The Misfits of Dametreos

Chapter 13: A Loss

       Barbod grinned at the Wolfpack leader and turned to the bow of the ship. He yanked the arrow out of his injured lag and threw it into the water.
       “Sailing calms a man,” said Willem, smiling.
       “Sure enough,” Barbod began, “But the sea is the home to an enemy of ours, the pirates.”
       As the ruined Crusader harbor shrank into the distance Barbod strode to the side of Drakko.
       “What exactly lies in your past, young Falcon?” Barbod asked, patting him on the back.
       “I don't know. I was too young when my family perished. But I intend to find out. Hopefully this quest will provide me with some answers,” Drakko answered.
       Suddenly, Shadow whinnied in pain and collapsed to the deck.
       “I don’t think he’s going to make it, Drakko. I'm sorry. My potions are not powerful enough to save your horse,” Reno said sadly.
       “I know,” answered Drakko, as Shadow breathed his last.
       In order to lighten the load on the ship, they decided to throw the carcass into the sea.
       “Goodbye my friend,” murmured Drakko, looking on as the carcass sank into the sea.

       The group of misfits gathered in the captain's cabin.
       “It is not only my brother who I am looking for... it's his pendant.” Reno said, slowly and carefully, “An old and very wise wizard, named Daner Pluto once created two magical Pendants. He could not get the magical elements himself so he sent an enthusiastic young Knight named Repsac Neverroads out to gain these elements...Repsac came back after seventeen years, wounded and dying, but he had completed his quest. Alas, the night he came back from his quest, he died.”
       “Now, nobody knows about these pendants, and why and how they were created, but my mother gave my brother and myself them and told us to guard them with our life. When I find my brother we must go find this Daner, if he is still alive, and find out about them and why they are so important…” Reno finished, breathing deeply.

       Later that day, Bjarn was at the helm. So I was right, he thought with a touch of smugness, The pendant is magic. That makes things more difficult.
       Drakko joined Bjarn. “Hi Bjarn.”
       Bjarn nodded and smiled. “‘Lo, Drakko. Anything of interest happening below?”
       Drakko shook his head. “No, Reno and Willem are studying the charts and Barbod is checking out the food supply.”
       Bjarn moved away from the helm and pushed Drakko toward it. “I have to go to the head, just keep the ship due south until I come back.”
       Drakko sighed. “Right. Okay.”

       Instead of going amidships to the head, Bjarn went into the captain's quarters where Reno and Willem were bent over a map. Without introduction, Bjarn said, “Lads, there's something wrong with Drakko. He hasn't smiled properly since we boarded the ship. Any ideas on cheering him up?”
       Willem nodded. “Barbod had an idea. He thinks we should name this ship Shadow in honor of Drakko's horse.”
       Reno went to a shelf and withdrew a can of paint. “I'll drop over the side when you four are eating and paint on the name Shadow on the ship. Then you can reveal it to him.”
       Bjarn smiled in agreement. “Right, I'll fetch him right now for a bite to eat!”

       Bjarn took the plate from Willem and inched to the helm. Drakko was standing there, staring out into the sea.
       “You alright mate?” Bjarn asked Drakko.
       “Aye, I will be fine,” Drakko replied, trying to avoid eye contact.
       “Have a bite to eat, it will do you well.”
       Bjarn steered the reluctant Drakko toward the captain's quarters and entered. Barbod and Willem welcomed them and they all ate, not mentioning where Reno was. Drakko did not eat much.
       Suddenly, Reno burst into the room crying, “Hey Drakko, check this out!”
       They all ran to the rear of the ship and lean over the side. Painted hastily on to the woodwork was the name Shadow.
       Drakko knew his friends were trying to cheer him up. Although he was deeply saddened by the death of Shadow, he knew that he must carry on. He was pleased to see that the ship was named after Shadow. He hope that this ship will serve the group well just as Shadow had.
       “That's really nice of you guys...really…” Drakko said slowly. He turned away just as a tear trickled down his face. After a moment he said "I will be alright, my friends.”
       “Are you sure?” asked Reno
       “If you need any help, just tell me.” said Bjarn.
       “You can count on me also.” added Barbod.
       “Me too.” finished Willem.
       “Thank you, my friends. Let us carry on with our journey,” replied Drakko, smiling.

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