For Boredom's Sake: Eric's Tale - Chapter 11: Out in the Cold... Again

For Boredom's Sake: Eric's Tale

Chapter 11: Out in the Cold... Again
By Eric Greer

It didn't take long for Eric's greedy side to regret wasting a coin on such a grand exit. But, the greedy regret was soon replaced by a physical one as he was seemingly torn apart by razor sharp snow carried by icy winds. The weather had definitely taken a turn for the worse since he had woken up - squinting, he could barely make out the buildings to his left, let alone the ships to his right.
He eventually managed to make it to the docks without blindly falling into the frigid ocean.There he found two men standing next to the gangplanks to their respective ships, each bundled in comically large but totally appropriate coats, with their hoods up and tightened, leaving only enough open space to see out of. It was at this moment that Eric realized that he didn't know which ship he had chartered - an embarrassing mistake to say the least.
"I say, my good man," he said to the nearest one, his teeth chattering as the wind beat his face. "This ship wouldn't happen to be going to Audier, would it? I met the captain of one of these fine sailing vessels and managed to secure passage away from this dire, wind-pummeled rock."
Turning his entire body towards Eric, the man stared for a few moments before mumbling something unintelligible through his hood and turned away again.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that, my good man," said Eric, stepping closer to the man, hoping to better hear him.
Turning again, the man mumbled something indecipherable, though with a more aggressive tone, before pushing Eric away from the gangplank.
"I say! I was just asking a question!"
The man turned once more, this time waving his hands, gesturing for him to leave, as he continued to mumble aggressively.
"Fine!" he said, channeling his aggravation into an intense posh attitude. "I shall ask your counterpart over yonder! Perhaps he'll be more forthcoming! Good day to you, sir!" And with that he put his nose into the air and made his way further down the dock.
"Greetings!" he said when he had reached the other man, huddling close to him. "Would this fine sailing vessel be headed for Audier, by any cha-"
The man had started aggressively mumbling at Eric, and with a heavy shove to his chest, Eric found himself careening to the ground.
"By the gods! Have you no decency? No sense of politeness?" he exclaimed as he picked himself up off the ground. "This is an outrage! A travesty! All I asked was a simple question! Is this ship going to Audier? Is this ship going to Audier? Is? This? Ship? Going? To? Audier? Audier? AUDIER?" he said, enthusiastically waving from the ship to the open ocean to the east.
The man simply ignored him.
"Damn it all," said Eric, turning away. He looked around, hoping to find something to shield himself from the wind, which seemed to be coming from all directions. A few moments later he was huddled up amidst a group of barrels within eyesight of the gangplanks, his knees pressed against his chest.

"Lord Bamphris! Lord Bamphris!"
Eric had seen the captain and his companions arrive at the first gangplank. He had watched them share words with the asshole standing guard. He had even seen said asshole vaguely point in his direction. And he had watched as the captain made his way over to him. But he had been too cold to will himself to do anything.
"E-E-E-r-r-in-n B-B-B-B-B-B-B-am-ph-ph-ph-ris-s-s-s, a-at y-y-ou-r-r ser-r-v-v-ice, s-s-sir-r-r," he managed to stammer through the chill, not getting up.
"Lads, get him on board before his arse freezes to the dock," laughed the captain, waving at his companions.
They each took hold of his shoulders and heaved him up to his feet, then dragged him across the dock, past the aforementioned asshole, and up the gangplank, across the deck, and through a door. That's all he remembered before finally falling asleep.

When he had told the captain that he would be willing to sleep in a closet, it had been in jest, but in a closet was where he had awoken. He found himself curled up on the hard wooden floor, covered in a blanket, his head lying on his bag. A dim stream of light was pouring in from below the door. He could feel the ship moving with the waves. They must have left Saros.
Standing up, he wrapped his blanket around him and prepared to open the door.
"Well, at least you've managed to get off of that rock," said a voice from behind him.
He turned around, but it was too dark to make anything out. Suddenly he felt a light blow to his forehead and the snap of fingers as a small candle ignited above him.
"Dammit," he said, rubbing his head, "why are you here? Are you following me?"
"I'm just checking in," said Cyril, scratching his neck, his voice as lazy as ever.
"Well, you've checked in, now get out of here!"
"Alright, have it your way," he said. And with that Eric was once again struck in the forehead. When he opened his eyes, Cyril was gone. "But I'll be back!" said his disembodied voice.


Copyright 2013 by Eric Greer. All rights reserved.