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C1748

An hour after they had cast off from Lioness port, doubt began to gnaw at Emery's gut. The confidence he once wore like a cloak now felt like an ill-fitting garment.

His magic was a marvel in itself. With a simple incantation, he could delve deep into the minds of creatures, extracting even the most concealed of dark elf secrets. However, when faced with the challenge of the ship's navigation, his spells faltered. There was no incantation in his vast repertoire that would help him make sense of the captain's indecipherable scribblings.

He wasn't entirely helpless though. His spirit reading, a gift that allowed him to sense the very aura of distant places, extended to landmarks many miles away. However, even with that sixth sense, he was sailing blind without a coherent chart to relate his intuitions to.

In his desperation, Emery decided to consult his [memory cube], a mystical object that held the imprint of his past experiences. He delved deep, seeking visuals from his previous voyage aboard an Egyptian ship. He hoped to trace that voyage's trajectory and apply it to his current predicament. But to his chagrin, the memories he summoned were hazy at best.

But then, Emery's senses honed in on a distant but familiar sensation—the shores of Gaul. Piecing together this new revelation with his fragmented memories, he barked orders to the sailors. "Set to portside!"

However, a moment of clarity had him correcting himself immediately, "No, belay that… it's the other way around. Starboard side! Turn to the East."

As the ship began its cumbersome turn, Queen Gwen approached, her brow furrowed with concern. "Abe, is everything alright? Why are we changing our course?"

Caught off guard, Emery hesitated, searching for an explanation. "Well.... the winds are acting up... They've stirred strong wave currents, which... means we need to adjust our path... yes.. that's why"

Her azure eyes scanned the horizon, "I hope these adjustments won't hinder our timeline. We have only seven days."

He offered her a reassuring smile, albeit a shaky one. "Worry not. We will make it."

As she departed, relief washed over Emery. Gwen's lack of sailing experience was a blessing in disguise. She couldn't discern his blunders.

However, Emery wasn't free from judgment as voices in his mind, he could hear of ancient entities he had bonded with.

<How utterly humiliating,> a voice sneered.

<I can't believe this is the champion I aligned myself with,>

With a growl, Emery mentally snapped back, "Be quiet! I am figuring this out!"

Navigating the vast expanse of water was proving to be an unexpected challenge for Emery. The scale of the effort required was immense, consuming his energy and focus. There were moments when he genuinely believed it would be simpler to just fly to the skies, find the nearest port, and forcibly acquire a navigator to ease his plight. However, such an audacious act would undoubtedly unsettle the Britannia queen, and he would not like that.

His struggle wasn't just about navigating the right path; it was also about time. Memories of his past journeys came flooding back. The last time he traveled from Britain to Rome, it had taken a full three weeks. Granted, they'd made several leisurely stops along the way to admire the scenic beauties, but completing the voyage in a mere 7 days seemed like a tall order. He started to doubt Abe's assertions. Either the man had planned a shortcut through land or he had misrepresented the journey's length to the queen. Emery was inclined to believe the latter.

Desperation breeds innovation. In a bold move to expedite their journey, Emery discreetly began to manipulate the natural elements. Drawing from the depths of his spirit energy, he subtly influenced the wind and waves. The ship, sensing this newfound synergy, responded with an increased pace, slicing through the waters with newfound vigor.

The atmosphere aboard the ship started to shift. There was an air of anticipation. The Britannia Queen, Gwen, stood at the forefront of the deck, her silhouette framed by the setting sun. The gentle wind tousled her golden locks, which danced like flames. A radiant smile graced her face, revealing her genuine joy.

Sensing Emery's approach, her cerulean eyes met his, and her voice, tinged with a hint of guilt, broke the silence, "Abe, is it wrong of me to find joy in this journey, even when I know Arthur is facing danger? Does it make me a wicked queen?"

Emery, pausing to choose his words carefully, responded with gentle firmness, "No, you're not in the wrong, and neither are your feelings"

Her expression softened, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Abe. Your words bring me comfort."

Recognizing the opportune moment, Emery decided to delve deeper into the looming threat Gwen had alluded to earlier. "You spoke of a danger, Gwen. Can you tell me more about it?"

Gwen's gaze fixed on the horizon, and her voice took on a somber tone. "Have you heard, Abe? The Roman Dictator has sent word to every kingdom. He demands each one send their finest warrior to him." She paused, taking a deep, heavy sigh that seemed to drain her momentarily. "Arthur is going to need that sword, more than ever."

The weight of Gwen's words resonated within Emery. He could sense her deep-seated devotion to Arthur. Hearing her concerns stirred a whirlpool of emotions in him, a concoction of empathy, jealousy, and a hint of admiration. But he knew he should primarily feel happiness for her evident loyalty and love.

As the journey progressed, Emery found himself becoming an observer. Gwen's reactions to the sprawling beauty of the seas, the diverse landscapes, and the bustling ports they passed were truly infectious. Her eyes sparkled with wonder and curiosity, making Emery occasionally regret not allowing her to explore these places for longer durations.

Wanting to provide Gwen with more enriching experiences, Emery found himself crafting reasons to anchor at captivating ports, even if just for brief interludes. This gave Gwen the chance to breathe in the cultures and beauty, making the voyage more memorable.

However, this also meant they were taking longer than anticipated. By the time five days had rolled around, they had only just made their way into the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Rome was still a good three to four days away at their current pace.

Emery, realizing they wouldn't reach their destination in time, decided to intervene. That night, while Gwen was deep in sleep, Emery tapped into his spirit energy, weaving spells that would guide the waters in their favor. By the time the first rays of the sixth day's sun pierced the horizon, the familiar port near the Roman city came into view.

With a sense of accomplishment, Emery announced, "We have reached our destination."

To be continued