Age of the Third Arcon: Adventures of Stag Captain Wurtheim: Age of the Third Arcon, #4

By S. C. Coleman

The Treaty of Molina has been broken, and shadows grow longer on the Greater Continent. In this next installment, following the Glass Empires, the Age of the Third Arcon will see the rise of a new general, a general of generals, to lead a coalition of forces against the enemies of Molina. The continent is growing more and more dangerous, as four champions set-out on their missions. The fourth of the heroes, Wurtheim, the washed up Hohen born ship captain will be given a chance at redemption. On a mission to protect the youngest of the royal line, Wurtheim will experience sights and adventures that he had only dreamed of before. After a long career at sea, Wurtheim's greatest adventure is yet to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. C. Coleman
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201445355

Book preview

Summary:

The Treaty of Molina has been broken, and shadows grow longer on the Greater Continent. In this next installment, following the Glass Empires, the Age of the Third Arcon will see the rise of a new general, a general of generals, to lead a coalition of forces against the enemies of Molina. The continent is growing more and more dangerous, as four champions set-out on their missions. The fourth of the heroes, Wurtheim, the washed up Hohen born ship captain will be given a chance at redemption. On a mission to protect the youngest of the royal line, Wurtheim will experience sights and adventures that he had only dreamed of before. After a long career at sea, Wurtheim’s greatest adventure is yet to come.

Chapter One

The White Antler

AT THE FORK TONGUE Cascades, a waterfall that plunged into Wide Mouth Bay, the two mighty rivers met. The twins, as they were usually referred, included the mighty Northern River Heart; a river that cut the Hoof from the land. Consequently, the Black Hoof was considered a peninsula of its own, despite only being separated by a river; and connected to the main continent. Meanwhile, the southern flowing twin was, commonly, referred to as the River Throat. These two enormous rivers, which were wide enough to fit two cities, terminated in Wide Mouth Bay. Meanwhile, the Fork Tongue Cascades, the offspring of both rivers, was considered one great water fall. However, it was actually two. Except, with both beginning directly beside one another, the large cloud of sea spray concealed this fact. These two enormous freshwater cascades, as they struck the salt water of the bay, caused a perpetual cloud. This cloud, while created from the violent confluence of waters, effected a mesmerizing appearance. The sun and moon would reflect off it, and through it, causing an orchestra of color. Purples, blues, greens, yellows, and every shade in between could be seen passing through the cloud of water. It was here that the dauntless city of Hoheim rested, at the joining of two mighty natural forces of the northern region of Hohen kingdom. Hoheim was like no other city, actually made of two points. The fortress of Hoheim, which was often the reference point for foreigners, looked down over the cascades. It was actually perched on an island, within the first river; the River Heart. The falls began around the bastion of Hoheim, and was connected to the main land through three stone bridges. Two on the souther side, and one on the northern, which led onto the Black Hoof. Due to its precipitous location, the mighty fortress was constantly wreathed in mist from the falls. On the other hand, stretching out for miles below, the mists of the falls blanketed the secondary portion of Hoheim. Connected through a series of tunnels, carved in the rock long ago, a hidden port had been constructed. This Port of Hoheim, was large enough to house an entire fleet, disguised by the immense cloud of spray. However, it was no easy task to find, and only those that knew its secrets could avoid a violent death; avoiding collision with the rockwalls that were hidden by the misty cloud.

Despite his lofty titles and famous name, Wurtheim the Sea Stag was a humble sailor. He had always been a sailor and grew from a poor fisherman’s roots. However, after becoming named the only one to witness the Great Serpent, that Monstrous King of the Waters, the young sailor became something else. Gifts and glory were showered upon him and he was given a captainship within the Hohen navy. After a few skirmishes with pirates, the nobility was lost in him, and he ventured into private endeavors. All of those days were behind him now, as the seas grew colder, and he felt the steady decline of fortune upon the sea. In fact, the once bustling port of Hoheim had become a slum refuge. Built into an underground cove, shelted by the massive cliffs overhead, the town of Hoheim stretched up high along the cave walls. Buildings had either been carved into the underground walls, or constructed on plateaus. Where once the city illuminated the great cavernous cove, shadows grew longer, and whole sections of the city had been abandoned. Now, there were only a few thousand inhabitants, mostly pushed up against the docks. These dwellers stuck to the dock region, and lived along the path upwards; while the Hohen component of the town lived above, in the fortress. Although, the community here worked peacefully with the surface, and crime was fairly low in this part. However, the odd murder, or theft, might occure, which was coupled with random dissapearences. While none in the town ventured into the abandoned sections of the city, the strange bodies of creatures and unknown humans would, sometimes, be deposited among the living. None knew what rested in the abandoned shadows, but nothing that lived in them would be hospitable to the human population. In addition, unknown bodies would also wash up among the docks, possibly carried by the tide from distant shores. Sometimes, these bodies would even be recognized by a villager, but without explanation as to the cause of death. Therefore, only the hardiest of people lived in this once great place.

Wurtheim had taken to reminiscing on the old days, as he stared out over the cover from his balcony. The captain had an apartment here, just on the edge of the abandoned eastern part. He simply could not give up his abode, despite all of the dire warnings from other villagers. As he passed by a tavern, or other type of estabilishment, many would avoid him; as if he were some sort of ghoul. Furthermore, his crew of brigands and escaped criminals were only a few steps short of pirates. Although, they had never actually resorted to piracy; mostly stealing from land lovers; raiding coastal towns and the like. Down in the cove, four ships were docked. Once, the cove housed the entire Hohen fleet of a hundred ships, but those days had long since past. Now, only the White Antler patrolled the waters, barely able to guard the Hohen coastline. The only other Hohen ship among the meagre fleet was called the White Vixen. This ship, along with the White Antler, would be capable of holding their own against almost any other craft; but no enemy fleet of any force. Wurtheim knew these two ships well. The White Antler, if viewed from out of the water, would look like an upside down ankle boot. Its keel was wide and deep, with a massive iron antler anchoring it to the bottom of the cove. Meanwhile, its Antler was a watch tower at the bow. This tower could easily be figured as a keep, as it was immensive and formidable; with almost eight elevated cannons. This fortified tower was the ship’s main defense and, carrying the famous Hohen heavy guns, could outrange the armament of any other sea going vessel. This ship was the pride of the cove, and was once captained by Wurtheim, himself.