Voidhawk

by Halstead, Jason

  “He been there?” Jenna challenged.

  Dexter shrugged. “Says he ain’t, just heard tell of it and read about it his books. I reckon we could all do with some leave, especially after…”

  Jenna nodded, sparing him from saying it out loud. “Yeah, I reckon we could.”

  Dexter glanced up at her quickly, not realizing his gaze had drifted to the floor. “You ‘reckon we could’?”

  She grinned and shrugged. “Yes, why not?”

  “That just don’t sound like proper elf-talk… You been hanging around too many of us humans?”

  She smiled again and said, “I can’t imagine much better company. Anytime you want to rub off on me, you just let me now.”

  Dexter blinked and realized after a long moment that he had stumbled right into her trap. He groaned and shook his head; Jenna grinned triumphantly. Of course the truth was she meant it, she had never formed bonds and friendships like she had on the Voidhawk. And she had never fallen so hopelessly for a man like Dexter.

  “Dangerous place, this,” Dexter said, moving back to the topic at hand. “Anything and everything to be had, he says. Lots of rules and the ones in charge seem a bit feisty. Violent, even. Not so sure it’s a safe place to be letting people with an itch to have a drink and a bit of free run loose at.”

  “Especially Rosh,” Jenna added, finishing off the unspoken thought that Dexter had shared. The Captain smiled.

  They were quiet for a long moment, each letting their thoughts wander to different areas. Jenna’s focused on concern for Dexter, whereas Dexter was trying to focus on what the Voidhawk should do. His fatigue kept interrupting him though, leaving him no closer to a solution than before.

  “Is that our course?” Jenna asked him softly.

  Dexter sighed. “What do you think?”

  She raised an eyebrow, surprised. She wondered if he was just gathering his thoughts, but then tossed that aside. Dexter had always been a confident man with a plan of action, something she admired about him. This time though, he seemed lost and uncertain. That realization only made her heart ache for him even more. She hid it behind a soft smile.

  “I think we should go there. Perhaps we can take on more crew to round us out, we need another skilled carpenter or shipwright,” she pointed out. “And if Xander just wishes to abandon us, well, better he’s on his way than to have us always worried when he might disappear. Or worse yet, betray us.”

  Dexter nodded, what she said made sense. “Set a course,” he said.

  She nodded. “Yes Sir,” she said, turning to leave because she sensed that Dexter had dismissed her. As much as she wanted to stay and help him, she knew he was not ready.

  “Wait,” Dexter said, his words acting like a hand that spun her back around. “This is between me and you, got it?”

  She nodded and stepped forward, sitting down in a chair at his table. “Dex,” she said softly and earnestly, “I keep telling you but you never seem to remember. Everything between us… is between us.”

  “Aye, so you do,” he said with a soft smile. She caught a look in his eyes, behind the fatigue, that shocked her and thrilled her. It was a mixture of fear and appreciation… and openness. It disappeared quickly, but she knew it had been there.

  “Is this where you tell me how you’ve been pining away for me and you’re finally ready to accept me into your heart?” she asked sweetly, teasing him playfully.

  He smiled and then shook his head. “How’s the crew ever going to mutiny and toss me off the aft rail if you’re having relations with me? They couldn’t put you in as captain then.”

  Jenna laughed at his well formed response. He had dodged her question artfully, all the proof she needed that her Captain was still in full control of his faculties. She shrugged and replied, “sure they could… it’d just be easier for me to poison your ale so you didn’t see it coming.”

  Dexter laughed with her, sharing a moment of warmth at the dark humor. Both knew nothing of the sort was every likely to happen. Dexter’s laughter faded quickly though, as he remembered the real reason he was troubled.

  “Has anyone reported anything strange lately?” he asked her.

  “Strange? Well Xander thought it strange that you were tired,” she said thoughtfully, caught up in his question. “He probably thought it unusual that I could drop him to the deck with a single punch as well, being a wee little elf girl and all.”

  “Nobody’s claimed to be seeing things then?” he asked.

  “Seeing things? Like what?”

  Dexter sighed. He wanted to tell her, but he knew she might think he was going crazy. Hell, he knew she would think he was losing his mind!

  “Dex,” she said, sliding off the chair and kneeling in front of where he sat in his. She put her hands on his thighs. “What’s going on?”

  He shook his head, dismissing it. “It’s nothing, I’m just taking Kragor’s death hard.”

  She shook her head in turn. “No, Dex, it’s not. I know how dear he was to you. I know you too, and you’re not the type to be put down by this. It’s not that losing Kragor didn’t hurt you or any of us. There’s something going on, you know it and I trust you. I know you,” she stressed, “and I believe in you. Even now, with you strung out and not able to think, I’ll put my life in your hands and say that you’ll do the right thing if the choice comes up.”

  Dexter looked at her for a long moment. He finally made a decision and took a deep breath. When it released, he felt the tension in his back release. He nodded and smiled. “Sorry I’ve been away this week,” he said.

  “It’s Kragor,” Dexter added. “He ain’t gone.”

  “He’s not… Dex,” the elf said cautiously. “We gave his body to the void, you saw it.”

  “You’re thinking I’m daft now?” Dexter asked her.

  “No, I’m trying to understand,” she said, reassuring him.

  “Get off your knees, somebody coming in might get the wrong idea,” he said.

  She shrugged. “It’s no secret.”

  “What’s no secret? There’s nothing going on,” he protested.

  She grinned. “Maybe not, but that’s our secret.”

  “What?” He gasped in shock. “You been telling them that-“

  She stood up and put her finger to his lips, silencing him. “I’ve been doing no such thing. It’s a small ship, they see and they talk though. I hear better than they think.”

  “It’s Rosh, ain’t it? He talks filth like that all the time. I’m going to have him scrubbing the keel for a month straight!” Dexter stood up, their prior conversation forgotten as he tried to push past her to head to the deck.

  She put her finger to his mouth again to silence his protests. “It doesn’t matter who it is, Dexter. I don’t stop them because that would just fuel the flames.”

  Dexter paused, not paying attention to how close Jenna was to him. She had a point; if he intervened it would just strengthen the gossip. He looked down and saw Jenna staring up at him. He stared at her, noticing how expressive and beautiful her eyes were. He shook his head, cursing inwardly at how tired he was.

  Jenna reached up and put her hands on his head, then pulled him to her. She kissed him, unable to stop herself even though she knew she should not have done it. She could not help herself though; she had a hunch that this might be the only time she could ever get away with it due to his exhaustion and sluggishness.

  Dexter’s world disappeared when she kissed him. He stumbled but she caught him, and he found himself for a long moment only able to focus on her lips. She broke it and pulled away and looked at him. There was longing in her gaze and a bit of fear as well. She was terrified he might reject her, even though he had not pulled away from her.

  “Please be truthful with me,” she asked, her voice vulnerable and quiet. “Did you feel the magic?”

  Dexter closed his eyes and wanted to deny her. He could not deny they had kissed, but he could deny that it had been special. All he had to do was o
pen his mouth and say no. When he tried, however, it came out sounding a little different. In fact, it sounded remarkably like a “yes.”

  She beamed. Her eyes sparkled and her face seemed to glow with pride. Dexter had wanted to say no. He had meant to say no. But instead he had said yes. He sighed and shook his head.

  “I’m your Captain. You’re my first mate, that’s all there is to it,” he stated, trying to make it sound less hollow.

  Jenna shrugged. “I’ll be your mate anytime you’re wanting me, Captain,” she said with a wink.

  Dexter sighed. “This is a private mutiny.”

  The elf kept on smiling.

  “Get back to work,” he muttered, sinking back into his chair and at a loss for words.

  Happy, she snapped off a fist to the chest salute and then turned and left the cabin. It was not until an hour or so later that she realized they had not finished their conversation about Kragor. Suddenly worried about Dexter and about the ship, she found the first excuse she could to head back down to his cabin. She knocked softly and heard no response. Upon sticking her head in she found him slumped over his desk, sleeping. She frowned but backed away. It was not the best of positions, but she knew disturbing him would just rouse him prematurely and he desperately needed sleep.

  * * * *

  The Voidhawk settled onto its landing struts with the gentle groan of flexing timbers. Thick ropes from either side were cast off to be grabbed by the dockworkers at the harbor. No sooner had the gangplank been secured when a large man wearing an open vest made of boiled leather and studded with metal rivets crossed it. Behind him came two other men wearing chain shirts covered in tunics with the emblem of their allegiance. A third man followed carrying some scrolls and wearing a frayed brown robe. A torque around his neck implied he wore it unwillingly.

  “Permission to come aboard?” The dark skinned man asked from where he stood a single step away from the deck of the Voidhawk.

  Dexter looked him up and down before nodding, “granted. I’m Dexter Silvercloud, Captain of the Voidhawk.”

  He stepped onto the ship and made way for his men to come behind him. “Talik, Harbormaster of Azmir.”

  “I thought this was Azmea?” Dexter asked with a frown.

  “It is, this is the free state of Azmir, the only registered Void-Port on Azmea.”

  “And a fine city it is,” Dexter followed up quickly. “All the trade comes through here?”

  “Through this port, yes,” Talik said then grinned. “And through me.”

  Dexter returned the smile. “Of course it does.”

  “Have you any goods to declare?”

  Dexter chuckled. “No cargo.”

  “A fine vessel such as this and no cargo?” Talik’s raised eyebrow indicated as well as his tone and his words that he doubted Dexter’s honesty.

  “We were hoping to find some work here, take on some supplies, and maybe find some fresh crew,” he explained.

  Talik nodded. “You won’t mind then if we search your ship?”

  Dexter’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not very friendly.”

  Talik shrugged. “The Lords of Azmea let Azmir run free for a reason. Smuggling violates our agreement, so we take a dim view on smugglers. There’s nothing that can’t be had here, and those that try to get around don’t make it back to the Void.”

  Dexter glanced at the harbor and the thriving town beyond, weighing all that Talik had said. It sounded very much like Xander had told him, that bode well for the mage.

  “Sometimes cargo is small or stored in unusual places,” Talik continued more softly, turning to follow Dexter’s gaze. “I’m a groundling, but I understand the ballast must be stowed just so to keep the ships balanced. Sometimes cargo is forgotten and not found until later. Might there be some lashed away forgotten sack or box below?”

  Dexter rubbed his admittedly scruffy chin with his hand. “Now that you mention it, I do have a little something below I picked up.”

  Talik nodded. “I understand, these things happen.”

  Dexter reached into his pocket and pulled out the small bell he had taken from the table in the casting chamber of Xander’s destroyed tower. He held it up and shook it. “Fancy little thing, rings clear and true.”

  “That’s your forgotten cargo?”

  Dexter smiled. “Aye, I’d forgotten all about it till you mentioned that. Been an exciting time out there.”

  “And the search?” Talik asked, his eyes smoldering with anger at having been made fun of.

  “Keep an eye on the ship, make sure we don’t take anything off,” Dexter said, denying the harbormaster.

  “I’ve a crew of eight, with any luck we’ll be leaving with a couple more.”

  Talik nodded. His servant behind him put quill to parchment and scribbled down whatever notes he needed. Talik stared at Dexter a moment longer and then jerked to his followers. They turned and marched down the gangplank, with Talik casting a final accusatory glance at the deck and the crew before he followed them.

  “We don’t have anything below,” Jenna said softly after she came up next to Dexter.

  The Captain shrugged, but could not hide the smile. “Even so, I’ll not have some dirthugger trekking mud around my ship.”

  Jenna shook her head and rolled her eyes, not caring if Dexter saw her or not.

  The crew gathered on the deck, with Xander only just joining them as he stumbled up carrying a bag in one hand filled with some books and other odds and ends. Dexter’s eyes narrowed as he watched him hurry to join them, and Jenna saw the wrinkles deepen as he did this, drawing her own attention to the wizard.

  “Rosh, you’re with me,” Dexter said to his new Arms Master. “I need some volunteer’s to stay aboard and guard the ship. Anybody?”

  “If it is your wish I will stay, Captain,” Keshira volunteered.

  Dexter scowled at her tone and deference, but nodded. “It’s my will that someone does it, but is it your will to be the one?”

  “If you desire it of me, Captain.”

  Dexter rolled his eyes and gave up. “Fine, anybody else?”

  “I… I’d prefer to stay,” Bailynn said quietly.

  “That’s two, anybody else?”

  “Dex, I’ll-”

  “No,” Dexter said, interrupting Jodyne. “I need you to pick up some fresh eats,” he told her. To back his point up, he tossed her a small pouch of coins.

  “The rest of you, be back on the ship… scavver dung, what time is it here anyhow?” Dexter asked, distracted as he glanced up towards the sun. It was midway between the horizon and high noon.

  “”There’s six hours until dusk, I think,” Xander piped up.

  Dexter frowned and peered at the wizard again. “You’re knowing a lot about this place.”

  “I’ve done a lot of research,” Xander said, his tone lowered slightly in anger at the implied accusation.

  “Good, means you won’t be getting lost.”

  “Back by dusk then, all of you. I caution you to stick together, but that might be a waste of breath,” Dexter said with a wry smile.

  Rosh held up, waiting to see what Dexter needed him for. Jodyne trudged to the side, not meeting anyone’s gaze, and headed down the plank to the dock and from there further off. Xander started forward, moving quickly and anxiously, and was surprised when Jenna fell in beside him.

  “If you’re fixing to pick up some magical components to help out, I figure you’ll need an extra set of hands,” she explained with a too-sweet smile.

  Xander made the mistake of glancing at Dexter, wondering if he was the source of it. The captain had the good grace to appear surprised at her actions, but he just nodded in agreement. Another pouch sailed through the air and Jenna’s hand snaked out to catch it gracefully.

  “After you,” Jenna said, waving her hand forward. Xander cast her a final glance then nodded and led the way down the plank.

  Jenna glanced back at Dexter and saw him nod again in approval. She smil
ed and winked at him, then turned and followed the wizard.

  “What’re we after?” Rosh asked.

  “Replacements,” Dexter said, making sure Jodyne was out of earshot. “The ‘Hawk’s a fine ship, but she won’t be flying long without someone that can fix her up.”

  “Ain’t nothing wrong with the ship,” Rosh said, confused.

  “Aye, not yet,” he responded. “You notice we have a tendency to run afoul of damn near everything?”

  Rosh chuckled and nodded.

  “I need a shipwright… or at least someone who can fix up some holes. That and it’d be nice to have a few more deckhands.”

  Rosh scratched the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. “Keshira and Bailynn do a damn fine job of it.”

  “Aye, they do, but I’ll not work someone to the bone.”

  The large man shrugged. “Keshira ain’t human, she can do it.”

  Keshira, if she was bothered, stood by complacently.

  Dexter turned to look at the pleasure golem. He sighed. “Be that as it may, it’s not my style. She’s my crew and that means she gets time off like the rest of us.”