Chapter 20

Nothing like being spattered by a monstrous rainfall. Droplets exploded and showered Avera as a massive creature propelled itself from the hole in the center of the lake.

Avera dumbly gaped. In her defense, she’d never seen such a thing. Wormlike in appearance, the body was a very pale gray, wrinkled, and slimy looking. The creature had several milky eyes set on the side of what might have been its head, not that its body had any distinguishing parts. Not even a mouth that she could see.

It hovered upright and remained still. Was it dangerous? Rather than find out, Avera decided to end her partial bath.

Splash. Splash.

Her motion in the direction of shore galvanized the lake worm. It flopped over, slamming her with a wave of water. The impact sent Avera to her knees.

“Get up and move,” Gustav shouted.

“I’m trying,” Avera huffed as she pushed to her feet and whipped back her wet hair. She might have made it to shore if not for the tentacle wrapped around her lower legs, yanking her down.

She ended up underwater, lungs tight since she’d not managed a breath. The appendage proved strong. It lifted her into the air and she gaped in horror as a spot between some of the monster’s eyes split into a mouth big enough to swallow her whole.

So much for her quest. She was about to be eaten by a giant worm before even making it out of the mountain.

The thought had her mentally slapping herself. No dying, not today at least, and not so ignobly. She reached for her dagger and as the worm released its grasp, Avera wrapped her fingers around the hilt. As she plummeted into the dark hole of its maw, she struck, the tip of her blade catching the flesh of its lip, if it had one. She dangled, holding on tight lest she drop into its belly. The thing shivered at the injury, but the pinprick barely bled.

“Avera!”

Gustav screamed for her, but she didn’t have the breath to reply. She huffed as she kicked her feet, seeking purchase to?—

Not climb out, apparently, seeing as how the mouth shut, sealing her in darkness. A nightmare she could have never imagined.

The body around her undulated, almost dislodging her. It occurred to her as the monster slithered back to its underwater hole that she couldn’t let that happen, but how to escape?

Her blood obviously didn’t protect her from this threat. Her dagger was too small to cut a hole. What option did that leave her?

The worm paused its escape, most likely because Gustav had engaged it. Could he hack it to death in time to save her?

It struck her then that her dagger wasn’t an ordinary one. The weapon was still so new she’d forgotten what it could do. With a slight press, the blade extended, and the monster shuddered as the weapon not only went deeper through flesh but began slicing. Slicing a little too well. The weight of her body dragged the sharp edge down, not a good thing since she began sliding down the monster’s gullet.

In better news, the mouth opened as the creature exhaled what might have been a cry of agony. The fetid air it expelled certainly indicated it. Being able to see again, Avera noticed nodules on the inside of its throat. Her left foot slid over a slimy bump, but her right foot caught, and she stopped her descent. Her other foot found purchase, her toes gripping slimy flesh, and she stood, took a deep breath, pulled her sword, and planted it higher up. This time, she carefully put only a little weight on it, minimizing the tearing, using it more to brace her climb.

The worm shuddered and thrashed, almost dislodging her. Avera flattened herself to its slimy throat and held on. It flopped and Avera found herself falling, but not down to its belly. It had gone sideways, meaning she stood just inside its mouth.

Gustav appeared in the opening. “Quickly now. It’s sliding into the hole.”

The very idea of being dragged with it had her attempting to run, but the squishy flesh made it hard to keep her feet. It didn’t help that water poured in from the lake, tugging at her ankles as it filled the beast, making it heavier. Pulling it down.

Gustav reached for her, and she clasped his hand, gasping as he yanked her from the worm’s mouth, the force rough enough they both fell in the water.

“Are you okay?” Josslyn cried out.

Avera sat up, blinking through wet lashes in time to see the worm’s body slide out of sight. A moment later the lake stilled.

Gustav held out a hand to help her up. “That was unexpected.”

“You don’t say,” was her dry reply.

“Guess that thing explains why there’s no bones. Swallows its dinner whole.” His next unneeded remark.

“You are just a fount of positivity,” she grumbled.

“Is this a bad time to say you smell bad and look worse?” Gustav arched a brow.

Avera glared and then, despite the recent trauma, sat in the water and splashed around to remove some of the slime.

Gustav shook his head as he slogged to shore. “When you’re done playing, let’s pack up and get moving.”

“So much for getting a few hours to rest,” Avera said with a sigh as she slogged her way out of the water.

“Sorry, but we can’t be sure there’s not another.” Gustav shrugged apologetically.

Josslyn wrung her hands. “Oh my, that was terrifying. I thought you were going to be worm food.”

“So did I.” Avera spoke woodenly as shock set in. She’d almost become a monster’s dinner. How she missed her room, her quiet life, being a nobody. What she wouldn’t give to be in her storage closet workshop taking apart a Verlorian artifact.

“Let’s get you out of those wet things,” Josslyn ordered.

“I didn’t bring a full extra outfit,” Avera admitted. She’d loaded her bag with mostly food and only packed a single sweater and pair of socks. She’d assumed they’d have to return to Herder’s Respite after they visited the mountain.

“I did,” Josslyn declared. From her pack she pulled a pair of dry britches, a shirt, and even a heavy coat.

They trudged from the cave, tired and subdued until Josslyn quietly murmured, “Did Opal not warn you about the lake creature?”

“No. Perhaps she didn’t know.” After all, Opal claimed to have never used the tunnels. Still, a thing that size had obviously been there a while. What other things had she not warned them about?

Nothing. At least nothing they encountered. Turned out the spiders and rats were only a minor nuisance, larger than the regular variety, but easily dispatched. Even Josslyn killed a few eight-legged critters, screaming all the while, but still stomping. The rats proved easier to distract. Once they’d sliced a few, the rodents turned on the injured and dead to feed. Gross, but it let them continue their journey with only short rests. After what seemed like days—and might have been, since they lost track of time—Gustav said, “I smell the ocean.”

Soon they no longer needed the torch as they could see daylight peeking from an opening at the top of a wide sloping ramp. While the ceiling proved high enough, the loose stones underfoot on the sharp incline meant they still couldn’t ride. No one wanted to risk injuring the horses. Instead, they heaved and huffed their way up, emerging on a ledge high up the mountain with a view of the ocean, a dark blue with slight white swells that stretched as far as she could see, but more important?—

“Seaserpent Bay!” Josslyn squealed while pointing. “We made it.”

Not quite, they still had to find a way to descend the mountain without breaking their necks. No clear path existed, and while a goat might have found it easy, they had horses that required them to go on foot and traverse it painstakingly slowly. It meant Avera had much time to observe the many docks—and their lack of usable vessels.

She might not know much about ships, but the fact the largest had sunk—its deck partially submerged, and its masts snapped—seemed a good indicator it wouldn’t be fit for a voyage. Of those that floated, their size seemed adequate for a day of fishing but not to travel any sort of distance. How would she get to Verlora? Of all the things she’d expected, not having a usable boat had never occurred to her.

Once they reached the base of the Spire, and a gentler slope where they could finally mount their horses, Josslyn wasn’t the only one to sigh in relief. Finally, their feet would get some rest. While Gustav grumbled about riding bareback, Avera had no issue. Those times she’d snuck out and ridden astride now came in handy. She had to wonder if Josslyn used to do the same as she cantered with ease.

As they rode towards the port, Avera murmured to Gustav, “I don’t see a ship capable of a voyage to Verlora.” Which she should have expected given she’d read the ledgers. But why would Opal send them here if she couldn’t find a ship?

“Traffic in this bay ain’t what it used to be.”

“What am I supposed to do?” In Horizon’s End, the other Daervian port, the docks were always teeming with vessels, but she couldn’t exactly show her face there.

“If you’re still intent on that madness, then wait. Something will come along. Most likely pirates, but we’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

Wait? After their rush to get here, it felt like just another obstacle in her path.

Avera had to remind herself that in the stories she’d read and heard growing up, quests were never easy. Adversity had to be faced. Avera could handle that. Had thus far. But she couldn’t exactly conjure a ship out of nothing. Which led to her next reminder: how would she pay for passage?

Despite their ragged appearance, they didn’t appear to draw notice as they rode into the large town. It helped only a handful of people were out and about. A few cast them a quick glance but didn’t question their presence probably because Avera and her companions fit in with their ill-fitting and filthy clothes. Even the horses looked worse for wear.

In some respects, the vacant streets and shuttered buildings of Seaserpent Bay’s reminded her of Herder’s Respite, only the people here weren’t afraid or missing, just downtrodden.

The lack of commerce had led to the once thriving city’s decline. Entire buildings had been abandoned, their windows boarded over, their exteriors unkempt. People had moved away, and those that remained appeared suspicious of the strangers arriving in their midst and cast them side-eyes. But at least none of them screamed and pointed at Avera in recognition.

Josslyn murmured, “Why does anyone stay? It’s obvious there’s nothing here for them.”

“Because it’s their home,” was Avera’s soft reply. “And where would they go?” Families tended to stick to the areas they knew.

“I see an inn ahead of us that still looks to be in business.” Gustav pointed.

Named the Serpent’s Shanty, the sign had long lost its luster, the snake under its name partially peeled and the paint beaten off by time and weather. As they entered, the few patrons sitting around nursing ales turned to look and stare.

The barkeep gaped, his jaw dropping low enough his beard tickled his protruding belly. It would seem visitors weren’t common.

Gustav strode to the bar. “Afternoon.”

“Hello, sir. How can I help you?”

“Looking for some rooms for me and my daughters as well as stalls for the horses. Also, a meal and ale. A great big tankard of it.”

“Of course,” blustered the man. “If you don’t mind me asking, though, what brings you here?”

“We’re looking for a ship.” Avera joined Gustav. “One that can preferably take horses.”

“Ain’t many of those anymore,” replied the man behind the counter as he placed a large mug under a tap. “Where you looking to go?”

“Verlora.” Avera stated it quietly and yet the word rang out.

A dead silence filled the room.

The man stared at her before blurting, “Are ye mad?”

“I have business there,” Avera muttered.

“You do know the continent went dark a few decades ago? No one goes there because no one returns.”

“Or no one is admitting it,” Gustav drawled. “Treasure seekers don’t like others horning in.”

“Could be. But that said, you won’t find anyone willing to take you.” The barkeep sounded sure.

“They’ll be soundly rewarded,” Gustav stated, making Avera wonder with what. They had barely any coin on them, their sudden departure from the capital not giving them time to prepare.

“Can’t spend it if you’re dead,” the barkeep flatly replied.

“Guess that decision will be up to the captain. Now about those rooms…”

No surprise, they had their pick. The inn had no one staying at it and, according to Korr—the owner and barkeep—it only remained open because they offered spirits and meals. Tastier food than expected. Avera devoured the spicy fish stew which she sopped up with fresh, crusty bread.

A full belly did much to improve her mood as did the thick straw mattress on the bed. Avera quickly fell asleep, deeply and soundly. With nothing to do, she made up for her lack of rest over the next week. The town didn’t take long to explore, the mostly empty buildings not yielding any treasures to keep her occupied. The few books left behind by those who vacated dull tomes about fishing and sailing. Everything of value, including Verlorian artifacts, had been sold or taken by those who relocated.

The lack of anything to keep Avera’s mind occupied meant she dwelled too much on her hopeless situation. It appeared as if her quest would end in Seaserpent’s Bay without ever having a chance to even begin. The barkeep hadn’t lied when he said the port didn’t see much traffic.

Every day Avera, who went by the name of Olive if anyone asked, walked to the docks to see if any ships had arrived. Nothing but fishing vessels. Speaking to some of the locals, she found out that Korr hadn’t exaggerated. Only rarely did seafaring ships visit. Losing Verlora as a trading partner on this side of the continent had been devastating as the smaller isles didn’t do much outside commerce. But the pirates on Saarpira did. According to the folks she conversed with, they visited sporadically with their stolen goods, preferring the laxness of Seaserpent Bay to the busier port at Horizon’s End.

In their effort to avoid being arrested for their lawless nature, the pirates didn’t give advance notice as to when they’d visit, however, Korr seemed to think it would be soon since it had been a while since they’d last traded. Much as she’d hate to encourage their lawlessness, Avera might not have a choice but to barter with the pirates for passage.

If one of their ships ever arrived.

It wasn’t until their eighth day that a sizeable vessel sailed into the port. Her elation lasted only a moment though as at the very same moment, some knights trotted into the city too.