Too Close For Comfort [Solo]

[Gar]

Gar peered off into the horizon. He didn’t like what he saw. More accurately, he didn’t like what he couldn’t see. A stagnant mass of fog lingered above the waves to the east. Its very existence was strange to say the least. The present temperature and pressure shouldn’t allow for fog to gather at sea level. Also, the air currents should’ve been strong enough to at least diffuse the hazy white cloud. But no, the fog was thick, impermeable.


Gar was unnerved. He motioned with his arm for the crew to change course and avoid the fog. They would surely lose time but that was better than running into some hidden wreckage and busting a leak in the ship.


The captain wasn’t a stranger to ambushes at sea. This thick fog could hide many things, none of them good. He had been unfortunate to have encountered wrecks, rocks, assassins, pirates, plagues even ships of undead in unexpected places. It was certainly best to play it safe and sail around the unknown.


So that was the course that they took. A large loop around the mist and whatever it was hiding. At least that was the plan. As the ship grew close, the wind unexpectedly died down. The waves even calmed. It was as if they had entered a dead zone.

The air was stagnant, almost still enough to suffocate a person. His crew grew still, awaiting orders from their captain. Gar swallowed a lump in his throat. His eyes were fixated on the white mass of air that obstructed his vision. He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.


What he heard drove a chill down his spine. A series of thuds, emanating from deep within the fog. It sounded like a carpenter working, but that didn’t quite make sense. He felt a pressure weighing on his body. Thud Thud Thud. The fog then began to draw closer to their vessel. Or was it pulling them in? Either way, Gar was forced to finally give an order.


“Light some torches. We’re going to have to clear out this fog.” Gar returned to his quarters to grab his weapon. He latched the holy axe to his back. If there was ever a time to use it’s power, this was it. By the time he returned to the deck, the ship was on the border of the fog. The thudding was louder. If he listened closely, he could hear the creaking of an old ship. The captain could also hear the moans of revenants. That sound, he was far too familiar with.


Gar unlatched his axe and began to steel himself for a fight. That was when he felt a breeze sweep past his brow, blowing his hair to the side. Like a breath of relief, the ships sails filled with air and the ship continued to sail, tangent to the fog’s perimeter. The captain returned his axe to the latch on his back and exhaled. They were able to continue the voyage.


Gar watched as the fog began to shrink in the distance. But it didn’t fade away. It lingered, the same as that repetitive thudding.

[Gar]

________

Gar was still shaken up by that fog. More so by whatever was concealed within it. He had never seen nor felt something like that at sea before. He had fought plenty of foes, numerous and varied. But, the dread of it all. The thudding. It was haunting. He was sure he was going to die if he got pulled in. He was sure they would all die.


The berserker cursed to himself as his ship grew close to port. Was this what Nayru was talking about? Arum? She said it would happen sooner than I anticipated, but this is too soon. I should’ve been preparing, making allies, doing something. Gar punched a banister.


As soon as his ship docked in Badon, he hopped down onto the dock. His strong legs absorbed the impact of the fall. He began to walk north. His destination was the home of his parents. It was about half a day’s walk, but he moved at a good pace. This was urgent. In time, he managed to make it to home. He knocked on the door.


A middle aged woman with brown hair answered the door. Gar's mother, Iva. “My baby boy!” The woman embraced Gar and he returned the hug. “Ahoy ma. Where’s the old man? I have something I want to discuss.” The woman dragged Gar into the home by his arm. “So quick to get to business huh? Come in take a seat, relax for a bit. We can discuss your worries later.” Gar gently tugged his arm away and spoke with a tone that he knew his mother would understand. “Ma please. This is important.”


Iva looked at the concern on her son’s face. She called to another room. “Alivar. Your son is here. He has something to tell us.” Gar’s father emerged from the other room and gave a hearty laugh. “What problems could he be having? Too many ladies calling around hahahar.” Iva shot her husband a look and Gar exhaled through his nose while revealing a small smirk. The three family members took a seat around a small table.


“Listen. I want you to move to my fort on the Western Isles. Just so I know you’re safe, well relatively safe, for the time being. I saw something at sea.” Gar ran a hand through his hair. “ I heard something, and it wasn’t right. It was dangerous and I’m going to look into it.” Gar scanned his parent’s countenances. They were grim, troubled by Gar’s words.

There was a silence.


Gar’s parents nodded to each other. “If that’s what you think is right my son. We will make our way to your fort. Caledonia right?”

“You know, based on your line of work, we figured we’d be targeted by a greedy pirate lord at some point. But this is something so ominous. Make sure you’re prepared for anything.” Iva nodded in agreement. “Don’t do anything foolish, Edgar.” Gar nodded.


“I promise I won’t. Thank you for understanding.”


“Of course.” The trio stood and embraced.


“I’m headed back to the docks. Tomorrow I’ll have you escorted to a transport vessel. You will be at my fort in no time.” Gar left the home and exhaled a breath of relief. With his parents in a safe location, he could focus. As he walked, he began to come up with his plan of action.

[End Thread]