Seaborn

Chapter 2: Port

It was the early hours of the morning when we pulled into harbor at Pristav one of the main ports of my home nation of Antarus. That was for the best, it gave everyone plenty of daylight to square things away before the crew flooded the nearby taverns. Pristav was one of several trade hubs on the circumference of the island nation and it took slow going to make sure we didnt collide with other ships as we entered it. As soon as wed moored, the harbormaster climbed the gangplank to speak with the captain and collect the docking fee. I knew Coe had a stash of money hidden aboard the ship, but he never revealed it and I never looked. Coe would pick two of his loyal seamen as bodyguards and go to the bank, get the harbormasters fee and then bring the men a small advance on their pay. This was my third expedition with Coe, and I understood his methods.

I didnt expect him to pick me as one of his two bodyguards.

He called for me to accompany him in a voice that brooked no nonsense. I followed as if Id expected it. Internally, I was curious. I knew Coe didnt take Fink because he wanted his second to remain on board when he wasnt. But werent there a handful of guys among his normal crew with higher fighting skills or strength than I? I was impressive for my age, with the way I kept turning around and heading straight back to sea. I still couldnt compare with most of the men with professions.

I kept my thoughts to myself as I joined Coe and Marsh on the trip to the bank. Interesting how I started thinking of him as Coe and not Captain as soon as we returned to harbor. That was the life of an itinerant seaman, I guess. I respected the master of the ship I was hired on for, but when it came time to discuss my wages for rehire I wasnt going to be looking up at a captain from a position of service.

Domenic, Coe said. What brought you to the Essential?

Reputation of fair treatment, hard work and good XP, I replied.

Those your criteria for every job you take?

I shrugged. No, sir. Ill put up with some bad treatment for good XP, or even take an easy job if the pays worth it.

By your stats, you havent taken too many easy jobs.

In truth, Id only done that once, when I was trying to pay off my mums debts quickly before the interest got too bad. Harder work means improved stats, and I dont want to lose any of my stats by killing time in the off season.

That was the thing about inflating your stats. Sailors could make great improvements when they were working. If they got caught in a place with no one hiring or just lazed about, they risked losing their improvements. They didnt just disappear, you had to be countering them in some way. For instance, anyone who drank enough to get the alcoholic debuff temporarily lost stats until he went clean. But if an alcoholic maintained his state long enough, his temporary losses would start to become permanent.

Id invested too heavily in constitution to ever risk that. Actually, the gains Id made in my stats had all been earned through experience, rather than invested in by free attribute points gained from leveling. It was easier to earn the first few points of an attribute than the later ones. A toddler earned a point in agility when it learned to walk. Id spent months climbing ratlines before Id gotten my 20th point in agility, and I didnt expect another one any time soon.

Ill tell it to you straight, Domenic. You have the makings of a first mate or quartermaster. The fact youre not a petty officer at least is a shame. Id like to hire you on as one. Only thing is I dont know if youll be around when I next sail.

I was surprised at the job offer. I was less surprised by his assessment but hadnt exactly expected him to tell me himself. I know you dont keep your men in port while youre at home.

No, but I know the other jobs they take and the captains they sail with. I know when to expect them back when I start forming my crew. I tried keepin tabs on you after you left me the last two times, but you left on one vessel and picked another at the second harbor. If you told me youve already made an expedition to the frozen wastes I wouldnt be surprised!

The Atlas Ocean was as close to the frozen wastes as Id been, but he was right. I traveled a lot and I traveled loose.

Sir, I said, not wanting to kill my chance of sailing on the Essential again but knowing where my heart was. I am deeply honored by your offer but I need to be at sea. I need to be moving about, and I need things to be shaken up every now and then.

I was sure as soon as I finished speaking that Id put my foot in it. I was done. Shake things up? Hed say. Being towed about by whales thatll turn and kill you isnt enough?

But the captain nodded. That perk was the thing that caught my eye the very first time you sailed with me all those years ago. He was speaking of my second perk Heart at Sea. Id gained it when I was barely a teenager. Id love to have you, Domenic. But Im not going to stunt the thing thats made you such a great sailor.

I let the silence linger for a few moments before I just had to ask: So does this mean youll still take me on as a crewman?

Coe sighed. Domenic, youre getting to where I cant afford to hire you at a basic seaman position. Ill not turn you down flat, but Im sure you can find better opportunities.

Remember what I was saying about taking a pay cut for hard work and XP?

That made him laugh. Then well have to see, wont we?

Coe withdrew a sum from the bank and Marsh carried the chest. The captain and I flanked him. With just my rigging knife and a smaller throwing blade hidden on me, I tried to look more imposing than I was. We drew looks of course but ran into no trouble. Coe paid the harbormaster, then had Marsh take the chest to his cabin. There he had the men come in one at a time to receive their advance. When he handed me my silvers, he shook my hand and nodded. I returned the gesture. Hed already said his piece. If I didnt want to take more responsibility with him, then this would probably be my last voyage with the man. That was a shame.

After drawing lots for the watch, a gaggle of sailors went on to town and the rest of us set to doing our errands whether it be visiting bathhouses, brothels, or tailors (by agreement, the taverns would waitdea until tonight). My errands started the same way whenever I landed on Antarus: visiting dear mum.

The estate was several miles outside of town, which gave me time to exercise my stamina. I tossed my seabag over my shoulder its main contents being a change of clothes and set to running. Go down to 40% stamina and recover. Repeat. You couldnt move like this on a ship. With my level 13 sea legs, I didnt suffer anymore from feeling the sea when I stepped onto land, but the earth felt hard and uncomfortable under my feet. My stamina shone through, though, and I made the trip to the estate in less than an hour.

I made my way around through the servants entrance. It was the work of a minute to find my mum weeding the greenhouse garden. I slipped in with the intention of watching her for a minute, but her eyes were sharp and she saw as soon as Id turned the latch.

Shock, relief, was that exasperation too? It had been over a year. Ok, nearly two.

Dommy she said. Then whatever else her feelings were, she wanted a hug. I gave her one, trying to catch up on the hugs a son is supposed to give and bank a few more for the impending separation at the same time. When she pushed me to arms length to get a better look at me, there werent any of the tears that had threatened to fall at first sight. Youve grown! Oh, and look at your stats!

I havent put on an inch since I was sixteen, mum, but I have been working hard.

Oh, hush. If you havent grown then Ive shrunk and you never say that to your mother!

She was hardly an old lady. In fact she was only 17 years older than I. She preferred the pretension of old age, however. Hmm, shall I get you a pair of spectacles?

She turned dour. Domenic, I dont need your money! Ive still got some from the last time!

What am I supposed to do with it? Put it in the bank? I joked. You dont use it there. Shed been telling me she didnt need me to provide for her my whole life. Id stopped believing her when I was a boy. My first years at sea had seen the entirety of my pay go to covering her debts. She was in a decent position now or so I believed but she would never tell me if she ever got in trouble. I was never here enough to see for myself. Maybe that made me a terrible son. I provided though, right?

Well, Dom I cant wait to catch up with you later! Youll still be around this evening, right?

That was odd. I was always the one who told my mum when I had to go again. She never sent me off, and here we had just said hello. I glanced around at the herbs. Anything I can help you with?

Oh, no. Just tending the plants here is all!

Mhm. These are new plants, right? I couldnt have told you what plants were here the last time Id visited, but there was fresh potting soil lying about and most the plants were the same.

Oh, yes. Mr. Marston is trying a new alchemy potion.

What for? I quizzed.

His gout.

Gout?

She sighed. It gives him some terrible debuffs and hurts him terribly.

I see. And I shouldnt be seen around here because hes in a bad mood?

Tears welled fresh in her eyes. I never could beat around the bush with you. Youve gotten more observant than ever, havent you? Has seeing all those foreign lands raised your analyze skill?

I cupped her face in my hands. Are you safe here?

From Mr. Marston? Of course! Theyll never like me but they treat me fine in private.

My mothers life was a rather sad one, as complicated as only normal people can make things. She ran off from home as a dreamy young girl with a beau who turned out to be less than honorable and found herself on the port streets being pimped out. One of her clients was a young member of the Marston family. Hed taken a genuine interest in her, caused a scandal, and died leaving my mother at the mercy of his family. The Marston family was powerful here. They got a judge and lawyer together for a sentencing. Among the punishments was a monetary fine and repatriation of the image of the Marstons House.

That last bit amounted to indentured servitude. Id looked into getting her out of it, but she had forbidden me from doing so. Turns out the security of continued service was something she wanted. I couldnt imagine being locked into something like that. In that and most other regards, honestly we werent alike. I had no idea if I was more like my father. My father was either the dead Marston or a deadbeat sailor. Mum couldnt or wouldnt say definitively (the Marstons made her swear an affidavit that I wasnt the bastard of their son) and I had little inclination to find the man.

My mothers past was probably why I never felt right visiting the brothels with other sailors. Besides the disease risk, I couldnt help but look at the girls and wonder if they had been scammed off a farm somewhere too. For every empowered woman making her own rules and leading men along on a string, there were a dozen others being victimized.

My mum had been a victim all her life.

And are you at risk from anyone else?

No, silly boy! Anyway, what would you

Mum, I said. What are you hiding from me?

She paled. What do Im not hiding anything!

Mum, I know you well. Youre letting me see your skills and attributes but none of your other stats. Im your son. Ive seen the rest, so why hide?

Now she did cry as she slapped my chest. You just wont let me tell you in my own time, will you?

Im a terrible son, I know.

Dont say that!

What are you hiding?

She wiped at her tears but was going through an emotional wringer. Im seeing someone.

I let that sink in, then waited for her to explain. She didnt. My thoughts went to dark places of her once again becoming the victim of others desires. Who is he? I demanded.

Now Domenic, dont you demand answers from me! You dont get to just walk in and out of my life whenever it pleases you and make your judgements

Any man who abuses you had better pray for the seas intervention of me. I may not be the best son but I do care about you.

Hes not abusing me! she spat. I love him! I was surprised, but she read far too much into my expression. Yes, it so happens that I am lovable, or at least close enough for someone to try! I know I ruined myself early on in life and its selfish, but he actually makes me feel he makes me feel

I embraced her and laughed, cutting her off. Youre the only one who doesnt think youre a saint!

Im no saint

Im happy for you, mum! Ive always hoped youd be happy! And if this guy can do it for you, thats great! Whats his name?

She shot me a warning look. I dont want you showing up at his door and laying down the law on how he ought to be treating me

Dont I at least get to hear his profession?

Hes a cooper, widowed for a few years. Now I dont need you to check in on him and see how much he makes, either!

I smiled. Of course not, mum! If I knew his profession, Id find him if I ever had to. However, while I wouldnt trust my mothers judgement on a great many things, I wasnt going to try an hinder her attempts at finding happiness. But that still doesnt explain why youre hiding your stats.

She blushed. I think I may be pregnant.

While I processed that little tidbit, I couldnt help a sly grin. You know pregnancy doesnt show up on your stats, right?

Her jaw dropped, and I laughed out loud. What do you mean? she hissed. Cant people tell?

Mum, I explained. Youre adorable. Im sure theres a thousand and one ways someone can tell youre pregnant, but to get anything off a stat sheet theyd have to analyze the baby. Theres not one person in town with an analyze level like that wholl care.

She blushed harder, flustered at giving herself away. I marveled at how ignorant people could be of the world. Even if people didnt learn as they were growing, werent things intuitive by the time someone reached the age of my mother? Guess not.

Youre not jealous? she asked.

Jealous? Im not a toddler whos going to whine about you splitting your attention. Im happy if youre happy!

My mum grabbed my head and brought it down to kiss my forehead. Bless you, my boy! What did I ever do to get you?

Well, I said. It usually starts with a man asking a woman if he can buy her a drink

She laughed and slapped my chest again, playfully this time. Dont bring sailors talk around here!

Of course not! I protested. Its Coopers talk now, isnt it? Is it true what they say about Coopers barrels being the same size as

Domenic Seaborn, cut it out!

I let it drop with a chuckle. Domenic was the only name I had. When my mum got her dander up and wanted a name with a bit more punch to it, shed call me Sea-born. If I ever had reason to take a last name, thatd be it.

Did you really want me to meet you tonight? I asked dutifully.

No, Im sure you just got back. Im just glad to see you. Make sure you tell me if theres ever a girl in your life!

As I turned to leave, she caught my hand. Wait, could you could you give me your blessing?

Huh? I said stupidly. Blessing? Like a father would give for his daughter to marry?

I know its stupid, I dont know why I said it. I just, I want to know

I didnt need a high intelligence stat to know this was something that mattered to her and Id be callous to deny her just because it wasnt my role. I took her head and kissed her forehead just as shed done to me. Be safe and happy.

You have bestowed: Blessing of the Son!

We both blinked in surprise. Whats it

I have no idea what it does, I said. When you couldnt identify the effects, either it was beyond your skill or the results werent quantifiable. It might turn out to be a simple morale boost with crazy criteria. Maybe it negated a different effect. Who knew? My mum got what she needed to hear, and it was validated by the world.

I didnt linger. That is, I didnt stay and chat longer with my mum. I did turn off the road and circle back to spy on the house. If my mum had told me everything, I was happy for her. It wouldnt have been the first time shed hidden things from me though. So I heard Old Marston yelling, but he was yelling at everyone. I saw Mrs. Marston talking with my mum equitably, as she would when they werent in public. There werent any troubles between her and the other servants or family. Satisfied, I made my way back to the road and dropped out of stealth.

I was headed to the tailor when I ran into trouble. More accurately, trouble nearly ran over me. A crowd that was something between a mob and a gang was chasing someone out of an alley into the street. I made brief eye contact with Cook before he was past me and the crowd around me. Being swept up in a crowd is a real thing. I was a hundred yards along by the time it put me down. I tugged on the arm of one of the people at the back a hanger-on who wanted to see what happened but didnt want to get too involved.

Whats happening?

Theyve found a Tarish mercenary in town! Theyll give him what for, all right!

Tarish mercenary? I asked, but the man wasnt paying me any more attention. Like reasoning with a mob worked anyway.

I ducked down a different street and ran to head off the crowd. It was moving in fits and spurts. When I got in its path again I realized that there were a few people really hounding Cook and picking a fight with him, the rest surged with the force and anonymity of a crowd. Cook was trying to run but couldnt seem to lose or outpace his pursuit.

I glanced at my clothing. Could I pull off a bluff?

Hold! I yelled in my loudest voice. That was loud enough to get attention, but by the looks they were giving me I could tell that a gamble on being an authority figure would lose. Instead I pointed around the corner. The militia is coming!

The word militia spread through the crowd and several them dropped away like theyd been caught in the neighbors henhouse. Not all, though. One of the men surrounding Cook said, tell them to hurry up!

So, they didnt think they were doing anything wrong. That was interesting. The cogs in my brain tried to churn out a plan of making this bluff work. To delay, I pretended to beckon towards someone out of sight down the street. Then trotted toward the men in a loose cordon around Cook. What next? What next?

Screw it.

I thrust my elbow into the nose of the man on my right, then pivoted and swung my foot between the legs of the man on my left. Scram! I yelled at Cook. To his credit, he didnt hesitate or try to stick with me.

After hed sprinted through the gap Id made, I closed with the next bully in line. I couldnt catch him in a sucker punch. We traded a few blows and some minor HP when the collective shock began to wear off and the numbers of the crowd turned against me. They were all low-level citizens, businessmen, and ruffians. I didnt see a single person above level 9 among them. Enough numbers negated a level difference, though, and I was only on equal footing to start with. I took that as my cue to skedaddle.

I bolted towards the wall of the building hemming us in, pushed off it, grabbed a handhold and began scaling the two-story structure. Shouts of outrage followed me, but none of them had practiced in the rigging at sea to have a level 11 climbing skill like mine. I was up and moving along the rooftops before they thought to run around the building.

Losing them after that was easy enough. As a rule, crowds dont chase over rooftops. If any of them recognized me later Id be in trouble, but you couldnt go through life having friends without sharing some of their enemies.

Speaking of that devil, Cook found me before my stamina had finished regenerating. I guess those hawk eyes didnt have any trouble following me across the rooftops. I nodded to him, still embarrassed about forgetting his name.

Thanks for getting me out of that spot. He said with the distinct vocal flanging effect of his race. It was a bit of a jam.

He was at 80% health. Factoring in what hed probably regened, the crowd had gotten their licks in. He also had 32/150 mana. I had no idea he could use magic.

No sweat, I figured I owed you. Why were they after you, anyway?

Apparently Nilfheim hired some Tarish mercenaries to cause trouble with trade caravans around Antarus.

Why would they do that?

Apparently Nilfheim also finally declared war on Antarus.

I groaned. War might make some people dream of joining a Navy and make their way to captain, but not me. Not any other sailor whod seen death either. The XP of war was only good because people were constantly dying.

Aww, great. And they decided to lynch you because you were walking down the street?

No, I was inquiring after open cooking positions. I guess they thought Id poison the food, or something.

I couldnt help but laugh. They missed out on a gold mine. We all know what you can do with sea rations. Id like to see what you could do with a stocked pantry!

That would be nice, he admitted with a grin.

So where you off to now, Cook? Need an escort?

Please, call me Gerald. I cant be called Cook until I secure another position.

I was too relieved about being reminded of his name to inquire about his attitude towards being called Cook. Alright Gerald. They might recognize us together, but then they might lynch you on the spot. Want some company?

No, thank you. Ill return to the ship. Im sure the captain can make some inquiries, find out if theres a place I can work here safely.

Im sure hell want to keep you intact. If you dont mind my asking, what spells were you using?

He grinned, displaying all his teeth. Grease. Its an AoE spell that caused them to slip.

I chuckled. Just dont ever use that in your recipes, okay?

He turned towards the docks. If I do, itll improve it!

After my misadventure with Cook, I scanned each street before I entered it. Just because Id lost the same HP as I would in a wrestling match didnt mean round 2 would go so well. Besides, my finger was swelling again. It had just gotten to where I considered it healed and I ran into someone that needed punching. Just my luck.

Not having a long errand list, I decided to make my way to a healer, first. A broken finger might be a silly thing to spend silver on but hauling line with one was painful and I was tired of it.

The healer was in the back with another patient when I entered. I could see the operation she was doing. There was a boy who looked like his leg had just been run over by a cart. He lay on a wooden table staring dumbly at the ceiling while the healer had her hands on his leg. A golden nimbus of light surrounded her hands. After a few moments the leg twisted straight with a series of snaps and clicks that made me shiver. The light didnt leave her hands as she moved them over his knee and thigh, then back down, scanning. She released the magic with a sigh.

That is all I can do. The bones and muscle are mended but the joint is damaged. You should keep him off the leg until you can see a physicker. He might be able to help more.

Youre saying hell limp? Demanded a man probably the boys father.

If he runs around on it now, hell do it damage. He might limp. He might not walk at all. Theres nothing more that my magic can do, you need to find someone with high expertise to get it fixed. Otherwise treatments and practice should do.

The man hmphed and payed her, drawing a separate pouch filled with gold to cover the fee. She glanced at me and I felt embarrassed at seeing the transaction, so I turned to look over the rest of the shop.

It was small, but you didnt need much space to store small measures of liquid. There were glass display cases for potions from minor to moderate all under lock and key. Any stronger potions werent on display. Health potions were the staple, followed by mana and stamina potions. The rest were mostly a varied assortment for enhancing base attributes temporarily, but there were a few on display with unique properties. One that caught my eye was a water breathing potion.

Potion of Water Breathing

Allows the user to breathe water. Thirty minutes per dose. Stackable effect.

Can I help you? the healer asked me tiredly.

Yes, can you tell me how many doses are in this water breathing potion?

She glanced at it. Three.

It was too rich for my blood, then. I had a pretty decent underwater time as it was, though, between my stamina, swimming, and lifesaving abilities. I politely declined; she didnt look surprised. My worn clothes didnt exactly scream of spare wealth.

How much do you charge for a healing?

Depends on the injury. If you need it now the cost of a mana regen potion will be factored in. Im all out. She was probably feeling like her head was stuffed or so Id heard it explained to me. Id never learned any spells.

Ill wait, thanks.

Is it for you?

Yes, I held up my hand, showing my noticeably swollen finger.

She took a greater interest. I could probably take care of that now. Let me see it. The exam is free. I gave her my hand and she turned it every which way. What did you do to it?

Broke it. I said simply.

The golden light surrounded her hands. Maybe it was psychosomatic, but I felt better just having her hold her magic. Yes, but how many times? she muttered. I didnt think she really expected an answer and I doubted I could supply an accurate one. Does 4 silvers sound fair?

I hadnt known quite what to expect but had been worried after seeing the gold the man had been handing over. Yes, thats fine.

Instantly my bone fixed itself, my hand twitched involuntarily as it did so. The swelling went down considerably but didnt disappear entirely. It felt better than it had in a long time!

She scanned my hands closer before she released her magic. I fixed the breaks. Theres nothing I can do about the other damage you have, but if you break them again a healer can restore them better than letting it mend on its own another time.

Thanks! I said. How much would it cost to add a minor health potion to the bill?

50 silvers, came the immediate response. I wish I had a level or two in Trading. 50 silvers was a sizeable chunk of my advance. All the haggling Id done around the seas with street vendors and ship quartermasters hadnt given my that skill. It took more than repetition to acquire skills. Sure, repetition was important, but an understanding of the skill was essential. I never had the knack for finances, but maybe with enough experience Id final gain the skill.

In the meantime, Id just have to haggle where I could and pay when the price was fixed. I fished enough silver coins out of my pouch to cover the amount I owed. She pulled out a key ring and opened a locked cabinet and returned with my potion.

Minor Health Potion

Will restore 100 health over 30 seconds.

I thanked her and tucked it into a pouch on my belt. Then I made my way to the last stop.