Part 1
The sun began to rise on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, as the Sea Falcon, battered and in tatters, approached a small rocky island. The island was desolate, consisting mostly of irregular rock formations and sparse vegetation. Small pools of brackish water formed between the stones, and the sound of waves breaking against the rocks echoed through the tranquil air.
Ed and Peter were already aboard, trying to stabilize the damaged mast of the ship. The sails were torn and hung sadly, like defeated banners.
"Pass the rope, Ed." Peter requested, sweating as he adjusted an improvised pulley.
"I'm trying, Peter." Ed replied, struggling to secure the sturdy rope to the battered mast.
"This mast won't withstand another storm."
"We have no choice." Peter retorted, glancing worriedly at the horizon.
"We need to fix what we can before the weather changes again."
As they worked, William appeared, emerging from behind one of the large rocks that dotted the island. He looked worn, his clothes soaked and torn in places, but his spirit seemed intact.
"Father!" Ed exclaimed, surprised to see him.
"Where have you been? I thought you were taken by the Kraken."
William gave a tired smile, approaching the group. "I was thrown into the sea by the beast." he explained, running a hand through his wet hair.
"I took the opportunity to help those who were also thrown. I managed to save a few, but not all."
Peter stopped his work and looked at William with a respectful glance. "Thank you so much. You helped a lot."
"I did what I could." William replied modestly.
"Now, what can I do to help here?"
Ed sighed, pointing to the mast. "We need to reinforce the mast and patch up the sails. If the wind turns against us, we're finished."
William nodded, grabbing a rope and joining Ed and Peter in the repair work. "Alright, let's see what we can do. With a bit of luck, we can make this work."
The island was small but offered some advantages to the castaways. The rocks provided some protection against the strong winds, and there was a cave at the base of a large rock formation that could serve as temporary shelter. In the distance, a small group of seagulls circled the sky, and their calls mixed with the sound of the waves.
"Father..." Ed began as they worked.
"What do you think we'll find when we reach the Isle of Fen? After all this, it seems like luck isn't on our side."
William shrugged, focusing on adjusting a rope. "We don't know what awaits us, Eddy. But we have to keep going. If we give up now, the whole island will suffer."
Peter, struggling with a complicated knot, added, "He's right. We've survived the Kraken; we can survive a few more storms."
The next day, the Sea Falcon was back at sea. The patched sails billowed with the wind, and the reinforced mast held steady as the ship cut through the choppy waters. After sailing for a few hours, an island surrounded by rain clouds and an intense storm appeared on the horizon. The sight was both frightening and mesmerizing, with lightning illuminating the dark sky and thunder reverberating through the air.
"It's the Isle of Fen." Basil said, pointing to the storm-wrapped island.
"We need to prepare. It's going to be a difficult docking."
Around the island, relentless waves crashed against the hull of the ship, tossing it back and forth. The crew was on high alert, each one at their post as the Sea Falcon approached the rocky port of the Isle of Fen.
"Hold on!" Basil shouted, adjusting the helm to try and align the ship with the makeshift dock.
The port of the Isle of Fen was a desolate sight, with slippery stones and wooden structures worn by time and the sea. The wind howled through the cracks in the rocks, bringing with it the icy rain that whipped against the sailors' faces.
Ed, William, and Wilde ran from one side to the other, adjusting ropes and preparing the anchors. The tension was palpable, but the determination on their faces showed that they would not give up now.
"We're almost there!" Basil shouted over the storm's roar.
"Get ready to drop the anchors!"
With a combined effort, the crew managed to dock the Sea Falcon as best as possible given the adverse conditions. The anchors were dropped, and the ropes were tied to the sturdiest rocks they could find.
"We made it!" Peter exclaimed, exhausted but relieved.
William looked around, observing the hostile island now rising before them. "This island doesn't look very welcoming," he remarked, his voice laden with concern.
Basil nodded, still gripping the helm tightly. "We need to find shelter and restock our supplies. This storm isn't going to pass anytime soon, and we need to set sail as soon as possible."
The group disembarked from the ship, stepping onto the slippery rocks of the dock. The rain continued to fall relentlessly, and the wind seemed intent on tearing at their clothes and skin.
Part 2
The rays of the sun struggled to penetrate the heavy clouds covering the sky. The air was thick with moisture, and the relentless rain made every step difficult. Ed, William, Wilde, and the rest of the sailors walked carefully across the slippery rocks of the dock, their bodies soaked by the storm. As they sought shelter, a trio of fishermen spotted them.
The fishermen were rugged men, clad in heavy clothing and worn leather boots, showing years of hard work at sea. They approached cautiously, observing the newcomers with curiosity and distrust.
"Who are you?" asked one of the fishermen, his voice deep and weary.
Basil, still catching his breath after the difficult docking, replied, "We are sailors. I'm the captain of the Sea Falcon. We suffered an accident and are looking for temporary shelter and resupply."
The fishermen exchanged glances, assessing the situation. Wilde, sensing the hesitation, stepped forward. "We are here to hunt the monster that plagues these lands. We need to speak with the head of the town guard."
The fishermen didn't seem surprised, but the oldest among them nodded. "Alright, follow me. I'll take you to him."
Ed turned to Peter, who was walking behind him. "Take care of everything here. We'll be back as soon as possible."
Peter nodded, concerned. "Stay safe."
The three followed the older fisherman through the muddy streets of the port town. The houses were built of weathered wood and uneven stones. The structures were fragile and slanted, as if time and storms had slowly eroded their strength. The rain fell relentlessly, turning the streets into a sea of mud, and the few inhabitants who ventured outside their homes were wrapped in heavy cloaks and hoods to shield themselves from the harsh weather.
The narrow alleys wove between the houses, creating a maze of irregular paths. Small puddles formed in the road's potholes, and the sound of raindrops hitting the roofs and the soaked ground was a constant symphony. The dim lights from the houses' lanterns gave the place a somber and melancholic atmosphere.
After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived at a more solid-looking building, made of large, sturdy stones. The fisherman opened the heavy wooden door and gestured for them to enter.
Inside, the atmosphere was drier and warmer, though still dim. The hall was illuminated by torches casting dancing shadows on the walls. In the center of the room, an imposing man awaited them. His white hair and unshaved beard gave him an aura of wisdom and experience. He wore a hunter's uniform adorned with a raven emblem on a medallion. His red cloak contrasted with the austerity of the surroundings. He raised his head and looked at the newcomers with piercing eyes.
"Welcome." he said, his voice formal and authoritative.
"I am Pallas Nomikos, the head of the Raven Guard. I already know who you are and why you are here."
Wilde was the first to step forward and speak. "Thank you for the welcome. I am Wilde Galloti, and these are William Haver and his son Ed. We are ready for the hunt. We want to prepare to track it tomorrow."
Pallas nodded slowly, scrutinizing each of them. "I appreciate your readiness. The monster has been a constant threat to our community. The Raven Guard is at your disposal to provide what you need for this hunt."
"We will need provisions, information about the monster, and any equipment you can provide." Wilde said, getting straight to the point.
"Certainly." replied Chief Pallas.
"We will do our best to equip you properly. Come, I'll take you to the armory. You can choose what you need."
Suddenly, a desperate scream echoed from outside. Everyone turned to the door, alarmed.
A woman burst in, running down the hallway with a look of panic on her face. "My daughter! My daughter is dead!" she cried, tears mingling with the mud on her face.