Frost 8th
Myles strained against the ropes as he pulled the heavy barge upstream. Sweat dripped down his face and his muscles burned with exertion. Even with his prodigious strength the task was nearly his match.
As he labored, he found himself in conversation with the captain. They talked about the orphan and her condition, and Myles couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her once they found a way to cure the dragonshard growing from her brow.
"I can't imagine what it must be like for her," Myles said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Growing up without a family, with this...thing on her head. I have to find a way to help her."
The captain nodded solemnly. "I know. But what will you do with her once you find a way to cure her? You can’t live a life on the run forever."
Myles frowned, not having considered this before. "I don't know. Maybe we could find a family for her? Someone to take care of her… I can’t imagine that her staying with me will bring her anything but hardship.”
The captain sighed. "That's easier said than done. Most people are afraid of Voidrillium. They won't want to take in a child that’s had contact with it, no matter how well she's been taken care of. Even once she’s been cured, I doubt she could live a normal life, after what she’s been though. You’ve kept her safe this far why stop now?”
Myles shook his head. "That's… I have to find a way to help her, to give her a future. Something better than what I could offer."
They continued to pull the barge upstream, lost in thought. Myles couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility towards the orphan, as if it was his duty to help her in any way he could. The thought of leaving her alone and abandoned once she was cured was unbearable.
As the sun began to set and the day wore on, Myles continued to labor, his mind filled with thoughts of the orphan and her future. He knew that they had a long way to go before they found a solution, but he was determined to do everything in his power to help her.
As the day wore on and the sun began to set, Myles felt his muscles burning with exhaustion. The barge was heavy, and the current was strong. He had never worked so hard in his life. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, taking a moment to catch his breath. Looking around, he noticed that the sky had turned a deep shade of orange, and the air was getting cooler.
The captain, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly spoke up. "Myles, I know that you're doing this for the wee lass, but have you thought about whats next?"
Myles looked at the captain quizzically. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you can't live in the moment forever" the captain said. "What will you do once we find a way to cure the orphan?"
Myles had never really thought about it. He had always just lived day-to-day, never worrying about what the future might hold. "I don't know. I suppose I can find a way to make a living, odd jobs, perhaps mercenary work, perhaps something peaceful, I don’t really feel like I personally have many wants or desires anymore.”
The captain shook his head. "You're a strong man, Myles. You could do so much more with your strength. Have you ever considered becoming a warrior? You'd be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield."
Myles pondered this for a moment. He had never considered himself a warrior, a soldier sure, bit not a warrior, but he couldn't deny that he had the strength for it. “I don’t feel that I have the ability to swing a sword without wondering why I’m doing it anymore. I was a soldier of Zaichaer for most of my life, and I’ve been punished many times over for that by this world it seems..”
The captain smiled. "Then find reasons to swing that sword Myles, and if you cannot, then perhaps you may lay it down. Perhaps you will choose a peaceful twilight.. Maybe swing a plow, Maybe come pull my barge full time haahaaha.”
Myles smiled thoughtfully. It was a tempting thought, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of duty to the orphan. "I'll have to think about it, sir. But right now, I just want to focus on getting the girl better."
The captain nodded. "Of course, Myles. But keep it in mind. You have rare strength, and a good heart I think, those are not paired as often as you may assume, you could be many things Myles”
Myles nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of the captain's words. He returned his attention to the barge, determined to push through the exhaustion and finish the task at hand. “another thing Myles.. How long will you make that poor thing go on without a name” This again made Myles fall silent. “I told you I wasn’t cut out for this” The captain paused thoughtfully before responding with his own wisdom. “Few ever feel they are Myles, but that makes the effort all the more noble” Unable to think of anything to say to that he kept pulling the Barge towards the location a short ways ahead, where the captain said a good curve in the river had a bank perfect for camping out for the night.
As the sun disappeared behind the horizon, the two men continued their tasks in silence, pulling the heavy barge upstream. Myles' arms had long since numbed themselves to the task but he refused to stop until they reached their destination. The moon had risen high in the sky by the time they finally reached the shore.
The captain tied up the barge and turned to Myles, a grateful expression on his face. "Well done, Myles. That was one of the rivers most difficult leagues but you handled it with grace hahaha, are you sure you don’t want some brandy to wash it down?”
Myles grinned wearily, feeling a sense of pride at the captain's words. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without knowing I had to look at you every time I turned around” This elicited another bark of laughter from the captain.
The two men gathered their belongings and headed towards the small campsite that the captain had spoke of earlier. As they walked Myles looked back to the ever silent Orphan that had come out of the cabin of the Barge finally to join them for their dinner. Myles vowed to begin mulling over a name for her in the coming days.
Once they reached the camp, Myles set about preparing a fire, while the captain began to cook a meager meal of dried meat and hardtack. They ate in silence, lost in their own thoughts. As they finished, the captain stood up and stretched, looking out towards the river.
"It's a beautiful night," he said, "Don't you think, Myles?"
Myles followed the captain's gaze, looking out at the moonlit river. It was a peaceful sight, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of calm. "Yes, It is."
The captain turned to Myles, a serious expression on his face. "Myles, I know that you feel a sense of responsibility towards the lass, but don't forget about yourself. You have your own life to live, your own path to follow."
Myles nodded thoughtfully, considering the captain's words. He knew that he couldn't spend the rest of his life running, but he also couldn't abandon the orphan. "I understand what you mean, but I think at least for the time being, our paths are intwined, I still think I’m her best chance at getting better”
The captain placed a hand on Myles' shoulder. "I know that you'll make the right decision."
Myles felt a quiet gratitude towards the captain, the man had provided many thoughts and truths he’d been avoiding in the short time they had traveled together.
The two men sat in silence for a while longer, lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Myles stood up and stretched, feeling the soreness in his muscles. "I think I'm going to turn in. It's been a long day."
The captain nodded in agreement. "Get some rest, Myles. We still have a long journey ahead of us."
Myles retreated to his small tent, feeling the exhaustion wash over him. As he lay down on his bedroll, he couldn't help but think about the orphan and her future. He knew that he had a long road ahead of him, but he was determined to find a way to help her, no matter what it took. Falling asleep to the gentle burble of the stream and the girls soft breathing Myles was thankful for the dreamless sleep his exhaustion brought him.
