by K Hanson
When finished, she set the tray back on the dresser and slipped out the door. She snuck down the stairs and toward the kitchen to use the back door, avoiding the noisy crowd gathering in the main dining area of the tavern. She’d meet her crew and the other rebels soon. She wanted to go talk to Devrim first, though. It was less daunting to face someone one on one than to wade into a crowd, at least as she wrestled with her conflicted feelings about losing Elvar while still winning the battle.
She left the tavern for the administration building.
“Nereyda,” called a voice from behind her.
She turned around to see Jax slip out from the same back door.
“Hey Jax,” Nereyda said.
“Why are you sneaking out?” His dark eyes narrowed with concern as he studied her face. “You’ve been out for days, and your crew misses you.”
“Devrim wanted to see me when I woke up, so I’m heading down to the admin building. I’m not quite ready for my crew and everyone else yet.”
“Elvar?”
Nereyda shrugged and shook her head.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Don’t worry about me.”
“You don’t have to keep everything buried, you know.”
She ignored him and glanced out over the harbor. “You know, we can have any ship we want. There’s a frigate right there in the harbor. If we wanted, we could take it and sail your people back to the Shattered Sea right now.”
“We could do that, but we won’t. I don’t think you really want to do that.”
“Why not? Stealing a ship isn’t really beneath me.” She flashed him a smirk.
He gave her a concerned frown. “I know that, but I don’t think you’re in this for a ship.”
“Then what am I doing it for?”
“What you said to the people in that tavern to convince them to join us—that didn’t come from someone who only cares about a ship. That was a woman who cared about the people of this city and wanted to help them. You’re fighting for them, even if you don’t want to admit it.”
She shrugged off his words. “I know how to rile up a crowd.” Nereyda started to turn away.
“Reyda, Elvar died knowing what he was fighting for. Elvar thought you were worth it, so don’t throw that away.”
Nereyda turned back to him.
“I know what it’s like to lose someone important to you,” Jax continued. “I didn’t mention this before, but I used to have a wife.” His eyes held an aged soul. “We had been friends since we were children, and it grew into something more than friendship.
“A month after our wedding, we left for the new settlement to begin our life together. We built our marriage and the village on the same foundation. We’d flirt and sneak kisses even as we worked with the others. She set up a school and taught the young ones. Then, the Imperials came. I’ve never seen such fierce courage from anyone as she showed when she protected her students. She got them to the ship and helped them escape. She had intended to go with them to keep them safe on the journey. We both had. I tried to provide cover for them as they got ready to cast off, but there were too many enemies. When Avra saw that I was being overwhelmed, she told the kids to cast off without us and rushed to my side with just a spare oar as a weapon. She fought fiercely, even more than I did. A soldier circled around behind her, and he ran her through with his sword. I don’t remember if the scream I heard was hers or mine. As soon as she collapsed, I fell to my knees and dropped my weapon. My wife was dead, and I was captured. For a long time, I wondered if saving those children was worth our sacrifice—if it was worth her life and my freedom. But it was. I don’t know what became of those kids. I hope I get to find out. But we gave them the best shot that we could. That’s what you’ve done here. You’ve given this city a chance to be great. What will the children of this city get to do, what opportunities will they have because you and Elvar fought for them, even if it did cost him his life? I didn’t know him long, but from what I’ve seen of him, I think he would be comfortable and happy with what his death bought for the city.”
Nereyda stared up at the puffy clouds floating through the sky as she digested Jax’s story, then turned her eyes back to him. “Maybe you’re right. Thank you, Jax. And I’m sorry about your wife. You’ve lost even more than I have.”
He nodded. “Now it’s up to us to honor the memories we have of Elvar and Avra. Want company on the way to see Devrim?”
“No, I think I’m fine by myself. I’ll see you later, though.”
On the streets, her muscles ached as she made her way downhill to the harbor, then followed the edge. A large marble building, several stories tall, occupied a space of at least two blocks. Armed men in green uniforms hurried in and out of the building. She had no idea where to look for Devrim in such a vast building. She asked one of the guards at the door, “Do you know where I can find Devrim?”
“Lord Devrim has taken the city administrator’s office, on the top floor in the middle of the western side, looking over the harbor. It’s a big room. You won’t be able to miss it.”
“Thanks.” Inside, a staircase ascended straight ahead of her. After hiking up several flights of stairs, she found the western side. It was easy to figure out which room was the administrator’s office. Two guards stood outside an ornately decorated door. Battle scenes from the Empire’s history were carved into the door and lined with gold.
“Hello,” she said to the guards. “I’m here to see Devrim. He asked for me.”
“Oh, the pirate,” said the guard on the right. “He said you’d be coming. He’s in a meeting right now, but you can come back in a bit.”
“I’ll go in now. Thanks, though.” Nereyda strode past the guard and ignored his protests as she shoved through the door and into a spacious office. Devrim sat behind a desk, with two other people in chairs in front of him. One of them Nereyda recognized from the night she had broken into Devrim’s mansion. The other she didn’t recognize.
“Does she know about the Inquisition yet?” Nereyda heard one of them ask.
“Inquisition?” she said. “What’s that?”
Devrim’s eyes flicked up at her. A glimmer of surprise flashed across his face before it disappeared. “Nothing I would worry about. It seems that news of what you did to the ships in the harbor has got around and the Empire is scared that they don’t have anything that can stand up to you. They’re trying to make you out to be some sort of demon. I’m not sure they’re wrong, but at least you seem to be the right kind of demon. You’re among friends, and you don’t need to be concerned.”
She gave a weak shrug. “If you say so.”
“Sorry, sir,” said the guard. “I tried to tell her you were busy, but she just walked in.”
“That’s fine,” Devrim said. “I’d expect no less. Excuse me, gentlemen, but we’ll have to continue this discussion another time. The Savior of Antalia has finally woken up, and I’ve been looking forward to talking with her.”
The two men got up and nodded to Nereyda as Devrim showed them out of the room. Devrim clapped her on the shoulder. “Glad to see that you’re up and about now. I was worried that my best general would be gone after the first major battle. Please sit.” He pointed to an empty chair as he returned to his seat.
Nereyda crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall. She bit her lip as the solid surface pressed against her back. “General? Really?” Titles didn’t mean much to her.
“You did win Antalia for us.” He gestured out the window behind him. “From what I hear, you pulled off a bit of a miracle in the harbor.”
A weight sank in Nereyda’s gut at the mention of the battle. “Who were you meeting with? What was that meeting about?” Nereyda asked.
“You recognize Rahmi, I believe.”
“I do, but I didn’t think he wanted me to know his name.”
He waved her concern away. “It’s fine, now that we’re all outlaws together. Those two are our strongest supporters in the nobility. They�
��ve been working on building alliances with others in the Empire, especially the western portion.”
“Hope they’ve made some progress. Maybe turned more of those green markers to blue? You know it’s confusing that you use blue markers for your allies, but you have green uniforms.”
“Yes, I know. It’s just a strange mismatch we’ll have to live with.”
“What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Please, sit down.” He once again pointed at the seat across from him.
“I’d rather stand, but thanks.”
“Very well. First, Nereyda, I want to thank you. I could never have imagined taking Antalia, let alone as quickly as you did.”
Nereyda looked away and out the window. “It didn’t come without a cost.”
He rubbed his chin and gazed down at the desk. “Yes, your friend. I heard.”
“Elvar,” she said with an edge. “Not just a friend. He’s been part of the Storm Raven crew ever since I was hauled out of a barrel. If Captain Nogre was my father, Elvar was my uncle.”
Devrim clasped his hands and perched his chin on top of them, his eyes sympathetic. “I’m sorry that this battle cost the life of Elvar. I didn’t know him, but if he helped turn you into the person who could accomplish this, he was clearly a good man.”
Nereyda scoffed. “Not just good. The best. Even if we return to the sea, it won’t be the same without him. I’m starting to wonder if it’s even worth the cost.”
Devrim rose, crossed the room, and put his hand on her shoulder.
She fought back a wince as he touched a spot that was still healing. Then again, what part of her body didn’t hurt?
“I understand how you’d think that,” said Devrim. “It’s not easy to bear the loss of someone you care about. But Elvar probably knew what he was doing. He knew that he might die fighting this fight. And he did it anyway. He faced his death because he believed in something bigger than himself. He believed in you and your crew. He didn’t waste his life. He invested it in your future.”
“I’d rather have my friend than an investment.”
“I know, but now you have the opportunity to make the most of that investment. After what happened at the mines, and what you did here, I believe in you too. Together, we’ll win this and get your crew back home on the sea.”
Nereyda pulled away from Devrim’s hand and drifted around the room, her fingertips grazing the bookcases that lined the perimeter. She was ready to talk about something, anything, else.
“What’s next for us?” she asked. “The best way forward is to start moving.”
“We’re still figuring that out. After we get established here, we need to figure out what city to take next. I’m also interested in how the Empire will react to the fall of Antalia.”
“I doubt they’ll stand by and let us rest here for long. I’m not sure how they’ll take it back, though.”
“No, I don’t think they’ll try anytime soon. They might try besieging the city, but only if we wait around and let them do it. I want to take at least one more city before they can mount a significant counterattack. The closest major city is Trabizan, so that might be our next target. So far, Lord Feridun, the appointed mayor of the city, has been resistant to our efforts to bring him to our side. I even sent a messenger after taking Antalia, and he still refused.”
“Will you need my crew again?”
“Yes, but first get your rest. While I do want to take Trabizan soon, it will be at least a week before we’re ready to move out. Spend some time with your crew and enjoy your time as a celebrity here.”
“Since we have time, mind if I borrow one of the fishing boats for a few days? I need to see a friend and see if I can figure out what happened in the harbor. I don’t want to burn myself up again if I can help it.”
“Of course. Anything that can help you better use your power. We could use that again.”
“That move nearly killed me. You can’t ask me to do that again.”
“I hope your friend can help you get it under control, at least. I think we’ll need some of that lightning and whatever else you can do in our next fight.”
“I’ll see what we can do. Is that everything?”
“I think so, for now. When you return, feel free to stop by anytime for a drink.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you sure you should be asking your general on a date?”
“It’s not a date. I just want to get to know you.”
“Whatever you want to call it. Sure, I’ll stop by sometime when we’re taking a break from taking over the Empire.”
Nereyda gave him a slim smile, then slipped out of the room.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Gentle beams of sunlight roused Nereyda from her slumber. She climbed out of the bedroll on the deck of the fishing boat, then weighed anchor and sailed from the spot she had spent the night. In just a couple of hours, she would arrive at Manu’s. Hopefully, he would have some answers or at least be able to help her learn more about her powers.
As the boat bobbed through the sea, propelled by the morning breeze, the solitude of the last few days weighed on Nereyda. She tried not to think about Elvar or how she had nearly killed herself with her powers, but she couldn’t turn off those thoughts. Despite her conversations with Jax and Devrim, which had provided some comfort, her mind was still stuck in a loop.
The roar of dozens of cannons. The screams of her crew members. The feeling of Elvar’s blood on her hands. The scent of lightning in the air. Nereyda’s brain forced her to relive all of those sensations again and again. She gripped the wheel of the boat as she tried to drive the thoughts away, but the more she fought, the worse they seemed to get.
Why can’t I get it together? It’s not like I haven’t been in battle before.
Thankfully, the dock near Manu’s shack came into view. She wrestled her focus from her memories and concentrated on bringing the boat to the dock, then tying it up. Nereyda strode quickly along the beach, as if she could outpace her brain.
The weathered wood of Manu’s place came into view, with its slight lean away from the shore. Nereyda marched up to the door and knocked three times. A moment later, it opened, and Manu poked his head out.
He beamed as he recognized her and swung the door wide open. “Ah, Nereyda! I thought you were away. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“Yes, I hadn’t planned on it either, but recent events made me seek you out.”
Manu tilted his head. “Recent events? What can I do to help?”
“I’ve just come from Antalia. I helped Devrim’s rebellion take it. In the fighting, well . . .” Nereyda gazed down as she shifted her feet in the sand. “Something happened, and I destroyed two frigates with huge blasts of lightning.”
Manu took a short step back in surprise. “What prompted that response from you, I wonder?”
“That doesn’t matter right now,” Nereyda snapped. “What does matter is that it knocked me unconscious for days, and I can’t let that happen again.”
Manu stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression. “Hmm, I’ve read about such things happening, and worse.”
“Can you help me learn more and control this?” Nereyda asked, hope in her eyes.
“I can certainly try.” He leaned into his house and emerged with a fishing rod and a satchel in one hand and a pail in the other. “Can you carry this please?” He passed the bucket to Nereyda.
She took it and he shifted his satchel to his shoulder. Inside, the pail held a lump of butter, wrapped in paper, and a bag of flour. These rested in one half of the container, divided from the other half by a piece of wood.
“Follow me,” said Manu as he closed the door behind him and hiked along the beach. “I was just about to go fishing when you arrived. It will be a good time for us to talk.”
“You said you know about what happened?” The wind off the ocean blew a strand of hair across her face and she tucked it back.
“Perhaps. I’ve
read about people who pushed themselves too hard, channeled too much of their power at once, and were consumed by it. Some fell unconscious, like you. Others went mad or even died. You may have gotten lucky.”
“It didn’t feel lucky. When I woke up, everything hurt.”
Manu turned toward the water and waded in until he was ankle deep. “That is not surprising,” he said, “considering how much energy coursed through you. If you want to prevent this from happening again, you need to learn to control yourself.”
Nereyda stayed on the dry sand. “I wish I could, but I didn’t exactly get an instruction book to go along with this. Do you know anything that could help me?”
“I don’t have much practical knowledge of this, so I’m not sure how much help I’ll be,” he said as he strung a line onto his rod.
“You know more than I do. Unless you can recommend someone else, you’re all I have.”
He stopped fidgeting with the fishing rod and turned toward her. “What if I teach you something wrong? There’s no guarantee that I’ll guess the right things to do.”
Nereyda trudged down through the wet sand and into the water. “It still gives me a better chance than doing it on my own. Please, help me.”
“Of course. I only want you to be aware of the risks. But I do know a bit, I suppose. And I’m eager to learn more about your abilities.” He took a piece of bait from his satchel and hooked it onto his line. “Why don’t you practice while I fish?”
“Where should I start?”
Manu lifted the rod, then cast the line into the sea. “Begin by repeating what you did with the water the first time I saw you use your power.”
“That trick?” Nereyda rolled her eyes. “That’s easy. Let’s work on something hard.”
