Matthias Oreklein’s Blog

The captain turned away from the helm and started for his quarters, Jed followed.  Opening the small door, he beckoned Jed inside.  He obliged.  Closing and locking the door behind him, the Captain turned to Jed and thought, My name is Captain Allen Asheroth.  You may call me Ash.  As you have noticed I am mute and, He held out his right fore arm to expose the array of symbols, As you can see, one of my gifts is telepathy.  May I know your gifts?

All Celubrians were born with symbols emblazoned on their dominant forearm.  This arrays of five or six symbols dictates the major talents and gifts of the Celubrian.  Jed held out his arm.  Jed possessed the gifts of telepathy, healing, truth, water, and light.

Interesting, thought Ash.  You could be useful.

“No!” retorted Jed.  Ash gave him a stern look at his vocalization and told him it was a purely mental conversation.  Sorry but no, I will not join your crew.

You may not have a choice.  Replied Ash.  I will not let you leave my ship… and we are in need of a truth seer in our deals with other pirates.  You command over water will definitely be useful on the river.

Sorry to disappoint you but not all of my gifts have surfaced yet.  I do have power over telepathy, truth, and light.  Jed had no idea why he was sharing this information, but there was something about Captain Ash that was honorable.  Speaking of which… Are you an honorable man?

Captain Ash smiled.  He’d caught on to Jed’s trick.  Yes.

He was telling the truth.  How could that be?! Jed thought to himself, but Ash heard.

I am a robin hood of sorts.  My crew and I steal from other pirates and then give them back to the original owners.  The piracy facade is a ruse.  Of course if we can weasel a service fee from the owners, that would be helpful too.

Jed was shocked.  He was telling the complete truth.  Not only could Jed sense when someone was lying to him, he could also tell when someone was not telling the whole truth.

How old are you? Asked Captain Ash.

I am no older than 16. Replied Jed.

Who is that soul you carry in that bag? His questions were honest and kind, purely curious.

Jed began to explain about Jarrod and all of his talents.  The Captain was completely entranced.

Hang on! Interrupted Jed to his own story.  If the piracy thing is ruse, why was the guy in the hull so rude?

Oh, him? Ash rolled his eyes.  Jack takes it a little over the top.  He wasn’t going to hurt you.  I would see to that.  So, finished Ash after a pause.  Will you stay?

I thought you were giving me a choice.

I’m not, it’s just more polite, and you have a choice actually.  You could either work on the boat, or be tied to it.  Your choice.

Why won’t you let me leave?  Why did you kidnap me in the first place?  Jed noticed a half truth.

Okay, jokes up!  You father sent us.  Jed gasped in anger.  We are on the middle of a run, but when he told us you were he couldn’t let us pass up the chance.  He said that you could use a good time on a ship.

Jed glared into space, infuriated at my father.  Show me your crest! Jed demanded.

Ash nodded and went behind his desk and retrieved an envelope.  Opening it up he withdrew a small square piece of paper.  Drawn on it’s surface was the symbol of the Karnais.  Jed relaxed slightly, and held his hand out for it.  It jumped out of Ash’s grip and floated over the Jed’s as if blown by the wind.

Jed brushed his fingers across the black ink.  The lines pulsed with blue light.  There was a smaller symbol in the corner.  It was a unique character but Jed recognized it.  Touching it, a voice filled his head, Jed, I apologize for sending you on this… “adventure” but Ash is a first degree Knight of Andoan, and my best friend.

He can teach you somethings.  As is customary for the Andoan-Karnai, the second in command of the Order trains the Andoan-Karnai-in-waiting, when the current one can’t.  Don’t ask me what I’m doing, but don’t worry about me though.  I will be fine.

It all made sense.  Why would Jed be sent to his cousin’s home when his father had to go.  He hated coming to the Merigol Plain.  It was too hot and muggy.  The swamp like air and the vast network of rivers and canals bothered him.  In just a few weeks, the flood would come and the entire plain, over seven million square miles, would be underwater.  Jed wouldn’t mind being on the Cliffs of Merigol where the entire cliff would be a huge water fall.

Now Jed was captured by fake pirates and… Wait!  The second in command of the Order!  That’s a Luxor!  Your last name isn’t Asheroth!  Jed didn’t notice him lying, but now that he thought about it, he had.

You caught me, he smiled.  I have to lie about my name all the time, so it is mostly a habit.  My name is Asheroth Luxor, yes.

Let me see your gifts! Commanded Jed.  Ash walked closer and held out his arm.  Just as Jed had anticipated.  Ash’s gifts were telepathy, the Great Gateway, fire, gold, and selflessness.  Very well, I will stay.

Matthias Oreklein’s Blog by Matthias Oreklein is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.