The giant of the sea 

The shadows grew longer, as the tavern door opened. A young man walked in and approached the bartender. 

• Hello mate, do you happen to know any ships that go to Burningbay?  

The bartender looked at him like he had seen the biggest idiot. 

• There is not much I can tell you, most of the chips departed already. See that old man? 
• Yes? 

Looking at the old sailor sitting in an armchair next to the fireplace. He seemed like he had seen better days. 

• Ask him, he knows all the ships like his own pockets. 

Hesitant, but he had nothing to lose here, was there? The young man walked to the old man. Getting closer he noticed the smell of sea. Did this old man bathe? 

• Hello sir, I may I sit here? 
• Go ahead lad. What bring you to these parts? You don’t seem like a sailor to me? 
• I have not been to the sea for a long time, I am looking for a ship that would go to Burningbay. Do you know anyone who would be willing to take me onboard? 
• That is a dangerous place you are trying to reach. You one of those who search for the treasure? 

• Yeah, what else? It is the legendary treasure of the burningbay tale! 
• Listen closely here lad. Do you absolutely want to go to Burningbay? 
• Yes, I am certain. Just tell me what you know. 

The old man was silent for a moment. He looked at the young man with a sharp gaze, like deciding his fate, and said: 

• Then, the only ship that can take you is The Howling Giant 

• I have never heard of that ship. 
• I wonder not. Most are too scared to even say the name out loud, in fear of it appearing in front of them during their voyage.  

Chills went down his back, but he brushed it off as his body warming up by the fireplace. There was no way he would fear some shady tale. The old man began to tell a story about The Howling Giant.  

 

It was a ship that sailed these seas. Everybody knew it as the singing ship. Jolly sailors, and their captain, Morren. A massive ship that you could recognize from miles ahead as no other ship compared to it. Bringing joy! People would wait for its arrival to their hometown port. Until there was no sight of it ever again. For many long years, people looked for it, but in vain. It was accepted that the ship was long gone, along with its crew.  

The fire cracked in the fireplace. The old man was silent. Leaning slowly forward as the fire made shadows to his face. 

And on night, there it was. From midst of a thick mist. Getting closer and filling the air with cold. Every breath you took felt like tar. Sticking to your throat. You felt powerless as it slowly closed in, covering the light of a full moon. The wood in its hull was dark from decay and full of holes, it is a miracle it stayed on float. Some climbed on board of the ship.  And the singing began. Even if it was only one person who boarded, the sounds of tens of people were heard. Singing and mobing around. It sounded like merry time, but soon the voices would change. Changing to howling and then to screaming and bloody screeching. No one else dared to board the Howling Giant. After a while it would sail away. Disappear as fast as it had appeared. Those who boarded were never found and those who saved are left to tell the tale. 

• Hah, really nice story old man. But there is no way something like that is real. That is just some old tale! 

The old man stood up. Seaweed splatting on the floor.  

• It is up to you to decide what you believe in. Now go and look for your legendary treasure. 

The clacking of a wooden leg echoed in the tavern. He walked past the young man. The air flow felt heavy, sticking to his throat. The lad turned around to ask the old man: 

• Right, I do not know yet what is your name? 

There was no one there. only a sound echoing in the tavern. 

• Tilmman Morren...