifled with, land lovers! Do ye hear me?!" 

"Unfortunately, we'll need to cross their path in order to complete our quest." Elizabeth explained.

"Are ye mad?! What could you possibly need from them demons?!" 

"According to this scroll, their song."

"How are we gonna bottle up a song?" Vera asked.

"Don't you have a spell or something to do that? Magic can do anything right?"