The knotted plank wobbled as Arven crossed over, the seawater spraying his legs. The pale light of his lantern cast the ship in wild shadows, embellished by the squeal of rusted hooks and pulleys.
"Hello? Is there anyone there? We're a merchant ship under the employment of the Faldersel harbor officials." Arven swung his lantern in an arc as he stepped onto the deck. "Hello?"
Silence answered his call as he eyed the debris strewn across the deck, and the strange figurehead, whose beady gaze seemed to follow him. He pulled back his gaze, and took a few steps forward, pausing as something crunched beneath his boot.
When he lowered his lantern, he found the remains of a stone rat, chiseled from what appeared to be obsidian. Upon closer inspection, the rat appeared to be crafted in perfect detail, with even the hair along its back and whiskers having been added. Scowling, he tossed it aside as Elwen and a quarter of his crew climbed onto the ship, quietly mumbling amongst themselves.
"Have you found anything yet?" Elwen asked.
"No, but it's clear this ship ran ashore not long ago," Arven said. He kicked over a crate, spilling rotten apples across the deck. "I'd say it's been about three weeks, at most, so there may still be people aboard. I want everyone to start searching the ship, and let me know if you find anyone, or anything. Elwen, you're going to accompany me to the captain's cabin."
"Aye, Captain," Elwen said. He trailed behind Arven as he ducked beneath a fallen mast, and made his way across the deck.
As they approached the stern, Arven studied the unusual ship. He was unfamiliar with the dark oak planks used, and the craftsmanship far surpassed any he had seen before, even on the vessels used by royals.
"There's something off about this ship, Captain," Elwen said, keeping close behind. As they climbed the staircase to the quarterdeck, he gestured towards the wheel. "Like those, there, along the base of the pedestal. Don't those look like runes to you?"
Arven knelt beside the wheel, and ran his hand over the sleek ridges carved into the wood. They resembled strange symbols, unlike any language he had seen before, and left his fingers tingling as he stepped back.
"You're right," Arven said. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword as he turned towards the door leading towards the captain's quarters. "Stay on guard. I'm not certain what might be hiding in there."
"Shouldn't we leave, then?" Elwen asked. He stood fixed beside the stairs. "What if the ship belongs to the Ashveil, or the Orcrest. Neither race is known for their welcoming attitudes towards humans."
"If it was either of them, then we wouldn't have made it this far," Arven said. "And we still need to figure out what happened here. The more information I have, the easier my report will be once we reach Telmuth."
Elwen sighed, and lowered his gaze. "As you wish, Captain."
"Good. Now, help me check the cabin," Arven said. He handed his lantern to Elwen, and approached the door. After checking the edges for any latches, he gave it a slight push, but it refused to budge.
"Perhaps you need to put more strength into it?" Elwen said.
"Perhaps…" Arven frowned, and pressed his shoulder against the wood. Leaning back, he slammed into it, breaking the seal with a crack, and releasing a foul stench, more putrid than rotting meat.
"Gods above, what is that?" Elwen asked, staggering back. He covered his nose with his jacket, and raised the lantern, illuminating the ruined quarters.
Tattered parchment and faded scrolls littered the stained floor, while jagged scars marred the walls and ceiling. A large glass window adorned the far back wall, overlooking the wild sea. Shards of glass crinkled beneath Arven's boots as he made his way through the room, ignoring the rancid smell. Elwen lingered outside, still covering his face.
"Captain, I don't think this ship wrecked naturally."
"No, you're right," Arven said, stopping before a desk fastened to the center of the floor. A withered corpse slumped in the seat behind it, a shard of stone protruding from his sunken chest. "I fear we may have stumbled across something we shouldn't have. Elwen, bring me the lantern."
As Elwen trudged over, the light revealed a charcoal map, stuck to the wood. Arven frowned, and peeled it off, avoiding the dried blotches staining the edges. His wrinkles deepened as he flipped it over, and held it closer to the lantern. The map outlined a foreign continent, vastly different from the one he knew, including its own sea routes, and kingdoms.
"Say, do you recognize any of these lands?"
Elwen tore his eyes away from the corpse just long enough to scan the map, before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Captain. They're all unfamiliar to me.
"I feared as much. Still, at least now we know that the ship belonged to our kind," Arven said. He folded the map, and slipped it into his coat. Stepping past the desk, he spotted a cot pressed against the wall, with a journal half covered by the velvet blankets.
As he reached for it, a cry rang out from the deck outside. Arven whipped around, drawing his sword, and rushing back outside. One of his men laid sprawled out on his back, his face as pale as ice.
As a gust swept over the ship, the sails fluttered, revealing a twisted statue, clawing at its own neck. Upon seeing this, a few of the other crew members broke into nervous laughter, but a sharp glance quieted them down.