“Tragedy is a storm we all must weather, my friend. To let it break you is the worst tragedy of all. Instead we stand tall in defiance and wear a smile when all reason for smiling has left us. Let this great vessel of yours be a symbol of your defiance of your own tragedy, and let us take joy in it.”
Whill wondered if Abram had gotten his optimism from living in Fendale. He was never discouraged by anything, a virtue he had instilled in Whill at an early age and for which Whill was now thankful. Without such a way of thinking, he could have easily become a very different man.
“Ah, here we are.” They had finally reached the building platform. Three men were busy at work on the frame of what would become Whill’s ship. Freston put two fingers to his mouth and gave a loud whistle. The men stopped what they were doing and greeted their father.
“Come here, boys. I’d like you to meet a friend.” The men put down their tools and joined Whill and Freston on the walking platform. Whill extended a hand and shook with each of them in turn.
“Aye, Kellis is the name. Nice to meet you,” said the first and biggest of the three men. He wore brown pants and boots with a white shirt cut off at the sleeves. His long brown hair was pulled into a tail to keep it away as he worked. A thick brown beard covered his jolly face, and his father’s eyes, as bright as his smile, peered at Whill above a proud nose.
“Name’s Trellen,” said the second man. He was dressed like his brother with the exception of a black shirt. His hair was brown like Kellis’s, but it hung in curly clumps about his face. His smile was like his father’s also, though his face was clean-shaven.
“Nice to meet you, Whill. I’m Leukas,” said the third and youngest man. He wore white pants that had been soiled with sawdust; his shirt was blue and long at the sleeves. His hair was long like his brothers’, but blond rather than brown, and it was pulled back like Kellis’s. He wore a goatee and long thin sideburns. He was the best-looking of the three, with a well-defined jaw and sharp features.
“So, boys, how goes it?” Freston asked, eyeing the frame of the ship.
“It’s going as well as it can. We’re actually ahead of schedule,” said Trellen with a proud smile.
Whill looked with great pride at the one-hundred-foot-long skeleton that would become his ship. He could hardly wait until the day they launched.
“You gentlemen mind a little help?” Whill asked, ready to get his hands dirty.
“The more help the better,” answered Leukas.
Kellis put a hand on Whill’s shoulder. “It’s good to see a man with money who is still eager to work.”
Together the five of them went to work. Whill enjoyed the company of Freston’s sons and was eager to learn all he could about the building process. He asked many questions, which the men were happy to answer. He was impressed by their passion for building. Even Freston, who had been building all his life, still went at the project with great enthusiasm. As the sun set over the ocean they called it a day and agreed to start again at first light.
Whill left the dock feeling excited and energetic, eager to tell Abram all he had learned. But first he rode to one of the many blacksmiths in the city and bought a full set of armor for Abram. Whill felt that since he had won his own beautiful armor on account of Abram, it was only fair that the man have his own. He paid the blacksmith, and with the armor in a large bag he headed for Ocean Mist. As he rode down the main street to their lodgings, he suddenly felt the eyes again. Trying to ignore it, he rode on, looking straight ahead. He wasn’t as perceptive as Abram, but he could not shake the intense feeling of being watched. He abruptly stopped his horse and jerked his head to look behind him, but no one was there. No one peered at him from the rooftops of the large buildings that surrounded him, either. This part of the street was fairly empty, but for the occasional horseman or guard. Indeed, no one looked at all threatening or took any apparent interest in him.
Whill urged his horse into a quick trot and was happy to see Tarren waiting by the Ocean Mist door. He dismounted and handed the reins to the boy.
“Hello, Master Whill!”
“Good day, Tarren.” He surveyed the surrounding street. Still he found nothing to justify his paranoia.
“I heard that you defeated Knight Rhunis at the tournament. I wish I could have seen it,” Tarren said with great jubilation as he acted out a mock sword-fight. “Do you think you could teach me some moves?”
Whill looked at him with amusement. “Do you hope to be a knight yourself one day?”
Tarren nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes. I can’t wait until I’m of age for the tryouts.”
“Well, if your father says it’s alright, then I would be happy to.”
Whill didn’t think that the boy could exhibit more joy than he already had, but at Whill’s response he managed to. “That will be great! Do I get my own sword?”
“Slow down, my young friend. Let’s start with your father’s permission and then we’ll work out the details.” He gave Tarren a gold coin. “Take good care of that horse for me. We’ve been through a lot together. And see to it that this bag of goods finds its way to my room.”
Tarren looked at the coin with wide eyes and thanked him. Once inside, Whill spotted Abram sitting at the usual table, near the bar facing the door. He had a thing for facing the door. Whill took the opposite seat.
“How did the day treat you, Whill?”
Whill eagerly told him about the ship and what they had accomplished. Soon the serving girl from the morning came to the table.
“Ready to order?” She aimed a particular smile at Whill.
“Beef stew for me, with fresh bread, and another bottle of mead, please,” said Abram.
“I’ll have the same, Miss-”
The girl stared at Whill as if transfixed. “Oh, sorry, my name is Brillia.”
“Brillia. That’s a beautiful name. Mine’s Whill.”
“I know.” She blushed. “I mean, everyone has heard of your fight with Rhunis. My father told me all about it. He’s been bragging that the best fighter in Eldalon is staying at Ocean Mist. Well, I’ll be back shortly with your food.” Abram gave Whill a withering look. Whill waited until she had disappeared through the kitchen door before he spoke. “Do you think it’s bad that so many know of our whereabouts? Because of the gold, I mean?”
“Yes, I do.” Abram seemed tense. Whill could tell something was on his mind.
“Freston brought it to my attention that we should be careful of thieves.”
Abram looked annoyed. “Of course we should be careful. I’m surprised no one has yet tried to rob us. You go about throwing your gold around like it’s candy and you wonder why we might get a little attention from the no-good scoundrels that walk these very streets. I haven’t raised you to be naive.”
Whill looked at Abram with burning eyes. “Don’t treat me like a child.”
“I’m not treating you like-”
“Yes, you are! And what of you Abram, if anything I was taking your lead in my generosity. Of course it’s crossed my mind that we are in danger of thieves, but if they have half a brain they know the gold is locked up. And if they do try to take it from us I wish them luck, for they will bleed before they get their greedy hands on a single coin. It is I who beat Rhunis in that tournament-I, a man, not a child-and it was I who saved your hide from those wolves. But that means nothing to you. You eagerly sign me up to fight one of the best knights in Eldalon, but you think me too weak to handle my own past.”
Whill had not been this angry in a long time, and never at Abram. He knew he was overreacting but he couldn’t stop. It was as if a dam had broken, releasing years of animosity towards Abram about the secrets he would not reveal.
“What if you had been killed by those wolves, or that damned black bear last year?” he went on. “Or any of the many battles you fought when I was just a child? Where would I be then? If you were dead, there would be no one to tell me what only you know.” He breathed heavily but felt relieved to have his feelings out in the open.
Abram was solemn. “I’m sorry. You are a man to me by every measure, and I am thankful to you for saving my life. Shortly you will know all you wish, as I have told you. You’re right, my death would have robbed you of all of your secrets. But if I had not been able to finish your training, you would not be prepared to know them. I have not spent these long years teaching you in order to prepare you for a life of normality or peace. You could be a Knight of Eldalon, or of any kingdom for that matter, with your knowledge and skill. But that is not your path. Your destiny lies elsewhere.”
Whill felt terrible for what he had said. Abram had saved his life countless times. He had dedicated nineteen years to Whill’s well-being and had treated him as a son. Whill began to apologize but could not find his voice. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked away, ashamed.
