Book 2 Ch 21: Docks

The eternal fleet, a host of warships that can repair themselves and sail with almost no maintenance. This is the source of Drakthiss’s might. The Union may try to claim it is their magic that holds the empire together, but how would their mages reach its corners without our fleet?

• Admiral Strixen

Solomon was shuffling the tarot deck for another game of Strange Fate. He looked absentmindedly out the window as he did so. They were passing the family graveyard. He had distinct memories of watching his father’s coffin be moved into the mausoleum. His great Uncle Victor’s body should be interred there as well.

He finished his shuffling and drew death and the tower along with an array of lesser arcana. A grim end draw which was nearly unbeatable, unless Edmure had a Temperance in his hand.

They played for a few hours, then Edmure chose to ride with the driver as they began to approach Ventariss. Solomon switched from the deck of cards to reading Beasts Gods and Spirits of the Continents. He had been skimming it, but decided it needed a more thorough review. Most of the truly dangerous creatures had been cleansed from Drakthiss itself. There were still hosts of minor gods, fey that could never truly be purged, and the occasional drake from the mountains, but for the most part the empire had been thorough. Aside from a desire for safety within its borders, the Union’s desire for ingredients had also been a major reason for the purge. In fact the Union’s support of the empire’s colonies was given with the understanding that they’d be able to ferry large quantities of those ingredients back for their study now that the empire itself had largely been drained of them.

He finished a section on the rare sphinx when the roads began to clutter and the carriage slowed. Large wagons carrying goods into and out of Ventariss were common as it was the largest port in Drakthiss. The young men of the military were sent out, along with those who’d joined the Explorer’s Guild, and the raw goods of those they’d conquered flowed back to the empire. The more unique oddities and cultural pieces were taken to the capital. The raw materials usually made their way to Etling and anything esoteric or magical of course made its way to Arcthiss.

After watching these large wagons pass by for some time, Solomon returned his attention to a section on spirits which included a sketch of a translucent man hovering in a library.

Ghost is a broad category. It includes many variations and configurations. Fundamentally, these creatures are souls which have not moved on from the mortal plane. The vast majority of them are harmless and even unaware of what has happened to them. They may be glimpsed in the corner of your eye repeating the same action over and over again, or saying a single word. In rare cases they can move small objects from one place to another. Those souls whose physical forms died due to violence tend to be stronger even if they are more unaware, and can be dangerous. In very rare cases ghosts can be both aware and malicious. If a spirit is detected it is wise to seek the assistance of the church of the Herald, or the Union.

Common traits of a haunting:

• Sudden cold spots

• Objects moving without memory of how it occurred

• Frequently seeing figures that arent there

• Hearing whispers when no one is around

Solomon paused. Cold spots were a frequent experience within the manor and he had at least one distinct memory of books appearing on a desk in the library without having any memory of it. He had also seen the figure in the window when he’d first arrived in the manor. He’d not noticed any other object that had moved, nor had he seen any other figures since then though. He’d never heard any whispers either.

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The house was old so it was definitely possible that it had a spirit within it. Though he would’ve thought his Uncle would’ve detected and dealt with it. Unless he had some use for it. Solomon made a mental note to look more into it and ask the Arcana for more information on ghosts.

He read through more thorough descriptions of wights, ghasts, and other entities before the carriage was waved through the gates of the city and he decided to put it to the side.

He’d been to Ventariss several times. The city revolved completely around its port and even at the main gate, the furthest point from the docks, that influence could be felt. The gate was massive, large enough to move the huge deliveries to and from the city. The Guards of Ventariss that inspected the goods and watched over the people moving through wore the crisp blue of the Drakthiss Navy. An honor they’d earned when they defended the city from an attack by mer raiders several hundred years prior. In the city itself a large number of buildings were built from pieces of old ships. When the living wood of the elves was put to use in the shipyards, the old boats slowly became unusable and it became tradition to use parts of them in the construction of new buildings. Every other window appeared more a porthole and many a tavern and inn sported a chunk of a ship's prow on which sat their signs.

Solomon watched as the inns and taverns gradually became warehouses and slums, then became garrisons. He could see hundreds of men in the crisp green uniforms of the Drakthiss military, often walking separately from the blue-garbed brethren. Their uniforms were simple, with all of the button clasps on the right of the coat, giving them space for medals and emblems of rank and they all wore black boots that shined so brightly one could use them as a mirror to shave.

The carriage came to a stop at a section of the dock that had been closed off and Solomon heard a brief discussion between a soldier, Edmure, and the coachman. After only a few moments they were waved through and moved completely onto the dock. He looked out to see the massive galleons. Each was like a floating manor, standing several stories high. They were made up of pale elfwood and he could see the tips of cannons just barely protruding from several portholes. Now that he knew the destructive power of a gun he could better imagine the devastation that could be wrought with them. If he’d had one when facing the Lord of the Black Wood he imagined their conflict would’ve gone much quicker. The wood of them glowed faintly with mana all throughout, though it moved sporadically.

The carriage came to a stop several galleons down and after just a moment Edmure opened the door for him.

Solomon stepped out, his nostrils immediately assaulted by the scent of sea air and sweat. He could see a number of men moving toward the carriage and grabbing the bags . He held Crimson Command at his side, his walking stick tucked into his arm. The sights and sounds of the dock were almost overwhelming, but more than that his mana began to move and shift, as if a storm was building.

A man approached, he was wearing the blue uniform of the navy along with silver epaulets and a tricord hat that marked him as the captain. He was in his mid-thirties, with a clean shaven face, hair the color of straw, and some slight scarring on the left side of his face.

“Lord Morrow,” said the man with a deep nod that wasn’t quite a bow. “I am Captain Trask Vonn. I will be conveying you to Manacht aboard the Arabella.”

Solomon gave him a nod. The Vonn’s were a noble branch of the Lindells. From his lessons he recalled they had a long history with the sea.

“It’s good to meet you captain.”

“You as well,” he responded formally. “You will be quartered in a large cabin at the aft, usually reserved for officers being transported. Your things will be moved there and your valet will be given the small room next door. The journey will take the better part of two months if the weather is kind. Meals will be brought to your cabin, though you are welcome to join the officers for dinner.” He spoke in an almost robotic monotone, as if he’d given this speech several dozen times. “Any issues you have with your quarters, the meals, or anything else should be brought to third officer Alanse. I ask that you listen to any instructions given to you during the journey. On the sea my word is that of the King.”

Solomon nodded. “Don’t worry. I intend to be as out of your way as possible.”

“...I would be grateful for that.” He turned to a man standing just a few yards behind him.

“Alanse, please see Lord Morrow to his cabin.”

The man nodded, bowing fully to Solomon before leading him to the gangplank.

Solomon followed him, maneuvering up the gangplank carefully. The moment he stepped on board the Arabella his mana moved completely into flux. His head began to hurt, his neck started to sweat, and he felt a wave of nausea.

“Are you all right, lord?” asked the third officer.

Solomon forced himself to nod and gestured for the man to continue, making himself stand straight and walk with dignity until he reached his cabin. He gave Alanse his thanks and made his way to a chair that was bolted to the ground, barely able to stay on his feet.