Chapter 6 - Unknown Addition

“So, she rejected you, huh? Tough break.”

The naval yard was a cacophony of organized chaos. Sailors barked orders and hauled crates filled with supplies, their muscles straining under the weight. Carpenters were engrossed in their work, the rhythmic pounding of hammers echoing through the air as they made last-minute repairs to the ship’s hull. Mages, their robes adorned with arcane symbols, chanted incantations, their hands glowing as they enchanted various parts of the ship for added durability and speed.

“A little to the left! Careful with that barrel, it’s filled with gunpowder!” I shouted to a group of workers struggling with a particularly heavy crate.

Satisfied that disaster has been averted, I turn my attention back to Elara.

“For the last time, she didn’t reject me. She just ... has a lot on her plate right now. You know, being the Mistress of Arcane and all.”

She snorted, her boots swinging idly as she perched on a stack of crates, looking entirely too comfortable amidst the organized chaos of the naval shipyard. “Oh, right. The classic ’it’s not you, it’s me’ line. Works every time.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Can you blame me? Why do you think she rejected you though? Wasn’t she searching for those isles too?”

“The hell if I know.”

“Maybe she caught on your pretentiousness nature quicker than other’s do. They don’t call her wise for nothing.”

I ignored her, choosing instead to focus on the task at hand – namely, making sure the Sea Wyvern – the vessel the Admiral had generously “loaned” me for this little expedition - was ready to sail by dawn.

Two days since I’d visited The Raven’s Wing. Two days of waiting, of hoping ... of fantasizing ... that Thalira would change her mind. When she’d said she needed to “think things over”, I’d actually allowed myself to believe...

And then, the next morning, a message arrived. A polite refusal. Couched in vague terms about ’prior commitments’ and ‘destiny’s capricious nature’. But apparently, our conversation had ‘inspired her to pursue certain things she’d been putting off for a long time.’ She wished me well on my journey.

Inspired her? What the hell did I say? Did I accidentally give a motivational speech while trying to seduce her? I was asking for help god damn’s sake.

I mentally cursed myself, irritated by the whole situation.

Just then, Luke approached. “Aedan got a moment. Got an update on recruitment.”

“Go on, what’s the word?”

“We’ve got most of the crew sorted,” Luke said, a relieved smile on his face. “Gunners, riggers, healers, parsons.”

“That leaves ... the navigator.”

“Bingo.”

“I could always give it a go,” Elara offered, swinging her legs back and forth. “How hard can it be? Point the ship in the right direction ... avoid the occasional storm...”

I snorted. “You? The one who gets lost trying to find your way out of a tavern. The open sea? Nah, I’d sooner trust a blindfolded monkey with a compass.”

“Oi!”

I turned back to Luke. “Did you put in a request for transfers from the other fleets? Maybe someone in the Coastal Guard or the Expedition Division?”

“I did, but...” He hesitated. “Half the available navigators are shitting themselves at the mention of Elysara. The other half ... well, they’re either too busy charting trade routes to the Spice Isles or they’re ... not exactly the kind of people we want on board for this particular voyage.”

“So? What’s the solution, then? Out with it.” I knew Luke well enough to know that he wouldn’t come to me with a problem unless he already had an answer up his sleeve.

“There’s ... one man. Lee Wat.”

“Lee Wat?” Elara giggled. “Sounds like a sound a drunken seagull makes.”

I ignored her. “Is he any good?”

“One of the best I’ve ever seen. Brilliant with charts, understands currents like no one else ... and he’s mad enough to consider sailing with us. Probably.”

“So what’s the catch?”

“He’s scheduled to be hanged next week.”

Elara let out a low whistle. “Bloody hell. Why is he facing the gallows?”

“He’s a former pirate,” Luke added, “caught in a skirmish with the Coastal Guard a few months back.”

She chuckled, “This just keeps getting better and better.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Luke, are you telling me that our best option for a navigator is a man who’s about to dance at the end of a rope?”

“He’s the only one who fits the bill. His skill is unmatched, and he’s just the kind of crazy we need.”

“Oh, this is just too perfect.” Elara was practically bouncing with glee. “A condemned pirate to guide us ... what could possibly go wrong?”

Luke shrugged. “In the time we have, I don’t know anyone better suited for the role.”

I pondered for a moment. It was a gamble, but then again, this entire expedition was a gamble. Desperate times... “Alright, set it up. I want to meet him. If he’s as good as you say, we’ll find a way to get him out of his ... current engagement.”

“I will arrange it.”

As he walked away, Elara leaned in, “You do realize we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here, right? A condemned pirate? What’s next, recruiting a talking monkey?”

“Sometimes, the bottom of the barrel is where you find the most... interesting ... characters. And trust me, for this journey ... we’re going to need all the interesting we can get.”

“You and your damn interesting...” She muttered, shaking her head.

A sudden ruckus over by one of the dry docks snagged my attention. I glanced at Elara, who just shrugged, equally curious. I weaved my way through the crowd of sailors and workers to check it out. What I found was a tense standoff: a bunch of soldiers, faces red with annoyance, were in a heated argument with a woman

She was a vision, a stark contrast to the rough-and-tumble around her. Her brown hair cascaded in soft waves, framing a pale, oval face that was a portrait of composed indignation.

Her gown – deep emerald green, the fabric clinging to her curves like a second skin – was clearly made for a noblewoman, not for the rough-and-tumble world of a shipyard. A necklace of pearls gleamed at her throat, accentuating the smooth, pale skin.

“What seems to be the problem here?” I asked, my voice carrying over the shouts and the clang of hammers.

“Captain Aedan, sir,” one of the soldiers saluted, snapping to attention. “This woman is causing a disturbance.”

“I am not!”

“She refuses to leave, sir.” Another officer chimed in. “Says she needs to speak to you personally.”

“Me?” I said, completely baffled. I’d never seen her before in my life. “Is that so?”

She nodded, her green eyes meeting mine. “Y-Yes...”

“Very well,” I waved my hand, dismissing the soldiers. “What is it that you want to discuss?”

“C-Can ... we talk in private?”

I looked around at the organized chaos that was my ship’s final preparations. “Very well.”

We ended up at The Seafarer’s Rest - a tavern just a stone’s throw from the docks. It wasn’t exactly known for its cuisine – the ale was suspect, the stew even more so – but it was relatively quiet this time of day, and the owner was a friend.

“Have a seat.” I gestured towards an empty table in a dimly lit corner, away from the few patrons nursing their morning hangovers. The air smelled of stale beer and something that might have once been fish. Not exactly romantic, but it would have to do.

“Thank you.” The woman settled gracefully into the chair, her gown rustling around her like a whisper. I took the seat opposite her, trying not to stare. Up close, she was even more stunning - her skin flawless, her lips full and slightly parted as if inviting a kiss. Those green eyes ... they were mesmerizing.

“So...” I leaned back, folding my arms. “To whom am I speaking?”

“Evelyn,” she said, a gentle smile lighting up her face.

“A pleasure, Lady Evelyn.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Captain.” Her smile widened.

“Can I offer you something? Something to eat, perhaps?” I signaled to a passing serving girl – a sullen-looking wench who’d probably seen more naval officers than she cared to remember.

“No, thank you.” Evelyn shook her head. “I’m not ... hungry.”

“A drink, then?”

She glanced around, her eyes taking in the worn wooden tables, the chipped mugs, and the harried waitstaff. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Smart choice,” I said, gesturing to bring us two glasses of water. “So, Evelyn, what brings you to this part of town?”

“Well ... you see ... I’m a scholar.”

“Okay...”

“I’ve always been ... fascinated by the world, you see. History, ancient cultures, lost civilizations...” Her eyes lit up as she spoke. “And I’ve always wanted to ... to travel, to see things firsthand. To experience ... adventure.”

“And?”

“Elysara...” She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I’ve read everything I could find about it – the legends, the rumors, the lost expeditions...”

I waited, wondering where this was going.

“So when I heard that the Empire was mounting another expedition...”

“Hold on,” I cut her off, my mind reeling. “How did you hear about the... expedition?”

She blushed. “Well ... m-my parents ... they’re ... they’re nobles, you see. And I overheard them talking...”

“And the Isles have caught your scholarly eye, I take it?”

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled, and she launched into a passionate dissertation that would have made a university professor proud.

“Oh, yes! Ever since I was a little girl ... I heard the stories, you see – whispers from sailors, tales sang by bards ... They spoke of a place ... beyond our world ... a place where the stars touched the earth and the very air hummed with magic. A place where the gods walked among men ... and where ancient secrets lay hidden, waiting to be discovered.” Her voice carried a dreamy quality. “And I knew ... I knew ... that I had to see it for myself, to record it all for posterity ... It became ... a dream.”

“Right...” I held up a hand, cutting her off before she could launch into a full-blown lecture. Enthusiasm was all well and good, but this was starting to feel ... bit naive. “So ... you want to ... join the expedition?”

She nodded, her eyes wide and hopeful. “More than anything.”

“Evelyn, you do realize what you’re asking, don’t you?” I said gently. “This isn’t some pleasure cruise to the Summer Isles. We’re sailing into the unknown ... quite literally. I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“I’m ... aware of the risks, Captain.” Her voice was quieter now. “But I can handle myself. And think of the knowledge we could gain! The discoveries we could make! To be able to contribute to our understanding of the world ... This opportunity ... It’s too important ... too vital to pass up! I won’t be a burden ... I promise.”

I’d had scholars and researchers on board before, of course. Most of them were harmless enough – a bit eccentric, maybe, but generally content to poke around in ancient ruins and scribble notes in their journals. But this mission ... this was different. This is a suicide mission disguised as a treasure hunt.

And Evelyn ... well, she looked like she’d faint at the sight of a barnacle, let alone a sea monster. This was no place for a bored noblewoman playing at adventure.

“Look, I appreciate your enthusiasm, Evelyn. And your skills ... they are valuable.” I chose my words carefully. “But this journey ... it’s not for the faint of heart. The Isles are a place of untold dangers, of ... forces we don’t understand. Risking your life ... for research, it is not wise.”

“I understand,” she said earnestly. “But I assure you, I won’t be a ... dead weight. I can contribute. I’m ... I’m stronger than I look. I’ll pull my weight, I promise.”

“It’s not just about ‘pulling your weight’, Evelyn.” I sighed, feeling a headache building. “It’s about survival. The seas are treacherous, the unknown ... well, it’s called that for a reason.”

“I’ve faced adversity before, Captain,” she insisted. “Maybe not this kind ... but I learn quickly. And I can handle myself better than you might think.”

“Evelyn, handling ancient texts and dusty artifacts is one thing. This ... this is...”

“Who’s to say I can’t learn?” She countered. “Besides, not every problem can be solved with a sword or a spell. Sometimes... knowledge is the most potent weapon.”

I smiled, grudgingly impressed. She was persistent. I’d give her that.