Chapter 84: Im On a Boat! (2/2)

”But...”

Mike sighed, and followed after. So long as the ship got them to the capital, he supposed it didn't matter in the long run.

”Good morning, Captain Bont, here are the three adventurers, like I promised.” She was saying as they approached.

”Aye, that be clear lass,” he said with a grin, showing off a good number of gold teeth. ”Now get yer gear stowed below, we be setting sail soon.”

”Oh, come on....” Mike complained, even though no one listened.

Sera glanced up at the sky, noticing a dark, brooding clouds rolling in. ”Are you sure? It looks like a storms coming soon.”

”Don't ye worry, lass. We're in for a light blow and nothing more. Bit o' wobbling, and we'll be through it afore ye know it.” The captain replied while twisting his braided beard with one hand.

”You're the expert, I suppose.” She started walking while carrying her luggage. After a few steps she turned back to look at the others. ”Well, are you coming?”

Brenden and Tal turned to Mike as if to ask him for his direction. With a shrug, he followed after the Oracle.

The boat journey proved fairly pleasant at first, although Sera quickly displayed a proclivity towards seasickness, and spent the majority of her time clinging to the gunwale and periodically vomiting. Mike tried to use Healing Magic, but it only seemed to help temporarily, meaning the girl had to suffer on her own.

The other three were fine. Apparently elves never had the problem, and Brenden had some experience on boats. Mike was a little surprised that he didn't have any issue, considering he'd never been on the ocean, even in his previous life. Then he remembered his Physiological Resistance skill, and figured that was helping.

He was brought out of his reflective mood when Tal pulled his sleeve. She pointed up at the clouds and whispered, ”Storm soon. Bad one.”

”You sure?”

She nodded, and almost as if that was a signal, the deck was caught in a torrential downpour, as the wind began to howl.

”Captain! It looks like that storm is coming soon! Should we be worried?” He called over the noise.

”So long as we stay out of the center of the lake, we'll be fine!” Captain Bont called back from the wheel.

It was at this point that the winds started howling, and massive waves began crashing into the side of the ship. With some quick maneuvering the crew had already started tying up the sails, as the captain wheeled the vessel to face the waves.

”Why is it an issue if we're in the middle of the lake?!” Mike called again.

”Because that's where the monsters live!” Was the reply.

”Eh?”

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After being driven by relentless waves and powerful winds, the ship was forced far from the shore, deep into the center of Wyrmrest Lake. It wasn't long before they were attacked.

”Lesser Kraken. Very dangerous.” Tal was calling from her space on the deck while dodging another of the lashing tentacles.

Deciding he had just enough of sea (lake) scenery, Mike spun about and charged the creature, which was furiously trying to crush the ship into pieces.

With a blast of Air Magic he hurled himself across the vessel, summoning a spear of earth in the process. As he reached the point directly over the Kraken, he pumped his limbs full of mana, which started to glow.

With a yell, he hurled the spear down at the creature's head. The stone projectile punched a hole into the beast nearly half a meter thick. He must have hit something vital, as the Kraken's body stiffened, then slump lifelessly.

”Mike, watch out!” Brenden called just a little too late.

One of the tentacles, in its death throes, collided with him, and slapping him down against the surface of the water and driving him deep into the lake.

[Why always the tentacles?] Mike thought as he struggled to right himself.