Death of Moon and Darkness: Part 3

Death of Moon and Darkness: Part 31

"Crillo, change course 15 degrees north by northwest!", shouted Captain Zef Torbec, a stocky clean-shaven dwarf, at the stern.  And so the human first mate complied immediately.  The breeze was cool as it came from the starbord side, the salty smell of the ocean waves brought back the memories of the deep salt mines in the caverns the pocketed the whole of the Underdark.2

Andellin leaned over the rail of the ship watched the wakes crash against the side.  He had been wandering land and sea for a year, trying desperately to leave behind the memories of his lost family ... and his lost love.  Few welcomed him and even fewer spoke to him.  Captain Torbec was reluctant just like the rest, he feared the presence of a drow.  But unlike many other merchants, traders, and craftsmen the dwarf was a clever being, knowledgable of the blackened elves ... able to recognize the symbol of the heretic.3

The scars ran deep, the drow hunter he had killed so long passed had marked him well.  His gloved hand moved slowly across his left cheek, feeling the imprint of the two curves.  He felt the heat, the smoke, and the pain once more...4

"You alright lad?" came Torbec's raspy voice.5

"Fine captain..." Andellin replied, drifting off again, "Just fine."6

He patted the drow on the back and kept checking every crewman's work to make sure everything was up to par.  He was a rough, but jolly fellow.  His men loved and respected him, a true friend to the end.  But you would never want him to be your enemy; for as kind as he was he could be a frightening berserker with a greathammer.7

The winds began to pick up from the south as the sky began to grow more gray.  Possibly a storm, or worse ... even a squall.  Either way, Torbec had proven his experience and skill.  Andellin had been on the dwarf's ship for three months now, and whether it be sun or storm, Torbec had effortlessly kept his ship afloat.8

Still, Andellin never did care for the heavy winds.  He decsended to the lower decks and headed for the galley.  He enjoyed the brew that the captain kept aboard, though the company during the meals was not as great.  Among the many dwarves and men aboard, there was only one other than Torbec that cared to show him some measure of kindness.  It was cabinboy, his name was Trin.  He was young and small to be sure, but just as hardy as the next crewman.9

"Mr. Ildess!" came a small voice from somewhere on the stairs to the lower barracks.  10

It was Trin alright, he had eaten dinner with boy every night since he had gone aboard.  For some strange reason the boy did not fear Andellin, but on the contrary was intrigued and curious about the dark-skinned elf.  He had shared tales of the Underdark and all that had passed since then with boy, and still he wanted to hear more.11

"The other crewmen say a squall is coming.  Do you think they're right Mr. Illdess?", Trin asked somewhat worried.12

"I'm sure it will be nothing, Captain Torbec gotten us through everything else, this shouldn't be any different. Besides, we'll reach Ravenpike Port in less than three weeks, it shouldn't be much longer." Andellin tried to give the boy a bit of reassurance.13

They sat their talking for about two hours, well after they had finished their meager meal of stale bread and smoked fish.  Andellin continued to speak of the stories he had shared before, constantly adding more detail to satisfy Trin's interest.14

Steadily he found that the other crewmen were beginning to fall into a swaying haze ... as he had begun to feel himself.  Everything seemed fuzzy and sluggish, as if it were a dream.  Even Trin had fallen under whatever this veil was.  All of them drifting, it all seemed so surreal.  The sound of the waves ceased, the rocking of the ship steadied, everything seemed to go still.  Andellin then began to see a white fog begin to to take form and turn the other men to mere silouettes ... and ... and ... there was ... music.15

Music so soothing, ... so peaceful, ... so beautiful.  Serene voices of women, so distant yet so near.  Drawing, luring, enticing ... it was ... it was ...16

Sirens! They were sirens!17

He shook himself awake immediately, the haze was gone, and the music nearly dissipated.  He rushed around to the otherside of the table and to shake Trin awake.  The boy came awake in a rush.18

"What's happening, where's that music coming from?!", Trin started in a fluster, both confused and frightened.  Andellin was urging him to his feet as fast as possible.19

"Get up, quick! We have to get on de-", Andellin was cut short as he and the boy were sent flying.20

A thunderous shudder rocked the boat.  They struggled together trying to reach the stairs as the shudders continued speratically coming from both port and starbord.  Andelln helped the boy as he stumbled over every other step as he lifted him up, and threw him over his shoulder.21

As he threw open the door leading to the top deck a harsh wind shook his balance; and another shudder rocked the ship.  Rain hammered down upon the deck all about.  The crewmen were just as dazed and incoherent up here as they were below deck.  Only first mate Crillo and Captain Torbec struggled to keep the ship on course as the sirens sung their serenade; seasoned men who were clearly able to .  Giant stone monoliths were spikes in the ocean that the ship seemed to constantly crash against at every turn.22

"Captain!" Andellin yelled at the top of his lungs above the storm and sirens' song.23

"Andellin lad,  hold the sails fast!", yelled Torbec, then he turned to Trin, "And you boy, get to the crow's nest and help keep course!"24

Torbec then started shouting out to Crillo a slew of commands.  Andellin took hold of the ropes trying desperately to keep the main sail from wavering.  Trin scrambled to keep hold of the climbing net as he made his way up to the crow's nest.  Crillo was shifting the rutter to change course, and then ran to bow to readjust to front sails.  Andellin could sirens in their water nymph form as they sang their charm and giggled at their futile struggle.  Another rock monolith came into view as the ship veered sharply to the left and crashed, sending another thunderous shudder throughout the ship.25

Trin momentarly lost his grip with one hand and dangled at the top of the net.  Still the boy was strong, he used the course of the wind to throw him back onto the net.  Torbec concentrated tirelessly as he turned the wheel at the stern.  Crillo shifted the rutter to change course again. Andellin's muscles strained with all his might, but despite that the ropes were beginning to give.  Then, all of a sudden, a huge rock just became visible as they slammed into it from the starboard side.  Trin was sent flying from the nest into the waters below.26

"Captain, man overboard!", Crillo shouted from the bow.27

"Send him a line, quick!", Torbec yelled in return.28

Andellin retightened his grip on the ropes and tied them tight to the mast.  He shoved a hand out to stop Crillo.  "Here, hold this," Andellin gave the first mate a different line, "Pull the line in on two tugs."  Crillo nodded and took a bracing position.  Andellin fashioned the rope into a loop and wrapped it about his waist.29

As graceful as a bird he do into the raging sea.  Waves thrashed violently about him, his vision murky from the foam of the crashing wakes.  He couldn't see the boy, so maybe he could hear him.  He shouted his name out at the top of his lungs.30

"Trin! Trin, where are you! Trin! TRIN!!!", Andellin's voice rasped above the thunderous storm.31

"Andellin ...", the voice was distant short, swallowed by rush of water, "Andellin ..."32

He swam in the direction of the faint voice only to find the boy struggling to stay afloat.  He quickly loosened the rope about his waist and wrapped it about the boy.33

"What're you doing?!" Trin struggled.34

"Saving your life, Trin." Andellin tightened the rope and gave it two tugs.  The boy was hoisted away before he could grab on, and everything faded from view.  Trin, Crillo, the ship ... he couldn't see them.35

The waves carried him in every which direction until he had finally lost his bearings. Thrashing and crashing, waters were to violent to remain above.  He swam so hard, yet he knew that it was futile.  Then suddenly a giant rock appeared before and his head slammed into stone.36

Andellin's vision began to whither as everything turned fuzzy again and the forgotten siren's song danced about in his mind.  He slipped steadily away as he was carried away into the lapping waves and veil of rain.37