Chapter 2: Rough Seas, and Strange Greetings- The Betrayal

A Story by Ilerah

Dwen finally reaches the island of Hafen with the elderly sailor Bronk. Dwen finds himself alone within minutes, and has found his adventure.

Chapter 2: Rough Seas, and Strange Greeting

Dwen woke up to feel the crashing of the waves; Bronk had told him that he could sneak in a nap for almost two hours. It had only been one. Dwen sat up, looking around him noticing the dark clouds, the huge waves, and the lone sailor Bronk struggling with the sail.

Dwen rushed towards Bronk, and helped him with the sail. Quickly the sail was put up, and the wind moved the boat less. Bronk headed towards the wheel to steer the ship. Dwen guessed that the storm was dying down by the change in wind. The wind had died down and the rain had almost stopped. He was confused, if the storm was almost over, how long had it happened?

“How long has this storm been going?” yelled Dwen from across the boat as he walked closer to Bronk.

“Not very long, not even half an hour. In this area, the storms are like that; your father may have warned you about the rough seas around here. I thought that this would happen,” Bronk replied.

Dwen sat back down as the storm settled and the waves stopped. Before he knew it, the sun was out and he was dry and warm within seconds. Bronk tied up the wheel and headed over to Dwen. Dwen knew he would say something to him about either the time left, so he stood and spoke first.

“About one and a half days left correct?” Dwen asked.

“Yes, not that I was going to tell yer that anyways, I was going to tell yer that the storms are like that because of the bloody Water Ancient.,” Bronk replied, “He originally made the seas like this in this area because that is where he dwelt, then he moved and didn’t fix it. Strange these ancients eh? Well, put the sail down again, so we can get there in a day and a half like yer said.”

Dwen hurried to get to the sail, put it down and then looked over the edge of the boat, hoping that a freak storm wouldn’t come out of nowhere again. He sat down at the bow of the boat, and wondered into his dreams.

Throughout the next day and a half Dwen and Bronk had nice weather, and freak storms. Once in a while some supplies were lost, but the boat and its crew of two people survived to see an island ahead. The island was quiet big, but looked like a paradise from far off. Dwen gazed out at it, looking at awe that he had made it.

The beaches looked like they belonged to a paradise. The sand was white as snow, but yet not. The trees looked tropical, but only along the edge. Further in the trees looked more like the trees in the main land. Pines, oaks, ashes, all sorts of trees could be found. No people where on the beach, no boats. No signs of civilization at all.

Bronk walked up to him, “That’s it, the great island of Hafen, a paradise. A bloody paradise. Of course we still have to row over there. Pick up one of these here oars and help me get yer over there.

Dwen sat down with an oar, rowing as hard as he could to get to the island of Hafen and fast. They reached the island quickly and stepped into the shallow water, Bronk secured the boat while Dwen wandered a few steps from the boat. Dwen knew inside that this was worth the money he had paid.

“… The money I had paid,” Dwen whispered to himself, “Bronk hadn’t used it to buy supplies; he had offered it back to me at the inn.” Dwen turned to find Bronk still securing the boat on the beach, so he started to walk towards him.

“Bronk, the money I paid you, you didn’t use it to buy supplies like you said. You had it at the inn two days ago. Why did I pay you the money?” Dwen asked Bronk sternly.

Bronk turned to Dwen, looking different than he ever had before, “I got yer here didn’t I? I did most of the work didn’t I? I deserve the money.”

Dwen stepped back as Bronk started up the beach towards him, “That is not the reason why though is it Bronk?”

Bronk stopped walking a few steps away from Dwen. Shaking his head, then he turned and ran, faster than most old men, towards the boat. It took Dwen a moment to realize what was happening, and sprinted after him. Bronk got to the boat, slashed the anchor rope with his knife, and pushed the boat in the water. He got on it quickly, but left Dwen behind on the beach. Bronk grabbed Dwen’s bags and threw them on the beach.

“Yer may want those, oh and have fun in the land of Hafen. Amun sends his regards,” Bronk said with a grin, “Thank yer for yer money.”

“Who is Amun Bronk, who is he!?” Dwen screamed at the old sailor.

“Yer may not remember, but at the market, yer defended a man named Mike from someone else, that someone paid me to get yer here, that someone is Amun.”

Dwen ran out into the shallows, but remembered that he was not good at swimming. He watched as the boat got father and father away, till he could barely see it. Then he turned, picked up his bags and heading along the beach. Thinking of Bronk’s betrayal, thinking how he trusted him. He headed into the forest, thinking that just maybe he will meet someone. And maybe the place is still paradise.