Chapter 278: Happy to be back
Bail scrubbed away at the worn sail, sometimes looking at the storm that was raging just beyond the deceptively flimsy barrier. The winds caused the ship to be shoved around mercilessly, but he barely noticed. Just like he was able to ignore the constant howling of the wind and the wind and sometimes rain battering his face and back. This wasn't the first time he'd been out here, and it wouldn't be the last.
Besides, it wasn't as bad as what was beyond the barrier! Not that it hadn't crashed a few ships already. That meant that they only had six left. They were trying to scavenge the wrecks of the others to perhaps build another one, but the storm made everything far more difficult.
I'm glad Lord Daubutim ordered all ships to remain within sight of the exit portal, he thought. At least that meant that if something bad happened, they would be able to get help before they all died… hopefully.
As he meticulously continued removing the dust and tiny bits of debris that were sticking to the smooth metallic material, he came across the beginnings of a tear.
"Dammit," he cursed, the sound of his words drowned out by the howling wind.
We really need new sails.
As he memorized the spot, he knew the captain wasn't going to be too happy with it. It meant another potential problem. Any more, and The Akern would be forced to remain at the docks when they returned.
Well, at least I'll be able to go home for a while if that happens, Bail thought.
Moving to the top of the sail, he sat down on the edge and looked across the front of the ship and the Eluathar Mountain range. The storm seemed far less powerful, closer to the mountains, and he knew it wasn't just an illusion. The barriers around the enormous branch beyond seemed more than capable of holding back the storm, with only the small side corridors breaking down and crumbling.
The distant mountain range blocked his view of the Sesnanser exit portal, but it didn't bother him too much. Technically, they couldn't see the exit portal, but to compensate, their ship was the closest to it. Besides, keeping an eye on the only known route from the central world warranted the risk.
Not that anyone is likely to come from there, he thought as he turned to look out across the back and the broken corridor. The walls had partially crumbled, and a churning mass of black lay beyond it.
Bail sighed as he thought about his wife and daughter. He and the crew were supposed to be here for another week until they were relieved by The Slous, after which he could see them again.