Chapter 6 Part 1: Storms and Games

Jasper watched the growing storm, brows knitting.

“Come on old man, we have nothing to worry about,” Mei teased.

Easy for her to say. He still remembered boating as a child back on earth—getting caught in a storm. The waves on that small lake still held a terror he wouldn’t forget. A sudden wave crashed against the side. Jun jerked back. The boat they rode didn’t rock, another thing that bothered him. The tech in this world was strange. In some ways it was archaic, no better than feudal or medieval times, but in cases like this, the boats didn’t ride the waves, they glided over. He wasn’t sure how it would fare against the elements.

A knock at the door and Jun was there, opening it to find a knight.

“The storm will be a bit rough. Please place the cover for the porthole and crank the opposing side closed,” the knight ordered. Jun was at a loss. Mei squeaked as a side hatch opened with Christoper poking through.

“I’ll help them figure it out, sir,” he called over. Seeing his face, the knight nodded and left.

“Over there Jun, to the right of the porthole window.”

Jun followed Christophers guidance, turning a crank to close an outer cover and then putting an inner cover over the glass.

“It’s fascinating isn’t it? The technology within the School of the Chosen is in a league of its own. I want to improve it somehow, make a name for myself. It’d do wonders for my businesses later.”

He slipped through the hatch and stretched, making himself comfortable. The first week, Jun had protested. By now he knew how futile it was to argue with this man. He could lap your logic many times over till you were agreeing with him. It wasn’t worth the hassle.

“Shall we play a game then?”

Mei looked on in interest as Christopher put his fingers to a strange looking knob. He turned it and a wooden box slid out. He folded out the table and chairs before putting them into some notched slots in the floor, locking them in place. Then he moved his hand and a board game appeared on the table. Jun peered at him, wondering how the sleight of hand had worked.

Mei however asked about the game. It reminded him of chess, and mahjong… somehow, without being tied to either.

Mei followed along with the pieces. Afterwards, he brought out some cards and Jun was called over to assist. Mei couldn’t read the faces or numbers and Jun tried not to reveal too much so she could compete with Christopher. The scholarly man was way too curious about her condition for Jun’s liking.

While the storm raged outside, crashing against the boat, they idled away their time paying games till Mei was fed up and they left a flustered Christopher in their room.

They made their way to the galley where several other future students ate and harassed one another. Few approached them, though Jun noted the sounds of coughing and sniffling noses. He tapped Mei and she stuck closer to him. Illness wasn’t the same in this world, and he lacked the knowledge to combat it effectively. Because of their active lifestyle and his insistence they eat healthy, they rarely got sick, but a ship like this… he wouldn’t leave it to chance.

After retrieving their food and returning to their room, they ate in relative silence. The storm still raged, so it was dark without the light from above.

Christopher reappeared, asking how much they knew of the world. Mei answered easily. “Hardly anything outside of Oranalas.”

“Then allow me to educate you.”

“Why?” Jun stamped out his monologue.

“The School of the Chosen is a prestigious academy. And while you don’t lack manners, you will offend others of importance. At the very least, I want to make sure my acquaintances and connections live a long life.”

“Otherwise, why bother making the connections,” Jun muttered. He understood it, but it still bothered him. He sighed. Having dealt with a controlling mother-in-law, and a nasty aunt for the past several decades, he had built many walls to protect him and his family. But he was working on changing that perspective. The school of the Chosen wasn’t dangerous like that. Even Amalie checked in on them and her concern and care was touching.

And then there was Christopher, a merchant’s heir. He was shrewd but seemed to favor business that functioned on the giving side. Already, he had crossed off several people not to interact with simply because he identified they were takers, and would be ‘bad business’.

Christopher sat down and pulled out a simple map and then a more detailed map of the island. He showed how vast Oranalas was, and how small a territory the Jinshari controlled within the nation. That alone spread some hope. He then showed off the two main continents on the world.

On the side they came from, there were five nations. Bakabeli, Batsalia, Nauthire, Oranalas, and the tiny nation of Kalin.

“They are one of the main trade nations on this side of the world. And employ one of the largest armies, it’s why they weren’t taken over by Oranalas in the crusades.”

Jun listened intently at the history of the place. Nauthire once belonged to Oranalas, and the two were The Holy Nation of Oranere. However, an Alinta appeared in each half and split the nation with their different doctrines, fracturing them and preventing their expansion and holy wars.

Christopher smiled as he turned to the other continent. Just two massive nations split the land from the north and south. Mathanalo, and Ungi.

“The deserts of Ungi have vast natural resources that have begun to be mined. My family invested into them and made our fortune. Mathanalo, meanwhile, is full of jungles and cold forests. Their animals and monsters are some of the most intriguing resources that they boast, and it’s made the people hunters.”

Jun felt that most of his knowledge centered around trades, outside of the few common bits of history.

And while trade relations did help you know how to be ‘respectful’, it wasn’t all encompassing as the young man would believe.

“What sort of monsters are there?” Mei’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward.

“Well, the ones we can tame are called animals. Monsters are just beasts that take several people to take down, and completely untamable. Some produce poisons and other medicinal materials, while others hunt humans like prey. As for why they aren’t on our continent, that is due to the holy crusades. Many were eliminated to extinction. As such, Mathanalo often works with monsters, sort of like a conservation. It’s a lawless land and hardly developed, but it does allow some hunts to cull animals near ports and other places. The school of the Chosen has even dealt with monsters that have fled to Ungi, or tried to cross the sea due to mismanagement of the population.”

Jun listened till he lost interest. After realizing he had lost his audience, Christopher worked them into playing a few games before retiring.

The sea calmed once more and the knights let them know they could open the port holes again. Jun settled nearby, eyes staring at the starry sky.

Zeke would have been searching the ship over, and Ellen would have been nearby, fostering his curiosity. Eight years did little to calm his heart.

Another ship passed nearby and he hummed a lullaby his wife had sung. He recalled the precious memories—their children’s eyes shut tight, pretending to sleep. Even now, Mei rested on her top bunk.

He stirred himself and walked out, descending the stair to the deck. The winds carried a note and his eyes searched for the source. Another note whistled by and he shook his head. He was imagining hearing the lullaby. Then a calm presence descended on him—hairs standing on end.

His blue eyes reflected in the lamp light as he searched.

“Ellen?” His hushed words carried out into the darkness. The silence answered, his hand clenching.