Aisling inhaled a deep breath, and paused. In the back of her mind, she heard King Floe talk about the people she loved, and realized that her home base was vulnerable. The community that waited for the fleet to return was counting on them.
What if this noxious creature had inflicted damage upon family and friends? Having already lost her parents and uncle, she couldn’t imagine further devastation. And yet, the prospect was real.
In an instant, she thought about Chindor, the wizard. He had advised her to fight evil by using her mind, heart, and soul. It’s logical to eliminate King Floe as a threat, she insisted to herself. She looked at him, grasping the sides of the vault, trying to slither his way out.
He’d left a trail of collateral damage across the globe. The fear, anxiety, suffering, and tears that others have borne because of his corrupt nature must end. Her heart said it was in the best interests of humanity. In her soul, she imagined a world with one less evil force to contort reality.
She extracted all three daggers. Their jeweled handles sparkled, despite the dim light of the forest.
“I decree that the King of Floe be sealed above the earth for an indefinite period of time so that his wickedness and poison is locked away, impenetrable by all others.”
She grasped her instruments as a wave of magnetic energy surged around her. Planting her feet, she inhaled a deep breath and felt the vitality spiral into the atmosphere.
The winds shrieked as the skies darkened. Tree branches were ripped from their stalwart columns. The cloud cover swirled around King Floe’s sealed cage. His cries of vitriol were strangled by the violence of the sudden squall.
With her hair blowing in all directions, Aisling clung to the daggers. A flash of light exploded, illuminating the copse of trees for an instant.
Then everything was quiet. Aisling peered into the thicket.
King Floe was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
CONQUEST
The mist cleared.
Aisling waved her dagger over the earth. “I command a layer of protection for all our people in Cathair na Mart,” she intoned. After hearing King Floe’s insinuation that he had harmed those closest to her, she thought of the families the fleet had left behind. I’m not taking any chances, she decided.
The power soared into the stratosphere, creating a vibration underneath her feet. Several moments later, she looked up and realized that her work was almost done.
She secured the wand and motioned to the prince, who signaled his men. The entourage made a hasty return to the fleet.
As they boarded the ship, Aisling thanked the soldiers, then she and Drayaen headed to a secluded part of the deck.
He grasped her by the arm. “Are you all right?”
“I’m relieved. I believe the commands worked. The sabers are more powerful than I realized.”
The prince leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. “What did he say to you?”
Aisling sighed and looked out at the sea. “He said he caused Maológ’s death.”
“How can that be?” asked Drayaen, through narrowed eyes. “He died of disease.”
“I don’t know,” she said, clutching her necklace. “He also claimed that he took action against our people.”
“Who was he talking about?”
“I’m not sure. Floe was a master of deception. To believe that he orchestrated those claims would give him immense satisfaction, even if he’s not here to enjoy it.”
The prince wrapped his arms around her. He glanced down and ran the pad of his thumb under her eyelashes. “I’m worried about you. You’ve not slept in days.”
Aisling nodded. “I think I’ll go back to the cabin now.”
“I need to talk with Lex, but I’ll join you soon.”
She looked up at him and smiled. A tremendous weight had lifted off her shoulders.
Almost.
Aisling sat at her desk and examined all three daggers. She thought back to the start of her journey. When she first learned of her inherited powers, she had been stunned. I was so naïve, she thought. I had no idea how to deploy my capabilities. My first commands must have looked like child’s play.
There was one more thing she needed to do to secure peace of mind. When she and the prince left the East Kingdom, she had been given a second test.
Aisling had twelve months to change history.
If she didn’t pass this hurdle, she was in danger of losing her magic.
Aisling inhaled deep breaths and gripped her swords. “I command the presence of Chindor.”
As the power flowed through her fingers, an image began to form on the other side of the desk.
“Hello, wizard, I’ve missed you,” she said.
“My dear, you should be proud of yourself. You just defeated a powerful enemy.”
“Thank you for your encouragement. I’ve asked you here because I need to know something.”
“How can I help?”
“Have I passed the second test? Did I change history?”
“What do you think?” asked Chindor, clasping his hands together.
“Well, King Floe’s people will now be free.”
“Yes, that alone has made a difference. But there are other examples as well. You passed your test many times over, during your journey.”
“I have?”
“You worked with the Nawab and secured food for his people. With the rescue of the ship in Mauritius, lives were forever shifted. Rémy’s new community will form a base for those seeking freedom. The medicine you provided saved lives.”
“So I can continue my work, and keep my powers?”
Chindor nodded. “There’s a third test,” he said. “After you’ve had a chance to rest, it will be revealed to you. The important thing is to do your best and be guided by your mind, heart, and soul.”
“I’ve remembered your words. I’ve tried to make a bigger impact by collaborating with others too,” said Aisling, leaning over the table. “One thing puzzles me. Why would a member of the secret society go over to the dark side? I don’t understand the shift from good to wicked.”
“I share your bewilderment. Floe seemed to possess the traits of the well intentioned. But as time passed, he lost his moral compass. He held no beliefs or values. He paid homage to himself, and material goods.” Chindor paused and peered at Aisling. “There’s another factor as well.”
“What is it?”
“Life is a continuation. After the physical self dies, the spirit endures, in different forms. The time we spend here is a mere stopping point. But Floe had no view of the afterlife. He filled his days in pursuit of self-gratification, at any cost. It didn’t concern him, because he believed there were no consequences for his actions. As a result, evil permeated his existence.”
“Was he the sole member who betrayed the trust of the secret society?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. For now, you’re nearing the end of this journey. Soon, another one will start.”
The wizard began to fade from view. “Wait, Chindor, what do you mean by a new quest?”
“Get some rest, by dear. Your talents will be needed in the future.”
Aisling watched as his lingering aura disappeared.
She was alone.
Relief washed over her. Her goals had been achieved and she could keep her powers. She and Drayaen would have more control over their lives and an increased ability to impact others for the good.
She let out a deep breath and stood up from her desk. The excitement from her encounter with the King of Floe still surged through her body. She felt confined and overheated. Time seemed to have slowed.
She grabbed her red cloak and headed for the door. A few minutes later, she stood on the deck, breathing in the crisp night air. The fleet was crossing the Irish Sea on the way to Cork. She looked out at the stars and thought about the immense journey that was coming to an end. They’d gone more than halfway around the world. It wasn’t the distance alone that made it such a remarkabl
e adventure. As the wizard said, they had changed history.
And after this next stop, they would go home.
She looked over the railing and saw the prince returning from his meeting with the colonel.
Aisling watched as he boarded the vessel. As she walked toward him, everything began to spin. She stopped and extended her arm to steady herself, but there was nothing to grasp. Her vision blurred. In the distance, a figure was running down the deck.
Then everything went black.
Drayaen returned from the Cara and was looking forward to seeing Aisling. A burden had been lifted and their journey was coming to an end. He found life onboard a ship taxing, but the events that had occurred during the past year were unbelievable.
After he and Aisling married, they had battled their way across the globe. Now, at last, there would be an opportunity to recover from the frenzied pace.
Or so he thought.
He smiled as she came into view. Her hair was blowing in the wind, and as she turned around, he caught his breath. Each time he saw her, she was more beautiful.
The incident with King Floe had stunned him. Aisling was so confident in her approach. Despite the hurled insults and psychological games, she had focused on her mission. The secret society would be much stronger now, without any more interference from the traitor who had defected to the dark side.
As he approached Aisling, his smile turned to alarm. Something was amiss. Her usual confident stance was replaced by a shaky and uncertain posture. Her color was an appalling shade of white.
He sprinted down the deck. As he reached her, she collapsed in his arms.
He carried her down the deck, rushing toward the Captain’s Quarters.
Ryan hurried toward them. “What happened?” he asked with a stricken look.
“I’m not sure. Summon Patrick. Tell him that he’s needed, now.”
The first officer cast a worried glance at Aisling and hurried to the sick bay.
The prince laid his wife on the bed and removed her coat. He leaned over and felt her forehead. There was no fever, but her pulse was rapid. Drayaen shook his head at the realization that he couldn’t tell the surgeon what had happened in the forest.
This is the first time she’s used her magic to that capacity, he thought. “I knew there would be a risk.”
A few minutes later, Patrick appeared. The doctor hovered over his patient. “Ryen told me she fainted on deck.”
The prince nodded. “Do you know the cause?”
The surgeon reached for his medical bag. “There could be lots of reasons,” he said, listening to her heartbeat.
“What can we do?”
“I’ve brought a mixture of ammonia and lavender spirits. That should help.”
Drayaen watched as Patrick worked to revive her. After a few anxious minutes, Aisling’s eyelashes began to flutter.
“She’s coming around,” said Patrick.
Aisling felt the floor moving before she opened her eyes. She clutched the side of the bed and looked at her surroundings.
“You’re all right,” said the prince, as he reached for her hand. “You fainted.”
“What are your symptoms?” asked the surgeon.
“I’m dizzy, and nauseous.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
She glanced at Drayaen and turned to Patrick. “I don’t remember,” she mumbled.
“You need to rest for a day, or at least until we arrive in Cork.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” said the prince.
As the doctor packed his bag, he motioned Drayaen aside. “She needs food and plenty of water.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“That’s why I’m here,” said Patrick. “I’ll come back and check on her in the morning.”
As the door closed, Aisling struggled to sit up. Her husband hurried to her bedside. “You’re not going anywhere,” he murmured.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “I don’t know what happened. One minute I was looking out over the water, and the next, everything started spinning.”
“You’ve been under a tremendous strain,” said the prince, as he wrapped her in a silk robe. “I’ll talk with Ryen. I’m sure he can handle things for awhile. First, let’s get you comfortable.”
He arranged the blankets and lay down beside her. She curled up next to him, nestled in his arms.
“You have a lot to be proud of,” he said. “This has been an extraordinary journey.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she murmured.
“Well, that just proves we’re a great team.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
He tightened his grip as she drifted off to sleep. “I love you too,” he murmured. He rubbed his thumb across her cheek and couldn’t imagine life without her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CELEBRATION
The sun burst through the clouds, creating a soft glow in the chamber. Aisling opened her eyes and smiled.
The ship arched as it rolled through the ebb and flow of the waves. She remembered the events of the previous day and exhaled a deep breath. Her mission had been successful. Now she could rest for awhile. The undulating motion of the vessel provided soothing comfort, and she was lulled back to sleep.
She woke up again, as the sun streamed through the window. To her surprise, Drayaen was still next to her, his large hands wrapped around her waist. As she struggled to sit up, something pulled her back down into the covers.
“How are you feeling?” he murmured.
She rolled over to see that he was propped up on one elbow. “I’m much better,” she said. “I am hungry, though.”
“I thought you might be. Food has already been delivered.”
She sat up and he moved some pillows behind her. “Thank you, it looks wonderful.”
“We’ll be in port later today,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe that we’re almost home.” She reached out and grasped his arm. “I was thinking that we should make this journey memorable.”
“It’s already been unforgettable, with you next to me.”
“I feel the same way about you. Last night, I had some ideas.”
“Tell me.”
“I’d like to distribute an additional bonus to the crew. It would be from both of us, to reward them for their flexibility and hard work. Your arrival here would also be considered a sign of prosperity.”
He nodded. “They’ve been a loyal crew. I think it’s a good idea.”
“They’ll be most pleased. We can tell them before we disembark.”
“What about the rest?”
“I think we should have a wedding ceremony on the ship.”
“What?”
“The people on the journey with us are an extended family. We’ll all be together in Cathair na Mart. I’d like them to see that we’ve made a commitment to each other. After a long trip, it would be good for morale.” She looked up at him, surprised to see amusement in his eyes.
“How can I refuse?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.
“Thank you,” she said as she burrowed closer. Soon, we’re having a wedding ceremony on the ship, she thought.
What a difference a day can make.
Excitement was rampant.
After Aisling and the prince met with all the captains of the fleet to inform them of an additional bonus, it was announced to all those onboard. The men were tackling their jobs with new enthusiasm.
The ships navigated to the River Lee. A natural harbor and estuary, it served as an entry point for the City of Cork. Aisling directed the vessels to anchor downstream, making it easier to maneuver.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Teams moved the goods into port. The merchants were excited about the volume and variety of the products. Crates of raw silk, textiles, brandy, wines, tea, sugar, clothing, and exotic wares were admired and purchased. A portion of the items were stored in Aisling’s warehouses, reserved
for some of her buyers in the northern territories.
By the third day, all work had been completed. She distributed the earnings to the crew, and the boats began to ferry groups into town.
The city clustered around the winding path of the river. Along the waterway were decorated shops with elaborate window displays. A series of arched stone bridges guarded the cool blue waters, weaving together a tapestry of brilliance that united both sides of the estuary.
Christmas was approaching, and bursts of green and red created a welcoming atmosphere. Aisling smiled as groups of sailors navigated through unfamiliar stores, in search of gifts for friends and family.
She recalled her last visit to Cork. She and her father had made a special trip here to view some sailcloth. It had been almost two years ago, but somehow, it felt like a lifetime. It gave her an idea.
She turned to the prince. “Drayaen, is there anything you’d like to see?”
He smiled. “I’ve heard there is an Exchange in the center of town. I’d like to visit the book market.”
“Perfect. There’s a coffee shop there. We can say hello to some of my father’s friends,” she said. “It’s also a great place to catch up on news.”
They strolled along the walkway, passing the stationers, florists, confectioners, and perfumers. The smell of jasmine floated by, reminding Aisling of the garden beneath her bedroom window. She smiled, thinking of all the things she wanted to show Drayaen when they arrived home.
The cafe was overflowing with people and good cheer. She spotted some of her crew, who were regaling a rapt audience with tales of their trip. Across the room, she made eye contact with some acquaintances and headed in their direction. After a fun afternoon, she and Drayaen headed back to the ship, ready for the final leg of the journey.
The following morning, the fleet pulled anchor and headed south.
A short while later, Aisling was sitting at the table in her quarters, when she looked up to see Hanu and Maehwa standing in the doorway.
“Hello, Commander, we’re here to help you dress for the ceremony.”
“Is it that time already?” she asked.
“We need to work on your hair and make any last-minute adjustments to your dress.”
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