Twice Blessed

by Taryn Noelle Kloeden

  There was, of course, the other—the Fenearen man who'd conceived him. Quella had told Kado little about him. He had a name—which of course meant nothing to him—and a few descriptions.

  “He was handsome,” Quella had said the night she’d revealed the truth to Kado. They sat whispering in their cabin, foreheads together. “I had long admired him. You look so much like him.” But there had been no wistfulness in Quella’s voice, only sadness and pain. “He was brave and proud, but he and I were not meant to be.”

  “Why not?” Kado had asked.

  She’d pushed back Kado’s hair. “His heart belonged to another, though she did not want it. That is often the way of things, my sweet boy. I loved him, in a foolish, youthful way, but he had no love left for me. I was only a diversion—a fact that I understood too late.”

  “But he didn’t protect you when the slavers came?”

  “He couldn’t have, Kado. I had moved away.”

  “Because of him, and how he hurt you. Now you’re here.” He’d had to suppress a growl. “You must hate him.”

  “No, my keiren. I could never hate him. He gave me you.”

  Back in his cell, Kado wondered if he hated his birth father. Quella had suffered so much because of Kado’s existence. He'd long blamed himself, but he didn’t ask to be born. This man was the true architect of his mother’s tragedy—and Kado’s.

  According to Quella’s story, his father did not know Kado existed. She'd discovered the pregnancy after the man had abandoned her. She'd chosen to move away, rather than force him to wed her. That choice—to move to the Northern Densite—had sealed her fate. Within only a week of arriving, she'd been kidnapped by Ketosi slavers.

  Maybe the faithless Fenearen who had fathered Kado was still out there somewhere, unaware of his son and the violence he was about to endure.

  The thought filled him with hatred.

  His mother would have scolded him for that. Despite all the injustice she experienced in life, she was never vengeful or cruel. But Isaac, the father of his heart, had taught him the power of anger. It fueled him when all else failed. It strengthened him, but it frightened him, too. Because when the moment came—when he had the chance to do one good, unselfish act, and let Kellan kill him—Kado was not sure his rage would let him.

  Kado eyed the rune-covered book he'd tossed out of his reach in a fit of such anger. It lay face-down, its spine cracked and peeling. He could make out the rune he had somehow identified as reading “magic.” Not for the first time, Kado regretted the fury that had made him throw this strange treasure away. He had expected Terayan to remove Isaac's things, but now suspected the Councilor left the books to remind Kado of what he'd lost.

  Kado stared at the sad monument to his dead mentor—especially the enigmatic book. Other symbols were embossed beneath the one for magic, partially obscured by the book's angle. Kado pressed his face against the bars separating him from Isaac's cell. He memorized every sweep of the runes he could see.

  As he drew the carvings in his mind's eye, they continued beyond what he could glimpse from the book. The complete shapes snapped into his awareness, like knowledge he'd forgotten. As soon as the runes were made whole, they burned with meaning.

  “Channeling Magic Divine,” Kado whispered.

  Rayna stared out the porthole. Halmstead loomed ever closer. Katrine and Mina sat on the floor, nibbling their meager crusts.

  “Mina, what do you know of the slave markets?” Rayna’s principal concern was making sure that, if they were separated, they had a way of reuniting.

  Mina swallowed the last of her ration. “They’re awful. Some are small auctions held anywhere there’s space, others are much grander affairs. For a Fenearen, it would likely be the latter. There will be criers, a Council representative to ensure authenticity, and plenty of guards.”

  Katrine set her bread aside. “I’m to be auctioned?”

  “No.” Rayna’s fingers tightened over the porthole’s ledge. “You’ll escape before they get the chance.”

  “But, the Monil—”

  Rayna knelt beside Katrine. “We trained for this. You don’t need your wolf to fight.”

  “I never had one to begin with, and I get by fine,” Mina said with a faint smile. The Dor Pe'loch’s mark must have pained her, but she bore it well.

  “As soon as we’re in the harbor, we’ll start looking for an out,” Rayna continued. “But Katrine, if we’re separated, save yourself.”

  “How? I have nowhere to go.”

  “The Peddler’s Toe,” Mina said decisively.

  “What?” Rayna and Katrine asked.

  “It’s a tavern. I worked there when I lived in Halmstead.”

  “Oh no,” said Rayna. “No more taverns where you used to work.”

  Mina frowned. “This one’s different. Rita, the owner, actually gives a damn about me. She’ll help us. Besides, it’s not like we have any other options. If we’re separated, we meet there. It’s on the corner of Alder and Herring, in the lower city.”

  Rayna reluctantly agreed. The last time they’d turned to one of Mina’s old haunts, the owner had betrayed them to the Council. “Fine. But first, we need to escape. Swann’s arrogant—he thinks we’re useless without weapons or our other forms. We can use that against him. Any opportunity you see to fight, take it, and we’ll all follow the lead.”

  Not long after their planning ceased, the door to their cabin swung open. Swann strode in, with several of his men waiting outside. He’d changed into sky blue robes and charcoal lined his dark eyes.

  “Miss Saelia, if you would come with me?” He extended his arm as if escorting her to dinner.

  Katrine’s lip twitched, but she did not move.

  “Katrine,” he said sharply, “come with me now.”

  “Where are you taking her?” Rayna took Katrine’s hand.

  He shrugged. “She should be with the other trade goods when we make port. You and Mina will be safely hidden away in my cabin until it is time for us to hand you over to the Council.”

  Rayna leaned her forehead against Katrine’s, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Remember, the Peddler’s Toe,” she whispered.

  Katrine squeezed Rayna’s as they pulled apart. Katrine gulped, pointedly ignored Swann’s proffered arm, and left the cabin.

  One of the crewmen grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her toward the ship’s other end.

  Swann watched her go, before beckoning Rayna and Mina. “Follow me.” He exited.

  Two men took hold of Rayna and Mina to compel them forward. They moved through the ship, up the central staircase, and onto the deck.

  Rayna blinked as her eyes adjusted to the early morning sun.

  Swann snapped his fingers.

  In a deft motion, Rayna and Mina's captors manacled their hands behind their backs

  Perhaps Swann wasn’t as foolish as Rayna hoped.

  They entered the captain’s quarters, and at a nod from Swann, the other men returned to the deck, closing the door.

  Or, he might have been just foolish enough.

  Still, the time to attack was not yet there. They were in irons, and too far out to swim to harbor. Moreover, Rayna did not intend to leave Katrine aboard the ship. For now, the best move was to keep Swann distracted.

  “Why are you hiding us?” Rayna demanded.

  He ducked behind his desk, retrieving a bottle. “Care for a drink?”

  At Rayna and Mina’s stony silence, he laughed. “It’s a different vintage than what I served before. No? Just as well.” He took a deep draught from the bottle.

  “If I announce that I have two fugitives aboard, the harbor guards are likely to arrest me, and claim the reward themselves. Even with my mark on one of you, they might get away with it.” He shook his head. “I need to do business with men of a higher caliber. The Council Guard can arrange a meeting with Councilor Terayan, and I will hand you two over directly.”

  “And what if we make ourselves known when the ha
rbor guards inspect the ship?” Mina asked.

  “You’d merely expedite your own arrest.” He drank again. “Besides, if you do, my men have very specific instructions on how to punish Katrine for your interference.”

  Rayna and Mina exchanged a knowing glance. The best time for their escape would be after the inspection, but before they removed Katrine from the ship.

  “How do you plan on hiding us?” Rayna asked.

  “Ah, Rayna. How sensible you are.” He jumped to his feet and slid back the curtain separating his bed from the rest of the cabin. He knocked on the ship’s wall to the left of his bed. “Hear that?”

  “It’s hollow.”

  “Indeed. You two will be safely stowed, while I ensure the vultures are kept at bay.”

  Rayna did not relish being trapped in such a cramped space, but it might give them time to remove the bonds.

  Swann replaced his bottle of liquor. He glanced out the porthole behind his desk.

  Halmstead’s harbors were within sight. Ships of all sizes, from fishing canoes to massive carracks with colorful silk sails, crowded the docks. Beyond the waterline, a hilly city of thatched roofs and cobblestone appeared through the haze.

  “Now ladies.” Swann slid open the hidden compartment. “Let’s get you comfortable.”

  As the ship lurched into harbor, Rayna and Mina stood back-to-back in the tiny compartment.

  Rayna pulled her wrists up as hard as she could. The iron bands did not slide a hair-length. The chains connecting the cuffs held fast.

  “Wolfie,” Mina whispered, “can you reach my boots?”

  “What?”

  “My boots,” Mina repeated. “I keep a shim in the left one's laces.”

  “Shim?”

  “It's a small nail. It isn't sharp enough to be a weapon, but I might be able to use it to release the pawl in your cuffs.” Mina lifted her leg until her knee dug into Rayna's side.

  “All right.” Rayna bent backward as far as she could in the tiny compartment. Her abdomen stretched painfully and her spine ached. Finally, her fingers touched Mina's leather bootlaces. “I don't feel a nail.”

  “It's behind the third lace from the bottom.”

  Rayna lengthened her reach as much as she could. “I have it.” Carefully, she removed the tiny metal shard.

  Mina turned around and took the nail. “Hold still. I've never done this in the dark before.”

  Mina’s nimble archer's fingers twisted and pushed. “Almost...”

  Rayna felt her wrists free. “Yes!” She shuffled around, scraping her shoulders against the wood, and took Mina’s bound wrists in her freed hands. “What do I do?”

  “I can try to talk you through it—”

  The door to Swann’s cabin opened and boots clicked across the floorboards. The inspection was done, a messenger was presumably on his way to the Council, and the time to attack was now.

  “No time,” Mina hissed.

  The false wall slid open to reveal Swann’s face.

  Rayna tackled him the moment she could fit through the opening. She slammed his head into the floor as Mina vaulted over her.

  Swann grunted, but did not slip unconscious as Rayna had hoped. She grabbed his sword as he reached for it. They wrestled over the sheathed blade.

  Swann rolled her over.

  Rayna’s hands slipped, but Mina kicked Swann in the head.

  He folded over, groaning.

  Rayna stood, holding the sword. The door to the cabin was closed, but the crew had to have heard the commotion.

  Rayna sprinted to the door and latched it.

  A furious knocking shook the frame. “Lord Swann, are you all right?”

  Swann's dark eyes were unfocused beneath the smeared charcoal, but he was still awake.

  Rayna pointed her sword at Swann’s throat. “Tell him you are,” she whispered.

  Swann blinked rapidly. His voice slurred and Rayna hoped the crewman would interpret it as drunkenness. “I’m more than all right. Just taking advantage of our prizes. I’m sure the Council won’t mind.”

  The sailor laughed, making Rayna’s skin crawl. “If there’s still time before Geryn returns with the Council Guard, I’d like a turn.”

  “Leave me to it then,” Swann barked. Focus and hatred returned to his gaze as he eyed the blade by his throat.

  “Key,” Mina demanded.

  “Around my neck,” Swann spat.

  With her right hand holding the sword, Rayna quickly pulled the chain from his throat. Never taking her eyes off him, she unlocked Mina's manacles.

  “By the desk,” she pointed to Swann. “Move.”

  He crawled over and Rayna shackled him to the heavy wooden leg.

  “Brava,” Swann hissed through clenched teeth. “You managed to surprise me. But what’s the plan now? Have you forgotten you’re on my ship, in the middle of a Kyrean harbor? All you’ve done is buy yourselves and Katrine more pain.”

  “Shut up.” Mina stood, searching the cabin. She found Coer's knife under Swann’s pillow.

  Rayna silently thanked the Goddess the blade was not lost. She nodded to Mina and the Kyrean slid it into her belt. Now they both had a weapon.

  “How could you do this?” Rayna asked Swann. “Even if you survive, you can never return to Maenor now.”

  Swann laughed. “I might have lost Elkenford for now, but your rewards will make me quite comfortable in the Republic—a civilized country where I can conduct my business in peace. Besides, once Seperun is overthrown, I'll be welcomed back to Maenor as a hero. This,” he nodded to them, “is but a momentary set-back.”

  “Not if I kill you.” Rayna returned the blade to his neck.

  “But you won’t.” Swann raised his lashed hands behind him. “I’m bound, and on my knees. No good Fenearen would dishonor themselves by killing such a man.”

  “I’m not Fenearen,” Mina reminded him.

  “Even so, Rayna’s code will not allow me to die this way. Isn’t that right?”

  Rayna clenched her teeth. “I’ll kill you if I must, but I’d much rather you face your country’s justice.”

  A knock interrupted the tense silence greeting Rayna’s words.

  “Lord Swann!” A crewman called. “We’ve someone here who claims to be an emissary for the Council.”

  “Well ladies, time’s up.”

  The crewman knocked again. “Lord Swann?”

  “Don’t move,” Rayna commanded. She grabbed a handkerchief from Swann’s desk and stuffed it in his mouth. There was no time for any more planning. All she could do was follow her instinct. “Mina,” she whispered, “on the count of three.”

  Mina nodded, one hand poised on Coer's knife, the other on the lock.

  “One, two, three!” Mina unlatched the door and they pushed it open into the crewman.

  A guttural cry flew from Rayna’s throat as she raised her sword.

  Another of Swann’s men ran toward her, meeting the blade with his own. He was the better swordsman, and with her wolf locked away, she was weakened. Their blades connected again and Rayna's flew from her grasp.

  She threw up her arms in surrender.

  The crewman lifted his sword to her neck with a snarl. “Don't move, wench.”

  “Halt!” A commanding voice shouted from the ship's dock-facing side.

  Her opponent hesitated; the voice had to have belonged to the Council’s emissary. They both turned toward the newcomer’s voice.

  Two men wearing the raven-emblazoned armor of the Council Guard strode onto the Cygnet. Their helmets obscured all but their eyes, but as they approached, the shorter man’s gaze focused on Rayna.

  His eyes were a striking cornflower blue.

  Channon’s breath fogged against his helmet. Heat filled his body, surging as Rayna’s wild gaze met his.

  She recognized him.

  He was certain of it, but she was too smart to show any outward sign.

  Seperun’s spies had met Channon and the others shortly af
ter they’d bribed their way into the harbor. The spies had already intercepted and killed the man Swann had sent to beg an audience with the Council. When it came to the rescue, they’d supplied them with two sets of Council Guard armor and had offered to aid in the fight. Cassian and Daveed had declined the offer though, evidently believing the spies too valuable to risk.

  Channon did not care. Now that he had Rayna in his sights again, he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

  Behind Rayna, Mina held a bloody dagger. One of the slavers lay on the ground beneath her feet. Channon could not tell if he still lived.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Roxen asked, his voice altered to hide his Peninsular accent.

  Channon was grateful he was there to do the talking. Being within a few tail-lengths of Rayna again, stole all words from his throat.

  “Can’t you see?” The crewman Rayna had fought said. “These are them! These are the two wenches wanted by the Council! The Wolf Witch and the traitor! Do your job and arrest them!”

  “Do not presume to tell me what to do.” Roxen approached Rayna. “It could be her, but we must bring her to Captain Garrison to confirm.”

  Rayna’s lip twitched in a near-snarl. It was only then that Channon noticed the metal band around her neck.

  Rage splintered his nerves. They’d caged her wolf.

  Roxen looked at Mina. “Drop your weapon, wench.”

  Roxen would pay for that one.

  Mina dropped Coer's knife on the deck. She kicked it to Roxen and he picked it up.

  The rest of Swann’s men, five more in total, had come to the deck. One knelt by the injured man.

  “Where’s your captain?” Roxen asked the nearest slaver.

  “He was in there with them.” He pointed to the captain’s quarters.

  At a nod from Roxen, Channon walked into the cabin.

  The man who had to be Lord Alec Swann sat chained to a heavy oaken desk, red-faced, and with a scrap of fabric gagging him.

  Channon knelt and pulled the balled fabric from his mouth.