Late into the night, we all gathered around the main cabin table while Pete began preparing a special dessert called cobbler. He was apparently using a fruit called stellar berries that grow on the outskirts of the Dorian kingdom. The aroma was extremely enticing. Eventually Pete finished up and we all began eating. I thought we were going to all talk but everyone was so distracted by how delicious the cobbler was, everyone just sat there scarfing it down. When it was all gone and our bellies were full, Sundi began explaining the situation of why she had approached us. I would chime in here and there explaining any misunderstandings and that it was my fault for initially confronting her. Pete and Navy seemed to become more and more understanding as Sundi elaborated about her leader and that she never agreed with his methods. I could tell that Navy was beginning to feel guilty about fighting with her and he ended up getting down on a knee to formally apologize. Sundi was very receptive and accepted his apology in kind. After everything was figured out between all of us, I had a question that was burning in the back of my mind. "Sundi, can you explain what that whole three armed thing was that you did?" I asked. "Oh yeah, I also would like to know what that was." Navy commented. "Oh, that's because of this." She said as she placed the three clawed weapon onto the table. Darwin was marveling at it with googly eyes. "This weapon is called the Trice Tiger claw. It has a peculiar enchantment that can conjure two other versions of itself. Although it has three claws, when it triples itself each version only strikes with one of its claws. In reality, it is more of an illusion that has the ability to make physical attacks. The three arms you saw are a part of that illusion. I am also able to attack with each of those arms at will starting with my real arm, and then the two that follow. They each move independently." She said as she waved her arm in the air. "Ho ho, that is a very intriguing weapon. However, young Sid… I believe you have an enchanted weapon as well." Pete said with a clever smile. "Huh? What do you mean? I don't have anything like that." I said with a confused look on my face. "I see, so you don't know… That knife that you had out the other night, could you take that out?" Pete requested. Was he talking about the knife that Gwyn gave me? "Well, alright, sure." I said as I reached through my waypoint and pulled it out. "Ho ho, that ability of yours is always fun to watch. Can I ask where you came across this knife Sid?" He asked as he began to inspect it closer. "I got it from someone really important to me. It was just a simple gift, but it is very useful. I have never seen this knife do anything special like Sundi's weapon though." I responded. "From what I could tell when I first glimpsed it, there was a strange energy emanating from it. Now that I can see it closer, this knife is definitely enchanted. There is actually a rune inscribed on its blade near the guard." Pete said as he moved a finger across the area. "What the heck is a rune?" I questioned. "Ah, my apologies Sid. It's just something that is used when enchanting items. I'm no expert but you should be able to see it if you use your vital energy. Though, this is not a rune I have ever seen before. It is quite curious." Pete said with a concentrated look. I did what Pete suggested and focused my energy, and low and behold there was some kind of strange symbol on the blade of the knife. For some reason the symbol appeared to be glowing in some kind of golden hue. Why would Gwyn give me something like this and not explain it? That doesn't really seem like him. "Does this mean my knife could do something similar to Sundi's?" I asked curiously. Sundi interjected and said, "I can actually answer that. It is not possible for two items to hold the same enchantment. Runes are very peculiar markings that are used to imbue items with various different forms of energy. Once an item is enchanted with a specific rune, it cannot be used again. However, it is possible to use the same rune in combination with others giving it a new purpose. It is quite complicated and I don't know all the specifics, but ultimately that is what makes enchanted items so special. Items enchanted by the divine energies of Gods are even more special and usually hold very unique and powerful traits. I have never seen one, but various important people within the kingdoms are rumored to possess them." "You seem quite knowledgeable about this, I'm impressed!" Pete said with a kind smile. "You are indeed correct that certain special people hold those items. My former master actually has such an item. Unfortunately, I cannot be certain what the enchantment on this knife could possibly be. I'm sorry that I can't be of much help Sid. But do keep it safe, I'm sure there will come a time when you are able to figure out what it means." Pete said as he handed me back the knife. I took it into my hand and tried to flow some of my energy into it. Unfortunately nothing happened. What's with this mysterious blade?! I thought it was just a regular old knife, but I suppose nothing that comes from a god can just be ordinary. I didn't want to reveal that this was from the God of hunting himself, I'll just keep hold of it until I can actually figure out its use. "By the way Navy, when the heck did you learn to make a sword out of lighting? That's just not fair." I said with a hint of jealousy. Navy looked at me and tried to hide a proud look on his face. He must really believe he figured out a way to get the edge on me. "He he, I had to match your creativity somehow. I know that mine and my fathers blessings are inherently different, but the way he is able to control his ability made me really think. Once the lighting of the gods descends on me, it becomes mine to use. I can't manipulate it in the way that my father does, but if I can just channel it into a certain form and hold that it's actually quite simple. Although, the shape of a sword is pretty basic, so I don't think I would be able to shape it into anything further than that as of now. Since I cannot manipulate the lighting, this was the only choice I had in order to weaponize it in a different way." Navy said with a smug look. The entire time Pete was looking at Navy with pride only a father could have. I had to suppress a chuckle, seeing as this was probably a memorable moment for Pete. "My boy!! My boy is a genius! Ho ho! I didn't even know how to properly use my own blessing until I was late into my 20's. But here my son is surpassing his father!" Pete said as he was beaming with pride. Navy looked incredibly embarrassed by his fathers reaction. Sundi and Darwin took the opportunity to grow their new friendship, as they huddled together barely managing to hold back their laughter. I, on the other hand, couldn't hold back any more. "Hahahah good for you Pete, Navy is extraordinary isn't he!" This only fueled the flames and Navy shot me a look of shock, as if I had utterly betrayed him. We spent the rest of the night listening to Pete's stories about Navy growing up, while Navy remained utterly mortified. It was the best entertainment I had experienced in years…
The next few days it was officially decided that Sundi would continue to travel with us. She was given her own private quarters in a room that Pete had made up for her. The rest of the days at sea were calm and peaceful. Soon enough, we were able to see land on the horizon. Pete said that this region was called Velantere, an area on the southernmost part of Cashmere. Apparently after we port, we will have at least a day's journey back to their Tavern which is located deep within the forest. Pete said we can take our time at the port and look around. I was really excited, I hadn't even really been in an actual town in such a long time. A part of me was itching to try some of the local food to see how it compares to Gwyn's special pie recipe. Sundi had said that she was familiar with this area, but had only passed through briefly. Darwin was jumping for joy with Dutch as they saw the land in the distance. Dutch was barking excitedly while Darwin was rambling off all the cool things he wanted to find and collect. I wanted to remind him that I wasn't going to be lending out my vault to him like that but I didn't want to spoil his fun. This was a new adventure and I was one step closer to finding my friends.