The rocking and creaking of the wood that held this vessel together had only made our little Witch anxious. Ah, yes! Morgan had never been out to sea before in her lifetime. She came on this adventure knowing only that which she read in books and what the fools at the pub spat out about “Merfolk” and “Giant sea monsters that could swallow a ship of 40 men whole!”, though she didn’t believe a word of it… But now being in the middle of the rocking sea, the doubt nibbled at the back of her mind, driving her mad with the nerves of a thousand cliff climbers… except the cliffs hung above a never ending blue abyss… that smelled funny. She tried to study on the small wooden desk in her chambers, but the insatiable rocking and the sounds of the crew and their bloody sea shanties was too distracting to even lay quill to paper. Morgan grew itchy with the frustrating surroundings, but she knew they’d hit shore soon enough… or be swallowed up by a sea monster. The Witch looked to her scattered works before her, illuminated only by the small dim light from the candle’s flame. Not enough light to brew a potion, not steady enough to carve runes, not comfortable enough to read! It was maddening! Morgan waited till sundown. As the crew’s steps began to make their way down the steps to the lower deck of the ship, Morgan made her way up. Keeping her head down as she passed by the stragglers of the group, she made her way to the top deck. Looking around there wasn’t a single swabby in sight. Finally, some fresh air and a bit of quiet time. She walked along the rail that led her past the figurehead and to the bowsprit. She looked out at the sea they coasted on and what was ahead. Plenty of water and rocking waves, nothing more to note. She took in the salty air through her nostrils… It was a smell she’d have to get used to out here. She marched around the deck fueled by boredom.
Soon enough she was tired of walking around and decided it was time to return to her chambers for the night. She carried on like any other would on their way to bed. Dragging her feet and taking the last few looks around the ship before retiring for the night. As she descended down the steps she could hear the crew drinking and partying in the main chamber. Morgan wasn’t really into drinking and signing songs right now, so she wasn’t going to bother going in there. She thought for a moment and decided that it would be nice for a small snack or two to be stashed in her room in case she got hungry a bit later. She made her way even further down the steps until she reached the hold of the ship. It was dark down here. Barrels and Crates were all over and she could easily trip. But, around the corner, it appeared that someone was already down here. A small light illuminated the area behind some crates as a cloaked figure was digging through the apple barrel. Morgan thought nothing of it and decided to walk in anyway.
Just then, the cloaked figure was startled, they drew a card from their sleeve and summoned a blast of energy from their hand. Morgan was caught off guard and was hit by the blast, sending her flying into a crate filled with chickens, who were then released to rein down havoc on those aboard the ship… well, they actually just kinda ran around in a circle clucking about frantically. Morgan was quick to cast a ward, protecting herself from the next incoming blast, but the cloaked figure stopped a moment and looked the witch over. “You’re not a knuckledraggin sailor or a sellsword… Who are you? What are you doing here?? Answer me!” Morgan blinked and tried to get to her feet, the ward still casted before her. “I-I’m just here for a snack! R-relax!” Morgan was nervous. Conflicts and battles weren’t her strong suit. The cloaked figure was hesitant but lowered her charging blast. “Doesn’t matter… tell no one what you saw down here… Or I’ll… I’ll blow this ship to pieces!” Morgan didn’t exactly believe the cloaked figure’s threats but she wasn’t about to test them. “S-sure… can I uhmm… Have an apple now?” The cloaked figure chuckled and tossed the witch a red apple. “Most of them are bruised up…” the cloaked figure replied realizing that the witch was not a big threat. Morgan fixed her large hat on her head after catching the requested apple. The cloaked figure was curious now, but still keeping their distance. “What’s your name, witch?” Morgan replied with a friendly smile. “Morgan, Morgan Rue. And… uhm.. You are..?” The figure pulled down their shrouded hood to reveal themselves. A beautiful face, snow-white hair, pointy long ears and skin pale and purple. Morgan was in awe. A drow, it had been far too long since she’d seen anything that wasn’t a human. The drow had gold earrings and a ringed choker. “Syx. My name is Syx.” Morgan blinked a little, mesmerized by her looks but snapping back to reality. “Six? Like… The number..?” The Drow shook her head. “Close enough… Look, you best leave. If someone finds us down here, You’ll be arrested for talking to a stowaway.” Morgan gasps lightly “Stowaway…” Syx nods “Y-yes! Stowaway! As in I’m not supposed to be here! I’m hitching a ride?!” The drow didn’t seem to understand why Morgan wasn’t grasping the situation at all. Morgan blinks a few times and bites into the mushy apple. “So like… where ya goin?” she chewed the mush and looked at the browned fruit’s flesh before tossing the apple behind her. Syx tilts her head and leans up against a crate. “Uhm… well if you must know… I’m going to the Island of Montigo, a ruin there is said to be guarding a scroll I need.” Morgan swallowed hard and coughed some from the disgusting taste. “The chain breaker” Syx’s ears perked up “Y-yeah… exactly… How did you..?” Morgan laughed and stood to her feet. “I’m leading the expedition out there. I hired all these sailors and sellswords to help me find it and fight off any resistance we might face on our way to retrieve the scroll.” Syx didn’t think that the witch was capable of such a thing at first glance. Syx shook her head “I need that scroll, Witch… You don’t understa-” Before the Drow could finish, the witch spoke again. “It’s yours, just help me get it. Then stick around till we get back? I could use some company on this ship. Someone who interests me.” Morgan smiles and sticks out her hand for a shake. The drow was confused… was this witch just going to hand it over? Why? He had to take a chance on all this being true. Syx leans forward and meets Morgan’s with a firm shake. “Deal. and uhm.. Sorry for the whole attacking you thing… Now uhh… how do we put back these chickens..?”
(Special thanks to the collaboration with Syx!)