Origins Of Valour

Chapter VIII-Setting Sail

That morning I found out what Lloyd had meant about me getting along with my teacher. As it turns out, the previous king, Lloyd's father, had had many brothers and as the oldest he had inherited the title of king, but each of his brothers had been sent to rule over each of the magic capitals. Lloyd's uncle was, intense to say the least. He had spent years out at sea, resulting in a man both physically and magically strong, and I have to admit that I didn't really like him very much. Lloyd seemed to get along with him well as evident in the way Lord Trion greeted him, but a look of disdain came over his face when he saw me. "Lloyd, you can't seriously expect a small fry like him to ever have strong magic!" His voice was naturally loud, so everything he said sounded like he was angry. "There isn't enough meat on them bones to even hold a sword properly I bet!" I felt utterly humiliated, and I could tell Lloyd didn't like where Trion's argument was going. "Can I speak with you in private for a moment uncle?" Lloyd gestured to one of the adjoining rooms, and Trion followed him, shutting the door behind him. I pressed my ear up to the door, but all I could make out was the deep rumble of Trion's voice and the smoother tones of Lloyd. I sat down, and after a bit Trion came out and stood in front of me. His voice seemed different, more kind. "I apologize boy, seems like Lloyd really cares about you quite a bit." He smiled, and the room seemed to shake a little at the man's booming laughter. "But I still stand with the fact that you need to shape up some first! I spoke to Lloyd, and starting tomorrow you'll be setting to sea with me! Then we'll be able to see what you're made of!" He placed one of his large hands on my shoulder, and I felt like I was being crushed by the weight of it. "So what do you have to say my boy?" I looked up at the man, fear in my eyes, but a smile plastered to my face. He laughed again at my expression, and made his way towards one of the other doors leading away from the room. "Make sure he's got everything a good seaman'll need Lloyd! We set sail at high tide!" Lloyd and I spent the rest of the day gathering the specified supplies, and in the evening we enjoyed a meal with Trion. Throughout our evening together his expression became more sullen, and at the end of the night I was sent off to bed early, under the pretense that I'd need my rest, while Lloyd and his uncle conversed late into the night.

"Wake up kiddo! Were heading out soon!" I was lifted off my bed and then thrown back onto it to the sound of Trion's voice. I sat up and looked at Trion, yawned, and attempted to lay back down, but he wasn't having it. He roughly pulled me to my feet and over to a basin of water, proceeding to shove my head into it. I came up coughing and sputtering, fully awake. "Get ready quickly kid, or you wont be getting any breakfast!" He laughed again as he handed me a towel to dry myself with, and left. I stood there dazed for a few seconds as my mind came to terms with my situation, and I quickly got dressed. Breakfast was simple, but in my excitement I still ate heartily. "Your things are already on the ship, so we're ready to leave as soon as you're done eating. I'll wait for ya out front!" Trion smiles at me, a knowing look in his eyes, as if there was something he was withholding from telling me, probably for comedic purposes. Either way, I was probably going to find out soon. I leave the rest of my food on my plate and make my way outside. The sun was bright and hot but the breeze coming off the sea made it out to be a very enjoyable morning. The walk to the docks was short, and in no time I found myself staring at an extravagant ship. Its masts rose into the air farther than the tallest tree I'd ever seen, and its sails were a magnificent white embroidered with gold, a true royalty worthy vessel named The Pearl. "Elarus! Over here!" I look to see Trion pointing at another ship a few docks down. I notice that the ships became slightly smaller and less impressive as I walked along the dock. The one Trion was referring to was much less impressive than The Pearl, and I thought that he was playing a joke on me. This ship was significantly smaller than the rest, though still quite large. The sails were of a courser more cream colored material though still bore the same design as The Pearl, but not as accurately reproduced. The men on board seemed to be sea hardened sailors who had probably spent years out at sea. I stood there stunned and confused while Trion made his way up the gangplank to the deck and began conversing with the crew. The name of the ship was 'The Siren', like the sea creatures that lure ships to their doom with their songs. Whether the one who named her meant it as a luck charm or as an omen, I'll never know. "Isn't she a beauty? I've sailed the seas on her many a time." Trion had come back down to stand with me on the dock. He places his hands on my shoulders and steers me towards the ship and up onto the deck. He begins introducing me to the crew, a slew of names and faces to commit to memory since I'll be spending the next two seasons with them. The crew members all return to their work and preparations of the ship while Trion shows me around below deck.