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Chapter 9

  "If it isn't Alexx Junder, the myth chaser." A red-headed woman approached him from the bar and announced his presence. The most that stood out about her was her tan skin, and tendency to walk barefoot.

  Alexx had known her before he became a captain. They were the same age, but she was already a leader when they met.

  "Sheila!" Alexx embraced her. "You're in town, and I forgot to get you some smokes."

  "You couldn't afford my kind anyway."

  "Don't be so sure about that-" he pulled Marcus Crowe's pistol from his pants, "How much will this get me?"

  Sheila took the gun and looked at it carefully.

  "This could fetch you your usual night at the tavern! Looks decorative."

  "You are keen as ever, slipped from the East Swordsman himself."

  "What have you been up to these last few days?"

  "I'll tell you, but for now- A feast is on me!"

  A bar full of pirates burst into delightful yells. The maids began handing out drinks, tobacco, and preparing meat in the kitchen.

  Alexx lit Sheila's stick of toby, "I didn't see your ship at the docks."

  "My ship is on the far coast, getting serviced. We ran against some Crusaders while stealing spices."

  "They weren't their spices, right?"

  "Actually, they were."

  "You crazy woman!"

  "Says the bilge dung who stole a Swordsman's pistol!"

  "How much did you score?"

  "Enough to make a full recovery and extra to employ some help. I'm going out in the next few days to gather timber. Are you and your crew interested?"

  "I'm interested!" a pirate walked up, stumbling. His alcohol was spilling everywhere.

  "Go back to sleep, Snooze," Alexx and Sheila said at the same time.

  "Okay," his eyes lulled, and he took a seat next to Alexx and laid his head down on the bar.

  "Anyway, how about it, Junder? 'Honest' work" she said in quotes.

  "Not this time. I'm on a job already."

  "You're hunting an imaginary treasure, you're always on the job. You need more money before your crew tosses you overboard."

  "That won't happen, the wait is almost over," Alexx smiled.

  Surprised, Sheila leaned in closer, "What have you found?"

  "Maybe something, maybe nothing. Remember the den of the sea serpent?"

  "It's the only reason we don't sail on the east side of Jimbardin." She said with an exhaustive tone, "And that trap took so many pirates, I'm amazed you got out."

  "I found something."

  "What is it?"

  "I found a bottle with some maps inside."

  "Maps are good friends of pirates. Where do they lead?"

  " To the old structure on the islands off the coasts of Lanrete."

  "The old structure... You mean, the Labyrinth?"

  "Aye." Alexx put a finger up to his lips. "The bottle was given to me by an apparition."

  "A ghost gave you a bottle... with maps?" She poured another drink.

  "An old man in nice robes and terrible wings!"

  Sheila gazed at him in disbelief but continued, "Even if that did happen, everyone already knows the way to the Labyrinth."

  "But not through it—"

  "And for good reason, there's something not right about that place. Not even the military goes into it, and odds are they've got plenty of maps."

  "And now I have some!"

  "Alexx don't do that, it's a bad idea. I don't like it."

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  "I've got no choice! I've searched just about everywhere!"

  "Do what you want, but I'm telling you I've got a bad feeling about that place. And if some ghost is really giving you maps, then y'er asking to be making deals with monsters. And even Snooze knows that no treasure is worth any curse or evil bargain. Even immortality."

  After a few hours of walking , the way through the forest had ended. The windmill stayed useful for keeping on track. As the trees gave way, Alexx was led to a small village. Scattered houses all crafted of wood, each with a chimney of stone. Candles illuminate the windows of each house, giving a warm glow across the streets. He likened it to the evening festivals of Shallow Ford; musicians playing their lutes, flutes, and drums while people danced in the dirty low lit streets. This village was without musicians and dancers alike, and the mood was anything but cheery. There was a diverse crowd of humans and Bacoots in the village, the huts were easily distinguished by the construction choices, and the height. All of the Bacoots had their huts partially underground, with four-foot circular doors.

  The late day was passing overhead. His time to get away would be ideal, if he can figure out how to stay out of captivity for that long. Every shop in the marketplace was winding down, and none of them seemed happy to see a pirate. At the outset of the market, they tied Alexx's hands to a wooden post. Once they were confident he wasn't escaping, they circled around him. Erym, and another man who was with them in the forest, stood up front.

  "You're going to stay out here tonight until we can get officials to take you away." Erym said, using a commanding tone.

  "Nothing like being chained up under the stars." Alexx imitated Erym's tone.

  No one said anything and most of them dispersed into the village. Alexx watches them all go about their evening, some returning to their families, or going to their friends for a small laugh, others still pointing at him and whispering. Erym and his friend stood by talking about the naked man that walked away, and mentioned having guards through the night. Alexx wanted out of the stocks, and tried to talk his way out of them.

  "So, you're the famous child of prophecy?" Alexx said, "From one liar to the other, how'd you convince these people?"

  "Are you trying to trick me by calling me a liar?"

  "That depends on whether you're telling the truth." Alexx said smugly.

  Erym approached him and spoke softly in front of his face.

  "I've known something about me was special all my life," Erym said, "I was meant for more than being a simple human in this small village, I was meant for greatness. Last night, something happened in the south. We had our scouts find out that a dark cloud had risen near the place where Senkazital was sealed. Everyone was beginning to panic and expect the worst. That's when I knew. I knew that my bravery to act and calm the people was just the beginning. Some were confused at first, but all night I've been leading a party of folk throughout the woods and we've been driving back Kagral that we didn't know was there. The timing of it all, my feelings, they're intertwined. And that is why I— not some stinky pirate— am the child of prophecy."

  Erym departed. Alexx sighed, he still didn't believe the kid. Timing, feelings and some pretty words aren't enough to be a hero. They can convince others easily, but heroism is about survival, and whoever lives long enough to tell a grand tale.

  Night stretched over the sky slowly. Alexx painfully watched it, having no plan of escape, and no resources. His head screamed from the lack of alcohol not in his system. He was given water, but they laughed at him when he asked politely for a hard drink. He didn't find it funny. When the village had turned out it's last light, Alexx closed his eyes as he laid back against the pole. He hoped the sleep would help ease the pain. He managed to grab a few nods, but the night chill and his head kept him awake.

  By morning he was still asleep when they checked up on him. They kicked his boot which stirred him awake, and the sun rays violently attacked his eyes. They mentioned no word about someone coming, so they left a bucket for him to relieve himself, as well as more water. When he asked for a drink they laughed at his misery and said drying out in the sun will do him some good. Alexx growled and tugged on his chains. Don't lose your cool he told himself as he felt his patience waning.

  The grueling hours of the day crawled. The heat from the sun didn't warm up the shadow he was stuck in. But as he was relieved from the shadow, the heat amplified his pain. The water he engulfed turned to sweat or urine. He began to wonder why he couldn't endure the sun, but he barely remembered that he was suffering through detox. His anguish wasn't well hidden, and the people would laugh at the smooth talking pirate, while others dangled their bottles around him. Alexx eventually collapsed from exhaustion mid day.

  He wasn't out for long. As he stirred, the sun seemed dim. The pain in his head was gone, and his whole body was refreshed. Alexx felt reinvigorated, and not so much desperate as he was, though he wouldn't turn one away. The village was quiet, and there was no one around. He looked, and no candles were lit in the houses yet. The market was empty of shoppers and buyers. Not a single guard could be found. Where had everyone gone?

  Just then Alexx could make out the sound of murmuring in the distance. As he looked around he finally noticed why the sun was dim. It wasn't by the moon, or a line of trees, but a large metallic object in the sky. Its presence was astounding and terrifying. Hovering just above the village, was the appearance of a vessel. It had no sails, and no wings. The bottom glowed with many green lights of various sizes. They were gems filled with wind magic, that much Alexx knew.

  The murmuring grew louder. Footsteps accompanied the noise as more murmuring was followed by a much louder voice. It was strong, deep, and the word choice was... archaic. Alexx felt a familiarity. The people of the village were coming back into view for Alexx, but they were all focused on staring at something else. Their faces were plastered with smiles and bright eyes. Then there was Erym, the happiest of them all. There was so much energy in his steps he seemed to be weightless. His eyes were puffy, but his smile stretched to both ears. He was bouncing about when he spotted Alexx. He rushed to him immediately, and began undoing his chains.

  "I'm glad you're finally coming around to me!" Alexx said.

  Erym laughed at his joke, "You are hilarious!" He laughed again, sincerely, as if that was the best joke he had ever heard.

  "Glad we both agree," Alexx said trying to regain his old composure, "Thanks for setting me free, and the room and board. I'll be sure to come back and visit!"

  Erym laughed just as heartily, but held Alexx by the arm,"Don't be silly! There's no reason to go! We're all having a great time now!"

  Alexx scoffed, "I could tell by all the merriment everyone threw in my face earlier today." He still remembered everyone teasing him while his head was tossing about in the heat.

  "We are deeply sorry for that," Erym said soberly, his demeanor quickly transforming, "We shouldn't have treated anyone that way, criminal or otherwise. We've seen the error of our ways. I hope you can forgive us!"

  Alexx was shocked, "Wow! I think I can if you give me what you guys are taking."

  "Of course! Come here!" Erym pulled him along and together they walked into the crowd. Around the corner, Alexx saw a large individual he hadn't seen at the village yet. Upon recognizing his face, however, he stopped dead in his tracks. The tall man was softly laughing, and gently touching the people close to him like they were his closest family. His smile was contagious, his long hair clean, straight and tied with golden strands. His clothes were pristine, and made from fresh, expensive materials.

  He looked at Alexx and his smile changed from wild, to caring as he said, "Hello Alexx Junder."

  Alexx gulped, and shook before he uttered the name, "Senkazital."

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