Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

With a sigh, Jaegar turned away from where Durwin had vanished and made his way back to the Blue Horizon. His muscles ached with every movement, a testament to the ferocity of the fight he'd just endured. As he stepped onto the deck of the merchant ship, the adrenaline that had been keeping him going finally began to ebb away.

Exhausted, Jaegar slumped down on the deck, allowing himself a moment to catch his breath and process everything that had just happened. But his respite was short-lived.

Almost immediately, he found himself surrounded by the Five Claws and the ship's captain. Their faces were a mix of awe, confusion, and urgent curiosity. Questions began to fly thick and fast:

"Who are you really?" "Where did you learn to fight like that?" "What kind of magic was that?"

"How did you know how to combat Durwin's shadow powers?" "Are you working for the Empire?" "What's your connection to Ar'kalan?"

The barrage of inquiries seemed endless, with each person trying to outdo the others in their quest for answers. Jaegar held up a hand, trying to stem the tide of questions. He was too drained, both physically and mentally, to deal with this interrogation right now.

"Please," he managed to say, his voice hoarse from exertion, "Can you stop talking?"

As if on cue, a loud splash drew everyone's attention. The pirate ship had finally succumbed to its damage, slipping beneath the waves. The sight served as a stark reminder of the danger they had all just survived.

The ship's captain nodded, his earlier questions momentarily forgotten in light of more pressing concerns. "You're right," he said, turning to his crew. "Secure the ship! Check for damages and tend to the wounded!"

As the crew scrambled to follow orders, Cara of the Five Claws knelt beside Jaegar, offering him a waterskin. "Drink," she said, her tone softer than before. "You've earned it. But don't think this means you're off the hook. We have a lot to discuss."

Jaegar accepted the water gratefully, taking a long drink before responding. "I see," he said, meeting Cara's gaze. As if he taunting them. He had no reason to answer them.

Cara stared at him, her expression turning serious. She didn't want to pester him anymore, as he seemed exhausted from his battle.

As Cara moved away to help with the ship's recovery efforts, Jaegar leaned back against the railing, his mind whirling with the implications of everything that had transpired.

He closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment.

The sun continued to rise, casting long shadows across the deck of the Blue Horizon.

***

As the Blue Horizon continued its journey across the vast expanse of the sea, the ship's crew, under the captain's guidance, worked tirelessly to repair the damage from the recent battle. The Five Claws members assisted in these efforts, their skills proving invaluable in the aftermath of the chaos.

Exhausted from his intense confrontation with Durwin, Jaegar retreated to his quarters. The moment his head hit the pillow, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep that lasted for an entire day.

It was a testament to the toll the battle had taken on him, both physically and mentally.

After a day and a half of uninterrupted rest, Jaegar finally emerged from his cabin.

The sun was high in the sky, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the recent conflict. As he stepped onto the deck, blinking in the bright light, he noticed two figures approaching him: Cara of the Five Claws and Ar'kalan, the mysterious being at the center of recent events.

Ar'kalan was the first to speak, her ethereal voice carrying a note of genuine gratitude. "I must thank you for your intervention," she said, her eyes meeting Jaegar's. "Your actions saved me from a fate I'd rather not contemplate at the hands of those pirates."

Jaegar waved off the thanks, his expression modest. "Our lives were all on the line," he replied. "I did what was necessary. Anyone in my position would have done the same." Despite his words, there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he regarded Ar'kalan. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you really? There's clearly more to your story than meets the eye."

Ar'kalan hesitated, her ethereal features betraying a moment of internal conflict. After a thoughtful pause, she seemed to have come to a decision. "I am from the holy kingdom of Zivaria," she began, her voice taking on a more formal tone. "My true name is Anashyssa. I was on a journey back to my homeland when circumstances... intervened.

These brave individuals," she gestured to Cara, "are assisting me in completing that journey."

Jaegar was thinking that the name Ar'kalan felt familiar and was thinking about it, and when she explained, he remembered the details.

Jaegar's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Zivaria. During his time at the academy, he had learned of the Ar'kalan, a race shrouded in mystery and reverence. They were known to be a deeply traditional people, fiercely protective of their customs and way of life. The Ar'kalan rarely ventured beyond their borders, and their society remained largely hidden from outsiders.

What truly caught Jaegar's attention, however, was the knowledge of their legendary healing abilities. The Ar'kalan were said to possess the power to cure any disease, their healing magic was unparalleled in the known world.

"But what brought you outside your kingdom in the first place?" Jaegar asked, his curiosity piqued. "And why are there people pursuing you so aggressively?"

This time, it was Cara who answered, her eyes meeting Jaegar's with a mix of respect and caution. "The Ar'kalan's healing powers are not just rumors," she explained. "They're very real, and very potent. Word of an Ar'kalan venturing beyond their borders would be enough to set every power-hungry faction in motion. The potential to harness such healing abilities is... tempting to many."

Cara's voice lowered, her next words carrying significant weight. "And if it became known that the one outside the kingdom was the Holy Maiden herself, well, as the saying goes, all hell would break loose."

Jaegar's eyes widened at the mention of 'Holy Maiden,' the implications of Cara's words sinking in. He looked at Anashyssa with newfound understanding and a touch of awe. The Holy Maiden of the Ar'kalan was a figure of legend, said to possess the most potent healing abilities of her entire race. She was considered a walking deity, only next to their goddess, whom they worshipped.

The holy Maiden was a being of immense power and reverence, her presence alone was capable of shifting the tides of war and bringing hope to the darkest of times.

"So you're not just any Ar'kalan," Jaegar said softly, addressing Anashyssa directly. "You're their spiritual leader, their most treasured individual."

Cara frowned and admonished, "You can't speak to her highness like that."

Anashyssa waved her hand, telling Cara, "It's fine, Cara."

***

As Jaegar processed the information about Anashyssa being the Holy Maiden, Cara noticed his expression and quickly clarified, "Well, she has not yet become one. She is the next Holy Maiden of the kingdom."

This clarification helped Jaegar understand the situation better, but it also raised more questions.

"Then why is she outside the kingdom?" he asked, his curiosity piqued even further.

Anashyssa's ethereal features took on a more somber expression as she began to explain. "I faced a threat within the kingdom," she said, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "There were men vying for my power, and the situation became... precarious. My mother, in her wisdom, sent me to the kingdom of Daikrimore for my safety."

She paused, her crystal eyes seeming to look into the distance, for a moment before continuing. "But now, circumstances have changed. Daikrimore lost the war to Wrescia, and I have no choice but to return to my homeland."

At the mention of war, Jaegar carefully schooled his features to hide his surprise. And he chose to indulge in the details of his being a part of the war or knew anything about it. He didn't expect the Daikrimore state to harbor such an important person, and yet they lost the war against Wrescia.

If he probed further, it would only drag him into the unwanted, so he just kept the doubts in the back of his mind. Jaegar decided to keep his questions to himself, not wanting to pry into matters that didn't concern him.

Anashyssa then turned her full attention to Jaegar, her gaze intense and filled with genuine gratitude. "I thank you again for saving us," she said, her voice carrying a weight of formality that seemed fitting for her status. "From this day forward, if you ever need help, you may come to my kingdom. I will be sure to assist you in any way I can."