
"What do ye mean we have to go by boat!" My voice echoed across the docks, people turned to see what all the commotion was. "We had a wee incident on the flight over and she canna fly! But she can still sail as good as any!" The captain of the ship shouted back at me. "I dinna care if she can sail! I paid for a flight across not a boat ride!" I shouted back, shoving a finger into his chest, which causes him to stumble back slightly. "Ye still get everything ye paid for, ye just gotta go by sea!" He slapped my finger away "you're daft if ye think I'm getting on the water!" The captain rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. "Look, I canna return your money, it's already spent on the needed supplies. Ye need to get across the sea and right now, by boat is the only way. Tell ye what! yoo go down the docks to the pub and get ye'self a couple... A few drinks on my tab, when the boat is ready, I'll come fetch ye." I couldn't even think of anything to say, I was angry. The last two winters I had flown across on this man's beatup old ramshackle airship for the very purpose of avoiding the water the best I could. Now it seems I was cursed to spend the next three to four weeks on the water.. I turned around and stormed off down the dock in the direction of pub.
*****
"Captain?" A voice called out from behind him "hmm?" The captain responded, keeping his eyes on the angry highlander as he pushed his way through the crowded docks. "Shouldn't ye have told him?" The captain turned to face his first mate. "Not now. I'll wait until we are out to sea first."
*****
I slumped down into an empty bar stool and ordered an ale on the captains tab, and told the bartender to keep them coming. He slammed a solid wood goblet down in front of me and filled it. The foam spilled over the edges of the cup and onto the countertop. I picked up the goblet and drained it before he could leave. He filled it again and waited, but I waved him off.
*****

The town was empty as me and the old man road through the main Street. The sun had only just risen and I imagined soon the streets would be full of people, none of whom would know what happened. There would be no praise for us, for a time the town would live in fear but soon that fear would die out and life would return to normal.
As we approached the old man's house, his daughter sat on the front steps, wrapped up in her earasaid . As we dismounted the horses she ran from her perch on the front steps right past her father to me. Before I knew what had happened, my right cheek stung as she slapped me across the face. "I told you! But you didn't listen! You still drug my father away with you! He could have been killed! He has a family!" She made to slap me again but this time I was ready for it and caught her hand by the wrist. "You daft, foolish girl!" I spat and threw her hand away from me, the force causing her to stumble backwards and fall to the ground. "Did ye stop to think that maybe that is why he went!? Because he has family? The creatures last attack was on the boarder of the town. At some point she would have made her way here and could have killed ye all. You, your son, and the old man! So aye! He went with me, but I didna force him to. He went on his own accord!" I mounted my horse and pulled the copper dagger from my boot and tossed it to the old man. "Stop trying to control your father. It's time you grew up! The world is full of horrible, nasty things and people who will kill ye as soon as look at ye, be greatful ye got someone willing to give everything so you don't have to!" I spun my horse around and gave it a gently kick with my heels, the horse took off at a slight trot and I left the old man and his family behind.
*****

I watched as the bartender refilled my cup for an unknown time. I watched it carefully as the foam died down and then I found myself looking back at myself from the golden liquid inside the cup. "You alright lad?" The bartender asked. I held up my cup and smiled "aye, just getting ready for a wee boat ride" I downed the ale and slammed the cup down hard on the bar.
*****
I leaned against the door frame of the small lake side cabin I had called home since i returned from Arrakis, all six of my Deerhounds lay at my feet and the old man grazed just a few feet away. Using the knife Ajax had gifted me, I cut a piece of apple and placed it in my mouth. Even from here I could hear my mother in the kitchen, bossing around the house maids and my father up at the barns yelling at the farm hands. All the snow had been rained away, and were it not for the chill air, it could almost past for spring. However, it was only the third day of the second month of the year 5318. A lot had happened this winter.. I needed to return to Arrakis. I need to seek out Kampi, and Ajax, and young Cypress. I needed to help Lily as she grew into her new role as prophet of the church. What horrors waited for me across the sea? A whole nother year of fighting off the never ending hords that plauged the lands. Even just thinking about it made me feel tired. As I took another piecee from my apple, a familiar sound filled the air. Turning my head toward the sky, a single raven flew overhead. It circled around the cabin three times before flying off in the direction of the nearest harbor town. I smiled to myself "aye, my goddess, I hear you." I tossed the apple to the old man and headed for the main house.
*****
"The captain said.. I could.. drink.. on his..tab!." I stumbled through my words as I made an unsuccessful grab for the ale in the bartenders hand. "I dinna care! You have had enough lad! I am cutting you off" I slammed my hand down hard on the table before pulling my dagger "who are you to deny me drink! You are getting paid for it!" The bartender drew his own dagger "this is my pub, and I'll cut off anyone I want. I think it's time you left!" Before I could respond, the door to the pub opened and in walked the captain "hey, Connor, everything is all ready to go lad!" I sheathed my dagger, after a few unsuccessful tries. "It's your lucky day! I get am going for a boat ride!" I exclaimed excitedly. I turned and made it half way to the door before stopping and turning back. I stormed back to the bar and grabbed the cup I had been using "I'm taking this with me!" With that, and with no objection from the bartender, we left the bar and boarded the ship. Before long we had left the harbour and were finally on our way to Arrakis.
Not all of these photos are mine. Full credit to the owners.
