Adventures on the Island of Isula

Chapter 1: New Horizons

"Wake up Armitage!" bellowed the ships first officer. "We'll be in Dochas soon."

The mid morning sun shone through the deck, illuminating the darkness of the ship's hold. The shrieking squawks of the harbor gulls echoed off the walls of the hull, acting as a wake up call to the other sailors still enjoying a few more minutes of rest.

"Good, you're awake Quintinus" said another voice in the dark.
"Huh?" said a puzzled Quin, trying to make out the origin of the voice among the many silhouettes. He was still a little groggy from all the ale he drank the night before.
"I see you take after your father boy, ha!" Quin then recognized the voice as Septimus Lepidus, the ship's captain and his uncle. Lepidus was a typical Viridi man. About seven feet tall and of a large build. A proud Imperial and a proud Viridian, he carried his old Imperial naval sword with him wherever he went. He offered to bring Quin along on his trading voyage from the family home of Ardi to all the major ports of the world.

Quintinus Armitage, better known as Quin, had just turned eighteen the february of that year. This is the age where a Viridi boy is said to become a man. Other cultures of the race of Men have a similar view on this coming of age moment, however the Viridi are different in that this marks the point where the eldest child takes over the family business, whatever it may be. The Armitage family was known across Viridi for the fascinating trinkets and wares in their shop. This was thanks to the Lepidus family. Their ships brought spices, gold, books of magic, and even the new machines of steam back to Viridi. Growing up as the son of merchants, Quin dreamed of adventures in the wide unknown. His uncle would return from his voyages with stories of terrible monsters and mystifying wizards. He would also bring goods to be sold in the shop. Machines powered by steam that sweeped the floor, swords of ancient kings from the first age, gold coins of the lost city of Ardi, even books written in tongues unknown to even his parent. These fascinated Quin. The desire to explore burned like a wildfire in his heart. With Quin's coming of age, he was destined to take up the mantle as owner of "Armitage's General Goods". Quin begged them to let him go and with Lepidus' help, he convinced them. In their minds, Quin would stay on the ship, watching the sailors from a safe distance, all under Lepidus' watchful eye. Not exactly the adventure Quin wanted.

"Oh, good morning uncle Lepidus." Septimus Lepidus had always prefered to go by his last name instead of his first. It reminded him of his Navy days. "Fair winds this morning?"

"Weather couldn't be better lad. We're coming into the harbor now so get dressed and head above deck."

On the Lusia's deck, the sailors readied themselves for port. They were shining shoes, swabbing the deck, and readying the moorings. Everyone was busy. Men ran back and forth across the deck in a frenzied dance that Quin had become all but used to over the past few months. Quin immediately ran over to the bow of the ship. He loved coming into port and seeing the shore of a new land come ever closer. The Lusia's sails jolted forward and the ship picked up speed with a sudden gust of wind that nearly knock Quin over. A few clouds started to dot the previously clear sky. They stood out like an ink stain on a white shirt. Quin paid no mind to the weather however, his eyes were on the shore.

The leit fish followed the ship, jumping in and out of the water like an aquatic welcome party. Quin smiled. None of the other ports had such lively waters. "There is still so much to see in this world" thought Quin. He began to dream of the famous lands the sailors told of. Legends like the lost city of Ardi where the streets were paved with gold. He dreamed of towering mountains, wide open plains and deserts. Great kings and emperors from the Imperial city to the desert Kingdom of Halafaga. "I haven't even seen an elf yet!" thought Quin. Being on a ship of full of experienced sailors did not help either. Hearing them regale their stories of exploration, adventure, and quite often of romance, which Quin doubted after seeing their looks, only added to the already burning desire in Quin to be an adventurer. "Ding Ding! Ding Ding!", the ship's bell tolled. Quin snapped out of his trance.