Lidarion: Chapter 26

Trent stood on the water side of the walkway where the Womamel was docked. Nearly a dozen hands were loading the ship, walking Cargo on board and stashing it in the hold. He watched as the carts full of supplies were loaded with an intensity that he remembered his recently past life in the military. He sat on a wooden box and watched with a sense of fascination.

Alex made her way down the dock and stopped next to Trent. “Brooke and Lisa are on their way. Squints is –“

Squints appeared from behind Alex. “Already regretting his decision to get on that floating monstrosity.” He grumbled.

Trent smiled. “Why not just stay here? I have the door knob. When we get to the library I can just bring you through.” He offered.

Squints shook his head. “No good, the only thing I trust less than boats is magic.” He shuddered. “Technology is so much more, civilized.” He lamented.

Alex laughed. “Well then little man, you best get on the ship and claim a comfortable bunk before its filled with cargo or a drunken sailor.” She gestured to the ship as a deck hand walked up the walkway.

Squints walked up to the walkway and watched it sway for a second. He hesistated and another deck hand came up from behind him. “Move it little man!” The human shouted. Squints flinched in surprise and started up the walk way without thinking. Before he realized it he was on the ship, the deckhand made his way onto the ship and went into the lower decks. Squints walked around the main deck with his jaw slack in surprise.

Brooke and Lisa appeared at Alex’s side. “How is Squints already on the ship?” Brooke asked. “I thought he hated the ocean.” She watched as Squints ran back and forth on the deck avoiding the actual working sailors.

Alex shook her head. “He didn’t hate the ocean, he’s just never been near it really. Sailing in the blood of his people. I’ll bet by the end of the voyage he’ll be driving you all mad with is love for the open sea and sailing.

Squints stepped up on to a box so he could see over the edge of the ship. “How come no one told me how awesome this was going to be!” He shouted at them with a huge smile on his face.

Brooke shook her head. “Or His blood will kick in the second he steps foot on the vessel and he’ll fall in love with it and bug us endlessly for the ENTIRE trip.” She laughed. “Come on Lisa, lets find our cabin. She waved her hand and the pair make their way up the walkway and onto the ship.

Alex looked at Trent. “You ready for this?” She asked watching the last of the gear get loaded on board.

Trent shook his head. “No, but if I waited until I was ready I’d never get anything done.” He said standing up. He turned to Alex. “I owe you more than I can ever repay.”

Alex hugged him. “Says the man about to save countless lives and go on a quest that most likely will turn out to be nothing but could change the future of our entire kingdom.” They separated. She wiped a tear from her eye. “I expect near constant updates. You understand me?” She tried to glare at Trent. 

He nodded as Dean rang the bell letting everyone know it was time to board and shove off. Alex waved her hand at the ship. “Now go on, get out of here.” She said as Trent made his way up the walk way.

The dock crew un did the lines holding the ship to the dock, setting it free. Dead spun the wheel as the crew moved the sails to catch the wind they needed to get out of the port. Trent looked back at Alex as the ship pulled away from the dock a saw her waving. He waved back until the ship turned toward the open ocean.

Alex stayed and watched until she could no longer make the ship out against the horizon.