Wet Fire

The Mariner's Tale (E12)

Blythe

In the morning, just before the rising of the sun, Blythe awoke on deck of the Dragonwind with a jolt. His neck felt stiff where he had been leaning on the barrel and there was an odd chill in the air. He crossed his arms and stood, with teeth chattering.

Almost all of the the other shipmates were still asleep, still laying about around the brazier. Only a few were awake. One Akauri was standing straight, unmoving, at the far end of the deck, probably keeping a watch on him. There were three tired-looking shipmates, including Skiff and Bando, whose hair was already damp from being in the water. The thick rope net he was dragging around left dark green masses of seaweed across the finely polished wood deck. Blythe rubbed his eyes.

Moving slowly, Blythe tiptoed over to the stairs that led below deck. His heavy eyelids told him that he needed at least three more hours of sleep before trying to get up again, and that was just what he intended to do. He grasped the railing and descended into near pitch darkness, feeling around and trying not to miss a step. A dim morning glow was beginning to glow though the tiny round windows that lined the underside of the ship, the only things that he could see with.

Once he reached the door of his cabin, Blythe stopped and peeked his head around the corner of the hall. A faint yellow light was shining thought the cracks of someone's cabin. Who would need a light like that at this hour? He gulped and strode down the hallway towards the flickering light, giving in to curiosity.

There was nothing written on the door as to who this room belonged to, so Blythe knocked once, intending for someone to answer. No one came. Again, he knocked, but had the same result. How could it be empty? If someone had left a candle burning, in there, he had no choice but to blow it out before it started a fire. A fire on a ship would be very bad.

The door was unlocked, and Blythe was able to push it open without too much creaking. The cabin was small and of similar decor to his own, except this one lacked windows. There was a large bed and a wide paper-covered desk against the wall. Two fancy brown leather chests were stacked at the foot of the unmade bed, partially hidden by the thick quilts. Blythe could not decide whether it was clean or messy in here. Whoever slept here, they must have had a specific place for everything--it was the kind of mess that seemed only organized to the one who had made it in the first place. Then, a smell of burning incense nearly choked him--it was a thick sugary scent with a tinge of exotic spice. Its strength reminded him of that rotten Crimson Serpent incense that Milka had given him. He cringed and held his nose.

Sure enough, the room was empty, and a candle was burning on a stand in the corner next to the desk. Blythe walked in quickly and went right up tot he stand to blow out the abandoned flame. But just as he took in a breath, something on the desk caught his eye. He lowered this hand from his nose and picked up an old letter which looked as if it had been folded over and over again. Reading the letter was difficult, given the faded ink.

P.F. 3328 ~ Preceding the Year of Judgement .

Dearest Head,

I am writing to you to inform you of this matter. As far as I am concerned, there is a grave issue that needs to be brought to your attention. The Lord General of Arangula has ordered an embassy of five-hundred soldiers to Tomb. 

The next few sentences were blotted out with ink. 

 I thought you, of all people, would need to know of this. Rumors have been spread far and wide, most of them false. At this point I do not know what to believe.

If what these rumors say is true, you must be vigilant. I cannot be sure that his intentions are entirely good. This message may never reach you, but if it does, I hope that you take the necessary precautions. Forgive me if you do not hear of this in time.