Entry 2
Novtumber 19th
editI awoke today to the sounds of birds squawking & indistinct chatter. I grabbed my belongings and headed upstairs to find Albert already in action, talking to the owner of the inn, Steve Beanie. Quite the odd fellow, I must say. Though who am I to judge, as he at least had some information for us.
Apparently, my father hadn't been seen here in months. Not what I wanted to hear. However, quite interestingly, he also mentioned my father was a member of a group called The Barracudas.
I didn't know much about this Barracuda group. Steve Beanie only mentioned that they had a reputation for being a maverick yet tight-nit bunch that would most often be found wherever danger lurked out at sea.
The conversation left me feeling quite deflated. Albert, on the other hand, offered up surprisingly comforting and optimistic words. Given his lack of a vessel and clearly still feeling quite indebted to me for my hand in saving him, he suggested the two of us simply set sail to the south in search of him or other Barracuda members.
He said he knew a spot at the edge of the great Storm Tempor that he usually steers clear of that could be a good place to check. I suppose neither of us have much to lose at this point, so I agreed.
With all the toing and froing around The Pandemonium though, the day was already escaping us. We figured it best to set sail first thing in the morning. A hearty meal and some merriment at the inn saw us through the remainder of the evening before getting some shut eye.
Returning to my room and looking out the window to the south, I can see ominous dark clouds on the horizon. The slow, bellowing thrum of thunder rings out across the waves. For better or worse, that's where we're headed next.
Novtumber 21st
editThe last two days were quite something...
Yesterday was an early start. There was an almost eerie quiet down on the docks as the sun just began to rise while Albert and I loaded the last few things onto the ship. With the final checks done, we set sail, not fully knowing what we'd be encountering.
As we approached the storm clouds, the rain started falling and the waves grew choppier. Albert helped navigate us through until we saw a glimmer of a white hull and blue sails of another boat in the distance.
Upon arriving, the individual on board seemed pleased to see us. Ralph was his name, and sure enough he was a member of the Barracudas. He informed us that the Barracudas had set up a system of transporting goods (mostly rum if I had to guess from his inebriated state) through the storm on behalf of various merchants who didn't want to risk the journey themselves.
A very sensible decision when considering the storm is allegedly the result of an ancient elemental being that still resides at the heart of it.
When quizzed about my father, there was a brief moment success. He knew him well, although hadn't personally seen him in a few weeks. However, some of their Barracuda associates had joined my father on a job just prior, and would likely have more useful information.
The only hitch the other Barracuda members were helping with the shipments on the southern side of the storm. To reach them, it meant going through it.
With a quick pep talk from Albert, himself having experienced plenty of storms in his long fishing career, followed by a deep breath, off into the storm we went.
It wasn't long before the waves started crashing down, knocking us from side to side. The currents here, while difficult to manage, were actually rather helpful for maintaining the speed needed to outmanoeuvre the dangers the storm brought forth.
It was a long and arduous journey that took us well into the night, at which point the sparks of lightning crackling down around us illuminated the way forward like a deadly lantern.
It took until morning before we started seeing any signs of the storm letting up and the worst of it behind us. As we made it through sure enough some of the merchant vessels & Barracuda members were out here on the southernmost edge of the storm, just as we were assured.
After an exchanging of words & supplies, we were given a nugget of information. My father & a few other Barracuda ships were travelling back from the Eastern Ocean, when pirates once again attacked the fleet.
They were separated in the Menaphite Sea, and my father was last seen escaping alone to the south-west.
At least it's something to go off of. Tonight though, we rest under the gaze of the stars, and tomorrow, we continue on.