Ilkabad and Evnar Chapter

“Why you never keep your balance while the ships rocking violently, I’ll never know, but at least ye make sure you land on something soft.” Olga the large maiden in charge of the food and hospitality of the guests and any wounded. The younger wenches giggled while the more mature ones rolled their eyes. Senestra propped herself from the couch as the servants gave her some space. Lilka a motherly woman wrapped a cloak around the Emissary. Olga dismissed most of the girls to return about their own businesses.

“Off ye go me darlings, do whatever it was yew were doing before. I think Ms. Senestra will be fine.” There were only three left in the room with Senestra.

She left the room into the lab. Just as Gallis was leaving, they bumped into each other. “I am so sorry Lady Senestra you gave me a start.” He laughed with the brunette. Senestra noticed the code book in his arm.

“Mr. Gallis, why do you have the code book? Is there something wrong? What has happened?”

“Yes what did happen?” piped Olga coming from behind Senestra arms folded. Gallis cleared his throat.

“You see ladies there was an attack on the ship. A large number of sea serpents came after the ship.”

“Did you men kill them all?” asked a young wench coming forth from another room in the hall.

He beamed at the ladies. “We killed most of them, but not really sure if we are safe permanently.”

“Let’s just hope it stays that way!” spat Olga pocking the man in the chest. “And what’s with the codebook? Someone getting married?” “No” he replied. “We’ve got new crew members.”

“Oh, really now? You are sure yer not marrying another man?” Olga jested, as women laughed at the joke.

Gallis was not kidding Hrothar came into the hallway headed for the extra living quarters carrying another man they’d never seen before. The two men carrying the body, Hrothar and the other sailor Merx were both covered in what looked like blood. Captain Olverd came into view from the stair case followed by another who was definitely not familiar. The women stared at the man, he had long dark hair. He had the body structure of a statue sculpted perfectly. He had tattoos on his arm and back. Gallis rushed to catch up with the two men.

The women stood there as if they had seen a god stroll by. “Who in the hell is long shanks?” sputtered Olga. 

“Isn’t he dreamy?” all the girls sighed with a craving for him except the mature women and Senestra whom pursued after the Captain.

The two men found a small room on the farthest edge of the ship. They placed the unconscious Evnar onto the bed. They left him there going about their duties.

Olverd and Ilkabad enter conversing about the area. “So we are deep in the Delkyr regions?”

“Yes and you see there are more than just a hundred of those things. Thousands lurk all around these parts.” The two men sit at a table next to the bed. “How long have you been at sea?” Ilkabad asks.

“We’ve been at sea for a month and three days, seeking any help from anyone willing to help our continent.” Ilkabad had his chin against a fist leaning on the table listening to the captain. Gallis came rushing in panting with the codebook in hand. “I have it here captain.” He said breathing heavily.

“Praise the Sea Goddess; shall we scribe your names’ into the crew?” Olverd asked

“By all means Captain Olverd you make the decision.” Offers Ilkabad.

Olverd smiled, “Gallis resume the membership of these two fine warriors and return to the deck. Make sure the men are doing their jobs.” Gallis did as the captain ordered writing both Ilkabad’s and Evnar’s names to the list crossing out those who had died. Gallis immediately left them as Senestra passed by entering the room. Olverd was talking to the new fellow, explaining to him why they had come and how they had gotten lost. “…we are indeed searching for help. If you will guide us through these waters to a safe place we would give you gratitude. That is if there’s a safer route you know of…” The brunette caught the man’s eye he stood at the presence of this young dove. The Captain stopped speaking and turned his attention to Senestra.

“Ah, Medryn Senestra glad to see you’ve awakened. This is Ilkabad a new crew member. Ilkabad this is Senestra our most precious cargo, she will negotiate with anyone willing to help us.” The two said their hellos falling silent once again not making any eye contact.

“Ilkabad, why don’t you go to the map room it’s just on the other side up the stairs to your right you can’t miss it.” The new crewman left the two with his unconscious cousin. Olverd sat there looking at her with a stern look. They were oblivious to the unconscious Evnar on the bed. Olverd got up cornering the brunette. He gazed at her not saying a word. Olverd strolled into the hall in the direction of the map room, Senestra following. “Olga, Olga.” He called for the servant. She appeared “Yes cap’n what do ya want?”

“Send two girls to care for our other guest. See to that he is cared for and wakes up unharmed.” The large woman nodded ordering for two girls to come help her with the second new comer.

The two walked through the hall toward the map room. Senestra spotted one of the wenches, Desin kissing the young Triaunes. Senestra smiled at the scene between the lovers. She soon caught up with the Captain who was already in the map room. Ilkabad observed the maps Olverd displayed before him. Standing beside Olverd she looked at the Crowsian charters with the two sailors.

Ilkabad traced a route he remembered to the safest place in the area. “Here is some land that is surely hospitable.” He pressed a finger, marking the spot and tracing where they were. “This is Dernasos a colony of the Veeks. I think you’ll find them most friendly.”

“We are within two weeks of the island?”

“Yes.”

“Who is that young man in the room?” Senestra asked leaning over. Like Olverd Ilkabad could not help but glance at her breast. “That is Evnar, Ilkabad’s cousin.” The Captain Replied.

They conversed over which areas to avoid and how fast it was possible to go with the wind. Senestra was curious as to where Ilkabad was from and where his country lay on the map. Senestra walked out of the map room to see about the younger fellow. Traversing down the steps she began to question herself. Where was the cabin by? She wondered, but not wanting to bother the Captain occupied with his new friend.

She discovered two young girls all seventeen in the room, one on his legs, the second had his head on her lap brushing her fingers through his hair. The teen wenches adored the young man, watching him sleep.

“How is he?” Senestra asked one of them. The girl shrugged not really sure if this Evnar was sleeping or in pain. Senestra sat down elbow on the table head against fist she had nothing to do except watch the two girls fondle the young man. The young man awoke seeing nothing but a cute looking girl looking down at him. He smiles at her glad to see a beautiful face. The girl blushed turning her head away from embarrassment.

“You’re finally awake little cousin.” Ilkabad stood in the doorway with a wench in each arm. Evnar sat up as the two girls pressed themselves against him.

He looked at his cousin expecting him to explain where they were. “Where’s Leothrad? I thought he was closer to us?” He asked not realizing he was not aboard the vessel they came from.

“Forget Leothrad for now, we are in the hospitality of some lovely women here.” He beamed at the two girls in his arms making them laugh.