Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns

Dragonia 1: Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Paedyn's knuckles turned white as he held onto the steering helm on the ship. Thunder crackled all around them, vibrating the ship. It only grew worse the further west they traveled.

Devarius stepped next to Paedyn. "We've traveled a long way west ... we should be far enough away to not see the shoreline, even in clear weather."

"I know," Paedyn replied. He continued to hold the helm and stared straight ahead.

"Then why don't you turn south?"

Paedyn finally turned his head to glare into Devarius's eyes. "Turn south, like it's so bloody easy. Look, if you feel I'm incompetent as a ship captain, you take over."

Devarius put his hands up. "Woah, relax, Paedyn. What's wrong?"

"This bloody steering wheel won't budge."

"Is it broken?" Devarius asked.

"I don't believe so," Paedyn said.

"Then ... what's wrong?"

"The storm is pushing us too hard."

To reiterate his point, Paedyn attempted to turn the steering wheel left. He struggled, making grunts as he tried to leverage all of his strength.

Devarius frowned.

Paedyn stopped, sweat glistening on his forehead. "It hasn't always been like this. When we pulled out of Vaereal, it was difficult to steer us west, but it was doable. The storm was a lot weaker at the time. Now it's so strong, we cannot alter the course of the ship."

Devarius bit his lip. He stepped closer and grabbed the helm. Looking to Paedyn, he nodded. Together, the two of them attempted to turn the wheel of the helm. Even with their combined strength, the helm didn't budge. Instead, one of its wooden spokes snapped off in Devarius's hand. He slammed to the deck and slid across its slick surface. Paedyn rushed over to help him to his feet.

"All right," Devarius said, brushing off his wet clothes. "It looks like we're heading west until this storm lets up ... whenever that will be."

"It seems so," Paedyn said.

"Do you know what lies west of Kaeldroga?"

"Dragons."

"Dragons?"

"I've heard that Dragonia is west of Kaeldroga, and the land of dragons, where they train them. And where the emperor sits."

"So ... the Dragonia Empire is after us, and instead of us fleeing, we're heading straight for them?"

Paedyn shrugged. "I don't believe so. I've heard Dragonia is an island to the north. We're in the south."

"What's down here?"

"I don't know. All the expeditions in the south that have tried exploring the sea to the west have never returned. Or at least, that's what I heard. I have heard of some seeing a land surrounded by mountains with giant squids and dragons around it, and they turned around and fled back home. I don't know what to believe."

"Giant squids, dragons, and possibly death await us? Excellent, another adventure."

Paedyn rested his hands on the steering helm. "I'd rather have a toy boat; they're much easier to steer."

Devarius laughed.

A/N: Please leave a review when you finish the book. =)