Mark of the Fool

Chapter 679: The Siren's Gratitude

Were in your debt! Fan-Dor leaned across the table in the portside taproom as a tall hearth cast flickering light across the selechars face. The ships captain slid a foaming tankard of ale to Alex. Three cheers, for Alex Roth! The best wizard that ever set foot on the Red Siren!

A roar of approval erupted from a grateful crew now filling the taproom to bursting.

Uh, Alex muttered. Thanks!

Uh, thanks, he says? Gel-Dor laughed. The hero of the hour says uh thanks? Thats all?

Humble man! Fan-Dor said. Lets see if we cant get this humble man so drunk, he wont be able to walk again!

Another cheer ran through the tavern, one so infectious, its few patrons and the barkeep grinned, seeming ready to join in.

After the harrowing trip through the stormstruck Prinean, Captain Fan-Dor with help from Claygon, and Alexs summoned monsters, managed to dock the Red Siren in Generasis port. Waves battered the ship during the docking, preventing Fan-Dor from dropping the gangplank, so Alex obliged the crew by taking them ashore in threes and fours until everyone was safely on land.

A very grateful Fan-Dor had thrown his arms around the broad-shouldered wizard and half-dragged, half-carried him to the nearest dockside tavern.

And thats wherestill high on living through their wild battle with the stormthe crew of the Red Siren celebrated, seemingly intent on emptying every cask in the place.

Alex nursed his beer, his mind still mulling over everything that had happened.

There hed been, alone in the sky, practising teleportation while mentally preparing for his appointment with the wizard council. The next moment, he was on the Red Siren with first mate Gel-Dor and Captain Fan-Dortwo people he hadnt seen in agesfighting an angry lightning and thunder storm.

Through magic, might, Claygons power, and everyones willtheyd beaten it. He was still excited when hed teleported Claygon back home to tell Theresa and Selina what happened, and even now, sitting around the table with the Red Sirens crew, he felt ready to burst with pride.

This is magic! he thought, taking a long sip of ale.

All around him, the crew whooped and cheered his name as the beer flowed.

This is what being a wizard is all about!I saved people and beat a bloody storm! How amazing!

His chest and shoulders began shaking with giddy laughter as he replayed the events in his mind: the lightning, the wind, the summoned monsters, the magicClaygon.

It was all straight out of tales that bards told about wizards, the type of stories he used to love as a boy.

But now?

He was the wizard doing incredible deeds.

It felt good.

If he was going to be pushed out of the city tomorrow, and this was his last act in Generasiwell, it was an act he was proud of.

You did well! Fan-Dor laughed. You saved all our lives! And our livelihoods too!

Oh, come on, Alex said, being humble. Im sure youve run into storms before.

We have, said the selachar captain. But every single time was a trial right from Ek-u-Dari,herself. Before I owned the Siren, there were two other vessels I sailed on that sank in bad weather. Weve even had close calls on the Red Siren. We probably wouldnt have wrecked,but I doubt we woulda made it out of that storm without damage. And Im not too keen on a word like probably when were talking about the health of my ship and crew. So, there you have it!

His calloused ham of a hand clapped on Alexs shoulder. You and your fancy magic saved us in my book, which means, my friend, its time to drink!

Another cheer spread through the bar, followed by guzzling noises as dozens of sailors chugged back steins of foaming ale. Alex drank, slamming his empty tankard on the table.

You can really put it away, Gel-Dor slapped him on the back. Pretty impressive for some fancy wizard.

And hes still a student to boot! Fan-Dor roared with laughter, waving at the barkeep. Another beer for our friend here! Didnt know they taught drinking in that damned university, but if he needs extra lessons, lets make sure hes got the right teachers!

The barkeep nodded.

Alex laughed. My good captain, of course the university of Generasi doesnt teach us how to drinkbut how in all hells do you think we relax between classes?

Hah! Fair enough! Whats that old expression? Work hard and play hard? the selachar captain said.

Something like that.

Well, we can see you have the working hard part down. The first mate said, moving aside so the barkeep could drop another sloshing tankard in front of Alex before hurrying back behind the counter. Gel-Dor snorted. I remember the first time we took you and your family aboard the Siren. That was a bit more than two years ago now, wasnt it? You were this gangly young fella with two left flippers and a little bit of magic.

Thanks, Gel-Dor, Alex said sarcastically. That makes me feel great.

Well, it should! Captain Fan-Dor gestured at him. Look at ya now. Youve completely changed! Its like youre a different man! You look like you could lift a great white shark like it was nothing Fan-Dor flexed his own arm. youre as sure of yourself as any admiral, just from the way you threw around all that magic. You didnt even hesitate!

It was something, Gel-Dor agreed. You were flying around like some blasted seabird, you saved our mans life, and you had those monsters doing what you needed like a general from an old sea tale.

Alex felt his face flush as red crept up his cheeks. He was getting used to being praised, but hearing it from Fan-Dor and Gel-Dorthe two adventurous, experienced sailors whod taught him the the Spear-and-Oar Dancemade him feel a little self-conscious.

I look up to these two, he thought. They pretty much took us under their wings on the Red Siren, especially when that mana vampire tried to kill me. And here they are, treating me like Im some conquering hero. Its wild.

He smiled, draining another half a beer while looking around the taproom.

His thoughts drifted to tomorrow and what the day could mean, what the council could say.

Now hold on, why do you look like a seaside widow all of a sudden? Captain Fan-Dor said. You got a look on your face as deep and dark as that stormand it came on faster, by Ek-u-Dari! I wont have it! The hero of the hour cant be down or Im gonna be down, and theres no sense in being down when someone just saved your life!

Sorry, Alex said. Its just

He paused, looking at the first mate, the captain and their crew.

Most were leaning forward, foreheads creased with curiosity.

The hells with it, he thought. My secrets gonna spread soon enough, so I might as well be the one that tells it.

And he did.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Alex told his story.

He told them of the Ravener, the Mark and his destiny as decided by the god of his peoplehe left out the part about that god being dead. He shared what his familys life was like in Generasi; he spoke of the friends hed made, the challenges hed faced, and the battles hed won and lost.

Almost unconsciously, he channelled the Mark, using it to improve his storytelling; it guided his voice, tone, and volume, helping him reveal his tale so grandly, that he actually felt like a bard holding an audience spellbound with a story. His friends, mentors, family and cabal mates became as captivating as any legendary figure told of by bards whod travelled through Alric when he was younger.

He told of the Traveller, singing her praises in a voice that echoed through the rafters. From Hannahs story, he revealed how shed dedicated her life to ending a cycle of endless violence. It was the joining of myth and truth; it was a tale worthy of a goddess, and he told it not just with words, but with his heart, his body and his soul.

The sailors seemed spellbound, their attention held to the end of his story when he spoke of the battle that lay before him:

and so, at noon tomorrow, itll all be decided: theyll tell me whether Im allowed to stay in Generasi, or have to leave to go fight Ravener-spawn. I wont be doing that, no matter what, even if I have to teleport jump by jump to the ends of the earth. And if I have to run again? I wont stop trying to end the Ravener forever. Something like that doesn't belong in the world.

As his last words rang through the bar, Fan-Dor abruptly tossed back another tankard of ale, slamming down the empty mug, then pointing at Alex. His hand shook. Now that was a story, my friend! But, tell me, was it all true?

Every word, the young wizard nodded, hardly believing it himself. Every word was true, yet felt like somebody elses life. In many ways, the tale seemed like it couldn't be his; the story of an orphaned bakers assistant from Alric, and the incredible people hed shared journeys, battles, magical studies and more with.

And yet, Alex, the bakers assistant from AlricAlexander Rothwas exactly who it was about.

He shook his head, his thoughts wandering. I can hardly believe it now that Ive told the whole storyfront to back. But the question isnt whether you or I believe it, the real question is whether or not the ruling council of wizards will believe it, and will they value me enough not to try to turn me over to priests.

Well, theyre gonna hear from me! Captain Fan-Dor suddenly shouted, tankards of ale making his volume rise. Theres no way that my bloody saviours gonna be cast out of his home like some flotsam after a storm. No bloody way! Ill tell your story to every tavern rat, scow sailor, and fancy captain all over the docks.

In the rear of the bar, the silent barkeep was nodding in approval.

It seemed that even he had been pulled into Alexs tale.

The telling wont be as good as yoursbut, well tell it all the same! Fan-Dor declared.

Gel-Dor rolled his eyes. Brother, the meetings tomorrow at noon. Even if we went around all day and all night, theres no way our storys going to make a differencebut maybe what we could do is go to city hall and submit a petition to speak up on your behalf, Alex. If the wizard council are the ones deciding your fate, they should know what you did for all of us. A man shouldnt save as many lives as you did and not have that recognised!

Here! Here! Fan-Dor cried, raising another glass. I mean, that way of doing things is more stodgy than Id like, but probably more useful. I hate you when youre right, brother.

Then you must hate me every moment youre awake, Gel-Dor said evenly. And when youre asleep too.

Hah! Cheeky bastard! Fan-Dor grinned, slapping his brother on the shoulder before turning to the rest of their crew. Looks like were going to the fancy city hall, right?

Aye, aye, captain! the crew agreed as one.

Alex put a hand on his chest, moved by the sailors support. IIm touched, I truly am. Normally, Id say something like you dont have to do all of that for me, buthonestlyI think I need all the help I can get.

And get it you shall! Fan-Dor cried. Now, then. Enough talk. Weve got a lot of drinking to do, followed by a lot of petition The captain paused, his eyes narrowing. wait, it wont look too good showing up at city hall drunk. Maybe, this calls for a change of plans then! One more round for us, and then we go make sure that Alexander Roth is a name that stays in Generasi!

Alex! Alex! Alex! the crew of the RedSiren chanted the young wizards name.

He stood up, going around the bar, shaking hands with every single person there in appreciation; recognising that even at this dark time, he was lucky. Feeling more hopeful, he returned to his seat, sipping his last beer for the evening with the crew of the Red Siren, exchanging stories and laughter before going their different ways.

There were sailors whod asked him to tell them more about the Traveller and her miracles.

Even First Mate Gel-Dor was curious. Listen, my loyalty will always be to Ek-u-Dari, but if theres another goddess of travela kind one who we can pray to as well? Damned if I wont include her in my prayers and sacrifices.

The Travellers followers grew in number that evening.

All in all, the day had actually turned out to be a good one for Alex. Hed learned how to teleport through a raging thunderstorm, practised fifth and sixth-tier summoning spells and directed the conjured entities, saved lives, spent time with old friends, and gained allies eager to speak on his behalf. He would be better armed than hed expected to be for his battle at noon the next day; for the next storm hed be facing.

But that stormand his trialwas going to begin earlier than he expected.

And in ways he had not accounted for.