First Zee-Captain --- Previous Zee-Captain --- Next Zee-Captain
The next two captains come as somewhat of a pair, though they
could not have been more different. The child of the two previous
captains was the first. The orphan boy Yorren. He had a great
head-start when he came of age to go out to Zee. The first thing he
did was take ownership of his parent's town-house. Then, he raided
their rooms for tips and hints of how to be a successful Zee-Captain.
He inherited a small fortune which kick-started the equipment of his
ship and he was gifted with the same powerful deck weapon that his
mother had used on her ship. This was the curious part.
Yorren was set to be a good and honest zailor. Of course he had
his goal of reclaiming all knowledge of his parents and finding their
resting places, but he also knew he had to get some experience at a
zailor first. He turned down most help and instead, went to gain as
much money as he could, in similar ways his parents had. He fulfilled
deliveries back and forth and took on some really risky missions of
strategic information for the Fallen London admiralty. It was his
fourth trip back to fallen London where he was approached by a Shady
Sort.
The Shady Sort was notably an elderly gentlemen, and under the
employment of a Cheery Man. He was the same Shady Sort, I am to
believe, as they who approached the great Ylvanna as well as others
in the same line I have been chronicling. Of course, many years had
past and this man was clearly in his late fifties at this stage of
his life. He approached Yorren, who immediately had no interest in
the man's offer. This caused the Shady Sort to resort to shadier
tactics.
“I have something that you might be interested in, though, if
you re-consider.” Said the Shady Sort.
“And I have no need for extra fuel or supplies, sir. So I
shall bid you good day.” Yorren said.
“Ah, but it is not this that I offer, young Yorren. It is a
weapon you may be interested in. Specifically, one that has been
generously gifted by the Cheery man and the very same that once
belonged to a Zee-Captain named Miss Thistle. I believe you may have
particular interest in that name.” The Shady Sort knew this would
garner the desired interest.
“...I see. Take me to the weapon, now,” Yorren replied. So,
the Shady Sort did. The weapon was mildly rusted, so had been used,
and also was of the same model that his mother had written about
acquiring. Of course, it could not have been hers, though it seemed
too odd not to follow it up. Besides, he was unsure how the Shady
Sort would have known what weapon his mother was carrying upon her
ship. “...Where did you get this? I must know the details.”
“Your interest is noted. Well, you can have both this weapon
and that information, only should you take my the offer of patronage
from my humble host.” The Shady Sort held a smug sort of grin.
“I must know!” Yorren said.
“Okay, okay. You're to take this crate of human souls up to
the northern town of Mt. Palmerston. Only then will I give you the
information you require. For now, I shall have this gun brought down
to the docks so that you may have it mounted on your humble ship.”
“I shaln't be humble for long, sir. Give me three days, I
plan to purchase a grander vessel than that which caused the demise
of both of my old folks.”
Yorren's next step over the next few days was handing over the
money to have his ship traded in for a large cruiser-ship. He had all
of his old weapons mounted upon his new ship. Then he set sail for
the northern town of Mt. Palmerston. When he returned successful he
gained the information from the Shady Sort that his father was not to
be sought, as his journey would take him through pirate isles. Yorren
didn't take kindly to the suggestion that he father was not a noble
and honourable zailor. So he then learned that the quest for his
mother might be an easier one to follow. She got lost deep within the
tombs of Godfall, so the Shady sort claimed. Of course, you and I
know this not to be true, but Yorren wasn't to know. He took this
information and sailed with it.
With his cruiser, he took one more money making voyage to stock
up on candles for a dark trip and then took directions on how to get
to Godfall. Then he left. It took days to find the place in the
mid-Zee, but when he did, he felt a significant unease. It was not a
comfortable place to set eyes upon, let alone feet. He disembarked,
took inventory of his ship and of the island, then he descended into
the tunnelled abyss. This was the last that was ever seen of Yorren.
Hours went by and his crew grew worried. Half a day went by and some
of his crew left for other shores, certain of Yorren's demise. By
three days there was only one main waiting on the cruiser for
Yorren's return.
The Shady Sort was a veteran of the war of '68. He knew his
fighting. He had also lived nearly seventeen years as a cronie for
the Cheery Man, though now – he wanted his freedom. Three days
after Yorren arrived at Godfall, the Shady Sort arrived, also, though
out of sight of the cruiser. The Shady Sort was named Zeraphya, and
he wanted a life away from doing powerful men's bidding. He had been
in Fallen London dealing with Zee-Captains for long enough that he
wanted his own adventure and knew exactly what to do about that. So
when he sailed, he sailed quickly, leaving word of his departure for
the Cheery Man to hear of. For his years of service, he was not
pursued, but he would be expected to carry cargo for the underhanded
fellow.
The one loyal crew member upon the cruiser had no chance.
Zeraphya crept up behind the man, leaving a bloody grin across his
neck. He whistled, and ten of his own crew-members jumped up on the
Cruiser and sailed away. If Yorren ever did emerge, he would emerge
to nothing – so probably for the best he did die. Most of Yorren's
money that hadn't been looted by the crewmen was on board, as well as
all weaponry and such. A perfect vessel that Zeraphya needed not even
raise the money for. A perfect voyage.
To be continued...
---Howard Sterling, Chronicler of the Fallen London University
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