A Sailor's Fate - Desmun Hakar

[dontimes]

In the darkness of night, the sound of waves hammered the beach as a man lay unconscious on a wooden raft. Desmun’s eyes opened, only to see a near pitch black sky, mottled with clouds. As he attempted to stand a sharp pain quickly grabbed him and he bellowed out a loud scream. Cringing in agony, he looked down only to see a piece of jagged wood protruding from his abdomen. With all the willpower he could muster he grabbed a hold of the wood and wrenched it out, only to let out another scream in agony. The waves continued to hammer down on the shore as he lay there wincing in pain. Fighting the urge to fall asleep, he scanned the beach unable to see anything but for a forest about thirty meters from where his raft had landed. He struggled to stand upright, instead opting for a hunched over position, which helped ease his pain as he hobbled over toward the forest in the wet and spongy sand. As he pushed forward, the trees grew larger and larger until he could continue no more, falling to his knees as darkness once again took over.

The sound of birds singing, and water lightly rolling against the sand was the first thing he heard as he woke the following morning. The sun beat down on his face, and he winced in pain trying to sit upward. Looking around he could see a dense forest in front of him and an endless ocean to his back. Inspecting his wound, he determined without his healing kit, he would need to find medical attention soon. Ripping off portions of his shirt he fashioned an improvised bandage and wrapped his abdomen with some light pressure. With his wound slightly treated, he found it easier for himself to move about. Making his way back to his raft he discovered two sets of footprints… one belonging to himself, and the other making their way down the beach. With only the clothes on his back, a small dagger and a half full canteen strapped to his belt he followed the tracks down the beach...

[dontimes]

The sun flew high as Desmun followed the lone pair of footsteps. Weakened by his injury, he could not travel as fast as he was used to. Taking frequent breaks, and rationing his water he followed the tracks all day. As night grew the sky was clear, with a bright, nearly full moon to illuminate his path. Being a skilled tracker he had no difficulties following the tracks, but for his wound which would slow him down at times. It mustn’t had been an hour since sunset when a flicker of orange light splashed against the tree line.

Desmun stayed close to the forest in an attempt to keep himself hidden. He crept forward getting closer, and closer until he could see a shadow of man illuminated from a fire. Striving to keep himself unnoticed, he moved closer until the man quickly turned around and shouted, “Who’s there?!" ‘How in the hells did he hear me?’ thought Desmun as the man arose quickly, wielding a Scimitar. As the dark silhouette approached, Desmun could not identify him and simply froze to remain unnoticed. The hairs on the back of his neck stood as the man scanned the area and said, “I know somebody is there… who is it!?” Closer and closer he walked until Demun realized who it was… The Navigator from his ship, Hassad.

[dontimes]

Stepping out of the shadows Desmun revealed himself. Hassad quickly took a step backward and raised his weapon in defense, before lowering it saying, “Desmun? Is that truly you? I thought you were dead!”
“No, my friend... Though I feel as though I could die at any minute. Do you have any food?” Hassad hurried over to help Demun to the fire, and prepared some food he had gathered. After gorging on all which was presented to him, Desmun asked, “What had happened?”
“Do you not remember? The ship- we were fighting through a storm. All hands were on deck as the Captain tried to make safe through the waves. The storm was relentless, the rains blinded you as the ship would toss you back and forth. The main sail had dropped and the crew was unable to bring it back in… I could not say for how long it was down before we hit it. I cannot say what it was, but many fell overboard as the ship came to a near halt. The damage was too extensive to repair. You and many others went below to try and get your belongings before the main mast had fell on the cabin. You had just made it topside but were wounded. I dragged you, Khalid and Ashmen to the raft and set off. They did not survive, and rest at the bottom of the Sea of Swords now… When we landed on shore I thought you dead. I should have known better but there was a lot of blood. .” He motioned to a leather bag lying next to a tree. “Your bag is right over there.” Hassad smiled as best he could, but it was clear he was distraught. “Come, get some rest. Tomorrow we try to find our way to civilization.” The night was calm, the moon was bright, and the sky sparkled in stars. Desmun lay there looking up at the night sky for hours before finally succumbing to sleep.