James Visits Zomaex

James Wavebreaker felt great. He had just saved Klearic Faymal from the Sea Princes and Mordecai finally seemed proud of him.

"Set a course for Saltmarsh," James said, directing his crew. They complied.

Kevdithor, the deck wizard, approached James. "You didn't even need me back there, Captain," Kevdithor laughs.

James nods, and looks at the Grave Glaive. "Yeah... hey, Kevdithor, do you know anything about magical weapons?"

Kevdithor looks down with embarrassment. "Uh... no, I don't really. I mostly stick to spells."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose..." James likes the Glaive, but he is a little concerned about it.

Kevdithor looks back up. "If you want to learn about magical weapons you should talk to Zomaex, though."

"Zomaex?" James asks.

"Yeah, Zomaex the Learned. He's a powerful wizard just outside of the port. He's made some magical weapons before." Kevdithor answered.

"I'll have to look into that. Thank you, Kevdithor." James replied.

James and the crew docked in Saltmarsh. He helped anchor the ship, and then headed to visit Zomaex. Within a few hours of his conversation with Kevdithor, James was standing at Zomaex's door. Zomaex was a hermit, but was happy to invite the Captain inside.

"Come in, come in. I don't get a lot of visitors," the strange old wizard admitted.

"I've come to learn about magical weapons. My deck wizard said you were the utmost authority in the area," James said, cutting to the point.

"Well there aren't many wizards in the area, but I'm very educated about Oremancy and Swordmancy. Oh, and of course I was part of the Allargeemedacene, you know," Zomaex continued rambling as James summoned the Grave Glaive into his hand.

Zomaex dropped onto the floor with a gasp. The powerful wizard quaked. He cowered. He pleaded with James. "I've been studying ever since the attack on the Elves, and that Glaive has all the warning signs! We must destroy it before it destroys you. It's an artifact of evil!"

Zomaex's cries fall on deaf ears. James would not lose Mordecai again. He would not surrender the pride his father finally felt for him. He had no choice. Surely, Zomaex would tell others of the weapon. If he left Zomaex alive he and Mordecai would be seperated. He made the only choice there was. The only choice the Glaive offered.

No!” Wavebreaker yelled, “Mordecai is FINALLY proud of me! I won't let you take that from me!" James slayed the Wizard with the Grave Glaive. Zomaex's form was reduced to a pile of green ash, which swirled into the air around the Glaive. After a moment, the weapon absorbed the Wizard. The Glaive whispered with delight. James fell to knees and tried hopelessly to process this tragedy.

"You did what was right, son," James' father, Mordecai, justified.

"Did I?!" James cried. "I killed that Wizard. He was just trying to get his help."

"He studied for years. His notes and books can still help in his place." Mordecai responded.

James stands up and searches the tower. He feels the Glaive guiding him towards one book bound with a dark cover. He flipped through it. The Glaive stopped him.

"Don't worry about his notes and journals. Learn the spells, and I will help you cast them." Mordecai says.

"Maybe we should slow down. I'm not sure I can control this weapon," James admits, trying to slow his father's apparent bloodlust.

"Mind your elders, boy," the Glaive retorts.

"Yes, sir. I will study the spells," James answers defeated.

James takes the book and the Glaive and leaves for Saltmarsh.