[h3][center]Unknown Docks, Eodaland[/center][/h3]

Alric awoke to the noise of seagulls and soft waves, his eyelids slowly blinking as the grey sky came into view.
[i]“You took quite the tumble, my Lord. Found you on the side of the road, we did, in no good shape, I’ll tell you. Found your horse not too far off the path as well.”[/i] Alric followed the rough voice to his side where a brown-haired man sat on a stool, looking down at him. Alric recognised him. A wool merchant that had been collecting produce from the dozens of sheep on Halbuhr’s grounds.
[i]“Where have you brought me…”[/i] Alric spoke, his voice weak. 
[i]“The docks, my Lord, not too far from where we found you. You were injured so we thought best to patch you up here.”[/i] The man seemed cheerful. Alric found the strength to position himself upwards. His leg and torso were bandaged and he lay on a rag on the deck floor of a boat. Large bald men continued their work, loading barrels from the dock to the hold, passing him without a glance. 
[i]“You can’t send me back- I beg you, sir.” [/i] Alric appeared panicked, looking around frantically as he spoke but the man replied softly.
[i]“We shan’t be sending you anywhere, my Lord. You must’ve been in quite the hurry ridin’ with no saddle, alone, at such an ungodly hour.”[/i] He stood up.
[i]“You take some time to rest an’ I’ll come back to check on you. Then you can tell us what this strange business is about and I’ll do my best to serve.” [/i] Alric was confused and exhausted. All he could do was nod. He had seen this man many times in lengthy conversation with Halbuhr’s steward but otherwise he was a complete stranger. Then he remembers his dream. ‘Get out to sea’ the voice had said and here he was. Alric decided to take a leap of faith. 

Later Alric explained he had been escaping from assassins and Halbuhr was no longer safe. He would request the man take him to Dorestead where the court of King Poppo of Radboudy was. There he could find his eldest sister, the Princess Sunniva, and with great hope, safety. For where else could he flee? His rescuers agreed to take him and once the cargo had been loaded upon the ship they set sail. Alric was helped into his tunic and even given a crutch by some unfortunate peg-legged sailor too generous for his own good. Perhaps this would be the only present the boy would receive as it only just occurred to him that today was his sixteenth birthday. Time for celebration was long passed however and the Prince was advised to rest below deck and so he did. 

Suddenly Alric was thrown from his hammock onto the wet floor. What misfortune burdened him now? He clutched his sides in pain as he tried to pick himself up but this proved difficult as the ship tossed violently. Crawling to where his crutch had fallen, Alric tried again to get onto his feet. He limped with great strain up the steps to the deck where the crew appeared to be in full panic.
[i]"What’s going on?!"[/i] Stumbling, he managed to climb onto the deck, and immediately he saw just what was at hand. Black clouds filled the entire horizon, the rain soaked the deck, and the tranquil waves turned to vicious salty lashes, rocking the vessel as easily as a clam shell in a maelstrom. Alric had been a keen sailor these past years and this was the worst storm he’d ever witnessed. The Prince tried to help the sailors but his injured ankle hindered his efforts. As the storm raged the crew tried to combat it but, but to no avail. And worse was yet to come. As Alric looks across the ocean he observes pillars of water emerging from the sea going upwards, piercing the very sky. At least fifty of them. The ship found itself trapped in a colossal whirlpool. All men aboard held on for dear life, as it was increasingly clear to everyone that this was definitely no ordinary storm. There was nothing they could do.
[i]"I’ve been sailing this sea for fifty years, and this is [b]by far[/b] the worst storm I’ve seen! I think in recorded history! What in Xeaxaenot’s name are those pillars of water?!"[/i]
[i]"It’s divine wrath!"[/i] Another crewman cries out through the pelting rain.
[i]"Only the Golden Squirrel-demon can save us now! Praise him men, praise him!”[/i]

Alric refused to listen. He closed his eyes and prayed.
[i]“Father God, forgive these men who have been led astray and save us from damnation. Calm this ocean and clear these skies, I beg you, it is not my time.” [/i] A crack of lightning struck the mast, obliterating it into a million splinters. The tormented sailors were cast overboard, screaming and petitioning the divine Squirrel for help. But the rage of the storm snuffed out their prayers, and soon they were no more. 
Alric opened his eyes, hoping the worst had passed. But before him approached a wave so great it blocked the sky. He held his breath and gripped tight.

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