[PK] Setting Sail

[Sir Trooper 82]

Setting Sail

 

It was a chilly and stormy night, the wind was whipping against Pharon Adiler's face and tugging on his clothing, blowing in the opposite direction he was walking as if urging him to turn back. Despite this, he had to finish loading his boat with only a few more boxes left to put on before he could set sail. As lightning flashed in the sky, he finally loaded up the last of the crates and returned to his tent, which was set up in the trees at the edge of the beach.

 

This would be the last night of sleep he had on solid land for who knows how long. So he made sure not to take it for granted. As he slept, a strange noise awakened him. Peering out of his tent, Pharon noticed three figures rummaging around his boat. He grabbed his sword and stepped out.

As lightning illuminated the beach, Pharon could easily see these three men were bandits. He called out to them telling them to leave but they simply laughed amongst each other before approaching Pharon with weapons drawn.

 

The group of bandits attacked but seemed to lack any real skill in combat. However, they outnumbered Pharon. Swords clashed in the pouring rain and the howling wind, a fierce battle breaking out.

 

Pharon's skill with a sword was evident as he swiftly dispatched one of the bandits, driving his blade into the foe's chest with precision. As he withdrew his weapon, he parried a strike from another one of the bandits, delivering a forceful kick that sent the attacker staggering backward. Yet amidst the chaos of the fight, a sudden, searing pain pierced Pharon's chest. His gaze dropped to see a blade sticking through him, a cruel realization dawning upon him. Time seemed to slow down, each moment elongated as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of his situation. As the blade was pulled from his chest, he was sent crashing to the ground.

 

The rain continued to pour, and the bandits continued the looting of Pharon’s boat. As the high elf lay on the ground, the sand around him turned red and his struggling began to cease.

Had he worm his armor, he might have survived. Perhaps he could have embarked on his voyage. Perhaps he could have written to his mal'onn and malii'malonn as he had sworn to. But alas, here he lay upon blood-soaked sand. Pharon slowly turned his head to look at the sky. There was a break in the clouds above him, revealing the stars. As he began to slip into darkness, the smell of blood and salt faded.

 

An image of a three eyed wolf that had been haunting his dreams flashed in his head. It was something he couldn't clear from his mind. And it stared at him as he died on the beach.

 

[MockingbirdArt 582]

Xavier went on a trip to gather up some herbs; however, he didn't expect to come across the sight that would turn life around for him. There on the beachside was not only a dead bandit but his brother as well; it was as if time stood still as panic ran through Xavier's body. He took a small step forward that changed into a sprint toward where Pharon lay. Xavier fell to his knees beside his brother's lifeless body and checked for a pulse as a last spark of hope that snuffled out as quickly as it came. "No, no, no. Why did I let you leave without me? I should have come with you." 

Guilt, pain, anger, and sadness 
It all hit Xavier at once as he wept next to Pharon's body. The last words he spoke to his brother echoed in his mind.

"Stars guide you, Pharon, wherever you may go."