A civil war rages in Talestor. A boy from a forest chases after his friend, leaving the safety of the trees and thrusting himself into a world he can barely comprehend, happening upon a weary sword whose only wish is for peace. A group of slaves are...
Night fell quickly. The stars sparkled in the sky, and the city loomed dark and foreboding before them.
They'd gotten to Sidden earlier in the day, and snuck over to the harbor to wait it out. Celestar, Kaia, and the still-sleeping Nevay (who was beginning to worry Celestar a little bit) were hidden out under a pile of nets on the dock. All around them, fishermen and bargemen pulled in for the night, tying their boats and hurrying into the city before curfew.
As they looked on, a final horn sounded, and the great gates of the city were slowly pulled shut, until they sealed with a clang. The sound was chilling.
"Should we move?" Celestar asked Kaia.
"Not yet," she said. "We should wait until the sentries have been out here a while and getting tired. Then we'll have at least a little time before they spot us and sound the alarm."
"I second," said Nevay. Celestar started. When had he woken up?
At any rate. "I think I have a better idea," he said. "One that doesn't involve a mad river chase after we steal the boat."
"What is it?" Kaia asked, looking intrigued.
"Let's set fire to one of those boats. That way, the guards will run to that one, and we can go get one on the other side of the dock."
"That is very clever," said Nevay. "Except for one thing. Someone will have to go over there to start the blaze."
"Not necessarily," said Celestar, and pushed the nets aside. He drew out his small bow and quiver of arrows.
"Arrows do not catch fire," said Nevay. "And even if we had fire arrows, if we lit them here, the sentries would see."
"Oh," said Celestar. He put his bow away. "Then I'll go start the fire. You two pick a boat and get in."
"Celestar," said Nevay, slowly and deliberately, "you seem to be forgetting something."
"What is it?"
"How are you going to get to the boat after the guards come running? They will undoubtedly see you."
"Not if I swim," said Celestar.
"Dear wielder, it may have escaped your notice, but it is very cold and very deep water that you are thinking of dipping your entire body into."
"Nevay's right, Celestar," said Kaia. "It's too deep to wade in, and if the water doesn't get you, the cold will."
Celestar blinked. "But I can swim pretty well, and it's not even winter yet. Just late fall."
"Oh, you actually know how to swim," Kaia realized. "But it's still really cold, even if it's not winter."
"You risk hypothermia," said Nevay.
"I don't know what that means," Celestar said to Nevay, "but I'm pretty sure this is our best chance."
"You are probably correct, though I am loathe to say it," sighed Nevay. "Stars grant you fortune, wielder."
Nodding, Celestar brought out his flint and steel, wrapped it in a handy bit of oilcloth, and stuck it down his pants.
Before he went off, Kaia grabbed his arm. "Don't die," she said, grinning.
Celestar grinned back and flashed them both an affirmative signal, then shed his pack, dropped to his belly, and shimmied across the dock. He slipped into the water without so much as a splash.
Poking his head out above the water, he watched as his friends made their stealthy way to one of the boats at the end of the harbor. They dropped down out of sight. Satisfied that they would go undetected, he resubmerged himself and began swimming to the opposite end of the harbor.
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Author's Note: Welcome back to Aer'denna, everybody!
Disclaimer: DO NOT make like Celestar and stick a bunch of flammable stuff down your pants! He's doing this for plot purposes only. I have no idea if it's actually safe or not.
That aside, again about chapter length: I have to switch POV a lot in this little segment about the boats, so the next few chapters are gonna be short too. Let me know what you think! Should I keep it this way, or should I pick a character and stick with it? Or should I take up 3rd Person Omniscient for a change? (In case you were wondering, I've been writing in 3rd Person Limited.)
Again, thanks for reading this chapter! If you liked it, let me know! If not, tell me why. Cheers, and 'till the next.
