The thirteenth night started serenely, mirroring the peacefulness of its predecessors. Assisted by the crew, Priest Centavius prepared the ship's largest chamber, nestled aft just beneath the watchful eye of the navigation bridge, for the upcoming gathering. He had already dispatched invitations to those who were to be in attendance.
As Brad entered the chamber, his gaze immediately fell upon the dangling dreamcatchers scattered about the room. His attention then shifted to the tightly covered windows, adorned with cloths intricately inscribed with ancient runes. The sole source of illumination within the room emanated from the ship-shaped metal candlestick, casting a gentle radiance upon the elliptical birchwood table. No other light permeated the chamber.
Facing Priest Centavius, Brad inquired, "For what reason have you made all these preparations?"
After taking a deep swig from his flask, the priest replied, "I sought to fashion a clandestine yet welcoming atmosphere for our gathering."
On the table rested three bottles of Illinthia wine, untouched by the priest's hand. Ismeth had already settled in, savoring the taste of the exquisite libation. Elphered and Dylan occupied seats beside him, while Shae positioned herself across from the priest. Asvelas and Caleb stood by their side, with Christine being the sole absentee.
"Very well, esteemed lady and gentlemen. Let us commence," Priest Centavius greeted the assembly once they had assumed their positions.
"On this eve, I beseech each of you to reveal the stones concealed beneath your garbs," he continued. "Who shall volunteer as the first?" he inquired, sweeping his gaze across the assembled faces.
Caleb naturally raised his hand, and with the priest's approval, he cleared his throat and commenced his speech.
"Now, where shall I embark?" he mused aloud. "Ah, yes. We all embarked upon this voyage upon the summons of Knight Silverhilt. But I implore you, does anyone truly possess knowledge of our destination and our purpose?" he posed the question, fixing his gaze upon Brad.
Brad maintained his silence, while Caleb wore a frustrated smirk on his face.
"Come now, Brad. Everyone is eager for an explanation from you," Ismeth urged, prodding him.
Brad's jaw clenched tightly as he assessed the assembled group.
"We embark on a quest to locate the guardian of Taneras Forest," he declared calmly, his gaze shifting between Asvelas and Caleb.
The furrowed brow of the half-elf interrupted, "This forest of which you speak lies to the east of Lathvaryl, within my homeland. It serves as a sanctuary for elves and half-elves seeking refuge from enslavement. However, Taneras does not possess a guardian. Your information is erroneous. 'Ursa' signifies the spirit of the forest—a concealed force, a wellspring of spirituality."
"I suspected as much," the priest remarked, his smile unwavering.
"In that case, our first course of action shall be to locate the forest and then uncover its source," Brad declared.
"But why?" Caleb questioned. "These words, Larthvaryl and Ursa, branded onto our backs. One compels us towards that place, yet we may be stepping into a snare."
"Trap or not, this clue is all we possess," Brad replied.
"Speaking of clues, or rather, the opportune moment to address it, what symbol adorns your back, Silverhilt? Why do you keep it veiled from us?" the wizard inquired with a stern countenance.
"That information shall remain mine," Brad asserted.
"See, he repeats the same pattern. He denies us the chance to aid him. We always forge ahead with fragmented knowledge," Caleb lamented, this time directing his complaint to the priest.
"Wizard Caleb, I cannot compel Sir Brad to disclose that information. However, I propose a solution that involves shared efforts," Priest Centavius stated, his gaze sweeping across the faces before him.
"An astral travel. But it shall be a meticulously orchestrated odyssey of exploration," the priest continued, extracting a violet fungus from his pocket.
"Moriphis mushroom," Asvelas hissed in recognition.
Caleb nodded in agreement, while the neophyte knights observed with puzzled expressions.
Brad rose from his seat. "No," he declared firmly. "I shall have no part in yet another derivative of Averan dust," he added.
The priest reclined in his chair, fixing a piercing gaze upon Brad, yet remaining silent.
"This sojourn may lead you to the enigmatic sorceress Charlotta, allowing you to unveil her whereabouts. It would bestow upon us a distinct advantage," Caleb elucidated.
Brad hesitated, then sank back into his seat, lost in contemplation.
"I shall accompany you," Ismeth whispered.
Brad shook his head, signaling a resolute "no."
"Given their marked destinies, Caleb and Ismeth should venture forth with you," Priest Centavius proposed.
"I cannot expose them to peril," Brad objected.
"They already face grave perils," Priest Centavius asserted. "However, with the amulet, you possess a chance to shield them. Once a day, you may repel those creatures. Hopefully, that shall suffice."
"I possess incantations to safeguard myself against ethereal entities," Caleb declared.
"I am willing to accompany and protect Caleb," Asvelas added.
Brad offered no objection to the half-elf's zealous offer.
"Am I to be the sole defenseless one then?" Ismeth jested, releasing a chuckle.
Shae approached him, adorned with a necklace bearing a pointed pendant that resembled a pilgrim's staff, gracefully entwined within a loop. It was but one of her many cherished necklaces. She delicately removed it and bestowed it upon Ismeth, whispering, her voice a mere breath in the dark-skinned knight's ear, "This shall grant you a measure of protection." With that, she gracefully stepped back.
Ismeth leaped to his feet, a surge of exhilaration coursing through his veins. "Let chaos reign! I stand prepared," he proclaimed with fervor.
"Compose yourself, valiant knight. This endeavor shall merely be a modest foray of exploration," Priest Centavius reassured, his voice steady and calming.
He then proceeded to elucidate the manner in which the mushroom should be employed.
"Press the cap of the mushroom gently, allowing the spores to gracefully emerge. Inhale them just once, should the need for a hasty awakening arise. We possess but a solitary mushroom, thereby entrusting you, Brad, with its vigilant guardianship."
The mushroom, in a state of decay and desiccation, emitted a repugnant odor that assailed Brad's nostrils, causing them to twitch involuntarily. Even Ismeth, as the scent wafted closer, caught a whiff, prompting him to scrunch up his face in distaste.
"It smells like...," Ismeth commented, his tone tinged with unease.
"Death," Brad concluded, his voice carrying the weight of solemnity.
After completing their preparations, the quartet assembled in unison. The remaining occupants of the chamber had departed, concealing their mouths behind cloth masks.
Brad exerted pressure on the mushroom, unleashing its spores into the surrounding air. Still tightly gripped within his palm, the mushroom retained its form.
The four men stood in an eerie stillness, intermittently experiencing involuntary spasms.
"Is this to be expected?" Dylan inquired, his voice tinged with apprehension.
The priest wore a knowing smile upon his lips.
They discerned the piercing shrieks emanating from beyond the chamber, relentlessly assaulting the fortified windows, desperately seeking ingress. The vessel they inhabited commenced an unsettling sway akin to that of a tempestuous sea.
"This deviates greatly from the norm," Dylan commented, instinctively retreating towards the corner.
"In the event that these abominations assail the crew..." Elphered fretted, inching closer to the exit.
The nun interposed herself before the aspiring knight, effectively impeding his advance.
"Remain composed, valiant knight. I have already alerted the captain, and the deck shall remain untrodden for a time. Nonetheless, these creatures have already embarked on the trail of our comrades," the priest expounded, gesturing towards the quartet ensconced at the table, their forms resembling motionless sculptures.
Their rigid forms convulsed with heightened intensity, seized by erratic spasms. The windows splintered, their frames callously torn asunder. Within, the occupants bore witness to the seared imprints of claws and smoldering runes, etched upon the very fabric they sought to rend apart. Assisted by Elphered and Shae, the priest labored to swathe the surfaces with renewed protective veils. Yet, the relentless assault surged with growing vigor, leaving no choice but to maintain a safe distance. The undulating waves that buffeted the ship surged in tandem, their force amplified.
"Steel yourself, Shae," the priest whispered.
The monk gracefully assumed a cross-legged position atop the table, delving into the depths of her being through meditation, harnessing her inner power. Elphered unsheathed his sword, positioning himself steadfastly at her side. Dylan, trembling in a corner, summoned his waning courage and unsheathed his blade, commencing his fervent prayers to Orion.
"A prudent decision," the priest remarked, a smile gracing his lips. He indulged in another sip of his drink. And then another.
In the very moment they awaited the cataclysmic blow that would shatter the ethereal garments ablaze with divine enchantment, the cacophony and chaos abruptly ceased.
The priest's gaze fixated upon the quartet seated at the table. He blinked his eyes only once. Then the scenery changed. The mushroom had tumbled onto the surface of the table, but the four men had vanished into thin air. In the span of a fleeting heartbeat, they had been utterly erased from existence.
"Well, this was not within my foresight," the priest muttered, wiping spilled liquor from his chin. Then, with resolve, he tilted the entire bottle and drained its contents in one final draught.