" You look familiar. But you also look like you are new here. Where are you from Fellow ?" The singer asked Jack.
" I am from Lri. Their name's Jack. But I guess we haven't met before "
Jack replied.
" From Lri? For Real? I have relatives there. A whole family ."
He said.
" My father is the leader of the village. Rob "
Jack said.
" Wait a minute, That's my uncle. My father's sister is your mother. Finally, I met my cousin after some years " He laughed and Hugged Jack tightly .
" you are Bobbin? Robbin's son? "
Surprised, Jack asked.
" Yep, It's a me, Bobbin "
Bobbin laughed.
" What luck to meet you here,"
Jack said.
" People made their own luck "
Bobbin whispered to Jack.
" Oi, This is my cousin, Jack from Lri. He has come a long way here! " Bobbin told to his friends and they all cheered.
" Hey Bethy, Give our Jack something to eat with your finest Ale. Bring some for me too "
Bobbin told to the waitress. She was a pretty woman wearing an apron.
" Coming right up, love "
Bethy said and went to the kitchen.
She brought Some roasted chicken legs and a salad. Then she poured some ale into two glasses and served both Jack and Bobbin. Bethy smiled at Jack and kissed Bobbin's cheek.
" Eat well Sweeties "
Bethy left back the kitchen.
" Heh, She is a fine lady,"
Jack said.
" That's my wife "
Bobbin laughed.
" Oh, Congratulations,"
Jack said.
" Thank you. By the way, How are your parents? "
Bobbin asked.
" They were fine until I left Lri. It's a long story "
Jack said while eating a chicken leg.
" What made you leave Lri? Did something happen?"
Bobbin asked.
" Lri is about to get attacked by Barbarians. I have to travel to Thereloria to deliver a message about it. But I have lost the letter. Still, I am going there to bring help. I will leave tomorrow ."
Jack said in a serious mood.
" By the gods. You are going to need help. " Bobbin said.
" I have to do this alone. It's my fate now " Jack said.
" Well, Eat well because you need more strength to go. I will give you some food for your journey. Don't worry now. I will pay for all the food. I am happy to help "
Bobbin said.
" Thank you Bobbin "
Jack smiled.
Jack went to bed after having dinner. He heard Ann's voice.
" Jack, are you there? "
Ann asked.
" I am here. What's going on ?"
Jack replied.
" Barbarians have captured GRELON. They are heading to TORU next. The king has sent soldiers to protect Lri but They won't be Enough. Besides that People are trying to leave lri. But they don't have a place to go. People say after capturing all the villages and cities of Dhurland, Barbarians will attack the King's palace and claim the throne. But how did they get more power to raid a kingdom? Something is really going on with the politics ."
Ann said.
" Just don't give up hope yet. I am closer to Thereloria ."
Jack said.
"I won't give up on you. Never "
Ann said And Jack felt happy about it.
" Also, There's a place that could hold some people for a time. But won't be enough for everybody. Tell my father to hide the woman, children, and elders there. It's a hidden forest under the Utula forest. There is a tunnel somewhere there and it leads to the hidden forest. After that hide the tunnel entrance from sight. Men can survive. They better. Try to move people as possible. "
Jack gave instructions to Ann.
" A Hidden forest? I will tell your Father about it. I will go now. I can't see you clearly because you are farther. Hope you are alright ."
Ann said.
" I am fine. Don't worry about me. Be safe "
Jack said.
" Be safe "
Ann's voice faded away.
The next morning Bobbin escorted Jack to the docks.
They were traveling in a carriage. Bobbin was Drunk and singing.
" Oh, Father
I have no mother
So I asked a pretty girl
To be my mother
She refused my offer
Then came her lover
He hit my face harder
I hit him back no matter
I ran I ran
He chased me like a Glin
Oh I found a bow
Turned around bit slow
Shot an arrow through
His knee that was blue
O , I ran away "
After some time passed The carriage reached the docks. Bobbin was taking a nap and Jack woke him up.
" We are at the docks Bobbin "
Jack whispered to Bobbin's ear and he woke up lazy.
" Oh, Come on then " Bobbin yawned and said. He paid the carriage driver for taking them there.
Both went along the way. There were so many boxes and supplies. Different kinds of ships and long boats with colorful sails were also there.
Bobbin escorted Jack near to a longboat that was docked and the sailors were loading the boat with boxes. There was a dwarf near the longboat sitting on a box and smoking a pipe. He turned his head at Bobbin and laughed.
" Bobbin. My fellow Songbird, Heh"
He shouted happily
" Hello there, Lesborn. Ya sailing now? "
Bobbin asked.
" Aye. To NORAZEL through the KAL-HOF River. We got some stuff to deliver to the folks. Why are ya asking? "
Lesborn said.
" My cousin here needs to travel to UR-HADOR capital. I will pay you for it "
Bobbin said.
" Alright. Get in boy, we'll leave in an hour "
Lesborn said.
Jack Hugged Bobbin and thanked him for helping.
" Thank you Bobbin. I hope one day I could repay you. "
" Only way you can repay me is by taking me on a world tour someday. But let it be at a different time. So long Lonely wolf of Lri."
Bobbin said.
Jack went inside the longboat and waited. There were many boxes full of Food, Iron, Meat, and more. Jack sat down on the floor and waited.
After waiting for some time Jack heard Longboat's bell ringing.
The longboat set sail and it started to move away from the dock.
Jack looked outside from the window and he saw more boats sailing. Jack went for a nap.
Again He saw Lri burning in a dream. He saw everything fall apart. There were Deladurs circling around Jack inside some kind of Dark area. Jack woke up panicked. He drank some water and took a deep breath.
" I am afraid " Jack whispered to himself.
Jack stood up and walked to the upper deck. There were some Dwarves smoking pipes and playing cards with some men. Jack smiled at them but they didn't give him much attention.
Jack went near Lesborn who was handling the helm standing on a stand because he was too short.
" How are ya doing boy? "
Lesborn asked.
" I am fine. Just wanted to see what's going on up here. "
Jack said.
Jack looked at the helm and asked
" Is this made out of Oakwood? "
" Aye, how do ya know that? "
Lesborn asked.
" My father told me stories about his ship. Her name was ' Elthro '. My father was the captain. He went to war with it. "
Jack said.
" Hmm, That's interesting. What happened to the ship? "
Lesborn asked
" The ship was sunken deep into the Great blue sea. The crew was eaten by Red Fin Sharks and my father was the only one who survived ."
Jack said while standing next to the helm.
" That's sad. Losing a Ship and its crew is the saddest thing that could happen to a captain. Also, a captain should have died with his ship. But still glad yar father survived ."
Lesborn felt sad about what Jack told them.
" My father said if He could save his crew he would have. And he has tried but failed. Maybe it's what was meant to happen "
Jack said.
" So, You know how to handle a boat? Like yar father? "
Lesborn asked excitedly.
" He has told me some stuff but I haven't tried,"
Jack said.
" Here hold the helm "
Lesborn made Jack hold the helm.
" Wait, I don't ..."
Jack was afraid and unsure
" Take a deep breath Boy. Feel the wind. Let the hands take care of the helm "
Lesborn instructed Jack.
Jack slowly got used to the helm and handled it like a master.
" There you go, boy. There ya go. Move us away from the boat in front of us by steering the helm left."
Lesborn said.
Jack steered the helm left and the longboat moved right, away from the boat in front of them. Jack felt proud and happy.
" Nicely done boy. Now call for full sail because the wind is in the right direction "
Lesborn said.
" Full Sail lads " Jack shouted.
The crew released the full sail and the longboat started to move faster.
" That's right. Always change the sail depending on the wind "
Lesborn said.
Jack learned more about controlling the longboat and kept sailing.
" You have your father's skills boy. Someday ya will get ya own ship "
Lesborn said.
" Maybe. But who knows "
Jack said.
The longboat went far away from other boats and became alone. Jack saw something blocking their path.
" I see something but not sure what "
Jack woke up lesborn who was asleep.
Lesborn took the spyglass and looked at where Jack pointed.
" Oh, God. Get ready to sail back lads "
Lesborn yelled.
" Sail back? Why? "
Jack was confused.
Lesborn gave Jack the spyglass and Jack used it to see what was going on. He saw two ships heading straight at the longboat. Their Flags were Black and the crew looked like they are hostile.
" Pirate Scum. No way through. We have to head back and get help. "
Lesborn said.
" No " Jack shouted.
" This is my boat boy. I ain't risking it. " Lesborn was angry and panicked.
" We don't have time to go back now. I need to go to Thereloria to deliver an urgent message to the king. "
Jack said.
" No king will pay us to repair our boats when we get attacked .there's no way we can go past two pirate ships, "
Lesborn said.
" There's always a way," Jack said.
" What are ya Saying, boy ?"
Asked Lesborn.
" Do you have any weapons? How many crew members do we have? "
Jack asked.
" There are like 20 men on this boat. There are a couple of Swords, Axes, and Two harpoon cannons. But we can't fight two ships at once. They will sink us, boy "
Lesborn said.
" Do we have fire powder and Small clay pots? "
Jack asked.
" Yes yes, but why? "
Lesborn asked.
" We will fill the clay pots with fire powder and tie them to harpoons. Then we set fire and shoot at the ships. Then we can set them on fire. " Jack told the crew.
" That's a brilliant idea, "
A crew member said.
" Alright then. Do what the boy said. " Lesborn shouted.
The crew prepared the fire powder bombs and tied them to harpoons and loaded them into the cannons.
Jack made the longboat go through the two pirate ships, so the harpoons could get a clear shot.
The crew ignited the bombs and fired the cannons. The harpoons got hit and started to burn the ship's sails. The pirates got burned and jumped off their ships. Pirates also attacked back with crossbows and harpoons.
The crew took shields and covered themselves from the attacks. They threw fire powder bombs at both ships and the ship on the left side started to fall apart. Their powder storage got caught on fire and exploded. That ship slowly got sunken. The ship on the right was also burning and incapacitated.
Jack used his Crossbow on the staff and shot bolts at the Pirate captain. He got injured and yelled
" Face me like a man, you little pig "
Jack made the longboat stop near the burning pirate ship and ordered the crew to board the ship.
" let's show them our strength! "
Jack shouted.
The crew started to board the ship and fight the pirates. Jack went face to face with the pirate captain.
Jack used the spearhead to fight the Captain's sword. The captain disarmed Jack by pushing away him. Jack fell down and kicked the captain's leg. Then Jack charged toward him and pushed him into the fire.
The pirate captain got lighted up and came toward Jack while burning. Jack used the pushing force spell and pushed him off the ship. Other pirates surrendered and Jumped off the ship.
The crew cheered happily because of their victory.
" Ha ha We showed them, "
One crew member said.
" Good Job boy. Ya saved our boat and our job. Thank ya so much "
Lesborn padded Jack's shoulder.
Other crew members salvaged what they can from the ship making it sink. After that, the longboat continued sailing.
The Dusk came. The longboat was in the center of the river. The sky was orange and the two suns were going down on the horizon. The crew was taking a break. Jack was sitting next to Lesborn who was handling the helm. Lesborn left the helm and sat down near Jack. He gave a bottle of Ale to Jack and he accepted it. Both were looking at the Horizon while the crew started to sing in the Sea language.
" Ooohlea ! Zum luku bor dia
Zon karu len boya
Don wadhl kurum woda
Wi sail toga thor waya
Ooulovazu ! Zen kera der hoda
Yol noka ven soda
Ale duru len efa
Win sin toga thor Heya .... "
Jack didn't understand what they are singing, but He enjoyed it.
Later the night came. Some of the crew were sleeping on the deck while Jack was sleeping inside the boat.
Sometimes later Jack woke up and heard Gulls and the bell ringing.
Jack rushed to the upper deck to look. But there was fog everywhere.
" Ah, Ya are finally awake,"
Lesborn said.
" Where are we? "
Jack asked.
" Go to the front of the boat. Ya will see "
Lesborn said.
Jack walked to the front of the boat and looked. The fog slowly vanished away and he saw a city in front of them. Jack felt happy.
" We have arrived in Norazel. Capital of Thereloria . City of rich folks "
Lesborn said.
The longboat docked among other Boats and the crew unloaded the boxes.
Jack was happy and amazed after seeing how big this city is. There were so many people and so many buildings. Carriages were traveling on the big street carrying goods. Guards dressed in armor were patrolling among the people. The city looked so lively.
" Right then. Here ya are. Now pay us "
Lesborn said.
" Oh. But I thought my cousin already paid you "
Jack said.
" Just Joking Boy. See you soon "
Lesborn laughed.
" Thank you for bringing me here" Jack smiled and walked away.
He looked south and saw the Ur-Hador palace on the top of the hill that was near Norazel city. Jack kept walking forward along the street.
The city seemed to be well-ruled by its king. There were many buildings with art on their worlds. The walls were in different colors and patterns which made each building look so unique. The people who lived there looked happy and proud. They were dressed more colorful and neater than People in Lri. People even looked at Jack like he was some kind of a thug or a peasant. What makes this city look more rich and clean is that it had no beggars or uneducated people. All of them including farmers, fishermen, and poor ones were exiled to a Village called HAK-SUL in the northern parts of Thereloria. The king didn't like to see that kind of people in his city he walks around as a hobby. He only cared about Rich and Educated people.
The king of Thereloria was named Imeros .but most times his second-in-command and Advisor Henry Liue took care of the kingdom.
There were many rumors about a conspiracy inside and outside Ur-Hador that was popular. There was someone trying to Conquer Thereloria. Many citizens and King himself believe that it was Imeros's younger brother Halumar, who was exiled for threatening King's Advisor. What happened to him after was unknown. But still, the king has set wanted posters of Halumar to bring him dead or alive. Even sent special guards to find him from Wach-jedu.
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