The Scholar Captain
Saefinn woke with an aching sensation around his neck from sleeping on a couple of sacks atop Wolves' Den. His crew were nowhere to be seen, it gave him time to reflect upon the events prior. He walked over to one of the tables, grabbed the nearest bottle he could find, sniffed it, rum, he knocked it back, letting the warm alcohol trickle down his throat. He smiled, which at first felt strange, but it was right. His crew had too much faith in their good captain, in truth he let them down, by turning himself, really, what the seven hells was he thinking? He's just gone and fucked things up, the crew was no safer with Saefinn hanging by the noose, that Crycreed was a persistent bastard, could the admiral really call somebody like him off? It was apparent he didn't bow to the Maelstrom, he had his own motives, the truth was, his crew would have been worse off without their captain, no wonder Ace was so pissed at him. Saefinn rubbed his nose instinctively, although he had healed it the night before after Rose head-butted him. Really, he deserved it.
Saefinn's linkpearl rang and he put his finger to it, “Saefinn, it's Steinn.†His Roegadyn friend said over the shell, “Good to have ya back.â€
Saefinn wasn't quite sure what to say, should he apologise? Right, like Steinn would accept an apology? The bastard doesn't like all that soppy shite. “Aye, cheers Steinn . I hear you were a big help, hope I didn't fuck things up royally?â€
“Gwahaha, well, look at it this way, I no longer owe you. But nah, we recovered all right. Those Ala Mhigans are a bunch of crazy bastards. I'm so glad you hooked me up wi'them. I think you fucked it up royally with your crew. I take it that Rose slugged ya?â€
Rubbing his nose again, “Yeah, the old Mhigan kiss.â€
“Gwahaha, she's one of a kind, you don't wanna lose crew-mates like her. Anyway, all the Ala Mhigans are safely back home. Had to make a formal apology to some Storm Commander, pay a ransom just to free the bastards.â€
“Ha ha,†Saefinn laughed, “well, good you got my back, eh?â€
“Just don't do anything stupid again, ya hear?â€
“Right,†Saefinn nodded, “I'm sure the crew'd hang me up by my balls should I pull any shit like that again.â€
“Aye, an' me supplying the rope.†Steinn chuckled, “But that's not why I'm bugging ya. I got some information for you.â€
“I'm listening,†Saefinn's ears perked up.
“Remember Alka Zolka?â€
“Of course, how could I forget? He helped me become the healer I am.â€
“Aye, well. He met some of my Ala Mhigans – before the big commotion to break you. He wanted some muscle to get a grimoire from Wanderers' Palace. Something about the ancient Scholars of Nym. He says he's been meaning to do an archaeological survey of the place or something, but it being too dangerous. I've sent a couple of guys to meet Zolka by the ferry to the palace, think you can lead the exhibition? Zolka's paying good money and maybe that damn faerie o'yours will remember something useful about the Nymians.â€
“I'll make my way there, thanks for tip.†Saefinn made his way downstairs, passing a few empty bottles, wondering how many were S'ahnu's, concerned he may have overdone it. The poor lad, it seemed he wasn't used to the idea of killing, Saefinn felt sorry for him, he should never have been pushed into it – yes, it is sometimes inevitable in their line of work, but he didn't want to force his crew into something they didn't want to do, like his old captain did with him, pistol to his head. Yet, he forced Rose into acting captain, put his crew into a difficult and dangerous position. But he promised he wouldn't dwell on it, it was dwelling on the past that made him turn himself in the first place.
Arriving at the ferry in Upper La Noscea, Saefinn met with Alka Zolka, a short ginger Lalafell Marauder with his hair tied in bun, beside him were two gruff Ala Mhigans, complete with mighty beards and braided hair. One of the Ala Mhigans gripped firmly to his lance and the other carried a pair of hora. “Saefinn, glad you could join us.†The Lalafell smiled, “Suppose good to have a Scholar to help.â€
“I suppose so.†Saefinn nodded as he lowered himself onto the ferry.
The ferryman took the party across to a large crumbling ruins in the lake, the Wanderers' Palace, as they pulled up the noticed a Tonberry stood waiting, blade in hand. “Be carefulâ€, Zolka warned, holding onto his axe. The Tonberry did nothing, it just stood there looking at Saefinn. “Sssss,†the Tonberry before making its approach.
“Stay back†Zolka shouted as he raised his axe and launched himself at the Tonberry, killing it one fell swing. Saefinn's heart jumped. From the Tonberry a small flame raised, it's rancor. Saefinn was reminded of his first encounter with a Tonberry, only just prior to his imprisonment. It was just like any other fiend, he was ready to cast ruin with his faerie, Asaros, by his side. He started powering the spell. “Ppp...please,†the Tonberry spoke, Saefinn dropped his energy, interrupting himself.
“What?†Saefinn jolted, the Tonberry dropped its knife.
“Fff...†the Tonborry pointed to Asarosa, who was hovering above Saefinn's right shoulder, “Nnnnym.â€
“She's from Nym, that's right,†Saefinn almost felt like he was talking to a child. He could see that the Tonberry meant him no harm, he walked over to it and it...or rather she, only wanted to talk. She explained who she was and shared with Saefinn the unfortunate downfall of the ancient city of Nym. The Tonberry explained she once trained with the Scholars of Nym, she gave her name, Falfa. She was wrought with woe, she knew her brothers and sisters, but they surely did not speak as she did, it was as though all the other Tonberries were tied down by a burning anger, like an affliction but carrying an ancient grudge. She seemed to be the only one with her mind in tact and for her it was a curse. She could not bear seeing adventurers cut down her brothers and sisters, yet she knew there was no other way. They should have died a long time ago. She was thankful of Saefinn, that he would surely listen.
“Why don't you join me on my crew?†Saefinn suggested.
Falfa shook her head, “mmmy place is...here. Besides, lllllook at me. To your people, I am a mmmmmonster.â€
“Falfa,†Asarosa spoke, for her it was a rarity. Like Falfa she was a remnant of a former civilization, for her, there was no normality to the world, she prefered to take everything in learn what she could as she accompanied Saefinn on his journey. The tone in her voice, it was as though she spoke to an old friend, “We will come visit you. Please, I want to see my home again.â€
Saefinn nodded and Falfa retreated. He felt pity, he turned to Asarosa, “So, you've finally spoke up.†She did not respond, she didn't appreciate the manner in which he spoke, yet grateful for his kindness to Falfa. Her gut wrenched seeing Falfa walk away, her head facing the ground. It was true, she was cursed, yet, there was no amount of Nymian magic that could save her. But Falfa returned to Saefinn, holding an item, “a..a..a gift,†she stuttered as she held out an ancient gown to the captain, “Please, you've earned your nnnname as Scholar.â€
He thanked her. Once again, the Tonberry retreated. The title ringed in his ear, Scholar, he never thought he'd even become one. All his time spent reading at sea, his studies with the Arcanist guild, when the Lalafell who saved him gave him hope that it was a goal he could one day achieve, he thought she was being facetious, giving him some false sense of optimism to stop him from wallowing in self-pity. He was by that point a broken man, it seemed she wasn't only humouring him to get him to snap out of it. Who'd have thought it would have had weight? “The Scholar Captain.†He muttered to himself, he could get used to the idea.
It pained Saefinn to enter the Palace with the knowledge he had, but he was not the only one. Zolka knew, it was his job to know. The Tonberries were fiends just as many Sylvan were, no other hope than an early grave, perhaps that why Zolka felt no guilt.
Zolka led the way into the palace, the flame followed. He scouted around the ruins, looking for a sign, a hint, some record to help tell the story of these ancient Nymians.
“Ahah!†He exclaimed reading some carvings on a tablet, “Looks like if we just carry down this corridor we should find an ancient library, we're bound to find grimoires there.â€
Saefinn nodded, remaining quiet as he followed Zolka, as they reached the corner they stopped. A giant Tonberry stood holding a dagger. It caught sight of the flame that followed them and it enraged, swiping at Zolka. Zolka deflected the blows and one of the Ala Mhigans charged at the Tonberry and Saefinn erected a barrier around his party. The Tonberry stood mesmerised, just as Zolka was about to strike Saefinn pushed him out of the way, “don't!†he screamed. The Tonberry returned its focus and went to strike Saefinn and there was a sudden burst of energy, blinding the Tonberry, it staggered back. A faerie with an orange colour aura and pink wings appeared, it met with Asarosa and they greeted one and another.
“Asaviola!†Asarosa cried.
From behind the Tonberry came a familiar face, Falfa, as the other Tonberry writhed Falfa placed her hands on it, “stay calm,†she uttered. She looked to the two faeries talking in unison “I aaam glad they have reunited.†Underneath her arm she held a grimoire.
“The Grimoire!†Zolka shouted, “Right there.â€
Falfa spoke again, “This is wwwwhat you came for?â€
Saefinn nodded and she held out the grimoire, “I am sorry,†she sighed, “I cannot lllllet you have it.â€
“But...†Zolka protested, Saefinn raised his hand, “Right...then at least let me stay. I want to learn everything I can about the Nymians.â€
Falfa nodded and she looked to Saefinn, “Good to see you again. Now, Lalafell, cccccome.†She turned her back away as she led Zolka with her into the library.
“We must go,†Asarosa danced, “please...take my sister with you. She can help you. I haven't seen her for so long.â€
The Ala Mhigans grumbled to themselves, but Saefinn couldn't quite make it out, but he was certain it was a his expense.
“All right. If anybody asks, you're my wenches.†He laughed, again, Asarosa didn't appreciate the captain's manner, but she followed him regardless. She longed for a part of herself that died with her civilization, the captain was the embodiment of it and it gave her purpose, though she didn't quite approve of the captain, but she took comfort in what was familiar to her and at least now she had her sister, perhaps she would stop her from going insane.
“I fancy a drink,†Saefinn uttered, “you lads up for it?†he turned to the Ala Mhigans. They shrugged, “sorry, Steinn would have our nutsacks for drinking on the job. Zolka might need us sober.â€
“Suit yourselves,†he laughed as he made his way back to the ferry. He was fortunate in that he did not have to go far to find a tavern.
The Scholar Captain