Chapter 5: The Man and the Boat

As the boat left the canal and glided through the cobblestone platforms of the boatyard, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The bustling chaos of the harbor faded behind me. The boatyard of Maigor, with its steel shed looming above, had been a cacophony of noise and activity.

The middle-aged man rowed the boat with practiced ease ,was a towering figure with a muscular build, his strong arms pulling against the oars, guiding us through the waters.

His black hair, of medium length, was messily combed backward, making it stick outwards. He sported a rugged stubble mustache and beard. He wore a thick black fur overcoat that covered him from shoulder to knees, protecting him from the biting cold of the lake. The coat seemed to blend seamlessly with the dark waters around us. His dark leather boots and pants looked well-worn and a brown leather cap covered his head and ears, shielding him from the cold winds that blew across the lake.

The boat glided smoothly across the dark green waters, the oars cutting through the stillness like a knife. I sat there, my back against the hard wooden surface of the boat, my eyes fixed on the old towering city walls. Tall and imposing, they stood like silent sentinels

As we moved further away from the boatyard, the sounds of the city grew fainter,I sat there, my back against the hard wooden surface of the boat, my eyes fixed on the old towering city walls. They were remnants of a time long gone, built to protect the city from enemies and invaders. Tall and imposing, they stood like silent sentinels, a testament to the history and struggles of Maigor.

As the boat passed under the narrow arch of the city walls, I found myself in an eerie and dark expanse. The sounds of rowing echoed, bouncing off the ancient stones, creating an unsettling symphony. Above my head, a thick spider web dangled, swaying gently in the cool breeze.

The boat moved at a steady pace, the rhythmic sound of oars cutting through the water, a monotonous. I glanced around, taking in the landscape of this godforsaken place.

As we moved further away from the boatyard, the sounds of the city grew fainter, replaced by the haunting silence of the lake. The wind picked up, carrying with it the scent of dampness and snow. I pulled my coat tighter around me, trying to ward off the chill that seeped into my bones. The boat rocked gently, its motion hypnotic and soothing.

As we moved further away from the city, the sounds of faded into the distance. The only sound that remained was the soft splashes of the oars against the water, a rhythmic reminder of our continued journey. The lake stretched on, its dark green waters. The walls of Maigor grew smaller on the horizon. The waves lapped against the sides of the boat, their soft splashes almost hypnotic. But there was nothing serene about this place.

The water seemed cold and refreshing, and for a moment, so I threw a piece of cloth that was in my pocket in the lake, the cloth feezed immediately. The boat glided past patches of floating debris - broken branches, discarded junk, and the occasional dead fish.

The boat moved upstream, leaving the vast expanse of the lake behind, we entered one of the streams that fed the dark waters of Maigor. The change was subtle but noticeable. The waters that surrounded us now took on a darker shade of green.

The stream was narrower than the lake, and the current flowed with a sense of purpose. As we ventured further into the stream, I couldn't help but notice how the color of the water began to change. The dark green of the lake slowly transformed into a deep shade of blue. The blue waters seemed calmer and more serene than the lake. As we moved further upstream, the surroundings began to shift as well. The landscape seemed more alive. The stream narrowed as we continued upstream, the water flowing faster and faster.

The stream seemed to go on forever, its banks lined with tall trees that reached for the heavens. It was as if they had seen it all. Their twisted trunks were like ancient sentinels, standing guard over. The bark was almost black. The trees' leaves were green, needle-like, and enormous, like the scales of a wyvern. They formed a dense canopy above us, blocking out the already feeble light of the three stars. As the boat moved further upstream, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer size and presence of the trees. The twisted branches of the trees reached out like skeletal fingers.

The boat moved on, and the trees eventually gave way to a small clearing. The stream widened slightly, and a faint glimmer of light filtered through the dense canopy above. It was a momentary respite from the overwhelming darkness. "Hey, city-boy, you ain't said much since we left," the captain finally spoke, breaking the silence that had settled between us.

I turned to face him, trying my best to put on a formal tone as I introduced myself. "My name is Alexis Vopiscus and I really appreciate your kindness ," I said, my words sounding forced even to my own ears.

He chuckled, a deep rumble that seemed to come from the depths of his chest. "Alexis, huh? Well, ain't that a fancy name for someone like you," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Just call me Captain," he continued, as if dismissing my attempt at formality. "And this ain't no luxury flying ship, city-boy. So don't expect me to entertain your fancy words." Interesting! He really has that Vrenathian accent or maybe too thick.

"What's that you got there?" he asked, nodding toward the wrapped object.

I looked down at the bundle, my hand tightening around it instinctively. "It's a sword," I replied, my tone flat and matter-of-fact.

"A sword, huh? Why's it wrapped up like that? Sheaths are made to carry swords, you know," he remarked, raising an eyebrow.

I glanced at him briefly, feeling annoyed by his questioning. "It's a family heirloom," I said curtly, not feeling the need to explain any further

"Are you from Aserath?" he asked, his eyes glancing at me briefly before returning to the task at hand.

I was taken aback by his question, not expecting him to inquire about my origins. "Yes, how do you know?" I replied, curiosity getting the better of me. The man shrugged, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. "Your accent. You city folk have a way of talking that's different from the folks around here," he said matter-of-factly. Bullseye!

"There's been a war in Aserath. The Order of Ignis, they hold the power now. They've been purging the nobles from the Parchment. My family got caught in the crossfire." The man's gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, his expression unchanged.

"Well, Parchment loyalists are just an old term now. You are not the only one escaping from the South," he remarked.

The captain's voice became slightly softer as if trying to reassure me that I wasn't alone in this unfamiliar place. "You know, city boy," he said, "you shouldn't worry too much about the Order of Ignis here. They may rule Vrenath, but they don't care enough to bother with it. You're safe here. Well, enough of this depressing talk" "What do like to eat city boy?" he asked.

"Nothing particular I just don't have a special food preference" I replied. "We might not have fancy meals and plates here but I can assure you a fresh catch is better than those imported city crap"

The stream began to widen as we ventured further upstream, and the dense forest of towering trees gradually thinned out. The water flowed more gently now, reflecting the subdued light of the three stars above. I kept my eyes fixed on the stream, watching the water ripple and swirl as the boat moved steadily forward.

As we sailed, the stream eventually opened up into the lake, the source of the stream. The lake was expansive, surrounded by a serene stillness that contrasted with the bustling chaos of the city we had left behind. The dark blue waters stretched as far as the eye could see, mirroring the vast expanse of the sky above.

On the other side of the lake, small wooden houses were lined up side by side, forming a quaint little village. The houses looked weathered and worn, but they exuded a certain rustic charm. Smoke rose from chimneys and the faint sound of distant chatter carried across the water. "That's Encers," the captain said, pointing towards the village.

"Captain, Captain" a boy on the other side screamed as the boat move towards the village. Captain then rowed and placed it parallel to the ground. The boy who might be in his early teens came to greet the captain. He gazed towards me sharply with indifference but I ignored "Frost take this and give it to Grace" Captain said, after handing what was possibly a large grain bag to the boy. And then the quickly placed it on his back and carried it despite his size as the captain unloads the boat. After unloading he pats me on the back and said "Make yourself comfortable city boy"

Oh, my Silent King how you always make my work so easy.