A large sailing ship called the Wizard's Hand sailed slowly through the phosphorescent green waters, almost reaching the Port of Asshai.
On board were a merchant family who owned the ship, the Captain and his crew, and half a dozen mercenaries hired to protect the family.
"Look! We're arriving!"
Shouted a young red-haired boy of 16 years. He had a well-trained physique and dressed like a true noble heir, carrying a short sword at his waist. He gestured for his two younger brothers to come closer.
"Really?"
"Yay!"
Upon hearing their older brother's voice, the two children aboard the sailing ship stopped what they were doing and shouted with excitement, running to the bow of the ship where he was.
Soon, the two children's eyes shone with emotion as they saw the city of Asshai, full of black buildings and a somber atmosphere.
The youngest boy in the trio was only 8 years old and a younger copy of the oldest brother, having the same flaming red hair as his brother; he even carried a wooden sword at his waist. Meanwhile, the middle sister was a young girl of 11. She had long red hair and dressed like a true noble young lady.
The two children's eyes sparkled as they saw the green river winding through Asshai.
The youngest boy shouted:
"I want to visit the Sage Store first! I want to try the new chocolate that's only sold here!"
The two older siblings smiled at the boy's simple goal.
Meanwhile, seeing the children's excitement, their parents slowly approached, hand in hand, to observe the city they were visiting for the second time.
The father was Caucasian and had green eyes, like the three children; his hair was black and tied in a Yi Ti-style bun. Although they all dressed and behaved like a noble family, they were just a family of commoners who had achieved wealth. The mother had tanned skin, brown eyes, and long red hair, the same color as her three children.
The group of mercenaries aboard the ship was one of the best money could buy. Therefore, the father didn't care about the dangers of the sea and brought the whole family on this trip to the City of Shadows.
When the father was about to teach his children about some of the city's customs, something crashed with immense force against the ship.
"Bam"
"Crack Crack"
"Scratch"
After the strong impact on the ship, cracking and scratching noises began to emanate from the submerged part of the hull.
The mercenaries went on high alert and began to prepare for combat, and the archers fired towards the water when they realized they were being attacked by some sea monster.
The father and mother hugged their three children and began running to their cabin for safety, when they came face to face with the Captain, who had a grim face.
"What happened, Captain?" asked the father.
"The sea creature broke the hull, the ship is sinking, and we won't be able to reach the city port."
"Mom – Boo-hoo!"
The eight-year-old boy began to cry, and the eleven-year-old girl also had tears in her eyes.
The Captain then shouted:
Everyone, throw anything that will help you float in the sea. In 20 seconds, everyone must jump in at the same time and swim to shore.
"1"
"2"
"3…"
Then a countdown began, and several tables, chairs, barrels, and pieces of wood used in the ship's repair were thrown into the sea. And at the end of the countdown, the entire family and crew jumped into the sea.
Less than 30 seconds later, the ship sank completely, and everyone was now swimming desperately through the green waters trying to reach the Port of Asshai.
The father, mother, and eldest son used a large piece of wood to place the youngest, eight-year-old, who was still crying, along with his sister, on top of it.
The three then swam with all their might to reach the port quickly.
"Ahhh"
"SPLASH"
"Help!"
"SPLASH"
"AHH"
Sounds of screams and cries for help came from time to time from those swimming around them, but the family continued swimming without looking to the sides, focused on reaching the port.
The young redhead on the wooden plank hugged her little brother, watching all those who were swimming being dragged to the bottom of the sea before the green water turned red.
Soon, the girl saw the same thing happen to her mother, and then to her father. Overcome with despair, her face covered in tears and snot, she stopped hugging her younger brother and tried to pull her older brother onto the plank.
But as she did so, she was almost pulled into the water along with him. Soon, all she saw was red blood staining the water around her, and she felt something warm touch her back. When she turned around, she saw that her younger brother had also disappeared.
Alone, and after realizing she was the last person alive on the ship, the girl went into shock. The plank she was floating on was still 20 meters from reaching the port.
Then she saw long red claws emerge from the water and advance towards her, trying to drag her into the water.
At that moment, a light flashed, and she felt the heat hit her face, causing her to close her eyes.
A flame had reached the creature's arms, making it recoil into the water. The green sea around her was covered in blue flames, frightening all the monsters. And the piece of wood she floated on moved slowly through the sea of flames until it reached the port. There, a middle-aged man dressed in a red cloak pulled her from the water and hugged her tightly.
"It's over, child, you'll be alright…"
"She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but no words came out…"
The man dressed in red patted her head full of long red hair and said:
"You're alive, you survived… That's all that matters. My Lord foresaw your arrival, but I didn't arrive in time to save your family. I'm sorry."
The girl, although still crying and sobbing, finally calmed down a little and felt safe in the embrace of the man in the red cloak.
"My name is Papa Grym, child, and yours?" Wiping away her tears and still sobbing, the girl stammered a few times:
"My… My name… I am Melisandre…"
****
Special thanks to the Patreons:
Sage's Supporter: Jan, Vinnie, frimorigo, Parsa, Scott Robertson, Pato Senalima, and Lily Monarch!
Magic Apprentice: Axel Bour, Gabriele Sulpizio, Takatchi, mandeep singh, Austin, Kobe Robertson, Paul Gaslac, Niteo akuma, 704Corleon, Rodrigo, WhoisMitch, Leery Falcon, Grave Walker, adam, Evil King, and Emotional!
Senior Magic Apprentice: Cole Bromley, Avacus, and TabbyRabbit!