WELCOME TO "AWAKEN"

Part 30 - Breakfast Before Dread

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Part 29 - Mayval's Farewell Gift

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Neither of them knew how much time had passed while they stood there, but Orvus brought them some dinner from the galley after the Great Light had fallen from sight. Kogg was still asleep on the bench when Orvus put the somewhat cold plates of food down for them, and made sure to set aside a bowl for Kogg nearby. Orvus could tell there was something that'd happened to change the mood, but felt he knew enough without being told, and went back downstairs. The sound of the door closing behind Orvus had slightly awoken Kogg, and then the smell of dinner pulled him away from his slumber. Kogg cawed sleepily at them both before stretching, then Merobaku and the old man approached, reached for their plates and started to eat. Kogg cawed happily after the first bite of his fried berry, corn, and fig omelette. The old man smiled at Kogg who returned another caw of enjoyment before digging back in for another hefty bite. Orvus returned soon after they'd finished eating with another crew member, and they'd brought oil lanterns to hang on metal hooks around the deck. After they were lit, the crew member took the dishes down below to be washed and Orvus joined Merobaku and the old man in silence. As they each stared ahead at the faint yet discernible guiding light at the port of town Verlys, night had fallen and the sounds of the ocean were all to be heard aboard the deck.

Part 30 - Breakfast Before Dread

The silence lingered for many hours after Merobaku and Orvus had gone below deck to sleep away the night. Kogg had fallen asleep long ago after hopping up onto the old man's shoulder. The calming presence of ocean sounds off the bow was a soothing lullaby for Kogg while he dreamt of guiding his own boat across the sea's of the world. As midnight neared, a near half-moon graced the horizon and drew the old man's attention eastward. A calmness fell over the moonlit deck of the ship, and the shadows cast revealed more than they could hide. Kogg sensed the change in mood and was briefly awoken from his comfortable slumber, let out a barely audible and sleepy caw, then closed his eyes again and dozed off. A wave of exhaustion suddenly blanketed the old man, his eyes feeling heavy as he navigated his way to the bench where he'd sat prior. Someone had left a pillow for him atop a folded blanket on the bench. The old man smiled, gently retrieved Kogg from his shoulder, then readied the pillow and unfolded the blanket. When he was comfortable, he carefully set Kogg down on his chest, then laid back and closed his eyes.

Morning came, and not even the bustle of the ship's crew had stirred Kogg and the old man. Only once Ovrus had come up and offered them breakfast did they stir. The old man opened his eyes, Kogg too, both staring at Orvus and the plate and bowl of breakfast. Kogg ruffled his feathers and shook his head, while the old man sat up and set Kogg down on the bench. Sunrise was well upon the day and even Merobaku had come up to the deck and was standing at the bow, dress flowing in the sea's breeze. Both of the old friends ate their breakfast, left the plates behind and then joined Orvus with Merobaku at the bow.

Source Image - Pixabay

“Say,” started Orvus, “we'll be there around midday's meal... did anyone want to try some of the local food?” Merobaku smiled at the opportunity, “Yes, that would be nice.” The old man wiped the tiredness from his eyes, looked towards the bow and mumbled, “How much these days for a whole sea trencher special?” Orvus laughed, remembering the fish to weigh nearly as much as their travel-packs. The old man got up and walked to the bow, stood at Merobaku's right, leaned on the bow and firmly patted the ship, “I'm serious... do you know how long it's been since I've tried it?” Merobaku giggled softly as Orvus rebutted, “Can you not wait until dinner to have such a hefty meal?” The old man frowned slightly, barely noticeable, “I suppose the walk to the city will earn me the appetite.” Orvus leaned forward and looked past Merobaku, “The city does have the widest selection, and for a better price... being closer to the farm lands.” The old man reminisced on his last visit, long ago, and salivated at the memory of the food. Merobaku could feel their longing for this distant shore, the food, long-unspoken friendships and could hardly contain her anticipation of seeing what this world was like now. Finally free and outside of her sealed resting place, the world she'd seen was much more fruitful, and most certainly more peaceful than the one she'd remembered.

Kogg, agitated, cawed at the group for attention, pecking his beak at the deck. The old man reach into his pocket, retrieved some berries from a loose pouch, and laid some down. Kogg dodged the pat on the head, nudged the berries away and cawed back in protest. “What's gotten into him?” asked Orvus looking over his shoulder. The old man, confused, shrugged at Orvus. Merobaku turned, looked back at Kogg and sensed an anxiety she'd not seen Kogg express before. Kogg cawed again, louder, while he hopped up and down. Merobaku traced Kogg's stare to where she'd been concealing the stone of power beneath her dress, in a custom, hidden satchel she'd been given by Mayval. The old man tried to ask Kogg what the problem was, but Merobaku had already retrieved the stone and held it out towards Kogg, who'd cocked his head and then taken abrupt flight. Orvus and the old man stepped back as Kogg landed on Merobaku's forearm, made contact the with stone, and then took to the air. “Kogg!” cried out the old man, “W-what's the problem?” Kogg cawed back at the group as he flew into the distance, heading back towards Algen.

Orvus felt a wave of dread fall over him as he stared out at the horizon. The Captain had heard about the commotion on deck and came to find out what the issue was. “Captain!” shouted Orvus, setting down his travel-pack to retrieve a few bamboo flasks of gold Ormus. The Captain noticed Merobaku and the old man staring south-west, turned and could see Kogg flying back to the port at Algen. “What's going on, Orvus?” asked the Captain as Orvus approached and handed him the flasks. Orvus spoke urgently, “These flasks contain gold in a pure, powdered form. Please allow us to borrow a small boat to return to Algen.” The Captain glanced down at the flasks, back at Orvus, and then looked over his shoulder at his First Mate and gave a nod. The First Mate spoke loudly to the crew on deck, “We're stoppin' here. Ready our guests a boat!” The group gave the Captain and crew their thanks, then Orvus led them to the back of the ship. The sails were retracted and while the ship slowed down, the group was instructed to get into the small boat which was now ready to be lowered down into the water. Orvus thanked the crew and got in, followed by Merobaku and the old man. The boat was lowered and when it made contact with the water, Merobaku held out her arm and called forth her spear. In a golden flash of light, Wasp Nettle appeared in her right hand.

Awaken

Part 01 - Message to Orvus
Part 02 - The Lake Beckons
Part 03 - Night of Rest
Part 04 - The Tomb's Secret
Part 05 - The Deep Gouge
Part 06 - Dismay Down Deep
Part 07 - Orvus Restores Order
Part 08 - Magic Sans Scroll
Part 09 - Clear Path Provided
Part 10 - Trace The Key
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Poem 01 - Immortals of the Aegis
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Part 11 - Eigin Rooted Magic
Part 12 - Ancient Koaj'kah Magic
Part 13 - Elemental Wisp Infestation
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Poem 02 - Elemental Call Song
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Part 14 - Kogg's Aerial Ace
Part 15 - Fiendish Fiery Foe
Part 16 - Water Wisp Woe
Part 17 - Home Sweet Home
Part 18 - A Blessed Breakfast
Part 19 - Ships At Sea
Part 20 - Gifts And Favours
Part 21 - Tea By Flame
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Poem 03 - In Verlys Valley
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Part 22 – Command The Flame
Part 23 – Verge Of Discovery
Part 24 – Guispira Of Algen
Part 25 - An Alchemist's Toil
Part 26 - Seek The Symbols
Part 27 - Mayval's Farewell Gift
Part 28 - Sea's Horizon Quartet
Part 29 - Solidarity In Silence
Part 30 - CURRENT

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-hypexal-