Tales of Fantasy & Wonder Vol. 1

III - More Survivors

More survivors

Game III                                                                         August 9th, 2017

The light of the next dawn reveals the builders of the blinking fire on the North Eastern shores of the Black Gates. Theodem, a recent mate on Faelie's Bluff adds the last firewood to the ember pit in the sand as he waits for the prostrate form of another injured sailor to stir. Their two days on the Black Gate since the ship tore on the rocks has been bleak, Theodem having to work alone and nurse the other who is silent from a head injury sustained during the storm.

Coming back from the black muddle of unconscious pain, Jerac blinks to find himself on a bleak sandscape with sheer basalt cliffs. Theo welcomes him back to life, filling in the missing time from the storm as Jerac comes to understand the change in fortunes. Immediately concerned for anything of use from the shipwreck, Theo guides him along the edge of the isle to the west, where the half merged prow of the ship lies caught on rocks a minor distance from their present shore.

A natural sailor with little fear of the sea, Jerac swims out to the torn hull and wades through its belly, collecting a decent sword, armour, and other useful equipment, returning with new confidence as he meets Theo back on the beach.

* * *

That same dawn, Xammelion watches the west, where the southern Black Gate isle strikes out of the waves. His curiosity to the origins of the blinking firelight draws his wide gaze to the dark cliffs of that far isle, pondering on how to keep contact. When he broaches the topic with First Mate, their leader, the idea is brushed aside as a waste of energy.

Cimon, another survivor who shared camp with Xammy, motions for him to stroll away from the range of ears around the campfire. Agreeing to the silent suggestion, they meet some meters away from the group as Cimon hints that a mutiny against First Mate is brewing, if Xammy will join them. Taking no sides, but not wanting to cause any immediate alarm, he half heartedly agrees to not defend First Mate when the time comes. At the end of Cimon's talk, First Mate and some others look toward the pair, suspicious as to what they are whispering, to which Cimon moves onward in a false search for wood. Inwardly, Xammy resolves to warn First Mate when opportunity comes.

Presently, Jhor wanders back from relieving himself in the bushes and meets Xammy on the path toward the camp. He also brings up the subject of First Mate and his bullying of the rest of the crew and themselves, making it clear that he would be pleased to see the man go. They return to the campfire and wait for the orders of the day to find food and water around the known sources on the island.

* * *

Bringing together a collection of buoyant timber and rope to bind it all together, Jerac secures the last knot before pushing it out into the lazy waters beyond the beach, launching the raft due east toward the more verdant island and the source of a signal fire the night before. Theo is wary of the craft's stability, but Jerac throws him a makeshift oar and reminds him to keep away from the edge and the sea. Knowing that there is little fresh water on the rock they washed up on, Theo clings to the ropes at the craft's centre as the westward tide draws them both out to sea.

* * *

Sitting crosslegged in the sand as he contemplates, Xammelion continues surveying the western horizon and the Black Gate Isle from which the signal fire shone. Eventually a small shape appears, riding the current eastward as most of the wreckage has drifted days after the storm. Xammy suspect that this flotsam is different in movement from the ordinary wreckage, hoping that it might be manned.