The Ocean

[Bly]

"And through His Light, our children are fed, our homes are kept warm, and our paths remain lit. May Selome bless us all."

Over the course of the journey, the crew had asked Eldred to read more and more of the Holy Doctrine of Selome. Now they asked him to bless the ship each morning, their supper each night, their souls, and their spirits. The men came to him asking forgiveness, and he gave it to them.

Eldred felt renewed at sea with these men. They weren't perfect and most of them had spotty pasts but he saw genuine faith in them. And he would bring them to the Light. The prospect of converting these men tickled him and he wanted to do it more.

Onadris called down from the nest, "Aye! Captain! Ship on the Horizon. Black Flags!"

Ulfgar came onto the deck with his half empty bottle of dwarven spirits and grumbled, "Black Flags, what else can you see with your elvin eyes?"

Onadris pulled out his spyglass and looked towards the ship, "Their flags are black, Men, with great crossbows on the deck! They have a frigate, a fast ship, a dangerous ship. They are making haste for us!"

Ulfgar growled, "We're still two days from Kal. If we row, we may be able to outrun them. Yet if they catch up we will be tired from rowing and ill prepared. For now, take up oars men! ROW, ROW FOR YOUR LIVES! Father I'm afraid I must ask you to help. We will need all's help."

Eldred started to head below deck and said, "Selome will guide our path."

[Bly]

The dwarf yelled out. The crew yelled back.

"ROW!"
"AYE!"
The ship went forward.
"ROW!"
"AYE!"
The pirates were gaining.
"ROW!"
"AYE!"

The cabin boy suddenly had an idea, "Captain!?" He yelled out.

"Aye lad?" Ulfgar called back.

"I think we can get out of this quicker! Let me see a map!"

"Aye but make haste! My arms are falling off and my arse is falling asleep!"

The boy ran to the map chest and peered through the scrolls and parchments, searching for the Rave Islands. He called for the Elf, "Onadris! Help me get a bearing."

The Elf swore and wiped the sweat from his brow. He tied the rag around his forehead and went to the deck. There he and the Cabin Boy began to confer on where they were. All the while they could almost hear the drums of the Corsair ship. The ship was now visible with human eyes and almost within catapault range.

"Yes, I'd be more confident of finding our position with the stars to guide us but..." Onadris said, "Avry....A hard left right now and we'll hit the island dead on, be there in a few hours. Less if we row hard. Inform the captain and I'll take the helm."

The Cabin Boy nearly tripped over his feet five times as he flew to the Rowers.

"ROW!"
"AYE!"

"CAPPEN! We have a solution!"
"Aye les hear it!"
"Onadris is making a left. We make for the island of Avry."
"Aye I can feel the boat spinning. Allright. I'd prefer the guard towers of Kal, but Avry'll do. Anyone who can bend a bow to the deck! Father Deschain! Guide their arrows and their souls if it comes to that."

Eight Men left to take up bows. Behind them came the pitter patter of a halfling's feet.

The Maiden Wave made for the island of Avry. By morning they would be there.

Or they would surely perish.