by Jon Bender
With her play finished, she searched for a secluded spot where they could wait out the day. In a small, wooded area with no roads in sight, she found a large clearing. Banking slowly over the area, she saw no people or anything that looked a threat. The only signs of life were a small group of deer, who leapt to the safety of the trees at seeing her.
Completing her circuit, she headed back toward the others. The sun continued to rise, illuminating the land. In the distance, she could make out the small dots of durgen and the larger dragon. She was heading towards them when their direction suddenly changed, leaving her confused. Then she spotted more dots closing with them. Whatever they were, Warin and the others had seen fit to meet them. Kicking hard, she urged her durgen to top speed.
Before she could reach them, the battle was already raging with casualties on both sides. The bird-like beasts had black bodies larger than the durgen, with long scimitar-like claws and hooked beaks. She had faced such creatures before, and the encounter had nearly killed her. They were dark priests, transformed by Or’keer. They were fast and deadly, taking two or three durgen to bring one down. The two groups darted about each other, striving to gain the upper hand. A rider was knocked from his saddle, his straps severed after colliding with one of the birds. Adriana averted her eyes as he made the long fall to his death. The bird responsible was instantly assailed by three riders, their durgen using six clawed legs and maws full of teeth to shred its shadow-made body. The men would not relent in their retaliation either as they hacked and slashed with swords. The changed priest did his best to evade his attackers, but it was no use. Every dive or sharp turn could not keep him away from the vengeful riders. One durgen seized a wing in its jaws and lifted away as another rider flew in close, tilted to the side. The rider’s straps held him in place as his outstretched sword connected with the limb. The wing was not severed completely but would no longer support the weight of the creature, which quickly spiraled toward the ground.
Pulling her flanged mace from her belt, Adriana closed with one of the large birds. It held a riderless durgen in a clawed grip while its beak ripped parts of the risen’s flank away. She flew in from above, her durgen slamming into the feathered back with a force that pushed it down dozens of feet. Her mount used teeth and claws to great effect, tearing away feathers and large chunks of shadow flesh that evaporated into the air. The creature released the captive durgen, whipping its head around to snap at Adriana. Her mace was there to meet it. The impact of the blow cracked the lower beak so that it hung loose. Stunned, the creature began to fall, and she pursued, her durgen shredding the dark priest’s conjured body. Just before they crashed, Adriana pulled back on the reins. As she lifted higher, she watched the bird impact the earth with a bone-shattering thump. The form dissolved, leaving a motionless man in black robes, his legs twisted at unnatural angles.
Climbing higher into the sky, she looked up at the battle. The riders now held a significant advantage in numbers and the outcome was all but certain, yet the transformed priests persisted in their attack. Near the edge of the fight, the dragon reared, snatching a bird from the sky in its huge, clawed feet. Opening its serrated jaws, the massive risen bit down, engulfing the bird’s head. With a quick jerk, the dragon ripped it away in a spray of blood. Another of the birds took the opportunity to employ the tactic Adriana had just used. It landed on the dragon’s back, digging into the risen, so it could not be shaken loose and readying to strike at Warin’s unprotected back. With no way to reach him in time, Adriana watched in horror as she waited for death blow.
From out of the sun, Lexa flew in close, her arm stretched out. A column of dense white smoke connected with the bird’s head before it could strike. The young woman’s attack was quickly followed by another durgen crashing into the bird’s side. Both risen and shadow creature tumbled away in a tangle of wings. Brenin broke away and quickly began climbing higher as his durgen beat its wings feverishly. The Guard Captain arrested his ascent and dove for the bird, which had given chase. The two collided in a flurry of claws and talons as Brenin took any opening to slash with his sword. Adriana reached them then, and her own durgen locked its jaws and claws into the bird. The struggle was over quickly. They tore it apart, letting the remains fall from the air.
Only three transformed priests remained, all flying wingtip to wingtip straight for Warin. Adriana glanced at Brenin, and they flew to intercept. Just then, the dragon loosed a powerful burst of flame. The heat from the blast was so intense that Adriana raised a hand to shield her face. With no time to alter their course, the birds flew into the swirling mass of fire and dropped from it like insects that had flown through a torch. Their destroyed bodies trailed smoke all the way down.
Brenin hovered in place by Adriana, watching the last of their assailants fall. When he met her eyes, she saw the grin splitting his face. “I want one,” he said.
Adriana led the riders to the small clearing. As soon as the last durgen landed, Warin and Lexa went to work in the warm morning light, repairing the damaged risen. Only a few needed repair. That was the nature of how the riders fought. Losing a fight usually meant a long fall that ended in sudden stop. Adriana was the only one to have ever survived that.
“What was that about? We lost five good men, and only three of their mounts are salvageable,” Brenin said, walking up, his usual grin replaced by a stern look. He had changed so much in such a short time from the Guardsman she had met in Chams’dell. He was still jovial and quick to smile, but his youthful demeanor now had a hard edge beneath the humor.
She pulled the bags off the back of her mount when she noticed a long gash in the hind leg of the risen. “We know who sent them, but I have no idea why.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Warin asked, joining them. He placed his bone hand over the damaged area of her durgen. “Or’Keer knows Corin is forming an alliance to oppose him. I’m surprised that the attack didn’t come sooner.”
“Then Jaxom and the others are at risk as well,” Adriana said, unable to hide the concern in her voice.
“We have to warn them,” Brenin said, his voice tense.
Warin raised a hand, indicating for them to slow down. “I have spoken to him through the whispering stone.”
“Do you have news?” she demanded, taking a step forward. She felt an almost irresistible urge to leave at that moment and go to him. This was the first time since she had met Jaxom that they had been apart, and the strain was wearing on her.
“They had almost reached the river bordering Bruxa when they were attacked in the forest by men and shades,” Warin said calmly. “Many were lost in the fight, but they pushed them back. Jaxom and Nelix have hired two ships, and they were readying to leave when we spoke.”
“Why didn’t those birds attack them as well?” Brenin asked.
“Perhaps Or’Keer was unsure which group was meant to rescue the king. Or the birds could have been less effective fighting in the trees. Whatever the reason, we should be happy they didn’t,” he said, lifting his arm away from the durgen’s rump.
The gash was gone, replaced by a pale, thin scar on the durgen’s blueish-black hide. Warin raised his hand closer to his face and curled the bone fingers. Adriana had been there when Tandis had taken the arm, nearly killing the death mage in the process. If not for Jaxom helping him rebuild it with magic, Warin would still be crippled. Everyone Jaxom had ever met was better for the experience, even Adriana. And for some reason, he loved her. The thought of him in danger tied her stomach into knots.
“Has there been any change in the plan?” she asked, trying to get her emotions under control.
“No. In fact, he doesn’t think they will suffer another attack once they reach Bruxa,” Warin said, lowering his hand.
She felt a sense of relief at hearing that, but held out her palm anyway. Warin gave a gentle smile and pulled the whispering stone from his finger. Giving her the ring, he turned and headed for another durgen whose rider was inspecting damage to one of its
wings.
“Tell him I say hello,” Brenin said, grinning, then turned to leave himself.
Slipping the ringer over her finger, she raised it to her lips. “Jaxom, are you there?”
“Where else would I be?” the stone whispered. She could hear the smile in his voice.
“This is not the time for humor,” she said, trying to sound stern.
“Warin told you what happened?” he said.
“Yes, we think Or’Keer is trying to stop us from rescuing the king.”
“If we fail to bring the ransom to Bruxa, Alexar will kill Corin for him,” Jaxom said.
“What do we do?”
“Continue on. Chasing them would only give them what they want.”
“You’re right,” she said, pausing. “I don’t like that we aren’t together. I worry that something will happen to you when I’m not there.” She never liked to show any weakness in front of him. He had enough to worry about without trying to reassure her.
“I am with good people, as are you. We just have to follow the plan. I will see you again,” he said, before adding, “I promise not to die without your permission.” She could imagine him smirking. She laughed and felt her doubts ebb. “We are loading the wagons, and I have to go. I’ll speak to you later,” he said hurriedly.
“I love you,” she said, but the words did not seem like enough.
“I love you, too,” he said and was gone.
Lowering her hand, she looked about. Men were settling in and laying out their bedrolls. Sighing, she put her mind to the task at hand. Guards had to be posted and scouts sent out. If she was going to see him again, they all had to do their part.
Chapter 7
Stepping away from the stack of crates where he had been speaking with Adriana through the whispering stone, Jaxom looked at the end of the pier where the last of the horses and wagons were rolling onto the ship. Nelix and Darian floated a short distance away on the other ship, waiting for them to finish and cast off. Laiden stood next to Cribble as the Guard Commander, looking even surlier than usual, directed the loading. He had told them about Or’Keer’s transformed priests attacking Adriana and the others. The revelations had confirmed their suspicions, but none of them felt good about it.
“Is everything tied down?” Jaxom asked, walking up to the Guard Commander.
“Yes, but I will check when I am done here,” Cribble replied without looking at him.
Jaxom nodded. Cribble did not trust many people to do a job right. “Come, Laiden. Let’s go get settled.” Jaxom hefted his bags and started up the wooden ramp.
“Yes, Magus.”
Gren met them at the top. He gave them a vague nod. They were dressed in the chainmail and blue livery of common soldiers, which is what he took them for. “Hammocks are below, down the hatch there.”
Jaxom nodded and moved past him onto the wooden planks of the deck. The wagons were tightly packed next to each other on the center of the deck to keep the weight evenly distributed. Chains secured them to iron loops bolted into the wood. The horses were penned in a small corral near the aft of the vessel. They whinnied and stomped their hooves in complaint, unaccustomed to the slight rocking of the ship and disturbed by the close proximity of the emora. Jaxom had the risen slip onboard when the crew were busy elsewhere. It had shifted to the dark brown color of the wood and remained still. The large cat would remain like that until he commanded it otherwise.
Steep, narrow stairs led into a gloom broken only by a few lanterns hanging from nails. Jaxom found two empty hammocks away from the men, many of whom were already laying down. Soldiers knew to eat and sleep when they could. Tossing the bags into the top hammock, Jaxom began stripping off his armor. Laiden placed his bags in the lower one and gave him questioning look.
Pulling the tabard over his head, he regarded the apprentice with a mocking smile. “If you fall overboard, the weight of the armor would pull you to the bottom of the river.”
Laiden’s face blanched, and he quickly began stripping his own armor. “How much longer are we going to have to wear these?”
“Until we reach Taurn. Remember, don’t cast. If we get into a fight, draw your sword and stay out of the way.”
“I remember, Magus,” he said, his voice edged with annoyance.
Jaxom smiled at the small show of rebellion. “I’m sorry I haven’t taught you how to fight with steel. I will rectify that oversight once we’re on solid ground again.”
“Until then, what should I do?”
“Whatever you want. Just don’t get in the way of the crew or their duties.”
“I’ve never been on a ship before,” he said, then scurried off back of the steps.
Jaxom had never been on a ship either, but he did not share Laiden’s enthusiasm. He envied the apprentice’s excitement at the short sail down the river, but his mind was filled only with the next part of their journey. He pulled the tabard back over his head and secured it at the waist with his sword belt. Laiden had already made it to the upper deck and was looking out at the river by the time he climbed to the top of the stairs. Nearby, Gren manned the large pegged wheel. Cribble was checking over the horses as the crew pulled on heavy ropes raising the ramp and securing it to the side of the ship. When Gren began yelling to cast off lines and hoist sails, the crew scurried to obey. Soon, they were moving out toward the center of the river and heading south. The other ship unfurled its sails to follow their path.
“I hate having to rely on men I don’t know,” Cribble grumbled, walking up to join him.
“It’s just for a day,” Jaxom said.
Cribble grunted. “You think that matters? A lot can go wrong in a day, and we’re stuck on this floating refuse heap.”
“Don’t worry so much. Things are still going as planned.”
Cribble spit on the deck. A sailor passing by gave him a hard stare but continued on when Cribble returned it without blinking. “Worrying has kept me alive this long. As to the plan, I have yet to hear anything about what happens once we find the king.
Jaxom had no argument for that. They had decided to gather information in Taurn before developing that part of the strategy. Leaving the Guard Commander to brew, Jaxom moved to the rail and looked out, watching the river bank pass by. He understood Cribble’s frustration, but dwelling on what they did not know or could not change was not going to help. Jaxom remained at the rail for an hour more before returning below to wait out the trip.
The next day brought a cold, damp chill that permeated the air. Rain drummed the deck above. Climbing out of his hammock, Jaxom dropped to the planks as quietly as possible so as not to wake Laiden and donned a thin, hooded cloak. On deck, the wind had picked up, and rain beat down in heavy drops. The crew was busy checking tie-downs and pulling on ropes to furl some of the sails. On the upper deck, Jaxom found Cribble standing next to Gren, talking loudly to be heard over the wind.
“This is my ship, and I say how it’s sailed,” Gren said flatly, his eyes staring over the wheel at the river.
“You can see them as well as I can,” Cribble yelled, pointing down the river. Jaxom followed his finger and saw two ships working their way up the river. The water in this section went straight for miles, making approaching the vessels easily visible even through the dense veil of rain. The newcomers were being forced to tack and had oars out over the side to help move them along. “You said yourself that they must be in a rush to be sailing north in this.”
“I also said that if I do what you want and move closer to the bank, we risk running aground.”
“Is something wrong, Commander?” Jaxom asked.
Cribble looked over, ready to shout at him as well, but then moderated his tone. “This fool wants to float right by those ships without finding out who they are.”
“They are probably just Dradon or Azurian traders heading to Denra. There has been a large market up there since the war, and they aren’t the first merchants to seek a profit,” Gren said.
“I don’t care what you think,” Cribble shouted.
Jaxom could see that Gren was refusing to budge and understood his point. Running aground would delay if not stop them from getting to Taurn.
“Commander, do you want me to wake the men?” Jaxom tried to make the question sound real. He had to play his part as a soldier, and soldiers did not give commands to those who outranked them.
Cribble regarded him for a moment and nodded before turning back to Gren. “We do it your way, but I want your men armed.”
“Whatever you want, but it’s a waste of time,” Gren replied.
“It’s our time to waste. Slow down, so we can pass a message to the other ship as well.”
Gren nodded and started shouting orders to the men on deck as Cribble and Jaxom made their way down the slick stairs to the main deck. Jaxom considered removing his boots and going barefoot, as the crew did, but he was not sure he could fight as well without the familiar feel of them. “Those ships could be exactly what he says,” Jaxom said, once they were out of Gren’s hearing.
“And they could each hold a dozen fire mages ready to sink us,” Cribble retorted.
Jaxom conceded the point before making his own. “Whoever they are, we still can’t afford to get stuck on this river.”
Cribble shook his head in annoyance, water flinging from his hair “I will wake the men, but if it comes down to it, I don’t care who sees you and your mages using magic if it means our lives. We aren’t any good to King Corin if we’re dead.”
Jaxom let him have the last word before the Commander went below. Turning, Jaxom watched as the crew began belting on heavy, one-handed falchions. Bows and quivers full of arrows were placed around the deck, and the crew furled more of the sail to allow the second ship to catch up. When it drew alongside, Gren yelled across to the man controlling the wheel, relaying his orders to arm themselves in case of trouble. The captain of the other vessel sent a man to pass the word. After a minute, Nelix came up and spoke to the captain of his vessel while watching the approaching ships. Looking across to Jaxom, he nodded and returned below.
