The early settlers of Ferrojya were found not to use sails on the ships they used to reach the island, its early settlers likely coming from Skwirlsha or Erminaeya.
-L. Courtanuus
1
The morning of the second of Vohtaanus arrived, heralded by the church bells welcoming one Æklaak TZ. Jaani leapt out of bed and changed into his monk’s attire, afterward walking to the window and opening it to let the morning winds and sunshine inside. After having rung in the new year, the town appeared back to normal, with the residents, mostly the adults, going to their labors, although the children seemed mostly at play in the streets, perhaps on hiatus from school, the otter Kyymaer knowing this month tended to be a holiday for schoolchildren across Bystopfia. Then he could hear Jinnah stir from her slumber, Jaani keeping the window open in case she sought a view of the town.
“Close dose damn vindows!” she cursed instead, the monk-dressed hybrid obeying as she got out of bed.
“I would assume thou wouldst be used to cold weather, given whence thou hailest.”
“Yust because I am from de nort’, it does not be meaning I like cold veather, ja? Dat is yust common stereotype.”
“Well, I am from Southern Anagumayra, but I mind not the cold.”
“Good for you, ja! Let us see if de Gripfyyns are avake, eh?”
“Aye, I am certain they yearn to breakfast and fly off on the next leg of our journey.”
“Ja, and surely dey vill have better direction dan to yust keep going sout’vard.”
“Not all who wander are lost, my dear Jinnah. I shall acknowledge that I somewhat winged my journey to the north beyond Kaulilanunat.”
“Vy Kaulilanunat, ja? Someting important dere?”
Jaani told her about his relatives there. “We should check to see if the Gripfyyns have awakened.”
“Ja, let us check on dem.”
Jaani and Jinnah, once both clothed, went to the double doors connecting their chambers, opening their side and knocking on the other only the connecting room’s occupants could open.
“Coming!” they heard a male voice indicating faintly. After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal Monty, sober for a change. “Well, if it isn’t Johnny and Jenny! Good morning, you two!”
“Monty,” acknowledged Jaani, bothering not to correct the younger Grypfaan. “Shall we breakfast in this inn before we depart?”
“Sure, I could use a beer--I mean, milk! Just give us a few minutes, okay?”
“Very well,” agreed Jaani, Monty closing his chamber’s door and the otter Kyymaer his room’s door . “Ready, Jin?”
“Ja, we go.”
2
The two exited into the hallway, locking their chamber, with the Grypfyyns emerging from theirs and tagging along. Downstairs they went, entering the restaurant. At first, Jaani and Jinnah began heading to the bar counter, but Shirley brushed them, making them halt.
“Let’s sit at a table this time.”
“Fine by me,” agreed Jaani.
The party of five then occupied a vacant table, the ferret innkeeper Iljyuudo arriving and greeting, “Good morning for all of you!”
“Same to thee.”
“How are you all in this good day?”
“Vell, I suppose,” answered Jinnah.
“Some special plans there are for today?”
“We’ll be continuing our journey south,” Shirley noted, lighting her pipe and taking a few puffs.
“I shall not ask more. So then, can I begin you with something for drink?”
“Kapfeyh, if thou wouldst.”
“A good choosing,” noted the ferret, writing on his pad. “And for you, madam?”
“Kapfeyh as vell,” Jinnah ordered.
“Likewise,” Bill requested, his wife also wishing for the perking morning beverage.
“And for you, mister?”
“Beer,” Monty stated, though after his parents glared at him, he corrected, “I mean, Kapfeyh, yes, Kapfeyh, heh, heh.”
The ferret scribbled on his pad, afterward stating, “I will come back!”
Once the ferret had departed, Jaani faced the Grypfaan parents and asked, “So, Bill, Shirley, how shall we proceed this morning?”
“We go all the way south to Syuummba, the southernmost village in Ferrojya,” elaborated Shirley. “From there, we shall take a ship to Skwirlsha and continue our trip on land to Atturgraad, finishing our journey. Whichever countries we traverse throughout Skwirlsha and Anagumayra matter not, so long as they allow us passage.”
“Out of curiosity, how did you travel at first to Asyyrgraad, if you don’t mind me asking?” Bill wondered.
“I mind not to tell thee that. I traveled on land from Atturgraad to Erminaeya, and took a ship from there to Kaulilanunat, where my maternal relatives live...” Jaani then told of his travels northward. “’Twas a wonderful experience. What of Lady Jin, if thou mindset not my inquiry?”
“We would rather not elaborate on her true importance,” Shirley replied. “She’s of noble birth, however, so should you wish to wed her, you are more than welcome.”
“I am already betrothed,” the crown prince noted, “but ‘tis unrequited, and perhaps I can convince my lord father to break the engagement. My lady mother, on the other hand...”
“What of her?” wondered Bill.
“Nivlhyym hath no fury like my mother scorned.”
Monty laughed for a few seconds before proclaiming, “Ain’t that the truth!”
“But vould you really consider marrying me? Ve barely know vone anoder.”
“Well, thou art quite the beauty, and thou art not advanced in years... to speak of which, how old art thou, exactly?”
“It is impolite to ask a voman her age, you know!”
“Well, maybe for the young, but were we to wed, we would need to be open and honest with one another.”
“True, but everyone is entitled to deir own secrets. I am certain you have yours, so I vould appreciate if you respected mine.”
“Be that the case, the subject is closed.”
“Here is your Kapfeyhs!” Iljyuudo indicated as he brought the table’s occupants their beverages. “So, have you thought some what you will for breakfast?”
“Actually, no,” said Jaani as he promptly perused his menu. “Frankgallian toast with ant eggs and worm sausage.”
“Same, but vith beetle bacon instead of sausage,” Jinnah ordered.
“Fruit salad,” Shirley requested.
“Just waffles for me,” stated Bill.
The ferret eyed Monty, who busily nursed his Kapfeyh. “Oh? My turn? More Kapfeyh!”
“Good then,” the ferret noted, scribbling the orders on his pad. “We try get you served as soon as can be!”
After he left, Jinnah asked, “So, how is Atturgraad like?”
“’Tis a fairly urbanized kingdom, in fact the most populous among nations in Anagumayra.”
“Sort of like de twin cities, ja?”
“Aye, but not nearly of the same technological prowess.”
“Have you any siblings?”
Jaani mentioned his. “Jeof hath married into the royal family of Fauksvud, and Jeodi is set to wed into Nutriaham’s.”
“Typical marriages to expand regional influence, dey are.”
“Well, there ariseth talk that Anagumayra could one day be a united country.”
“Sounds like a good plan, should dey not be linguistically divided, ja?”
“Aye, most of the problems across Bystopfia stem from the lack of civilized communication.”
“But are they divided in terms of tongue?” Shirley injected.
“They more or less speak the same language, Anagumayran. Thou and Bill seem quite fluent in it as well.”
“That would stem from settlers from Aulvenheim sailing across the Ottalujya to explore Western Bystopia and spread their influence across the natives.”
“Aye, Atturgraad had done the same in its past.”
Then Iljyuudo came to the table with everyone’s meals. “Njót tín mat, everyone!”
“Takk fyri!” responded Jinnah, surprising everyone at the table except Monty, still preoccupied with his Kapfeyh, who shot her looks. “Vhat?”
“I start to like thee, now,” commented Jaani, beginning his meal, breakfast transpiring silently.
3
After the party checked out, Jaani had his roach and carriage ready to continue the journey across Ferrojya, Jinnah by his side on the driver’s seat. “Are we all ready?”
“Ja, very much so.”
“I’m definitely ready,” Bill indicated.
“We’ll see you at Syuummba,” Shirley noted, finding her pipe, igniting it, and taking a few puffs.
“And thou, Monty?”
“Damn right!”
“Let us depart, then.”
Jaani lashed his roach and departed the inn grounds onto the streets of Styyrvina. South they traveled as the Gripfyyns took to the skies, soaring in that direction before becoming indistinguishable. Endless wilderness then surrounded the carriage, the road curving south-southeastward, with the woods continuing for several minutes until they ended at a great mountain, where they entered a tunnel that curved leftward, a few Nibhaelunken drivers passing, occasional side passages leading towards their respective communities.
The tunnel emerged back into the woods of Ferrojya, which ran roughly west-southwestward. ultimately bordering another mountain chain curving in the same direction before rebounding in the previous direction. The highway turned due south onto a high bridge crossing a fjord with a few large and small vessels passing through its arches. The route descended back onto the land, continuing a few minutes, to a similar great bridge that again ended back on land. The following bridge was for longer, but the next stretch was lengthier as well.
As the highway curved, it encountered the silent settlement called Vikaarburg, which appeared to be a religious community, given the dominance of its church above the rest of town, which in turn seemed to serve as a gateway into a missionary. Few people were visible wandering this settlement, with those whom Jaani and Jinnah did see being nuns and monks.
As the highway turned east-northeastward, the seaside settlement of Hamstaarburg came, its inhabitants chiefly hamsters and other rodent beasts, although the dominant ferrets of the kingdom had a sizable presence here. A few waved at Jaani and Jinnah as they passed, the coastal road coming again, woods to the south, and sea to the north.
The coastal road curved roughly southward, going inland after a few minutes, the wilderness surrounding the travelers. Soon came the castle town of Kastphuul, its inhabitants mainly beavers, apparently skilled in construction, not just with wood but stone as well.
The highway ran almost due south back through the woods, an historical museum coming and going, after which came an intersecting road that took the travelers southeast.
4
The travelers could eventually glimpse a towering lighthouse, beyond which was a harbor unaccompanied by a town, although there were people that sought seaside journeys or were returning from overseas travel. They descended to one of the jetties, where other vehicles sought entry onto the various ships, and customers sought tickets for nautical journeys.
“Hallo there!” one of the dockworkers greeted. “How are you people doing in today?”
“Fair, I suppose,” replied Jaani.
“How can I be for service to you?”
“We would like to depart Ferrojya.”
“Leave Ferrojya? It is shame, because this country is peaceful! It will be sad to lose such fine people like you!”
“Ve are… actually not from dis country.”
“Oh? Then my mistake! From where are you, if you do not mind I ask?”
“That is unimportant now,” noted Jaani. “We simply seek passage to Baertaanjya.”
“Baertaanjya, ja? Well, we have a ship going there, it will leave when the hour turns.”
“Good to know. Whither in Baertaanjya, exactly?”
“The region Skwirlsha.”
“Close enough.”
“How many tickets it shall be?”
“How many of us canst thou glimpse?”
“Jaani, look at dat!”
Then the Gripfyyns appeared, with Bill and Shirley landing upon the carriage, but Monty missing and hitting the ground, rolling a few times before stopping on his back. Luckily, he appeared unfazed as he got up and brushed his tunic.
“So, five tickets it is, then?”
“Actually, I think three would be fine,” responded Shirley.
“Why three?” her husband wondered. “Is one of us going with them?”
“Yes, Monty. I don’t think flight across the sea would be safe for him. Over land, he at least has firm ground should he fall. He would just burden us over sea, and with his multitude of issues, drowning would be a significant risk for him. Besides, I’m sure Monty himself wouldn’t mind, would you, dear?”
“Nope! I could use some time by myself!”
“Perhaps thou wouldst need to share a cabin with us, but thou wouldst likely have some degree of autonomy during the daylight hours.”
“Sounds great to me, Johnny!”
“So, three tickets it is, then?”
“Ja, ve suppose,” noted Jinnah, reaching into her purse. “How much, den?”
“One hundred Kyrœnen for each ticket, so it comes three hundred.”
“Fair price, ja,” agreed Jinnah as she paid for the three tickets, handing one to Jaani and the other to Monty.
“Shall I take with me your carriage?”
Jaani descended from the driver’s seat, and Jinnah followed. “Thou mayest, good sir.”
“Be sure it will be in one piece when your travel is finished,” assured the sailor as he got onto the driver’s seat. After lashing the roach, he bid, “Góðan túr!”
The sailor transported the carriage to the ship Jaani, Jinnah, and Monty were to take, crossing a platform connecting the jetty with a large opening, through which he drove.
“So, I suppose this is where we part for now,” suggested Jaani to the Gripfyyn parents.
“Yes,” Shirley replied, puffing her pipe, then hugging him, Jinnah, and Monty. “Have a safe trip, everyone.”
“Many thanks,” bid Jaani.
“I’ll miss ya, Mom!” assured Monty, releasing his hug.
“Be sure to behave yourself during the trip,” Bill admonished his son, “though I am sure you are in good hands with these two.”
“Sure thing, Dad!”
“Well, then,” began Shirley, “see you all in Skwirlsha!”
5
After the Grypfaanen took to the skies, Jaani told Jinnah, “Time to depart, I suppose.”
“Vell, not until three Æklaak, but ve can settle on de ship in our cabin, ja.”
“A sound plan. Come with, Monty.”
“Hekh yeah! Can’t wait to see our cabin, Johnny!”
After receiving his ticket, Monty promptly dashed to the rope-railed wooden stairs leading onto the deck of the ship, whose name was the Havfresa. The sailor at the top of the stairs validated his ticket and passport, immediately heading into the vessel.
“He seemeth excited to depart,” suggested Jaani.
“He vants to hit de bar, odds are.”
“We had best give chase, then.”
Jaani and Jinnah headed to the stairs and climbed to the ship deck, where the sailor guard requested,
“Tickets and passports, if you please!”
The couple complied.
“Ah, same cabin as that glad young man just before now. Góðan túr!”
“To thee as well,” bid Jaani as he and Jinna wandered across the ship’s deck. “Shall we find our cabin, first?”
“You can do so. Monty I vill track down.”
“If thou canst. Hopefully it shan’t squander our time too much.”
Jaani and Jinnah then crossed the deck to the stairs leading below, after which they saw a pair of doors on the bow side, above which was a sign indicating that they led into the vessel’s restaurant. The former nodded and passed through them, assuming perhaps that Monty was at its bar, if it had one, inebriating himself. Now alone, Jaani continued to descend until he saw a sign indicative of the ship’s cabins, passing into the hall beyond the doors, where he found himself in another hallway with many doors on both sides. Eying his ticket, the prince sought the cabin with its respective number and encountered a sailor standing before the door.
“A good morning to thee, sir.”
“The same for you.”
“I believe this is our cabin, well, that of me and my companions, who are of course not with me now,” Jaani noted, showing his ticket.
The sailor presented him with the cabin key. “Here it goes for you! Góðan túr!”
“To thee also,” Jaani bid, the sailor departing.
6
The prince unlocked the door and entered, using matches at the entrance lantern to give light and finding the cabin well-furnished, with three beds that could each accompany one beast. Another door led into the bathroom, which was as well-furnished, and he noticed many of his carriage’s contents organized at the base of one bed, including his Asyyrjugent uniform, Kampfenhut and all.
Pondering in the cabin for a few minutes, knocks came at the door, Jaani stating, “I come!”
He headed to the entrance, opening it to reveal Jinnah, Monty in tow.
“Dost thou need any help getting him to one of the beds?”
“No, good I am.”
“Be thou alright, Monty?”
“Yep--hic! Just had a little too much to drink, that’s all.”
“Aye, it must be eleven Æklaak somewhere on Bystopfia.”
“My thoughts exactly--hic!”
Jinnah conveyed Monty to one of the beds, where he drifted into slumber. Facing Jaani, she assured, “Do not vorry, alvays at peace he is venever he sleeps.”
“Are not we all?”
“Drunk or no, he is qvite a dear.”
“I shall take thee at thy word.”
Jaani headed to the cabin’s sofa, with Jinnah ultimately joining him. She informed, “On ship, dis is my first time.”
“Art thou nervous?”
“Not at all… so long as ve can get avay safely, if it sink, should.”
“I could glimpse many lifeboats, should something of the sort occur.”
“A little reassuring, ja, but I just feel dat, vell, know I do not.”
“What dost thou truly fear?”
“Dat de vorld could be in danger, perhaps?”
“What maketh thee think as such?”
“De Zanktkoenig.”
“What of Him?”
“Since I left, he had been absent.”
“Well, I know His Holy Majesty probably hath work to do and needeth not distraction by affairs beyond Asyyrgraad.”
“Ja, but He vas not absent as much as in de days before vith you, I left.”
“I would inquire if thou hadst checked all throughout Vaelhæll, but I am certain ‘twould be far too massive for a proper individual search. Perhaps one of the palace guards, or thy parents?”
“Nothing dey knew.”
“Odd. Who are thy parents, anyway?”
“I shall remain silent of dat.”
“Very well. Hast thou any siblings? I believe I told thee of mine.
“I have… vell… had… several older brothers who are long deceased, but along de vay, maybe a younger sibling.”
“So I see. What dost thou for recreation? I enjoy an occasion spar with my lord father.”
“I am a more peaceful sort of voman, and like to read, write, and paint, among odder tings. Mind you, typical female roles, ja?”
“How didst thou overall enjoy life in Gladshyym? ‘Tis a majestic city, although I can comprehend why thou wouldst not yearn to remain there all thy life.”
“Vhich is vy I occasionally went into Zyyaeon. To do dere, plenny more tings. And, of course, I took trips outside de twin cities, you know, to see de rest of Asyyrgraad.”
“How dost thou enjoy the weather up north?”
“In de tvin cities, de veather stays comfortable, as I am sure you experienced, and de cold veather outside dem is bearable vith de right clothing, so I have no complaints about de climate.”
“Aye, I should have known. We experience the four seasons in Atturgraad fairly evenly. It raineth oft in springtime, the summer is comfortable, autumn is beautiful and cool, and winter is akin to that in thy fatherland outside the twin cities, albeit not nearly as intense.”
“Sounds like a good place. Beyond my home, I have not seen de seasons besides vinter.”
“Thou shalt be in for a treat, shouldst thou decide to stay in Atturgraad.”
“Somet’ing like veather to be a treat, odd you vould consider.”
“One could consider happy experiences to be a delight. Surely thou hast happy memories of thy youth in Asyyrgraad.”
“My youth is... insignificant.”
“Well, surely my family and I should know some base details about thy life before thou art pronounced a citizen of my country.”
“Vhen dey get dere, Uncle Bill and Aunt Shirley vill fill in your family.”
“What hast thou to hide, anyway?”
“I am of noble birth, and all you need to know, dat is, ja?”
“The subject shall be closed, then.”
7
Then the clock struck three, ringing melodiously to herald the arrival of the hour, mixed simultaneously with bells above that signified that the Havfresa was ready to leave. Thus, Jaani got up from the sofa and headed to the balcony doors, opening them to allow the cool breeze inside, making sure not to open them too wide out of respect for the room’s temperature, Jinnah, and the slumbering Monty.
The Grypfaan himself began to stir awake, stretching, yawning, and belching. “Damn, that feels better! So, what’s new?”
“The ship leaveth.”
“So, on to Baertaanjya, or whatever the Hekh it’s called?”
“Indeed. Come with, Monty. I am certain thou couldst use the fresh air.”
“Sure thing, Johnny, old boy!” Monty moved his legs beyond the bed surface, let them drop, and then tried to stand. When he seemed to stumble, Jaani caught him and straightened him. “Good save, bud!”
Jaani then led Monty through the balcony doors, closing them and turning to beyond the majesty of the seas, rife with many an ice chunk. Sternward he gazed, watching the Ferrojyan vessel leave its jetty and begin its trip to Baertaanjya. Monty leapt onto the railing and spread his wings, which made Jaani duck briefly. The prince extended an arm in case he lost balance, although the Grypfaan retracted his wings and dropped safely onto the balcony.
“Pretty damn gorgeous view, wouldn’t you say, Johnny?”
“At least for the wintertime. I am certain ‘twould seem more beautiful in other seasons.”
“Nah, spring, summer, autumn, winter--they’re all good in my book!”
“I suppose so...”
“Something wrong?”
“Jinnah, perhaps...”
“What about her, Johnny?”
“Just... who is she?”
“A fine young woman of noble birth, and a damn good and pretty one at that!”
“Aye, but she seemeth quiet about the details of her alleged nobility. Surely thou and thy parents would know more.”
“Well, Mom, Dad, and I are her protectors, and we can’t really be totally open about the specifics and all.”
“She must be truly important, then.”
“You could say that, yeah.”
“So I see. Dost thou love her?”
“Oh, yeah! We’ve been pretty damn close since Mom, Dad, and I moved up from Okamihaimu!”
“Be ye both... intimate, perhaps?”
“Jehu, no! I wouldn’t think about corrupting someone of her stature!”
“Thou dost have thy, well, issues, but thou art a gentleman in that regard.”
“Thanks! How do you feel about her?”
“She is a fine woman, even if she is rather enigmatic.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with that! We’ve all got our own mysteries! Hekh, even all of Bystopfia isn’t one-hundred-percent understood!”
“Well, there are many things in our world that are not meant to be understood, faith among them.”
“Ain’t that the truth! As for Jinnah, would you maybe, well, consider marrying her? She’s been in search of an eligible bachelor for the past cen... er, years, and you look like you’d fit that bill well!”
“I thank thee, but I am already betrothed to another woman, a noblewoman from Aethyyleia.”
“Do you... love her?”
“’Tis... complicated.”
“How so, exactly?”
“I... cannot say, but my lady mother is bent upon our arranged marriage.”
“What about your dad?”
“My lord father understandeth far more and would mind not were I to wed another.”
“And he’s your country’s king, ain’t he?”
“Indeed, but...”
“And is he the actual leader of your dynasty, the one genuinely in charge of Ottergrade, or whatever?”
“Aye, but... what art thou trying to tell me?”
“If your dad’s the most powerful person in your country, and your mom’s just his consort, it’s him you should be listening to, not your mom!”
“Mayhap, but my lady mother can be quite the tempest when one displeaseth her. My younger siblings had their marriages arranged by her as well, but they seem fairly content.”
“Really?”
“Though I have not spoken with them about their nuptials in some time. I last saw my sister earlier this year, and it occurred not then to inquire as to her marriage.”
“What about your brother?”
“Aye, my younger brother Jeof. I have not met him since he wed. We were never close as our lady mother constantly pitted us versus one another. My last memory of him was when I termed him spraint-headed, and we have not spoken since.”
“You really feel that way about your little brother?”
“Perhaps ‘twas the influence of my lady mother.”
“She really doesn’t sound like a pleasant woman, to be honest. Does she come from a tainted bloodline, or something?”
“Nay, dear Monty. She hath a younger sister who is far kinder and a brother who is of equal compassion.”
“Yeah, we don’t always have to be prisoners of our genes. We don’t get to choose our relatives, so it’s definitely dumb to love them blindly.”
“Dost thou love thy parents?”
“Of course! I mean, they’ve got their issues, but I’m not perfect, either! No one is! I can confess I’m not always the best son, so parents should definitely say they’re not untouchable in that regard, either!”
“Quite the truth.”
“Yep!” concurred Monty, who withdrew a flask from under his coat, uncorked it, and began to drink.”
“Is it not too early for that, Monty?”
“Hey, it’s eleven Æklaak somewhere in Bystopfia, isn’t it? You want a swig?”
“I suppose ‘twould hurt not. I have drunk before and can handle my liquor well.”
“There’s the spirit, Johnny!” lauded Monty as he handed Jaani the flask, from which he drank a smidgeon, afterward returning it to the Grypfaan.
“I feel... disoriented,” commented Jaani as he returned into the cabin, Monty enjoying larger swig from his flask.
“You okay?” asked Jinnah inside.
“Aye, though I think I shall rest a little,” Jaani replied, going to his bed and falling onto it, dozing off.
8
Hours later, Jaani opened his eyes, rubbing them and getting on his knees, noticing a tray with lobster as the main course. “How long slept I?”
“A little past seven Æklaak,” noted Jinnah. “Your lunch still has some heat left.”
“Ah, I thank thee,” lauded Jaani, digging in. Eying Monty’s bed, he stated, “He seemeth content at rest.”
“Luckily, he does not act like an angry drunk, so hard to see him through dis voyage, it vill not be.”
“We can only hope.” At that moment, thunder sounded. “Stormy weather seemeth to come.”
“Ja, dangerous, ve hope it is not.”
Jaani walked to the balcony doors, opening them and observing that the skies had begun to darken, intensifying with each passing second, many lightning sparks briefly lighting the clouds, their respective thunder audible after their disappearance. When the prince saw a few raindrops darken the wooden balcony railing and he felt a few on his hair, he promptly reentered the cabin and closed the doors, securing them.
“I imagine thou art not familiar with this kind of weather.”
“A first for me, dis vould be, ja.”
Jaani gazed at the doors and could hear the sound of precipitation louden with indicators of raindrops saturating the wood, a few leaking inside and starting to bedraggle the carpet.
“Thinkest thou we can weather this storm?”
“Not certain, I am.”
Suddenly came intense thunder accompanied by sharp light that made Jaani wince, during which he felt wooden splinters pelt him. Getting back up, he saw that the balcony doors shattered asunder, flames at the edges of the opening hole, the balcony itself almost totally obliterated.
“I... think we should evacuate,” suggested Jaani. “Monty, awaken!”
The Grypfaan stirred from his inebriated slumber. “Ugh... the Hekh’s going on?”
“Ve have to leave! Jaani and I can help you, if you are still not sober!”
Monty got off his bed, rubbed his eyes, and stretched his appendages. “Nah, I think I’m good now. Besides, I’ve got Ma’ajyyk, so if you guys need any protection from the lightning and such, I’ve got your backs!”
“Then let us away!” ordered Jaani, getting his basket of goods and heading to the cabin entrance.
9
The travelers headed into the hallway, where sailors and passengers were in a manic scramble to vacate the ship. As they began to traverse the hallway, the vessel began to sway, but they could maintain their balance. In the stairwell, they cautiously ascended to the deck, with the undulation of the doomed boat gradually intensifying, but clutching the railing partially helped them maintain their balance. Monty could also keep balance by spreading his wings, quickly and safely landing upon the platforms interrupting the ascending stairs. Along the way, the trio assisted other passengers that tripped and began to fall, adult and child alike, with Monty helping most here, the younglings easy for him to transport to level ground.
On the deck, the precipitation was especially intense, and fires aplenty blazed, the passengers and crew frantically scrambling in want of evacuation, with enough lifeboats on the port and starboard sides to vacate the doomed vessel. The volumes of lifeboats varied, with Jaani, Jinnah, and Monty approaching one large enough for three passengers, boarding it, the Grypfaan cutting the binding ropes to get it to plummet to the tumultuous seas below, greatly splashing but otherwise landing safely. While the undulating waters threatened to throw the lifeboat off balance, Monty spread his wings to provide stability, with Jaani and Jinnah using the oars to distance themselves from the sinking ship.
After a blinding flash came the deafening boom of a lightning strike, during which came a spherical illumination that extended a few Einmytren around the lifeboat that Jaani and Jinnah glimpses upon opening their eyes, seeming to emanate from Monty’s outstretched hands that shot the beams empowering the forcefield. The barrier significantly deafened the storm beyond, with the pitter-patter of rain providing a mesmerizing effect upon the protective field, given the radiance each contact of a raindrop provided. The water below appeared stable within the forcefield, with Jaani and Jinnah thankful they had an Aesfyyr on their side.
“For how much longer canst thou protect us, Monty?”
“I’ve still got plenty of juice left, Johnny, old boy!”
At that moment came another blinding flash accompanied by a deafening lightning bolt that struck the forcefield, making Jaani shut his eyes. He heard a scream from Monty, after which came the touch of feathers upon his head and a veil of darkness.
“Famous last vords...” Jaani could faintly hear Jinnah utter, and all fell totally dark and silent.