Ch24: Epilogue

A figure stood under a pavilion just off the pier. She had a wide hooded cloak covering her from the cold and wind from the North Sea. As she watched the dock workers load and unload ships. The mass of food and material that entered this port seemed astounding to her.

She had no money to book a passage out of Stormhome, even if she did, she did not know where to go, or what to do.

‘Life was simple before. Here I am at the beginning of nothing, facing the end of everything.’ She thought bleakly.

A sudden ocean swell pushed a plume of ice water into the air just outside the pier. The wave of mist showered over her. She remained unmoved.

‘If I just had the courage to walk off the pier.’ A tear fell from her eye.

Long moments passed as gulls squaked and played out before her. One would come and land, another would take off to take his place in the air. She wished she could just fly and be gone from this place. If anyone recognized her, she would be locked away in a dungeon. She had no one left and none that she felt cared any longer.

She breathed a long sigh.

“It’s a beautiful day.” She heard a stranger say. She had been unaware of anyone around her. She felt sensitive to that kind of thing now. After all, she couldn’t sleep, and she

 couldn’t stay awake.

She shied away from the intruder. “It’s as good as it is going to get,” she replied.

“The sun is shining, the birds are full of life and so are you.” The voice nearly rattled her inside. It was a sure, warming and familiar voice.

She closed her eyes. “How did you find me?”

“Find you? I never lost you.” The voice retorted.

“So, what now?” She sullenly replied.

There was a long silence, as the dragonborn thought of the correct words to say.

“I bet if you could get passage on one of those ships, you would be free forever.”

The girl scoffed. “I could also spend the rest of my days in chains.”

She heard something loud hit the planks of the pavilion.

“I promised your grandfather that I would see his children done right. You are the last of my promise. You cannot stay here, so I give you the only thing I can give you, freedom.”

She looked over, a large sack lay on the floor. She could make the outline of her beloved sword and shield. Beside it, a small coin pouch.

“Thank you, Commander.” She blurted, filled with tears and sniffles. She looked up, but he was gone.

She gathered the sack and pouch and headed for the ships. With a quick talk to a captain and some coins exchanged, she found herself on the deck of a large cargo ship. Within a few hours the ship disembarked into the cold northern sea.

As the huge waves belted the vessel, and the captain screamed for her to get below decks. The ship was always hit by the worst weather out here.

She made her way to the door leading down, when she encountered a hollow sailor trying to make his way up. The man was bearded and his face had shown many years of this perilous work.

“Look at that one. Lets kill him first.” She pulled her hand up to her mouth for fear that the voice came from her. Her face turned white. ‘Oh god, no.’ She thought.

“Are you ok missy?” The sailor said. “Let’s get you below deck and out of the cold.”

For the remainder of the trip, she dared not look or speak to anyone.