Son of the Sea

Twenty Miles North of Hels Maw Bay

Mohrgat pulled hard on the nets as the cold fat drops of rain began the dreary work of soaking him from head to toe. The clouds were thick and heavy overhead and on the horizon the first sparks of lightning were being birthed, sending their rumbling warning across the vast ocean.

The crew were nervous. He could not fault them for it. They were too far from the bay to escape the coming storm and this boat was not made for such weather. Mohrgat released a growl of frustration as the nets refused to move. He released his grip and called out to two of the younger members of the crew.

"You and you! In the water, they must be jammed on the hull. Cut em loose."

"Aye sir!" they cried in unison as they quickly stripped down and drew blades. Without complaint they ran to the starboard side and dove into the frothing waves.

The rest of the crew continued to work on the nets as Mohrgat sought out his first mate. Balver was an older man, bald and bearded with grey eyes that matched the water. Mohrgat found him standing at the bow looking like he had seen a ghost.

"Blasted nets are stuck." Mohrgat explained.

"So I gather." the older man spoke quietly and did not turn.

"The lads will get em loose, might loose some of the catch but..." Mohrgats words trailed off as he noticed what was holding his first mates attention.

"What the fuck is that?"

Far beneath the surface a vast shadow stretched out from the bow of the vessel. He could not quiet make out its shape, but it was clear that the thing was enormous. Perhaps twenty times the size of the boat. A sudden cry came from behind the two men and Mohrgat turned to see the crew falling backward onto the deck, the tattered remnants of the nets being dragged behind them.

"Damn it!"

Mohrgat forgot the shadow for the moment as he marched back to bring the crew to order. He stopped short as he saw amidst the fish that were now spilling on the deck, the severed head of one of the lads he had sent overboard. It rolled almost to his feet, eyes wide open and accusing. Other body parts could be seen now amidst the debris and the crew were cursing and scrambling back from the horrific sight.

he remembered the shadow then and sprang into action, "Raise the sails! Ready about! Get us the fuck out of here."

A hand placed gently on his shoulder caused him to near jump out of his skin. He turned to face Balver who had left the bow to join him. Tears were running down the old mans cheeks.

"Make your peace sir, we'll not be seeing the bay again."

"What are you talking about? Get to work..."

"It's him sir... it's the Orphan."

"Bollocks that's just a myth."

The ship rocked violently in response to his denial and the air was suddenly filled a keening sound that brought most of the crew to their knees in agony. Blinding pain filled Mohrgats head and he clutched his ears to muffle the noise. The sound continued to grow loud and more urgent. One of the nearby crewmen dropped to the deck, his face frozen in agony as blood pored freely from his ears and nose. Another fell and then another. Mohrgat could feel the wet flow of his own blood beneath his hands. Balver was on his hands and knees vomiting.

The sounds stopped.

All Mohrgat could hear now was a high pitched whistle. Even the sounds of the ocean and the creek of the boat were lost to him. He clawed his way to his feet, surveying the ruins of his crew. Drowning fish flapped between the dead and dying.

Balver was kneeling before him his bloodshot eyes wide open with terror. Mohrgat called down to him but his words were ignored, he reached out a hand to help the man up but he remained still and trembling. Slowly a shroud of shadow began to descend about the two men.

The fetid smell of rotten fish and old sea mud filled the air and the fisherman almost choked on the stench. Slowly he turned to face the source of Balvers terror and... eyes wide he dropped to his knees beside his first mate.

Truly the Orphan had found them and he prayed to what gods might be listening that his soul would find peace in the next life.

Hels maw opened to swallow them whole.

Never tarry on the waves,
Never tarry on the sea,
Never steal the Orphans slaves,
Stay at home and let them be.

A beast of shadow and of grief,
A judge and jury to the thief,
Who ventures out to his domain,
They'll suffer only death and pain.

Never tarry on the waves,
Never tarry on the sea,
Never steal the Orphans slaves,
Stay at home and let them be.

An extract from the Song of the Orphan. Popular in the settlements of Hels Maw Bay. Author unknown.