Chapter 1:The Trip-Leaving the Harbor

A Story by Ilerah

Dwen finds his adventure, and ends up leaving the harbor of Brendomin to face rough seas.

Dwen woke up to, almost falling of his bed. He rolled over, only to realize that today he had not work, his parents told him to take the day off. He would make the most of it, by not sleeping till noon. He slowly got up, got dressed and then hobbled down the stairs

At the bottom of the stair case he found his younger brother, like usual, whining about, well nothing really. Dwenlin continued to the kitchen where he grabbed some bread, and some milk. He ate it while just thinking. He thought about the grumpy man at the market place at Mike’s stand, he thought about his make belief adventures, and how ridiculous he was to even have a hint of going anywhere. He hardly believed himself when he thought about his longing taste for adventure. Before he knew it, he was day dreaming again, thinking about the rough seas, sailing to islands across the world, depending on the size of the world that is.

Dwen then left the house leaving to go, well no where in particular, just on a walk. He left the house, putting on his brown shabby coat and turning left. He continued along the same path as the night before, but didn’t mind. He walked past he inn he had ended up earlier the past night. Then he stopped when he heard the word “adventure”. Dwenlin turned around in shock, thinking he was dreaming.

Quickly he ran over to the inn where he saw an old man speaking to a small crowd of people about leaving the port. “Who needs this crowded, dump of a port, when you could spend a day in the boat, or maybe two, and yer’ll be in a paradise,” said the old sailor.

Dwen walked closer to see more of what the old sailor said. The scruffy old man pulled out a map and said, “In this corner over here,” pointing to the bottom right corner, “is an island which has no oppressing government, and yet, no crime. A rotten place like this no sir, this ole place is a paradise, a bloody paradise!” The old sailor sounded so excited about it, that Dwen could not believe that he would be lying; he had to have seen it before.

Dwen pushed through the few people left in front of him and walked up to the old sailor, who was conveniently smoking his pipe. “Sir, what do you need for me to come with you?” Dwen asked politely.

The experienced sailor turned his head, almost in surprise. “Well, well do yer want to come with me? Thank yer, all I needed was one more person on me ole boat; it has to be manned by at least two yer see. Oh, and I ask nothing but a few coins for supplies for the way, oh and the time yer want to leave.”

Dwen stared back at him for a moment, thinking of his proposal. Finally he answered, “Sir, if we leave in three days that will give me time to pack, say my goodbyes, and second guess myself.”

The elderly man looked at Dwen, smiled and started to laugh. “Second guess yerself eh? Well I’ll be ready then, meet here at noon, give me the money now though; if yer don’t want to come I’ll pay yer back. Oh and for the record, this journey though short is rough, that’s why all those there people left, and… my name is Bronk.”

“Well, then Bronk, I will have to think it over in those three days, and will meet you here at noon. Also, all I have with me is 10 silver, not much.”

“Enough for some food for two days, it will do, after all, the place is a paradise.”

“Ok, see you in three days,” Dwen said giving him the money and waving goodbye. The old sailor waved back and smiled, looking so happy that Dwen could feel he was doing something for more than his own gain.

When Dwen got home his mother was in the middle of making lunch, while his father was sitting at the kitchen table smoking his pipe, and whistling at the same time, something which took him a while to perfect.

“Hi Dwen, lunch is almost ready, perfect timing!” His mother said to him, excited as always on summer afternoons.

“Hi mother, hi father, can I talk to you about something?” Dwen replied to his parents.

Dwen explained what had happened with the old sailor named Bronk. His father did not seem fazed, but his mother was worried, less than expected by Dwen. He explained that he had three days to get ready, no more, and that he was planning on going.

His father after listening sighed and said, “Well Dwenlin my son, you should do it. The waters are rough out there, more so during winter, but this place sounds fabulous. If you get there, and start a life, come back and take us there. That is all I ask of you if you go, take us there some day.”

His mother looked at her husband, in less shock than expected and said, “I agree, this life was never meant for you, you were always a restless little boy. But… be careful Dwen, and come back.”

Dwen looked at both of his parents in shock, they took this much better than he had thought, “If you approve then I shall go, and if it is a paradise, I shall come back.”

The next few, three days, consisted of Dwen packing for the trip, and his mother helping him. His father gave him his old knife, though not much was something. His mother packed enough food for a day. Dwenlin packed all his clothes, and his personal belongings. He said goodbye to his family, and left the house. His brother did not even say goodbye, but was complaining about how hot it was, Dwen didn’t mind though, he had expected it.

Dwen continued the well-traveled path to the inn where all this had begun. He entered, with his two brown bags, one on his back the other he carried, to see the old sailor Bronk sitting at a table, by himself, smoking his pipe. The old man smiled and waved to Dwenlin, motioning him to sit with him.

Dwen sat down and looked up at the old sailor, “If yer want to back down, last chance sonny, here’s yer money,” said Bronk placing his 10 silver coins on the table.

Dwen looked him in the eye and said, “No Bronk, I am going with you, to paradise, or maybe the edge of the earth.”

Bronk smiled, but then started to laugh again. Once he had calmed down he motioned for Dwen to follow him. They left the inn and turned right, taking the path that led to the harbor, which was quiet obvious. Bronk and Dwen followed the path right past all the fishing boats, the cargo boats, to a small sailing ship. This ship was not made for fishing, but for sailing small trips. It was like any other cargo ship but smaller. The boat had a square sail, with patches in it, and the same hull as a schooner.

Bronk smiled at Dwen, “Ain’t she a beauty? Well if yer don’t think so, I sure do.

“No, she sure is nice, especially for a small boat,” Dwen replied.

“Well then, let’s set her loose, come on Dwen, let’s get ready for hot beaches, after cold seas that is.”

Dwen stepped onto the boat, feeling like he was on an adventure already. He set his bags down, then looked back at his home. As the boat pulled out of the harbor, and as Bronk yelled orders at him, he just stood there. He stood there and thought about this, was it a dream, no it was not. He was leaving his home, to find his fortune, and for adventure.