Chapter 62: Sails Away!

Profusing her thanks, Estara was soon hurrying to go speak to the man and finish what she started while they were still on break. Sir Pashett was a man maybe slightly past his prime with a few gray hairs. A soldier, despite his skills at healing.

Estara was soon exuberantly leading him back off, under the pretenses of talking about Sir Galmore again. She laid out the rest of the matter, then dedicated the man to her goddess in honor of his fallen friend… to take up the torch to protect others and one day to have even greater arts of healing. Pashett took it all solemnly.

This was one Follower Estara wanted as a true believer of Samantha, naturally. When the time came, he whispered her name very, very quietly.

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1 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet a Follower.

Follower conversion successful. 1 FE gained. 1 Daily FE gained (total: 25).

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Finally, in Fobent, Bast came charging up to the gates already open for his arrival, mentally exhausted, physically beat up from the constant speed, and bone tired… even with a buff. The horse seemed perfectly fine in contrast, the only sign of the powerful enchantment fueling it being a line of runes painted on its neck.

When Bast arrived at the docks, he wasn’t terribly thrilled about giving up his horse, but in this case, Linnore was merciful and gave him a hefty sum for the valiant steed, which placated him somewhat.

All of his gear was removed from the mount and carried onboard the Strip, including the saddle he insisted on keeping for whatever his replacement would be in Geirkos.

Running on fumes, Bast made his way onto the deck and greeted the rest of the group. He shook hands with Orswyth and said, “Bar-... Lord Orswyth. I’ve heard a lot about you. Truly a pleasure to be amongst new friends.”

“Lord Sebastion. Quite a run you made from the duchy. Possibly the fastest anyone has.”

A vague, tired grin. “Oh, perhaps only in recent memory. I’m sure they had flying horses in the golden age or somesuch.”

“Chariots,” Orswyth ‘corrected’ in subtle amusement. “Glad to have a wizard among us. Goes well with a crop of fighting men.”

“Yes, just consider me highly mobile, attractive, precious artillery. Or… what were those contraptions called in Things That Can Never Be? That shot the round metal balls without magic? Ah, cannons! Yes. I’m a cannon. A bejeweled one.”

Sammy rolled her eyes from her throne, and let it translate to Bast’s mind too.

“I’ve read that one!” Orswyth replied exuberantly. “Those wondrous illustrations… my favorite was the train. It tickled my memory of a past life. I could hear it rolling over the tracks, and the whistle too…” He looked off as though reminiscing both fondly and sadly.

Sammy cocked her head at this, studying the former baron. I should recreate that for him sometime. The sounds and sights of a train.

Bast, looking about ready to drop where he stood, patting the man’s shoulder. “It’ll come back around one of these lives, right, my man?! And then you’ll wistfully remember Lord Bast and his fine lute and flute play!”

Some of the other men, including sailors, heard this and took an interest. One man called, “Hear, hear, bard!”

One hand on Orswyth’s shoulder, a rather hysterical Bast turned to wave with his free hand, grinning as though receiving a crowd’s praise.

Clearing his throat, Orswyth said, “Well now. I think you’re about due for a break after your harrowing journey. Let’s find you a spot in the hold to lie down.”

“Yes, yes! I have a blanket and even a pillow with a bit of a lover’s perfume still smellable on it, around here somewhere…”

“Can I borrow it later?!” called a sailor, to a few jeers and laughter.

Bast did a ‘got these two eyes on you’ gesture with faux suspicion at the man before he was led down into the hold so he could take a rest.

The ship was soon underway, bristling with perhaps two dozen sailors raising and adjusting sails, bundling ropes, and other assorted tasks. Every sailor had a brimmed hat with a single white feather atop it, also attached to a buckling cloth strap that went under the chin.

She did see one sailor with some sort of false foot he limped around on slightly. She was somewhat disappointed it wasn’t an actual pegleg.

Such a missed opportunity for a stereotype- wait, is that just pirates, though? There was in fact one sailor with a black eye patch over one eye, which strangely rather comforted her.

The captain had a wider, fancier hat much like Dax, and some sort of ‘almost goggles’ in a pair of glasses with a leather cord to hang at the neck. He was a thickly built sort with a gray beard and sour cast to his expression, though maybe that was just from the apparently disfavorable situation. His hold seemed full, but it was likely Linnore screwed him on whatever deal was made.

The existing trade situation was a lot different than Fobent usually was, from what Orswyth related. He didn’t approve — mid-term, long-term, it would damage the inclination of tradesmen to come to the port. There was a powerful guild called the Traveler’s Club in Geirkos… effectively a guild of traders and merchants. Getting on their bad side wasn’t bright, though it would take more than a few complaints to get their attention.

Sammy watched them set out over the water from the deck, appearing to stay well within range of land for the first leg at least. The captain didn’t appear to need to do much because the helmsman — who was on a lever-like tiller device at the back of the ship — already knew his shit.

She did notice the captain using his glasses to look out… Once, when Orswyth came near to ask him something, Sammy focused on it with Detect Magic and realized it was indeed magical, at an Effective Level of 5.

I bet that’s even better than an anachronistic spyglass. Actually, they might have them? Telescopes may not count as part of the banned advanced technology…

The ship, unable to utilize cannons obviously, had instead two catapults anchored into the upraised front and back ‘castles,’ with some limited ability to be shifted left or right. There were also four big, stationary crossbows, two on either side, though they could swivel on their bronze mounts. When Sammy asked Orswyth about them mentally, he said they were ‘ballistas.’

“The bolts would be lit on fire before launching, if possible,” he added.

There were only two marines that were part of the crew — both of these were specialists with the catapults. The ballistas, and any other soldierly, protective duties, would be handled by Orswyth’s men, whom he indicated five or six had experience with.

Some of the men had some sailing experience and assisted here and there. Canmore and Tashome were among them. Galynth was… clueless… and looked rather nauseated when he wasn’t staring in a mix of amazement and terror out at the sea.

Right, I think he was from a desert world if I remember right. He’s probably never sailed. I guess he’s doing okay all things considered.

Sammy realized suddenly she’d neglected something with him. The sword! Of course Galynth wouldn’t just bring it up. He never bothered her about anything.

He’s just a sweet boy that wanted to be a knight, isn’t he? Could’ve picked anything. I wonder how old he was…

Sammy very gently did a knock-knock mentally for him. “Galynth.”

Despite the gentle touch, he jumped like a spooked animal, his hand flaring quickly to the railing like he was in danger of falling. In a panic, he sent, “Your Majesty! I-I’m sorry I saw your- you with- a-ah… please forgive me!” His head was bowed and his eyes squeezed shut.

Sammy fought desperately not to overreact as her embarrassment flared, since the poor boy might jump overboard if she yelled or something. ‘Calmly,’ she sent, “It was just a dream, Galynth. Everyone has dreams. Think nothing of it. Let’s not even speak-”

“H-have you seen my other dreams, too?! Oh no… please, let me seek penance for my vile, disgusting-”

No! No, no, no. No. No, absolutely no. I haven’t! It’s nothing! Forget it, really. Your dreams are generally your own, this one was just a weird anomaly.”

There was a squeaky, strangled sort of ‘ok’ response from him as he seemed to try and get a hold of himself. She could tell he had to invoke his class to have any chance at this.

Sammy decided to just cut to the point. “I was merely wanting to get back around to blessing and determining the nature of this sword we have. I am sorry it has taken this long, but the time has come, my Sparrow.”

“Ah, yes. Yes, Your Majesty! I’ll attend to this immediately!”

“Just ensure you find an unobserved spot. Just in case.”

Galynth gave his assent and conferred with Orswyth before making his way to the hold. He grabbed the sword from where it was stowed, then made his way through the boxes and crates until he was in a relatively dark corner. The lack of light did not bother his glassy orange eyes, but he pulled out a stone and spoke a command word to make it glow with light, for her benefit, she assumed.

He placed her mirror on a crate and took out the massive, gleaming greatsword that once belonged to the King of Murder, kneeling to present it to her dramatically in both hands, blade exposed from its wrappings.

Samantha appeared resplendent on her throne, holding out a hand from which a light cast out. “I hereby cleanse this sword of all its foul deeds! Its existence as a stain and blight upon Calrenazzod, to execute with impunity, to kill without restraint for unjust causes… is now ended. So shall it be taken up for noble causes and noble hands from henceforth. So is it consecrated to me, my purposes, and the will of my pious believers.”

To provide a little oomph, she cast her Identify spell immediately, altering it in terms of what translated through the mirror. More deific, harmonious… flashier and more colorful. In the end though, there was just a little brief glow around the sword.

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Ghalmesh Do Grein, Bloodletter

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(Arcane — Various, Physical Enhancement, Demonic; Enchantment) This greatsword has a number of separate enhancements and also provides +1 Effective Combat Levels when wielded, stacking with any other source. It has 2 levels of Improved Penetration.

Bleeder: Wounds dealt by this weapon bleed more profusely (to the minimum of the next wound grade, with the exception of Major Wounds) and will not stop without bandaging or healing. Blood loss is considered a separate ‘wound’ that can advance to Mortal.

Feasting: Whenever a Major Wound or higher is first dealt to a combatant by this weapon, add +1 Effective Combat Levels for a duration of 2 minutes. The weapon will glow balefully with dark shadows. This may stack up to four times.

Incredible Durability: This weapon cannot be damaged without specific types of magic which must exceed an Effective Caster Level of 13 (either directly or by ritual support). Four castings are required for the majority of spells.

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Sammy’s reaction was a combination of amazement and a mental facepalm.

Fuck! All that cleanse talk doesn’t mean shit! This is kind of evil. Ugh. How can I not utilize it, though? It’s an artifact! But Galynth is too pure, come ooooon, uuugh…

“Your Majesty? Is there something wrong?”

“What? No, no… just… I am contemplating the best use for this powerful item.”

“I see.” Galynth’s alien eyes looked down at the sword for a moment in thought, then he looked up with that strange combination of pride/humility he could pull off. “Your Majesty, Destiny is Destiny, owing nothing to a man. I am not worthy but that I prove it so, in such a time as necessary!”

He maneuvered and flipped the sword suddenly point down.

“C-careful there, caref-” Sammy warned at the same time, wincing, afraid he’d nick himself on the damnable blade.

“Goddess! Allow me to relinquish this to our strongest warrior: Canmore. He would make better use of it than I — make quick work of our enemies. That is what is most important. The day I exceed him is the day I earn the right to wield your terrible and righteous blade of vengeance!”

Sammy breathed a sigh of relief seeing he didn’t cut himself. She then took a breath and nodded in appreciation to him. Smiled. “Your humility once again impresses, Sir Galynth. I have no doubt that you will, one day. Until then, yes… let your teacher be my avenger.”

And bathe in fucking blood if he ever has to be, apparently…

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« Chapter 61 | Table of Contents | Chapter 63: Bloodletters, Heartbreakers »

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Samantha, Virgin Goddess of Mirrors & Illusion
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Goddess Level 2; Minor Deity

Domains (2/3): Mirrors, Illusion
Faith Energy: 1050/2000
FE (Illusion): 9
Followers: 19 (Daily FE Gain: 25 [27])

Devout: 3
Priests: 3

Brute: 0
Rogue: 0
Wizard: 1 [8/20]
Bard: 0 [2/10]

MP: 20/25

Special Skills: First Aid, Tarot Reading, Priestly Ordination, Holy Relic Investiture, Read Runes, Spell Construction, Detect Magic

Special Traits: Token User, Immortal, Demiplane Domain, Conceptual Body, Fueled By Faith

Spells: Identify (5 MP)

Powers: Faith Energy Utilization, Grant Prayer (Illusion), Mirror Sense, Mirror Communication, Create Illusion, Grant Invisibility, Dazzling Spectrum, False Auras, Mirroring Duplicates, Reflect Force, Mirror Maze

Status: Token User Promotional Bonus (6/30), New Deity Grace Period (6/7), Free Minor Divine Enchantment (Accessory; 1-use)