Beyond the Pale

Push Comes to Shove

Castorius had no idea what would await him at the shore. Maybe they were already looking for him. Might be he'd be face to face with a bunch on incredulous pirates, staring with their gaps open at the fool who would walk straight into the hands of his killers. That is, until they got over their stupefaction enough to commence the actual killing. They might take their time too, have fun with it.

Could be he was walking right into his death.

Could be I just don't care anymore.

But, of course, it was a disingenuous sentiment. No matter what changes might have happened within him these past twenty-four hours, some things would always be the same. He would always be a coward. He would always fear dying. Fear pain.

Maybe I'm becoming two men, he speculated. One afraid of death, one looking for it.

Even if that was the case, the two men he might have become were togetherin this.

He sighed.

He had to press his head down trudging toward the waterline, the wind from the ocean tearing at him from all possible angles, as if looking for a weak spot. As if he had any other kinds left.

But at least there was no rain.

You just had to go and think that, did you?

The rowboat rested on the sands, right where it had been the last time, except that the waterline was considerably higher now. Three men stood around it with their shoulders slumped.

One of the men looked up at Castorius approaching. Roggie.

"Castor!" he yelled. "About time! Didn't I tell you the exact time we would be expecting you?"

Radd the Adventurer by his side looked as frivolously upbeat as ever, but Roggie actually sounded a bit irked.

Castorius couldn't have cared less. "You didn't, actually."

"Oh," Roggie said, taken aback. "Well, I should have!" He frowned then, taking a look at his friend. "Divines, man—you look like shit! What have you been up to?"

"Never you mind," replied Castorius curtly. He peered towards the sea but could see nothing but the outline of the Brinerunner. "Everything go as planned, then?"

"Oh yes!" Roggie grinned. "Couldn't have been better. Malaney is very pleased, from what I hear."

Castorius' brow went up. "Is he, now?" Are you sure he's not waiting for us with his best filleting knives sharpened?

"Oh, definitely!" Roggie said, and it took a fraction of a second for Castorius to realize he wasn't replying to the question he'd merely thought about. "You've certainly made his day. I believe he's looking to personally thank you."

"Uh huh."

Castorius tried to keep the trepidation from locking him up completely. He gazed at the ominous dark ship bobbing and heaving in the large waves. He did not want to board it. Not one little bit.

"Alright, then," Roggie said, gesturing at the dinghy on the shore with mocking courtliness. "Shall we?"

"Um," Castorius said. He grabbed Roggie's sleeve and pulled the man closer. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" He spoke in a low voice so no one else would hear. "I mean, is our presence really needed here? We've done our part. Maybe we should just let the Horkers take it from here, and go—"

"Oh, Castor!" Roggie interrupted, placing a hand on Castorius' shoulder. "You know we can't leave this half-way. Besides, don't you want to go and collect your reward?"