Serpent: Book II of the Asterian Trilogy

by Sarah Olson

  Richard gulped and looked away.

  "It’s pirates," Roy said from behind me. It was not a question.

  My eyes widened. "Pirates?" I exclaimed, fear gripping my stomach.

  Rebecca nodded slowly.

  "These islands are in their territory, aren’t they?" Roy asked.

  "For about eight years now," Richard replied. "We tried to fight them off at first, and then they ransacked our villages, attacked our women, and burned every home down in their path.

  I sunk slowly into the chair nearest me, processing his words.

  "The only way I could protect my people was to make a deal with them," Richard said, his eyes not meeting Roy’s or mine. "We would accommodate them when they arrived and pay them in gold to keep them from ransacking our villages."

  "And if you don’t pay them?" I asked, my body beginning to tremble.

  "Then they can take people of their choice as slaves," Rebecca whispered.

  My heart pounded hard in my chest. "How could you allow something like that happen?" I was sick at the thought.

  "It was a deal with a devil, Aria," Richard said. "My hands were tied. They were murdering people in the villages, stealing women away to their ships. I didn’t have enough men to fight them off. I did what I had to do."

  "Why not ask for help?"

  "Because no one would come," Roy answered for them. "Every island faces the threat of pirates, and they would rather work to keep themselves protected than help others—it’s why pirates rarely touch places like the Boreal Islands."

  "When will they be here?" I asked, my voice just a whisper.

  "A couple of weeks, possibly less," Rebecca answered quietly.

  "And you can’t pay them."

  "No," Richard said. "I received word from my cousin today that our funds are lacking greatly."

  "Your cousin?" I asked.

  Richard nodded. "My cousin Emily and her husband Rupert, Lord and Lady Dillingham, live on Sunrise Isle a couple of islands east of us."

  Emily. She had been the one my mother had mentioned. The cousin that had once been in love with James only to betray him. I shoved the thought away knowing it wasn’t important.

  "So what are you going to do then?" Roy asked tensely.

  Richard ran a hand down his face suddenly appearing much older. "Do whatever I can to keep them from taking any of my people."

  "We have lookouts on all the islands," Rebecca said. "We’ll know when they are near."

  "What island will they land on?" Roy asked, still not having moved from the doorway.

  "Sunrise Isle," Rebecca whispered, "but sometimes they come to this one after receiving their payment since they know Richard lives here."

  Pirates. Horrible bloodthirsty pirates. I had grown up hearing stories about them, and now they were heading this way.

  "Why didn’t you tell us about this before?" I asked.

  "I was hoping a trade ship would come to port before I had to so I could get you to safety. We don’t have any ships because the pirates destroyed them."

  "We used to see trade ships every month, but now it can be six months before one passes through. They know these are pirate waters and avoid the Coral Isles," Rebecca said.

  I looked up at her. "Then why not ask the sailors on whatever ship that comes through for aid?"

  "We have," Richard said, "but none want to get involved."

  I stood up. "When I return to Asteria, I will ask my parents to send aid."

  Richard smiled. "I appreciate the offer, but I doubt the Council will allow them to risk an Asterian fleet to save the islands run by the former prince."

  "You don’t know that," I said, defensively.

  "We’ll cross that bridge when we get there," Rebecca intervened. "For now, we must ready the cave, Richard."

  "The cave?" I asked.

  "It is where I send Vivien and Regina," Richard replied. "It keeps them hidden from the pirates should anything go wrong. You and Roy will go there too if they show up while you’re here. I cannot risk them seeing you in case one of them recognizes you."

  I gulped.

  "Mama! Papa!" Vivien called as she scampered down the hall. "Supper is ready!"

  "We’ll be right there, dear!" Richard called back. He then looked back at us. "Not a word of this to her or Regina," he said. "I don’t want them worried."

  I nodded glumly.

  I glanced at Roy. He stood rigidly in the doorway, his eyes cold and calculating. At that moment I understood just how much danger we were in.

  Chapter 29

  “THEY'VE BEEN FOUND!" a man exclaimed, bursting through the door to Richard's study.

  I spun around as Richard jumped up from his desk. "Where?" he asked the man who was bending over trying to catch his breath.

  The man straightened. "One of the smaller islands near Sunrise Isle. Lord Dillingham had them brought to him and is having them cared for since some were injured."

  "Do you know who?" I asked excitement and fear coursing through me.

  The man shook his head quickly. "They didn’t give me names, Milady."

  "Have a boat readied immediately, Nathaniel. We are going to Sunrise Isle," Richard said.

  The man bowed and quickly left the room.

  "Aria, I would let Roy know so you two can be ready to head to the boat. I’m certain you both want to be there. Pack some clothes for we may be staying at my cousin’s for a while since we don’t know the survivors’ condition."

  "Of course," I said, already halfway out the door. I picked up my skirt and ran across the grass to the house.

  They had been found! I couldn’t believe it. There were survivors. Ethelyn had to be one of them—she had to.

  "Roy!" I called, as I stumbled through the front door. "Roy!"

  Roy bolted from the parlor. "What’s wrong?" he asked, grabbing my arms, his eyes searching mine frantically.

  "They found survivors." I barely got the words out from the anticipation coursing through me.

  His eyes widened. "Where?"

  "They are being taken to Sunrise Isle to Richard’s cousin’s," I said, pulling away from him. "We need to get ready so we can meet them." Without another word, I bolted up the stairs.

  It was the first day since I had washed up on shore that I saw the ocean. Richard led us down a path through the forest until it opened up to a narrow waterway that he told us ran through Blue Isle. The water was turquoise in the sunlight that filtered through the overhanging trees on the sharp cliffs that rose from the other side of the waterway.

  A short dock ran alongside the shore with a couple of boats bobbing beside it. The boats were larger and better maintained than the longboats we had used to come and go from the Enigma. The polished dark wood shone in the sunlight, and the brilliant purple sail on each appeared to have been freshly dyed. The servants that carried our bags stepped onto the dock and placed them inside one of the boats.

  "I always love traveling to Sunrise Isle!" Regina exclaimed beside me. Richard had allowed her to join us while Vivien and their brothers remained at the house with Rebecca.

  "It’s beautiful," she continued. "First, we will stay on the river until we reach the other side of Blue Isle, and then we come out into the ocean, and you can see all the islands!"

  "Sounds lovely," Roy said with a wink.

  "Will that be all, Milord?" one of the servants asked Richard.

  "Yes, you may return to the house. Come," Richard said, turning to us. "It’ll take us a couple of hours, but we should make it to Sunrise Isle before dark."

  I followed him onto the dock as one of the rowers that had been waiting for us stepped into the readied boat. The rower offered me his hand and helped me get in. It felt odd to be on something unsteady again.

  "The best view is in the front, Milady," the rower said with a smile.

  I thanked him and moved to sit in the front. Richard settled down in the back with Regina as Roy came to sit beside me.

  He nudged me playfully. "
Back on the water again, huh?"

  I gave him a tight-lipped smile. I appreciated his efforts of lightening the mood but couldn’t find it in myself to respond.

  He draped his arm around me and pulled me towards him. I rested my head on his shoulder and kept my eyes on the river as the rowers pushed the boat off from the dock.

  "Don’t worry," Roy said. "Our questions will soon be answered."

  Regina was right when she said it would be beautiful. The first part of the trip took us down a winding river between high cliffs and luscious green forests. Birds called in the trees as the turquoise water rippled around us. Regina’s voice floated through the air as she spoke excitedly with her father. The sun was warm on my skin, the smell of saltwater hanging in the humid air.

  "Aria," Roy said, nudging me.

  My eyes opened, and I sat up. I didn’t know when I fell asleep, but it must have been shortly after we entered the open water, and the rowers unfurled the sail to get us to Sunrise Isle.

  "Welcome to Sunrise Isle," he said, gesturing to the island before us.

  We were approaching the docks, which were nothing compared to the size of the ones in the Malanese Seaport, though only boats bobbed beside these since there were no ships. Beyond it, the lights of a village shimmered in the dimming sunlight. The village was backed by two protruding tree-covered mountains. They would never rival the height of the Northern Mountains, but they carried their own unique beauty.

  "The village on Blue Isle is much larger," Regina said. She’d made her way up to us from the back of the boat. "It’s where they hold all the festivals."

  I scooted to the side so she could sit beside us.

  "But I’m certain it’s nothing compared to the cities you’ve seen," she continued. "Father told me about one in Malan that was built into the mountains!" Her eyes were wide with wonder.

  "Kings City," I smiled. "It’s very impressive."

  "What about in Asteria? Are there any cities that large?"

  "Perhaps not like Kings City, but there are a few. There’s Esterness in the south—its walls are almost as high as those in Kings City."

  "What about Eagle’s Nest?" Regina asked. "I heard that’s the one that protects the castle."

  "It is, in a sense," I said with a laugh. "It’s grown immensely since the war."

  "I heard they’re building walls around that one too," Roy said.

  I nodded.

  "Well there is one to rival them all," Roy said with a smile.

  I raised an eyebrow. "And which city would that be?"

  "Redvale, the heart of Surmania. It’s almost twice the size of Kings City," he said proudly.

  Regina gasped, "Twice the size?"

  Roy nodded.

  "I’ll have to see it," I said, crossing my arms, unconvinced.

  Sadness briefly flickered across Roy’s face. "Someday, and only when it would be safe for you to do so."

  I took his hand and looked him squarely in the eyes. "When it’s safe for us."

  He met my gaze with a seriousness and determination that I had never seen in him. He squeezed my hand, "For us."

  "Why would it not be safe?" Regina asked. I had momentarily forgotten she was there.

  I sighed. "Because I’m the princess of Asteria and they don’t like my family or me much. It’s why I have never been to Redvale." I leaned into Roy. "But I have heard of its beauty—though we will have to see about it rivaling Kings City."

  Roy laughed.

  "Did you live there?" Regina asked Roy.

  Roy turned away from the island and looked at Regina. "Yes, but not for some time now. I miss it." His mood changed drastically to something sullen and sad. I had so many questions I wanted to ask him now but didn’t want to push him in front of Regina.

  "Then when you get back to Asteria, you should take Aria," Regina said. She looked at me. "I’m positive he could protect you."

  A small smile tugged at Roy’s lips.

  I tucked my arm under his. "I’m certain he could."

  "Sit tight!" one of the rowers called out.

  The boat jolted slightly as its bottom scraped the sandy shore.

  When the boat came to a stop, I turned to Roy, "Let’s go find our friends."

  Besides the raucous sounds spilling out from one of the taverns, the village was quiet as most of the villagers had returned to their homes for the night. Flickering lanterns lined the main streets casting shadows around us as we walked.

  "My cousin’s manor is at the edge of the village," Richard said.

  We were followed by a couple of servants that met us at the boat to carry our bags.

  I held Roy’s hand tightly. Too many worries were running through my head. I feared Ethelyn’s fate; I wondered how long it would be until I saw my family again; I wished the survivors could have been brought to Blue Isle so I could have avoided a meeting with Lady Dillingham; and the newest was my sudden uncertainty of how anything between Roy and I would work.

  I cared deeply for him but discussing Redvale had brought on some uncertainty. How could a Surman court a princess of Asteria—especially when he had been close to the prince? And despite the opinions of my parents, Roy and I had never discussed the tensions between our kingdoms. I didn’t know what his feelings were towards my family and my people. Even though I wasn’t in line for the throne, what I did and who I saw mattered. I was already in the midst of scandal over my broken engagement and running away—anything more could completely ruin my reputation.

  "Aria," Roy said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I can’t feel my hand."

  "Oh!" I exclaimed, letting him go.

  He laughed. "That doesn’t mean you can’t hold it, just not so tight."

  I blushed, taking his hand again.

  "Where were you? Richard was telling us about the village, and you didn’t seem to hear a word," he said quietly.

  "Thinking," I answered.

  "You and your thinking. Care to tell me what about?"

  I shook my head. "Later."

  We came to a stop before a small manor—at least in terms of the ones I was used to—and waited as the servants opened the gates.

  I took a deep breath. It was time to get answers.

  ☐☐☐☐

  We stepped through the doors into a brightly lit foyer. A staircase curved up the back of the room beside an open archway. A man stepped out from a room to our right and smiled. His red hair was combed back, and his beard was trim. He looked to be about Richard’s age.

  "Rupert!" Richard greeted the man. He gave him a quick hug just as a woman appeared behind them.

  She was beautiful despite the piercing look she used to take each of us in. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a graceful bun, and she wore a form-fitting dress that brought to life the story of when my mother had met her at the Autumn Ball all those years ago. Emily Dillingham. The pompous cousin of the prince and the former lover of the man I called father.

  "So this is Princess Aria," she mused. "She looks more like her mother than you, Richard. Are you certain she’s yours?"

  "Emily," Richard warned.

  Emily laughed. "You can never be too sure—but where are my manners? Welcome to our home, Your Highness."

  The mask I had been trained to wear slipped into place as I gave her a smile. "Thank you."

  Rupert clasped his hands together seeming eager to ease the tension. "I’m sure you would like to see the survivors. We have some of them set up in the back rooms, though some chose to go to the inn in the village."

  "How many did you find?" Roy asked.

  "Twenty-two," Rupert answered. "We found them scattered among some of the smaller islands."

  That made seven missing or dead.

  Roy gave my hand a comforting squeeze.

  "This way," Rupert said.

  Emily stepped away from the doorway allowing us to follow her husband.

  "We’ll stay back here," Richard said, placing his hand on Regina’s shoulder.

  "Bu
t, Papa—" she began. I didn’t hear the rest, for Roy and I were already down the hall.

  Rupert led us up a back staircase to a hallway lined with doors. The manor was bigger than I originally thought. Seif’s booming laugh floated down the hall from an open doorway.

  I looked at Roy.

  He smiled back. "Sounds like Seif’s alive."

  "There are about ten or so staying in the guest quarters," Rupert said.

  "Thank you," Roy said as I took a step towards the open doorway.

  As soon as Rupert turned to leave, Roy darted down the hall pulling me with him until we were standing in the doorway of a small parlor. I scanned the room quickly, finding three sailors I didn’t know well seated about and Seif leaning against the mantelpiece, his arm in a sling.

  "Well, well," Seif smirked, "look who finally decided to join us."

  "Good to see you alive as well," Roy joked.

  "We thought you were a goner," one of the seated sailors said.

  "I thought I was too," Roy laughed.

  Seif looked at me. "It’s good to see you safe, Lady."

  "You as well," I said. "It appears we were lucky to have been so close to the Coral Isles."

  "Aye," Seif nodded.

  "Captain Matek?" Roy asked.

  Seif shook his head solemnly. "He went down with the ship along with Giyon. Though you’ll be happy to hear that Tarique and Stephen made it." He looked at me. "Ethelyn made it too. She should be in the room two doors down with Stephen."

  Despite the sad news of the captain and his sailing master, relief flooded my veins. Ethelyn was alive!

  I looked at Roy and back to Seif. "If you will excuse me, I must go see her."

  "Of course," Seif said. "She’ll be relieved to see you alive."

  I quickly turned back into the hall and ran to the room. Voices floated out through the closed door.

  "I cannot wait another minute," Ethelyn was saying. "I’m going to find her."

  "What you need is rest, Ethelyn," Stephen argued.

  I swung the door open. "Ethelyn!" I exclaimed.

  "Milady!" Ethelyn gasped. She ran to me and wrapped me in a tight hug.

  I froze for a split-second, not used to this kind of affection from her but then hugged her back.