“Where in the nine hells is the Lake of Mist monster!?” My-re bellowed out in frustration from the aft section of the Nightie.
The 7 foot tall captain of the ship, Phetmologe, flinched in surprise at the outburst causing the enormous wheel he manned to pull slightly to starboard. The captain had been vigilant at navigating the craft after Sheila Greywand instructed the search in a new part of the lake, known for shallow reefs, where the slightest mistake could cause a catastrophic gash in the hull.
A dozen of Sheila Greywand’s personal lord protector bodyguards caught their footing and turned their heads towards her for a moment, a few scoffed, and then their attention turned outward to the Sea of Mists.
A plume of smoke burst in front My-re and Tim the Enchanter of the Knights of Ni stable emerged from the cloud.
“Lady Sheila Greywand has requested a drink! Some call it…mushroom mead?” He then clasped one hand over a fist back-and-forth to give a resemblance of a mushroom.
My-re coughed a couple times and regarded Tim. He wore dark robes and carried a long wooden staff. However, his most unusual features were his ram horn, leather cap and a chain necklace with a white rabbit foot on the end. Tim had been standing next to Shelia and tended to make a grand spectacle anytime he did anything, including traveling short distances.
Over the past four weeks, Sheila had filled the Nightie with a rotating group of the best warriors the Isle of the Eye had to offer, as well as an occasional a wizard of some renown. While, My-re considered most of the mages odd, she welcomed their magical talent on the boat.
“I have some here, I’ll bring it to her,” Ssskah of the Castaway stable said.
“Stop!” Tim the Enchanter commanded and raised his hand. “She has requested My-re to bring her the beverage.”
Great, another scolding My-re thought to herself. Since joining the crew of the Nightie, Sheila was very particular on how things were done. Everything from how to tie a proper knot to secure the masts, to ensuring the proper mixture of vinegar was used to clean the deck of mold and mildew. It also seemed Shelia had taken a personal interest in her. At first she was extremely flattered at the attention, but soon it seemed there was nothing My-re could do right. Sheila was like a mother hen ruling the roost. Every roost.
“That’s fine, I’ll do it.” My-re slammed the glass on a serving try, a little too hard and poured the mushroom mead into an oval glass. A wave slammed into the hull caused her to spill a portion on the tray and she let out a sigh of frustration. Shelia would not have a mess. She used a rag to clean it up and proceeded toward Shelia. Passing the other lord protectors My-re thought they all seemed short compared to her height.
My-re approached and stood next to Shelia who sat on a simple chair with her long legs stretched, and crossed with the heels of her boots resting on the ship’s railing. Her hands were intertwined around her grey wand in her lap, as she stared out to the lake.
A few heartbeats passed between them. Thinking she was waiting for her to say something about her outburst My-re said, “Apologies for my—“
“Ah, my refreshment,” Shelia said interrupting her and took the glass. She sniffed the contents and took a sip.
My-re began again, “Apologies for—“
“No need for that. While it was an age ago, I remember what is it was like being young and everything was in a rush.”
While Shelia was older than My-re, she appeared just a little younger than she remembered her mother as a child.
Shelia continued, “I too find our lack of progress this past month frustrating. I have enjoyed the daily expeditions out at sea and away from the tower. Unfortunately, my other responsibilities remain unfinished and I find no one capable to complete them while I am away.”
My-re glanced around and didn’t see Timmy the Spy anywhere nearby. Typically, he was right by Sheila’s side. “Would Timshard be a good person to complete your duties at the tower?” My-re asked using his proper name.
“No. Timshard, how can I put it, attention to starting, or finishing a task, could be stronger.”
“Where is he?” My-re asked looking around.
“He asked to be stationed in the crow’s next. His task is to warn us if Grumpy decides to pay a proper visit.”
Hesitantly, My-re asked, “Who’s Grumpy?”
“No need to worry about him, or maybe it is a her.” Likely seeing confusion on My-re’s face, Sheila clarified, “Grumpy is a colossal, albino crustacean caught many years ago. He actually was going to be the main course at dinner at the end of a grand tournament, but his gigantic size and color was unique. I commuted his fate and let him free into the Lake of Mists. He does a tremendous job of keeping the lake clean of expired creatures.”
“Why the name Grumpy?”
“He does not like to be disturbed. There have been more than a few craft lost to his massive claws. Many a boat captain are wise to steer clear of this area. As necessity has it, we are right in the middle of his territory.”
My-re glanced hesitantly out to sea.
“There is no concern as he only comes out at night…to feed.” Sheila voice trailed off, as her eyes turned up in thought. She looked to the clear, sunny sky, chuckled, and then more to herself said, “Brilliant. It was so obvious and staring me straight in the face.”
“Obvious?”
“Captain Phetmologe! Bring the Nightie back to harbor!”
“I don’t understand?” My-re questioned.
“The Lake of Mist monster is a night feeder. That is why we have not seen the creature all this time during the day,” Sheila said.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“We set sail in the evening.”
“Tomorrow?”
“No, my dear. Tonight.”