*Lorcan Riage*
The great ship, 'The Tellstar' was moored in the harbour of Horn's Bow. It's main mast had a large flag with the crest of House Riage embroidered onto it. The Phoenix with it's bright orange coloured flames mirrored the plain yellow background of the sail. Lorcan had managed to amass a crew of fifty men for the journey to the treacherous sea at hand. There was men from Ulkos, tall and muscular with dark tanned skin, men from Gulsanteer with their long braids and blue end tips, men from the tributaries of the Synarthar that varied greatly from light blonde some would say even white, to the deep dark brown hair of former royalty and slightly tanned skin. Even from the Great Varagan Empire that has conquered a third of the world, with their fair complexion and soot black hair. He had assembled a rather diverse crew in such a short period of time.
In truth it had only been a week since his discussion with the council. Lorcan still thought he would need to move quickly before others could claim the prize of finding whatever beast lurked in the depths of The Basin of the Dead. "So when are we to set off, Dalton" Lorcan asked. Dalton was a man who had taken voyages around the sea for decades. He was tall and muscular with a grey beard and rough tanned skin, a pipe was nestled in between his two front teeth covered in soot. His voice was hoarse "Aye, probably a few more hour's, have to get all the supplies on board". Lorcan clicked his tongue "No sooner?" "I'm afraid not King Lorcan" the sailor said. I'll find something to preoccupy myself Lorcan thought, as he turned away from the ship and Dalton to head down the bustling streets of Horn's Bow. As Lorcan strolled down the streets of his dominion he couldn't help but wonder how would his voyage into the unknown territories of the Basin of the Dead unfold. Would he be fortunate and find nothing? or would he come face to face with the beast the man from Ulkos came to see? Only time would tell. He wouldn't have his good friend Robert on the voyage today it brought him a great sense of relief as he always outshone Lorcan, which made Lorcan quite envious of him. Lorcan moved further along the street admiring the tapestry and ornaments that decorated the house's and shop's, they weren't necessarily as gracious as his in Lorcamir but they were just as refined by some great weaver from Gulsanteer. After he walked for some time he realised that it was past noon and he should turn back to the Tellstar.
Once he reached the ship he got onto the deck and greeted Dalton once more before heading below to greet his crew. Once he went under deck he was greeted with the waft of sweat and salt water, he flinched back for a moment as all eyes set on him. Before steadying his gaze and puffing out his chest to make himself look more domineering. "Thank you all for joining me on this great day" his voice was loud and clear "On this day we set out to conquer the seas, to claim back the sea from the wretched creatures that threaten our trade, threaten our lives every time we go to and fro, from castle walls to harbour piers, from small coastal villages to large towns like the one we're harbouring in today" he gazed at all his men one by one. Each man holding their breath. Even if he didn't believe the creatures were real he would still have to inspire his men."Do you want your family and friends to die?" He said accusingly. "NO!" the men said their voice rising up. "So I ask you, will we faulter or will we conquer?" he awaited the answer patiently. "Conquer!" every man said in unison. "So sail onwards!" Lorcan shouted.
The ship began to leave the harbour, men scurrying at work as they rushed about the ship. Lorcan gazed out at the ocean "forwards" he muttered under his breath.
A few days passed but each day was largely similar, get up eat, man the ship do what's necessary. Until on the fourth day of their sailing the sunny blue skies that reflected off the rough greenish water disappeared giving way to the ominous fog and still but ever changing waters of the Basin of the Dead. It's finally time for my plan to commence. Lorcan began shouting the orders "Get those barrels and start emptying them overboard", Dalton was marching around repeating what Lorcan had said "You heard him empty them!" The plan was to empty the barrels overboard, containing fish oils which if these creatures were hungry which they presumably were since they live in the sparsely populated waters, would lead to them picking up on the scent and follow the ship which would take another day or two for the creature or creatures to intercept the ship and at which time Lorcan and the crew would seize their opportunity and strike.
Lorcan peered over the edge of the boat smiling "good, good it shouldn't take these creatures that long to track us maybe a few days at which all our preparations will come to fruition and we'll slay this thing for sure" Dalton approached Lorcan "Do you really think this will work, I mean I've navigated these waters all my life and have never even seen whatever it is we're looking for, what hope do we have with your guidance and not so great knowledge" he said sounding unconvinced with Lorcan. "Ya, your right Dalton I may not be knowledgeable but I understand that if I turn back now, I'll be called a coward, the people's trust in me will dampen, it's not for your sake it's for mine, I need to complete this journey and be victorious, then I'll be a legend worthy of the name Lorcan Riage." He brushed a black hair off his face. Dalton nodded to Lorcan "You willing to sacrifice us for your goal?" Lorcan took a long deep breath "Yes I am without a seconds hesitation". He looked up through the fog "To be the Golden Phoenix."