The System Seas

The four of them made their way back toward the town square, the illusion around them becoming more apparent as there were more buildings and stands to take in. By the time they reached the fountain at the center, the sounds of daily life had returned. Vendors were hawking their wares. The scent of fresh bread baking hit them, not as delicious seeming as it had been when the illusion held full sway over them but still good and hearty. Above all that, though, less pleasant responsibilities called.

Quill was waiting for them, arms folded, looking both annoyed and impatient as the group walked up.

"Updates?" Marco asked.

“My scout’s back,” Quill said. “He didn’t get far.”

Marco arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t get far, or didn’t try?”

Quill’s mouth twitched. “Depends on who you ask. He says he got to the shore and heard screaming. He claims that abandoning the entire project at that point counts as trying. I don't agree.”

Elisa frowned. From the look of it, she had some sympathies for the poor scout.

“Did he see anything?” Marco asked instead.

“No. Just heard noises and decided the island was cursed. Haunted. Whatever gets him off the hook.” Quill scowled. “He’s not wrong to be afraid. But fear isn’t an excuse to come back empty-handed.”

Riv crossed his arms. “So you want us to check it out instead.”

“That’s right.” Quill didn’t even try to dress the request up. “I need to know if this is just wind through the rocks or something worse. Frankly, you four are suited to this kind of work. I doubt that whatever's there is all that dangerous. It requires bravery first, and none of my people have much of that.”

Aethe tilted her head toward Marco. “You think it’s worth the trouble?”

Marco considered it. He didn't mind Quill seeing them consider it. If there was any chance the man was still buying their we-aren't-really-enemies act, Marco didn't want to blow their cover by appearing too eager.

"What's the pay?" Marco said. "We are going to need some gold before too long, but that can't be all of it."

“Two skill crystals,” Quill said. “Your pick. And a pouch of gold to keep you going. You can have that now.”

Quill tossed the pouch to Marco. It was about twice the size of their belt-pouches. Adventuring was starting to pay well, it seemed.

"Sure. Why not. Everyone okay with that?" The entire group nodded. "Then we are good to go."

Quill gave a single nod, satisfied. “Good. I’ll expect you to leave tomorrow morning, early. Otherwise, good luck.”

He turned and walked away, claws swinging in the wind as he made a beeline back to his manor.

Riv grunted.

"Ghosts. Undead. Popping out of every corner. I can't wait."

“It could be birds for all we know,” Marco said. "Although I doubt it's anything safe and easy. Or ghosts, for that matter."

"Any particular reason?"

"It's Quill." Marco exhaled a sort of what-can-you-do sigh. "If he's sending us, I doubt it would be that simple."

—

They left at dawn the next day. When they got to the ship, a Carpenter was waiting for them, a hand-plane lazily hanging from his arm.

"Took a lot of work, that wood," he said, not waiting for introductions. "I dulled seven blades getting it into shape."

"Oh. Sorry?" Marco said. "I can pay for those."

“Don't bother. It doesn't cost much to resharpen them. Plus that wood was something real special. You weren't able to assess it, I'm guessing?”

"No. Not at all."

"Well, let me tell you." The man set his plane on the dock post and moved closer. "It's hard to tell what tree it came off, but whatever it was, it was a doozy of a plant. It’s been floating in the ocean for who knows how long. Staying in water as long as it did damaged it."

"Oh, too bad," Marco said. "I would have liked to have seen it when it was intact."

"No, no. If it wasn't damaged, I wouldn't have even been able to work it. Like I said, it was tough stuff. It had to marinade in the water for decades to get like it was. And that's not all. You know how water has it's own kind of system energy? It's own kind of magic?"

Marco looked at Elisa for answers.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"It does, Marco. Everything does, but the ocean is special because there's so much water and it moves. Something floating in the ocean is getting full contact from a magic bearing substance, all the time, and that connection never gets weaker."

"And that's a lot?"

"No." Elisa shook her head. "It's a tiny amount. But it can work on something over decades."

"And it did," the man said. "It absolutely did. Like I said, I could barely work the stuff, but it was worth it. More than worth it. Have fun out there, and make sure you report back to me on how that rudder performs."

Marco nodded and shook the man's hand, thanking him. After that, he got on the boat as quickly as he could. He suspected he had a notification to read, and he was right.