Voidhawk

by Halstead, Jason

  Dexter pulled up short. He turned to look at her and then motioned towards his cabin door. She nodded and moved past him to open it and step in. He followed, shutting the door behind him.

  “What is it?” Dexter asked, turning to face her and finding her standing far closer than he expected. He jumped a little, but the door kept him from moving very far away from her.

  “Dex,” she began, looking directly into his eyes with a seriousness that left him uncertain.

  Dexter opened his mouth to respond but she held up her fingers and pressed them to his lips, silencing him.

  “I won’t pretend to know how much Kragor meant to you, but I know it was a lot,” she continued. “I just want to say that I’m here, if you want to talk. I know you probably won’t, but you should.”

  Unbidden, memories of Kragor popped into his head. He forced them down and smiled around the sudden lump in his throat. “Thanks,” he said softly. “But you’re right, I probably won’t.”

  She scowled. “Damn you and your kind,” she snapped.

  “Back to being a human hating elf already?” He inquired with a sweetness that was designed to infuriate her.

  “No,” she snapped. “I’m talking about you being a man! All men do it, elf or human.”

  “Oh,” Dexter said, at a sudden loss for words.

  She looked at him and crossed her arms, frustration evident on her face. Finally she let out a grunt and, catching the captain off guard, hugged him.

  Dexter looked down at Jenna, confused and uncertain of how to respond. On the one hand he felt uncomfortable; he had not invited the contact or wanted the intimacy. On the other hand he was intently aware of how long it had been for him since he had been that close to a woman, especially a woman that had declared her interests in him. Ultimately, Dexter’s feelings of appreciation for her attempts at offering consolation won out. He placed his hands gently around her and returned the gesture.

  “You’re not so good at this either,” Dexter pointed out, realizing that she had seemed just as awkward and uncertain as he was about sharing an emotional moment.

  “With all due respect, Captain, shut up,” Jenna replied. “I’m trying something new too, something someone I respect very much taught me.”

  “Oh? What’s that?” Dexter asked, amused.

  “Putting aside what I’ve always done and doing what I know should be done,” she said, looking up at him. “Now tell me how you and Kragor met.”

  Dexter thought for a moment, his mind traveling back to a time a few years past. He smiled in spite of himself, then tried to push it away and deal with the present.

  “I appreciate what you’re doing… really,” he said with a genuine smile. “But I’m keeping those memories for myself. I’m not hiding or denying, death’ll find us all out here sooner or later.”

  She nodded after a long look into his eyes. She smiled her understanding and detached herself from their hug. “Just remember, if you want to talk…”

  The Captain nodded and smiled. “Now what about the wizard? You said you had something to say?”

  Jenna shrugged. “I lied; needed to get you alone…sorry.”

  Dexter frowned but found himself chuckling at her expression in spite of himself. “Alright, but don’t let it happen again.”

  “Yes Sir,” Jenna said, slapping her fist to her chest in mock salute.

  “”Way I see it, I got a rough choice off my bow,” Dexter said, moving past Jenna and sitting down in his chair. He gestured towards his bed and she raised an eyebrow then sat down on the edge of it.

  “What’s that, Captain?” Jenna said, glancing at his bed and wondering if she might be stretched out on it anytime soon.

  “I’m not knowing if Jodyne will be staying with us,” he admitted thoughtfully. “Rosh’s dying to have a chance to boss people around, and Xander’s no stranger to wanting control. Bekka’s got no interest in it either, I’m for thinking. What about you? What’s your take on it?”

  “On what? First mate?” Jenna asked, guessing correctly what Dexter was pondering. Her only surprise at his question was that he mentioned the wizard’s name.

  Dexter nodded.

  “Why the mage? He’s a castaway, not crew.”

  “He got nowhere worth going and nothing to help him stand on his own. Might be we could use a caster on here. Plus he’s got some tricks that might help out, stuff like adding dimensions or spaces or something to the holds.” Dexter shrugged in admittance of his lack of understanding things magical. “It’s magic, I don’t know it and that don’t make for smart sailing. Might be handy having someone around that does.”

  “Bekka’s got magic,” she pointed out.

  “Aye, but she’s the first to admit hers ain’t book learning. She knows what she knows because it just comes natural,” Dexter replied. “Xander’s got his nose high enough to snag it in the rigging, sure, but he’s also got some book learning on all that finger wiggling.”

  “You didn’t tell me about yourself yet,” he pointed out before she could pursue the matter further.

  Jenna smiled and shook her head. “A week or two back I’d have said yes. But now I don’t think I could fill Kragor’s boots.”

  “Not with them dainty elf feet,” Dexter said, altering his voice in a poor imitation of Kragor.

  They both grinned at the good natured jest. A brief moment passed before Dexter said, “alright, it’s done then.”

  “What’s done? Who’s it to be?” Jenna asked, her curiosity making her lean forward. “Don’t tell me I have to answer to Rosh!”

  Dexter smiled and stood up. He moved past Jenna, who stared at him with suspiciously narrowed eyes. She stood up as he opened his door and stepped out, heading towards the staircase to the main deck. She hurried after and caught up to him as he was calling everyone that was on the deck together.

  “The ‘Hawk needs a new First Mate,” Dexter said loudly. “Ain’t a one of you that can replace Kragor, nor anyone out there that could. All the same, after me, Jenna’s in charge of the ship. Treat her like you would me… except better, since you don’t treat me half as good as you ought to.”

  Jenna glared at Dexter. She had suspected he might do something like that, and she knew better than to protest, especially in front of the others. Instead she turned to look at the others, which consisted of everyone except Bekka, who was on the helm.

  Keshira and Bailynn said nothing, they simply accepted it. Bailynn did look somewhat fearfully at Jenna for a moment, but the expression quickly passed. Rosh, on the other hand, looked frustrated. Xander seemed unconcerned about the change of events, and maintained a look of placid uneasiness that bordered on misery at his homeless situation.

  “Xander, you admit to owing me a debt; you just became the ‘Hawks wizard. When I don’t have you doing wizarding things, you’re to help out on the deck,” Dexter said.

  Rosh opened his mouth to protest but Dexter cut him off. “Rosh, you’re the new Arms master.”

  Rosh’s expression changed to one of introspection, which then morphed into a grin. “Hey Cap, does that mean I get my own room?”

  Dexter frowned and could feel Jenna staring at him without even needing to look in her direction. He opened his mouth to respond but saw Jodyne staring at him from behind the rest of them. He found he did not know what to say, but Jodyne saved him from the awkward moment.

  “I’ll move my things,” she offered.

  Dexter nodded, feeling small and petty for having not thought the situation through. He realized he could have and should have handled it better, but now it was too late for any of that.

  “Take your time, Jodyne. There’s no rush and don’t let Rosh tell you otherwise,” Dexter said. “Besides, he only gets Jenna’s room.”

  “Now get to work, the ‘Hawk don’t fly herself!” Dexter snapped, anxious to keep everyone busy and to get himself some time alone to beat his head against a wall. His only pause before shutting himself in his room was to stop by the
bridge and inform Bekka of the crew changes. She nodded distantly, her mind split between manning the helm and listening to Dexter, but offered him a smile of support at his decisions. Dexter was grateful for that, at least.

  He spared himself any feelings of true relief until he was alone in his cabin, with both doors barred and a bottle of brandy and two cups sitting on the table in front of him. He filled them both then just stared at them as he finally gave in and let the memories of his lifelong friend come to him.

  Dexter had met Kragor when he was just a boy maybe a dozen years old. The dwarf had stopped him from picking the pocket of a sailor that was heading into a bar, in fact. Considering himself busted, Dexter panicked and tried to escape the iron grip of the dwarf, but he had been unable to do so. Instead of turning him in though, Kragor had sat Dexter down and had a talk with him, convincing him that nicking purses was only the way to an early grave.

  They had become friends, if a bit unlikely, and had shared many adventures over the years. Dexter sniffed and reached for his drink, raising it slowly while staring at the amber liquid in it. He smiled and saluted the other glass on the table, already missing his gruff but fun companion.

  Dexter coughed and sprayed the brandy out his mouth and nose as he tried to drink it. He jumped to his feet, gasping not only from the stinging pain in his sinuses, but also from the sight that he had seen. Standing next to the table and staring at him with a smile was a ghostly image of Kragor.

  “I’m mad then,” Dexter mumbled after several moments of trying to recover his wits.

  Kragor reached for the small tumbler of brandy but scowled when his hand passed through it. He looked back to Dexter and shrugged, then winked and faded quickly away. Dexter stared at the spot until the apparition could no longer be seen, then he stared at the spare cup. His eyes widened when he saw that it had been knocked over and the alcohol spilled onto the table.

  Dexter grabbed the bottle and drank straight from the mouth, having no other recourse left to him. He coughed at the fire in his throat and belly, but stared around wild eyed. Kragor was dead and gone, his body given to the void. If he had seen him, even a ghost of him, surely Dexter was losing his mind.

  The captain kept drinking, trying to make some sense of it. Instead of lucidity though he only found the peace of an alcohol induced sleep. His last thoughts before passing out were that he must keep his vision to himself, or else his crew would know him for being crazed and sure to mutiny against whatever he planned.

  Chapter 7: Reunion

  “Captain, might I-“

  “What?” Dexter interrupted the wizard. He turned from where he was staring out the window on the bridge of the Voidhawk and gazed at the man with eyes that betrayed exhaustion.

  “I was wondering if you’d share where we’re headed?” Xander asked after a moment of shock. He realized that Dexter was taking the death of the first mate much harder than he had imagined – even though it had only been a week.

  Dexter stared at him for a long moment, then glanced at one of the charts on the table. Finally he shrugged and admitted, “ain’t picked a destination, truth be told.”

  “We’re deep in the void…Sir,” Xander said, speaking carefully because he suspected that Dexter might have an even shorter leash than usual, concerning him.

  Dexter squinted at him suspiciously. “What’re you getting at, wizard?”

  Xander took a breath and stepped closer to the charts. “I’ve been studying the stars. It’s near the edge of the known Void, but I know of a port we could go to. Lots of work there, I’ve heard, and anything you want can be had for a price.”

  Dexter frowned. “Anything I want? You trying to bribe me or something? Or are you looking for a place to jump ship?”

  Xander shook his head without hesitation. He moved to the chart and picked up a quill. He marked it on the chart after studying it briefly and said, “I’ve never been there. I’ve just heard and read about it. It’s not a part of the Federation or the Empire, it’s neutral and nobody bothers with it, it’s so far out. Lots of rules there, and they don’t get much in the way of visitors so traders are welcome.”

  “Lots of rules? You just said anything for a price?”

  “Aye, anything for a price…legally. That’s part of the rules.”

  Dexter frowned again. “What’s it called and if it ain’t human or elven, who runs it?”

  “A race of giant-kin run it, and it’s called Azmea,” Xander said. “They are a type of ogre, dark skinned and extremely intelligent, not as mindless or cruel as their more simple brethren.”

  Dexter’s eyes widened. “Sounds like a fun place,” he said dryly.

  “There are many of them, yes, but they are outnumbered by the other humanoid races on the planet. Nonetheless they rule the world and it remains civilized, if a bit violent.”

  “Violent?” Dexter asked, glancing at Bekka who was once again on the helm. She continued to tend to the business of operating the ship, however, and showed no interest in their conversation.

  “Disputes are often settled in an arena, I had read. And likewise, it is quite common for territories – city-states, kingdoms, fiefs, or whatever they call them – to go to war with one another. Sometimes, in fact, battles are fought simply for the pleasure of the nobles and for no other purpose. Or at least these are rumors I have heard.”

  “And you’re wanting us to visit?”

  Xander shrugged. “By my reckoning it is the closest port to us, and we are in danger of running low on some supplies.”

  The wizard continued, “and again, anything is available for a price there – including talent. You need to hire more crew, yes? What about the list of ingredients I provided you the other day that would allow me to enchant the holds?”

  Dexter found himself considering the wizard’s suggestion in spite of his better judgment. In fact, the longer he considered it, the more sense it made. A little risk, sure, but that could be found in any new port of call.

  “Alright, but I’d best not find out you’ve got any plans for running us up on some rocks,” Dexter warned, his eyes taking on a steely gleam.

  “What must I do to prove myself?” Xander asked angrily. “I’m no charlatan or juggler! I’ve the respect of my peers and the envy of many a foe I’ve bested over the years. Were it not for me honoring my debt and my current circumstances, our stations would be quite different, I assure you.”

  Dexter just grinned at his outburst. “That’s why I’m keeping an eye on you. A crew can run up a new flag, but that don’t mean them forgets what kind of sailors they are.”

  Xander stared at him for a moment, then finally broke his gaze and left with a huff.

  Dexter’s grin faded after the wizard disappeared. He turned to stare out the window again. He wondered where and when the dwarf might show up next. He had half expected Kragor’s shade to pop up behind Xander the entire time, but he had not. Dexter had only seen him a few times since that first night, and always the stout ghost seemed amiable enough. It still bothered him though, and he took care not to mention it.

  “Bekka, I’ll be in my room,” Dexter said, “keep to our course for now, it’s heading in the same direction anyhow.”

  She nodded slightly, indicating that she had heard him. Dexter barely noticed though, he was already opening the door to his room from the bridge. Once inside he found himself sitting at his desk, staring once again through a small glass covered porthole into the void. He was exhausted but sleep would not come; Dexter was terrified of what dreams he might have since he was already seeing the impossible while he was awake.

  Soon enough a knock at the door roused him from his fugue. He wearily rubbed his eyes and bid the visitor to enter. As he would have predicted, had his brain been operating fully, Jenna slipped into the room and shut the door behind him.

  “Captain,” she said somewhat stiffly at first. Then she saw the sheer exhaustion on his face and her bearing relaxed as she fought the urge to rush over to him. �
��Dex… Gods, what’s going on?”

  Dexter smiled wearily and waved away his concerns with his hand. “Too much ale, I’m afraid.”

  She frowned but said nothing. She had not seen him drink more than a few cups since she had known him. She opened her mouth to retort, but he beat her to the punch.

  “What troubles you?”

  She swallowed her rebuke. He had been different of late. Since Kragor died and she assumed his position, Dexter had been more distant to her. To all of them, really. Something was pulling him away from them, she only hoped it was not the fear of losing more friends as he had lost Kragor.

  “Xander came to me expressing some concern,” she said. “Concern about you, in fact.”

  Dexter chuckled. “He was worried about me? That’s about as likely as…” Dexter paused, realizing he had been about to say, ‘as likely as Kragor coming back to visit.’

  Jenna smiled. “Well, his exact words were something like, ‘that fool of a Captain is going to leave us stranded with no water or food if he doesn’t come to his senses!’”

  Dexter nodded, that sounded more like it.

  “I reminded him of his station, of course,” she quickly added.

  “How’d he take that?”

  Jenna grinned. “After he picked himself up and headed off to help Lynn and Keshira, he was muttering something about wondering why everybody seems to want to punch him.”

  Dexter could not fight the smile that twisted his lips upwards. He gave in and let out a short laugh, then sighed. “He’ll come around, I think.”

  “You think?” Jenna was not challenging him, simply wondering at his thoughts.

  “That or jump ship at his first chance,” Dexter said with a smile. “He wants us to head to an uncharted port nearby. A planet run by some kind of super smart ogre race. Humans and the like there too, he alleges.”