Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Chapter 224: CCXXIV. Gurn

After leaving the Rocky Crown building and getting off the walls, they hurried to the stable and mounted on horseback, leaving the main gallery. 

"Gurn is to the west, about ten miles from here" exclaimed Reidar, who pulled out an old map ripped from his pocket.

Already after a hundred meters after passing the tunnel, the four friends found a signpost with indications for their destination. 

The road leading to Gurn was straight and safe, with people on horseback flowing towards the city and looking curiously at Dag and the others, who were moving in the opposite direction, which was quite strange as the sunset was approaching.

The red Sun illuminated the ground and the trees on one side, while the darkness made space around them, which without problems reached their goal, which presented itself as a kind of fort, surrounded by thick and low stone walls.

Unlike the last port they had visited, Hevnen's, this one seemed almost uninhabited. Although it was not too late, there was no one near the docks, only sailors and workers, intent on securing the docked ships, which because of the wind that had been rising for a few hours, swung overwhelmingly, slamming against each other. 

"Great, just what we need... the wind will make the journey to the Island even more difficult..." Gridd said, looking up, as menacing clouds moved over Gurn. 

"We're looking for Frank, maybe he's one of those men over there" Dag said, riding toward a group of sailors who chatted leaning against a boat, completely ignoring his sister's warning, that merely followed him.

"Hello, gentlemen. I'm looking for Frank, do you know him?" he asked, coming off his horse.

The sailors looked at each other with a chuckle, given Dag's young age, when a stout man with a huge black mustache sprang from their shoulders.

"I'm Frank, who's looking for me?" the man asked, looking Dag in the eye.

Without saying a word, he handed over the parchment given to him by Sander, and Frank read it carefully, with a questioning expression. 

"And where's this 'Master Dag', boy?" he asked, looking around.

"He's just in front of you, Frank" Dag smiled, crossing his arms, under the astonished gaze of the group of sailors. 

"You? How can it..." 

"Yes, how can a young kid like me already be a Master? I know, I know, I've heard this thing hundreds of times. Are you showing us the boat or what? We should leave now" Dag continued, in a haughty tone.

The sailors stepped aside, letting him and his team pass to the dock, while Frank made his way, continuing to read the scroll. 

"That's the 'Brass Arrow'. It's Runar's fastest and quietest boat, I built it myself. It is usually used for espionage missions and other similar stuff, thanks to its features that make it perfect for this stuff. Are you on a mission for your Clan?" the sailor asked, showing the boat to the adventurers.

"Yes. We have a little unfinished business with the Horns Of Heimdallr" Dag replied, admiring the masterpiece of naval engineering.

"Horns Of Heimdallr?! Don't you know our Clan has declared war on them? I thought you were heading south, are you really sure you want to go to Vaeren Island? The last time a ship left in that direction, it never came back... it was about a month ago..." 

"We know this story, my friend. It's one of the reasons we urgently need to go there. I'll be happy to explain to you better when we'll be back, so you will satisfy your curiosity" Dag replied, continuing to smile at the man, with a determined expression.

"Uhm, sure... Master Dag. You can deliver the horses to me, I will tie them in the dock and look after them until you return. In this regard, how soon will you come back?" 

"We need just a few hours" Dag replied, handing Aslan's bridles into Frank's hands, who gasped at those words with a confused expression painted on his face.

"Master Dag, maybe I didn't get it right... a few hours?! Yes, it's true, the Brass Arrow can reach the Island in about half an hour, but... It can't take so little time!" exclaimed the sailor, grasping the bridles of the 4 horses, who arranged themselves neatly behind him.

"We'll be quick, Frank. I told you, keep your questions for later" concluded Dag, who boarded the boat without adding anything else, followed by his companions.

The Brass Arrow was a classic 'Draki' Viking dragon-boat- shape. Both sides were reinforced with brass slabs, which, entering the water, cut its surface, soundproofing the boat, which did not make any noise even when stationary. 

The back was flat and tilted, while the bow was pointed and facing upwards, with a brass snakehead that graced the end of the hull.

The sail, unlike the common boats, was mounted on a mainmast tilted towards the stern of the ship, which gave the whole boat an even more tapered and aerodynamic shape, increasing its speed of movement, according to Frank, who cared for it as if it was a jewel and reluctantly left it in the hands of four strangers.

Before jumping off the pier, Reidar untied the docking rope and the Brass Arrow began to move, under the action of the waves caused by the wind, which even in the harbor made their strength felt.

"Let's see... I think it needs to be moved in this direction..." Said Dag, who tried to turn the tip of the boat, recalling the movements of the boat's sailor who took them from Innsjo to Hevnen. 

Lifting the rudder bar, consisting of a wooden bar placed on the stern and moving it to one side and then the other, with a bit of luck, he managed to drive the vehicle out of the port, avoiding the other moored boats.

Once offshore, Vaeren Island was already visible in the distance and its angular contours took shape, in contrast to the gray clouds behind it, reflecting the moonlight.